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2016 Buick Encore

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Buick Encore do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 67.

About this comparison →
79Owner complaints

Model-year median: 67

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
52
201360
2014124
201579
201689
201774
201884
2019
Compare all Encore years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine
40Fuel/propulsion System
13Power Train
11Electrical System
9Unknown Or Other
8
All reported categories
Air Bags
7Steering
5Seat Belts
4Structure
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Wheels
3Lane Departure
2Service Brakes
2Suspension
2Visibility/wiper
2Exterior Lighting
1Seats
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

41 reports with mileage · 38 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

79 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

2/2017- PURCHASED NEW 2016 BUICK ENCORE AT HONOLULU GMC IN FIRST 2 YEARS- DEALERSHIP REPLACED 4 BATTERIES I HAVE ALL STOCK ITEMS I HAVEN'T ADDED/UPGRADED ANYTHING ON THE VEHICLE THEY SAID I HAD NO WARRANTY AFTER 50,000 MILES WHICH WAS A LIE AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE BATTERY 2 MORE TIMES AND WATER PUMP ONCE SUCCESSFULLY A…

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2/2017- PURCHASED NEW 2016 BUICK ENCORE AT HONOLULU GMC IN FIRST 2 YEARS- DEALERSHIP REPLACED 4 BATTERIES I HAVE ALL STOCK ITEMS I HAVEN'T ADDED/UPGRADED ANYTHING ON THE VEHICLE THEY SAID I HAD NO WARRANTY AFTER 50,000 MILES WHICH WAS A LIE AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE BATTERY 2 MORE TIMES AND WATER PUMP ONCE SUCCESSFULLY AND NOT AT THEIR DEALERSHIP. 1/2021 I FOUND THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PAPERS, WHILE DEEP CLEANING CAR BEFORE TAKING IN TO BE FIXED ELSEWHERE AND THEN GMC ADMITTED I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. DUE TO LONG WAIT TIMES NEAREST APPOINTMENT IN 2/2021. 2/2021 TOOK TO FIX A/C BLOWING WARM, ENGINE LACK OF AND LOSING POWER (WHICH WE TOOK IN FOR THIS BEFORE AND THEY SAID NOTHINGS WRONG JUST NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE OR SOMETHING, GOTTA FIND PAPERWORK FOR THAT REPAIR TO BE SURE) AND PARASITIC BATTERY TEST THEY DIDN'T DO THE BATTERY TEST (OF COURSE THEY DIDN'T) THEY FIXED THE A/C BUT INSTEAD OF USING THE WARRANTY, CHARGED ME A HIGHER DIAGNOSIS FEE AND NEVER FILED THE CLAIM, SAID THE ENGINE WAS DUE TO SUBPAR SPARK PLUGS WE TOOK BACK OUR CAR AND REPLACED SPARK PLUGS WITH DENSO. THERE WAS STILL THE SAME PROBLEMS. 3/23/2021 NOW THEY'RE SAYING CYLINDER 1 AND 3 SPARK PLUGS ARE STUCK WANT TO CHARGE $2500 FOR FULL FIX, WARRANTY WILL COVER $1300, BALANCE IS FOR GASKETS AND LIQUID REFILL. NOTE: NO ONE CHANGES THE SETTINGS IN A TORQUE WRENCH IN THE MIDDLE OF DOING SPARK PLUGS. HOW IS IT ONLY 2 ARE SEIZED? THEY'RE LYING I NEED A LAWYERS HELP PUTTING THIS HERE IN CASE ANY ONE ELSE HAD SIMILAR. MULTIPLE OTHER ISSUES IN BETWEEN THESE. I HAVE VIDEO RECORDINGS OF SOME OF THESE INSTANCES AND PAPERWORK FOR EACH REPAIR

NHTSA ODI #11405099

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2021
EngineService Brakes

WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE MY CAR JUMPS AND STALLS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS 3 THIRD TIME IT HAS HAPPENED IN NOT EVEN A YEAR

NHTSA ODI #11395306

34,000 miles · Dec 23, 2020
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

HAD ACCIDENT, WHERE I WAS HIT FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, AFTER THAT IMPACT I WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR, WHICH TOTALED THE CAR. ME AND A PASSAGE WAS TOSSED AROUND LIKE RAG DOLLS. THE SEAT BELT ON THE PASSAGE SIDE DID NOT HOLD IN PLACE CAUSING HER HEAD TO STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD TWICE, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FROM SIDE FRONT BACK…

