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2019 Buick Encore

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Buick Encore do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 67.

About this comparison →

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

30 reports with mileage · 54 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 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. 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.

9 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

84 reports
63,000 miles · Jun 9, 2023
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was extremely hard to depress. The contact stated after releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle abruptly stopped with a burning odor coming from the front passenger’s side brakes. The vehicle was taken to the local …

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The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was extremely hard to depress. The contact stated after releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle abruptly stopped with a burning odor coming from the front passenger’s side brakes. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger side brake calipers and brake pads were burned and charred and needed to be replaced. The front driver’s and passenger’s side brake calipers and brake pads were replaced but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact was referred to the local dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.

NHTSA ODI #11526237

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2023
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

On six occasions the vehicle stalled in moving traffic. The car had to be stopped, placed in park and restarted. Buick Service repair in Johnston, Rhode Island cannot repair. The car has been taken to them 6 times with no resolution.

NHTSA ODI #11518939

45,500 miles · Feb 10, 2023
Steering

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the power steering failed to function as needed. The contact pulled off the roadway into a parking lot, placed the vehicle in park, turned off, and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the power steering resumed normal funct…

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The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the power steering failed to function as needed. The contact pulled off the roadway into a parking lot, placed the vehicle in park, turned off, and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the power steering resumed normal functionality. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred only once. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,500. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI #11506642

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesWheels

Right Rear Wheel locked up (froze) while operating vehicle in cold conditions (mid 20's) - brake caliper froze - ruined rear tire

NHTSA ODI #11506412

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineExterior LightingInjury

I got my car from Buick of Long Island City I was giving the wrong key mess up battery the car will not start and I crashed

NHTSA ODI #11504755

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2023
Air Bags

For no apparent reason my air bag sensor light comes on intermittently while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11500092

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2022
Service Brakes

10/26/2022 Dealer inspection of vehicle brake system. Owner concerned with pulsing sensation at higher speeds when braking. Dealer discovered 'uneven pad wear on front axle and rear rotors worn and have excessive thickness variation.' Dealer 'recommends front and rear brake job.' Vehicle has 23,600 miles. Brakes are wearing…

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10/26/2022 Dealer inspection of vehicle brake system. Owner concerned with pulsing sensation at higher speeds when braking. Dealer discovered 'uneven pad wear on front axle and rear rotors worn and have excessive thickness variation.' Dealer 'recommends front and rear brake job.' Vehicle has 23,600 miles. Brakes are wearing excessively for low mileage. Dealer verbally recommended future inspection of brake system at intervals of 15,000 miles. Vehicle has been owned for 40 months. Outside of warranty by 3 months. Average of 7900 miles driving per year.

NHTSA ODI #11491100

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2022
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrash

At approximately 1130am, pulling into parking space in a parking lot at very low speed, 50% of vehicle was in the parking space, when suddenly the car accelerated forward. This resulted in my vehicle jumping over a safety curb and crashing into a building resulting in damage to my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11486786

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2022
Unknown Or OtherCrash

When I pulled into a parking space at docs office, my car suddenly lurched forward very fast, over the curb and into rocks. I had foot on brake and put in reverse, only to have it reverse very fast and hit a parked car! I was shocked! It had a mind of its own! This has never happened before. I do recall that sometimes when I bac…

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When I pulled into a parking space at docs office, my car suddenly lurched forward very fast, over the curb and into rocks. I had foot on brake and put in reverse, only to have it reverse very fast and hit a parked car! I was shocked! It had a mind of its own! This has never happened before. I do recall that sometimes when I back out of garage at home, I keep foot on brake and it seems like it wants to “go”. I read on a website that another Encore had very similar incident as mine. My son found online “Transmission slipping” problems with Buicks. I am so thankful no one was walking in the parking lot at the time it happened. Problem has not been reproduced.. police officer didn’t know if there was any recalls for this either. I put a claim in with State Farm and they recommended an auto shop to go to, a few blocks from my condo. I went today (Carstar auto) and they looked at damage. They are trying to order parts for it. He said I can drive it, but honestly, I am afraid this will happen again. I have to go to work, so I’m hoping this doesn’t happen again. I don’t know what to do. The only warning I had on dashboard was to replace the battery in my key fob. I went to O’Reilly’s Auto Store and bought battery and My friends adult son replaced it for me. Most damage is to rear. Some in front underneath I can’t see. Man at Carstar auto saw it.

NHTSA ODI #11472028

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2022
Vehicle Speed Control

This auto has 34,000 on it. The problem is sudden acceleration. This would be the third time this happen for this auto. If there are any questions that you might have my email address is [XXX]. Best Regards! [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11464267

Official recalls

2

20V668000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 29, 2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

18V774000 · Air Bags; Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

Nov 1, 2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18365.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18365.

Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18365.

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.