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2018 Buick Encore

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Buick Encore do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 67.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

28 reports with mileage · 46 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 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2026
Air Bags

The front passenger air bag sensor turns off either before we begin driving or while the vehicle is in motion. The manual says that if you have a seat cushion or are not in the position for the sensor to "see" you, it may turn off. I have a bad back, and I need my 2-inch seat cushion for long trips, or I will be in pain. But whe…

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The front passenger air bag sensor turns off either before we begin driving or while the vehicle is in motion. The manual says that if you have a seat cushion or are not in the position for the sensor to "see" you, it may turn off. I have a bad back, and I need my 2-inch seat cushion for long trips, or I will be in pain. But when I use my seat cushion, the sensor turns the air bag off. So, if I use my seat cushion (or the sensor otherwise decides to turn the air bag off), I am not protected in the case of an accident. If I don't use my seat cushion, I am in pain from my back. The front passenger air bag should have a manual switch and have the ability to be kept on all of the time, that decision being made by the passenger and not a sensor that is not smart enough to adjust to an additional cushion or other situation.

NHTSA ODI #11719342

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2025
Air BagsCrashInjury

When crossing through an intersection at approximately 45mph, I was struck by another vehicle, speed unknown, who failed to stop at a stop sign. My vehicle was struck on the front passenger corner. My vehicle continued in a forward motion for several hundred feet. Both driver and front passenger wore seat belts, however the driv…

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When crossing through an intersection at approximately 45mph, I was struck by another vehicle, speed unknown, who failed to stop at a stop sign. My vehicle was struck on the front passenger corner. My vehicle continued in a forward motion for several hundred feet. Both driver and front passenger wore seat belts, however the driver struck her head on steering wheel, loosing consciousness for several minutes. Side airbags deployed, however front air bags did not

NHTSA ODI #11682540

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2025
Air BagsCrash

A deer came out of nowhere and I hit it head on. It totaled the car. The airbag did not go off

NHTSA ODI #11649507

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2023
Air Bags

My airbag light is on and malfunctioning. It will cost $200 for the diagnostic and no repair. To repair it will cost $873.19. I see there are more complaints in regarding this issue. To me this is a safety issue and concerns me as I drive my grandchildren in this car. I am told it is an actual sensor in the cushion of the seat.…

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My airbag light is on and malfunctioning. It will cost $200 for the diagnostic and no repair. To repair it will cost $873.19. I see there are more complaints in regarding this issue. To me this is a safety issue and concerns me as I drive my grandchildren in this car. I am told it is an actual sensor in the cushion of the seat. My vehicle is under 5 years old. Something has to be done.

NHTSA ODI #11501135

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2022
Air Bags

previous airbag recall, but not including my VIN. However, my airbag light is on and malfunctioning. It will cost $200 to just diagnose the repair and no idea what the cost to fix this saftey issue on a car that is only 5 years old. Please help!

NHTSA ODI #11497139

15,000 miles · Jun 30, 2022
Air BagsService BrakesCrash

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, she depressed the brake pedal but it failed to stop the vehicle, causing her to rear-end a truck. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries nor sought medical attention. …

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The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, she depressed the brake pedal but it failed to stop the vehicle, causing her to rear-end a truck. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries nor sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a collision center and had the front bumper repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #11471693

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2020
Air Bags

I HAVE BROUGHT MY NEW 2018 BUICK ENCORE VEHICLE INTO DELRAY BUICK DEALERSHIP, DELRAY BEACH, FL FOR NUMEROUS SERVICING TO ADDRESS CORRECTING/REPAIR/REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SWITCH AND OR ANY COMPONENTS IN THE SYSTEM EFFECTING THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHT WHICH SHOWS 100% OF THE TIME THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN THER…

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I HAVE BROUGHT MY NEW 2018 BUICK ENCORE VEHICLE INTO DELRAY BUICK DEALERSHIP, DELRAY BEACH, FL FOR NUMEROUS SERVICING TO ADDRESS CORRECTING/REPAIR/REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SWITCH AND OR ANY COMPONENTS IN THE SYSTEM EFFECTING THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHT WHICH SHOWS 100% OF THE TIME THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN THERE IS IN FACT AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AND CONCERNINGLY IS A HAZARD TO THE PASSENGER IN THIS SEAT AND ALL PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. DELRAY BUICK AND GM HAVE FAILED TO RESPOND TO INSPECT COMPONENTS AND CONTACTS THROUGH THIS SAFETY SYSTEM ITS MODULES, COMPONENTS AND CONNECTIONS TO CLEAR THIS COMPLAINT IN ANY WAY. THE TICKET NUMBERS FOR SERVICING ARE AS FOLLOWS: 2/11/20 INVOICE # 207656; 1/16/20 INVOICE # 206511; & 12/19/19 INVOICE # 204865. I ALSO CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER CARE (CASE # 9-5827839607) ON 02/20/20 SPOKE WITH ALONDRA (SENIOR ADVISOR) WITH NO RESOLUTION TO ADDRESS THIS SAFETY DEFECT TO ATTEMPT RESOLUTION. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT FOR MY VEHICLE THAT PLACES THE FRONT PASSENGER AND POSSIBLY ALL OCCUPANTS THAT THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY FOR RESOLUTION TTHROUGH THE DEALORSHIP OR GM THEMSELVES. I AM SEEKING THE HELP FROM YOUR ORGANIZATION TO INVESTIGATE THIS SAFETY DEFECT SO THAT MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS ALL OTHERS ARE PLACED IN SERVICE ON THE ROAD WITH ALL HIGHWAY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS IN PROPER REQUIRED OPERATING CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #11340643

6,000 miles · Jul 23, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, CRASHED INTO THE CORNER PANEL OF AN UNKNOWN VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER FRONTAL AND FLOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEGS AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, CRASHED INTO THE CORNER PANEL OF AN UNKNOWN VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER FRONTAL AND FLOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEGS AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO FIRE DUE TO THE CRASH. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO PROVIDED CASE NUMBER 9-5265716704 HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI #11234143

12,000 miles · Mar 19, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN VEICHLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. 2 PEOPLE WHERE INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #11190048

8,300 miles · Feb 17, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON AUTO ACCIDENT. IMPACT AREA WAS FRONT CORNER FENDER ON PASSENGER SIDE. POSSIBLE GAS RELEASED INTO PASSENGER SIDE OF CABIN SMELLED 'ELECTRICAL' AND 'SMOKE' FILLED PASSENGER FOOTBOARD AREA. NO LOSS OF COOLANT FROM CAR TO EXPLAIN SMOKE. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON DASHBOARD DISPLAY. CAR WAS TRAVELING …

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AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON AUTO ACCIDENT. IMPACT AREA WAS FRONT CORNER FENDER ON PASSENGER SIDE. POSSIBLE GAS RELEASED INTO PASSENGER SIDE OF CABIN SMELLED 'ELECTRICAL' AND 'SMOKE' FILLED PASSENGER FOOTBOARD AREA. NO LOSS OF COOLANT FROM CAR TO EXPLAIN SMOKE. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON DASHBOARD DISPLAY. CAR WAS TRAVELING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED 30-35MPH, BRAKES APPLIED, THEN CRASHED INTO A TURNING CAR IN FRONT - TURNING FROM PASSENGER TO DRIVER DIRECTION.

NHTSA ODI #11180594

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.