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HAD ACCIDENT, WHERE I WAS HIT FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, AFTER THAT IMPACT I WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR, WHICH TOTALED THE CAR. ME AND A PASSAGE WAS TOSSED AROUND LIKE RAG DOLLS. THE SEAT BELT ON THE PASSAGE SIDE DID NOT HOLD IN PLACE CAUSING HER HEAD TO STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD TWICE, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FROM SIDE FRONT BACK NONE WHICH WOULD OF KEPT HER AND I FROM BEING TOSSED AROUND, THIS NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO SOMEONES ATTENTION, AND A RECALL WE WAS LOOKING WE BOTH HAVE INJURIES, CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE TO WHY THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER RECALLED AND CHECKED???? NOW ME AND MY PASSAGE HAS A ROAD OF RECOVERY DUE TO THE AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELTS

NHTSA ODI #11384768

55,500 miles · Nov 6, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemStructure

SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER BEING ON THE HIGHWAY CAR STARTED PULSING AND NOW MY CAR IS IDLING ROUGH.

NHTSA ODI #11373519

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THE HEAT DOES NOT WORK WHILE IDLING. ONLY HEATS UP WHILE DRIVING. BEGAN AT 20 K MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11353521

60,000 miles · Aug 24, 2020
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

WHEN I MY CAR STOPS AT LIGHTS STOP SIGNS AND AUTO STOP KICKS ON AND I TAKE MY FOOT OFF BRAKE TO GO MY AIR BAG LIGHTS FLASHES AND STAYS ON FOR A SECOND AND THEN GOES OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING ALL THE TIME . THEN RECENTLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND ENDED UP STOPPING AND AUTO STOP KICKED ON MY CAR MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND I COULDN'T MOVE…

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WHEN I MY CAR STOPS AT LIGHTS STOP SIGNS AND AUTO STOP KICKS ON AND I TAKE MY FOOT OFF BRAKE TO GO MY AIR BAG LIGHTS FLASHES AND STAYS ON FOR A SECOND AND THEN GOES OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING ALL THE TIME . THEN RECENTLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND ENDED UP STOPPING AND AUTO STOP KICKED ON MY CAR MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND I COULDN'T MOVE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY STREET AT LIGHT I HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT FOR IT TO EVEN MOVE THIS HAPPENED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES TO ME I AM VERY WORRIED BECAUSE NO ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON OR NOTHING AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS ALSO MY AIRBAG LIGHT SHOULD NOT COME ON WHILE I'M DRIVING THIS ASWELL IS DANGEROUS

NHTSA ODI #11350835

47,989 miles · Jun 29, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

MULTIPLE LIGHTS CAME ON AT ONCE AND NEEDED AN INTAKE MANIFOLD, PVC TUBE, VALVE COVER, ALL WHICH WERE REPAIRED AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO JERK FORWARD INTERMITTENTLY ON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331533

35,000 miles · Apr 22, 2020
Electrical System

SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM STOP WORKING DO TO REAR SENSOR BRACKET UNDER REAR BUMPER,SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY BUT DEALER WILL NOT COVER. WIFE IS BLIND IN ONE EYE SHOULD HAVE WORKING

NHTSA ODI #11321895

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2020
Unknown Or Other

AIR CONDITIONER ON MUST OF THIS CAR FAIL IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEY ARE GETTING AWAY WITH IT.

NHTSA ODI #11318162

87,064 miles · Jan 31, 2020
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE OR AT START UP THE ENGINE SMOKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ODOR OF BURNING ENGINE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF OIL ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED. HALEY GMC 9831 MIDLOTHIAN HYPERLINK,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE OR AT START UP THE ENGINE SMOKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ODOR OF BURNING ENGINE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF OIL ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED. HALEY GMC 9831 MIDLOTHIAN HYPERLINK, RICHMOND VA 23235: 804-250-1322, WAS CONTACTED AND A VALVE COVER REPLACEMENT WAS SUGGESTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONSTAR SYSTEM ALERTED OF AN EMISSION FAILURE. A PLUG PART WAS REPLACED WHILE STILL COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY IN AN EARLIER VISIT TO THE SAME DEALER. THE BURNING ODOR STILL PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,064.

NHTSA ODI #11306290

Official recalls

2

17V437000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seat Belts:pretensioner

Jul 10, 2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Seat Belts:pretensioner

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

Air Bags:frontal

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

16V651000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seat Belts:pretensioner

Sep 8, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Seat Belts:pretensioner

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

Air Bags:frontal

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.