Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 52 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Buick Encore. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 52 · page 1 of 3
My car had problems with overheating. I check my oil and coolant levels. My car show check engine light so I took it to mechanics to get check. The invoice states possible blown head gaskets. I research online similar complaints with other Buick Encore 2013. I just this car March 2023 has about 89000. I am making payments.
The check engine light came and took the car to O'Reillys and was informed it had low turbo boost code took car to the dealership and they indeed confirmed that was the issue and that it would be over $3000.00 to fix!!! I bought this car 4 months ago and this seems to be an issue with a few other owners as well Buick needs to recall this part!!! If not fixed it may cause deceleration or overheat and start to burn into the manifold of the exhaust. No other parties have looked at the car except the dealership. only lamp that came on was the check engine light and it was sometimes go off and then come back on.
The turbo charger is underboost and can explode the engine with oil flying everywhere
TURBO WENT OUT TWICE WITHIN 3 MONTHS. ALSO I WAITED FOR 6 WEEKS ON A BACK ORDERED PART. SO MUCH SERVICE WORK... PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM THIS CAR IS A LEMON. THE PAINT LITERALLY FELL OFF THE MIRRORS WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WAS DETERMINED CADILLAC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ONLY HAS 89105 MILES ON IT
I WANTED TO REGISTER A CONCERN ABOUT MY 2013 BUICK ENCORE. TWO DAYS AGO, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, MY SUNROOF LITERALLY EXPLODED. THE GLASS SHARDS DIDN'T INJURE ME, BUT I FELT HELPLESS WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THERE WAS NOTHING INDICATING CONCERNS OR ISSUES WITH THE SUN ROOF, I AM FORTUNATE TO ESCAPE HARM, BUT WANTED GM TO BE AWARE OF THIS DANGER. WE HAVE BEEN LIFELONG GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMERS FOR OVER NEARLY 50 YEARS, AND FELT THE NEED TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN STARTED FLASHING WHILE IN MOTION. THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY. THE ENGINE HAD REDUCED POWER AND AT TIMES WOULD ONLY GO 30-35MPH EVEN WITH PEDAL MASHED ALL THE WAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO O'REILLY'S AND THEY CHECKED THE CODES WHICH SHOW CAMSHAFT SENSOR, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, CYLINDER 2 MISFIRE, TURBO UNDERBOOST CODE AND ABS CODE. SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF ISSUES FOR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 67,000 MILES.
THE ENGINE OIL COOLER IS LEAKING. THE FRONT DRIVER AXLE SHAFT SEAL IS LEAKING. THE CAR IS RUNNING TOO LEAN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I REPLACED THE AIR FILTER AND CLEAN FUEL INJECTORS AND THE CAR IS SPUTTERING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. THE CAR SPUTTERS WHEN STATIONARY AS WELL AS MOVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL FAILURES. ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE HEATED THROUGH THE VENTS WHILE THE OTHER SIDE WAS NOT ABLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED REGARDING THE JERKING AND HEATING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
EARLY THIS YEAR WE START HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON THEN THE REDUCE POWER TO ENGINE COMING ON, SO WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WE BOUGHT IF FROM. SO FIRST WE HAD TO HAVE THREE SENSORS CHANGED, WE DID THAT AND AFTER THAT WAS DONE IT STILL KEPT JUMPING ON 4 TIME BEFORE IT STOPPED. THEN JUNE OF THIS YEAR IT STARTED BACK WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEN THEY TELL US WE NEED A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER, HAVE THAT REPLACED AGAIN IT KEEPS DOING 3 MORE TIMES THEN IT STOPS. WELL WE FIGURE WE HAVE THE PROBLEM SOLVED, BUT NO ON 10/26/2016 AS MY SISTER IS GETTING ON HIGHWAY 57 IN CHICAGO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE REDUCE POWER TO ENGINE COMES ON, SO NOW SHE IS PULLED OVER ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TRYING TO GET THIS CAR TO ACT RIGHT, FINALLY AFTER SHE HAD TO KEEP STARTING IT UP AND SHUTTING IT OFF SHE GETS IT ACT RIGHT , BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON, AFTER SHE LEFT THE EVENT SHE WAS AT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS OFF. NOW ON 11/04/2018 I'M ON THE DAN RYAN EXPRESSWAY IN CHICAGO ONE OF OUR MOST BUSIEST AND DANGEROUS HIGHWAYS IT DOES IT AGAIN, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE REDUCE POWER TO THE ENGINE ACTIVATES, SO NOW I'M PULLED OVER PRAYING I DON'T GET HIT BY A TRUCK, I GET IT TO ACT RIGHT FINALLY AND I GET OFF JUST ENCASE IT DO IT AGAIN, I MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION AND WHEN I GET READY TO LEAVE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF. ON 11/05/2018 I'M ONLY 5 BLOCKS FROM HOME AND IT DOES IT AGAIN,I GET IT TO ACT RIGHT AFTER I HAVE TO KEEP STARTING IT UP AND SHUTTING IT OFF AND LOW AND BEHOLD I GET 10 BLOCKS AND IT DOES IT AGAIN GET IT TO ACT RIGHT MAKE IT BACK HOME CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON WHEN I GET TO THE DEALERSHIP THEN TURN IT OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF. THIS IS BEGINNING TO BE A BIG PROBLEM CAUSE IT'S GOING TO CAUSE A ACCIDENT WHEN IT DOES THAT, AND THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE BRAKES SQUEAKED AND MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SID DILLON BUICK GMC - FREMONT DEALER (402-317-5718, 2420 E 23RD ST, FREMONT, NE 68025) WHERE THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED ON THE REAR BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,437. *TT*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOKMAN OF WELLSVILLE CHEVROLET, BUICK, GMC, CADILLAC (81 S MAIN ST, WELLSVILLE, NY 14895) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PISTONS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,700. *TT *TR
STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 2/9/2018 PAID OUT $545.00 TO HAVE PURGE SOLENOID AND EVAP FLOW CHANGED AND TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND ADJUSTED. WELL 4 1/2 HOURS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON AND IT STARTS WITH THIS REDUCE POWER TO THE ENGINE AGAIN. THE REDUCE POWER TO THE ENGINE DID THIS 3 TIMES AND EACH TIME I HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF WAIT 30 SECONDS AND RESTART THE CAR AND EACH TIME IT DID THIS I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR 4 TIME BEFORE IT WOULD GO OFF AND THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR 4 HOURS BEFORE IT WENT OFF, WELL THAT DIDN'T LAST LONG BEFORE I START HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN ON 2/11/2018 LETTING THE CAR WARM UP THE REDUCE POWER TO THE ENGINE CAME ON AND I WAS STILL IN THE GARAGE, THAT WAS 7:30 AM THEN AGAIN AT 8:05 THEN AGAIN AT 8:37 SO NOW AGAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I WANT GET ON THE EXPRESSWAY CAUSE OF THIS FOR I MIGHT GET KILLED OR INJURED, GM REALLY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE THEM REPAIR THIS PROBLEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE DEALER (GLOCKER BUICK OF IRONTON, 911 S 3RD ST, IRONTON, OH 45638) INFORMED THE CONTACT OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR WHEN THE ENGINE MAY GO INTO REDUCE ENGINE POWER MODE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A THROTTLE BODY FAILURE, WHICH DID NOT FALL UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILURE WAS NOT A PART OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY; THEREFORE, BUICK DID NOT HAVE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
LATELY I'M HAVING A ISSUE WITH THIS CAR, FIRST MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ON AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN I CAN BE AT A LIGHT OR DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE WARNING COMES ACROSS MY DISPLAY SCREEN, I CAN'T ACCELERATE SO I HAVE TO COAST IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHUT IT OFF, WAIT 30 SECONDS AND RESTART THE CAR. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO DO THIS 2 OR 3 TIMES BEFORE IT DRIVES RIGHT AGAIN, SO I WENT ON THE BUICK FORUM AND SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, THAT THEY HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CHANGED AND IT MAKES NO DIFFERENT, THAT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. SO NOW I WANT GET ON THE EXPRESSWAY JUST IN CASE IT WANTS TO DO IT AGAIN, AND I'M GETTING SCARED TO DRIVE IT ON THE STREETS CAUSE IT KEEPS HAPPENING. SOME SAY CAUSE IT'S COLD WHERE THE LIVE BUT I FEEL IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING ALL, LIKE ON 1/8/2018 IT HAPPENED THIS MORNING AND THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS 35 F AND THAT'S ABOVE FREEZING. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS CAUSE GM IS NOT REPORTING IT TO THE NHTSA, SO IF YOU DON'T GO ON THERE FORUM YOU DON'T KNOW.....HELP SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOOSE POWER AND THE ACCELERATION DECREASED EVEN WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE HOUSE AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COGGINS BUICK IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
THE WARNING LIGHT CONNECTED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYS THE OFF SIGN EVEN WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE WARNING LIGHT READS OFF EVEN IF A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT.
PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR DETECTS PASSENGER ABOUT 60% OF TIME, AT RANDOM OCCASIONS SETTING IN DRIVEWAY OR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE 40% AIRBAG IS OFF AND OUT OF SERVICE. WE HAVE DEALT WITH GMC BUICK AND THEY HAVE RUN TEST AT DEALERSHIP COULD NOT COME UP A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. IF THE AIRBAG IS OFF AT ANYTIME THE PASSENGER IS AT RISK OF GREATER INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT, WHY IS 60% ACCEPTABLE WITH BUICK MANAGEMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 40-50 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A DEER, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FLIP OVER AND EVENTUALLY LANDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND SHOULDER, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
EXHAUST SMELL IN CAR ESPECIALLY WHEN AIR RECYCLE BUTTON ON. SMELL IS WORSE AT STOPS AND AFTER CAR IS RETURNED TO GARAGE. HAVE COMPLAINED TO GM BUICK FOR THREE YEARS. NO CAUSE FOUND.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 (NA) BUICK ENCORE EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES, SIZE: P215/55/R18 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES CONTINUED TO LOSE AIR PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
THERE ARE TOXIC FUMES AND AN ODOR EMANATING FROM THE INTERIOR OF MY 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE UPHOLSTERY SEEMS TO BE THE MOST LIKELY SOURCE. THE FUMES HAVE BEEN CAUSING A CHRONIC BURNING SENSATION IN OUR EYES, NOSE, THROAT, AND WHICH OCCASIONALLY RESULTS IN STOMACH DISCOMFORT AND NAUSEA. THE FUMES AND ODOR INTENSIFY ON SUNNY DAYS AND WHEN TAKING EXTENDED TRIPS. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE GM DEALER, WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, HOWEVER THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN ACTION TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, NOR HAVE THEY TAKEN THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY. WE WOULD LIKE TO GET THE CAR TESTED FOR TOXIC INTERIOR EMISSIONS, AND WOULD LIKE HELP FINDING THE PROPER TESTING FACILITY OR COMPANY THAT PERFORMS THIS TEST. COULD YOU PLEASE RECOMMEND SOMEONE, WHETHER A PRIVATE COMPANY OR GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY THAT PERFORMS THIS SERVICE. ANY DIRECTION OR IDEA WOULD BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL AT THIS POINT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND ASSISTANCE. *TR
HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING TO ENTER FREEWAY OR PASS
PURCHASED A USED 2013 BUICK ENCORE WITH 21,115 MILES. AFTER TWO (2) MONTHS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STARTING SHOWING OFF WHEN MY WIFE WAS SEATED IN THE CAR, SHE WEIGHS 110 LBS. IT WOULD COME ON THEN GO OFF OR NOT COME ON AT ALL. TOOK CAR TO NEARBY DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED "NO PROBLEM, WE CAN ADJUST THE SENSOR ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 85 LBS." ABOUT HALF WAY HOME THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AFTER SIX (6) TRIPS BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING THE SEAT SENSOR AND THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE, THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER HOOKED UP A COMPUTER TO THE CAR WITH MY WIFE IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT OFF. HE SAID THE COMPUTER WAS SHOWING THE SEAT OCCUPIED BUT THE AIRBAG DISABLED. HE THEN STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO KEEP THE CAR AND TALK TO THE ENGINEERS AT DETROIT. THE NEXT DAY I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE DEPT. SAYING MY WIFE WOULD HAVE TO WEIGH 125 LBS BEFORE THE AIRBAG SENSOR WOULD ACTIVATE AND IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE AIRBAG TO BE OFF AND THAT IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE BETTER FOR MY WIFE IF IT THE AIRBAG DIDN'T WORK. I FIND THIS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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