RoadVitals

2013 Buick Encore Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Dec 21, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
44%
of 52 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Buick Encore submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Engine
Filed Dec 21, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11561388
Incident
Dec 21, 2023
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 17, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11532722
Incident
May 1, 2023
Engine
Filed Sep 26, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11258455
Incident
Sep 25, 2019
Engine
Filed Jul 16, 2019

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WAS DETERMINED CADILLAC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ONLY HAS 89105 MILES ON IT

NHTSA ID
11232474
Incident
Jul 10, 2019
EngineFuel system
Filed May 6, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11205773
Incident
May 2, 2019
Mileage
66,790 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 14, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11186693
Incident
Mar 7, 2019
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 28, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11154446
Incident
Aug 28, 2018
Mileage
108,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 5, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11145335
Incident
Nov 5, 2018
Mileage
101,917 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 26, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
11090264
Incident
Apr 14, 2018
Mileage
98,700 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 11, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
11072142
Incident
Feb 3, 2018
Mileage
72,804 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 8, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11071842
Incident
Dec 7, 2017
Mileage
74,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 8, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
11061140
Incident
Jan 8, 2018
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 22, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11000670
Incident
Jun 22, 2017
Mileage
47,000 mi
EngineInterior & seats
Filed Oct 11, 2016

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

NHTSA ID
10915373
Incident
Jun 9, 2014
Mileage
45,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 4, 2016

I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE TURBOCHARGER

NHTSA ID
10863108
Incident
Jan 2, 2016
Mileage
75,450 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Apr 8, 2015

MY CAR DROVE FINE AND THEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION WHEN MY TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED CAME ACROSS THE DASHBOARD. THE LIGHTS, WIPERS, RADIO AND ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO WAVE PEOPLE TO GO AROUND ME PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT IT DOWN FOR 30 SECONDS. WHEN I TURNED IT ON AGAIN I HAD TO PUT IT IN REVERSE AND KEEP PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL TO GET OUT OF THE INTERSECTION THEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND JUST KEPT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND INCHED MY WAY INTO A PARKING SPACE. AFTER SHUTTING IT OFF AND PARKING IT FOR 2-3 MINUTES I TURNED IT ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON BUT THE CAR DROVE LIKE NORMAL TO GET ME TO THE DEALERSHIP. I GOT THIS CAR IN MAY OF 2013 AND THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS FEB 2014 PRETTY COLD TEMPS AND NOW APRIL 2015 ABOUT 56 DEGREES F OUTSIDE. BOTH TIMES THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND PERFORMED IDLE RELEARN PROCEDURE. I DON'T HAVE TIME OR MONEY TO REPLACE THIS PART EVERY YEAR. I LOVED THE SIZE, GAS MILEAGE, DESIGN AND COMFORT OF THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER I WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE AGAIN. I ALWAYS OWNED GM VEHICLES BUT NOT ANYMORE I SIMPLY DON'T FEEL SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10704562
Incident
Apr 7, 2015
Mileage
27,230 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jan 12, 2015

WAS MAKING A TURN FROM A SIDE STREET AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT NEAR THE CORNER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RE-START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP UPDATED STEERING WHEEL CODES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10671754
Incident
Jan 2, 2015
Mileage
16,948 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 3, 2014

PREMIUM TRIM LEVEL HAS FORWARD COLLISION WARNING. ON AT LEAST SIX OCCASIONS BEGINNING NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR (2013), THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING HAS COME ON WITH NO VEHICLE IN FRONT FOR HUNDREDS OF FEET AND HAS DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL, ESSENTIALLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COAST UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR WAS MANUALLY DEPRESSED. FOUR INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AT 65 TO 68 MPH; ONE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A LOCAL ROAD AT 45 MPH; AND ONE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A LOCAL ROAD TRAVELING AT 35 MPH (POLICE PATROLLED AREA, USE CRUISE TO NOT EXCEED SPEED LIMIT). DURING EACH EPISODE, ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND CALM (NO DEBRIS FLYING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA TO TRIGGER THE FEATURE, NOR WINDSHIELD WIPER IN USE). AFTER THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS, IT WAS BROUGHT UP VERBALLY WITH SERVICE TECH WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND MOST RECENTLY LAST MONTH WHEN VEHICLE WAS CHECKED FOR SEAT TRACK SAFETY RECALL. THIS COMPLAINT WAS NOT PUT ON THE SERVICE RECORD EITHER TIME. BOTH TIMES I WAS TOLD THAT SOMETHING MUST HAVE TRIGGERED THE CAMERA. NOTHING WENT ACROSS MY WINDSHIELD TO TRIGGER THIS FEATURE. CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGING AT HIGHWAY SPEED IS UNSAFE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10641239
Incident
Nov 18, 2013
Mileage
6,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 18, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE COLLAR, WHICH CONTROLLED ALL THE FUEL THAT FEEDS TO THE ENGINE, WAS DEFECTIVE. THE THROTTLE COLLAR WAS REPLACED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,561.

NHTSA ID
10637180
Incident
Aug 16, 2014
Mileage
7,561 mi
Engine
Filed May 9, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING IN REVERSE, SHE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,776. ...UPDATED 06/25/14 *BF UPDATED 06/30/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID
10587368
Incident
Apr 18, 2014
Mileage
7,776 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 19, 2014

I LIVE IN MINNESOTA. ON A -30 DEGREE DAY IN JANUARY I DROVE TO WORK (30 MILES ONE WAY). WHEN I LEFT FOR LUNCH I DROVE ABOUT A QUARTER MILE AND STARTED SMELLING A BURNING SMELL SIMILAR TO WHEN FOLLOWING A VEHICLE THAT IS BURNING OIL. MY CAR WAS NEW SO I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS ME. I WENT ABOUT 2 MILES AND STOPPED FOR A STOP LIGHT AT WHICH POINT MY ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE. I MANAGED TO PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC AND WITH BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAILPIPE, THE CAR DIED. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND STRANGELY IT WAS THE SECOND ENCORE THAT DAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER SITTING IN THE WARM GARAGE OVER NIGHT, THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THE DIAGNOSTICS SHOWED NOTHING. I PICKED THE CAR UP AFTER A FEW DAYS AND IT WAS FINE FOR TWO WEEKS. THEN ON ANOTHER BITTERLY COLD DAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE CAR STARTED TO SMELL, BLEW BLACK SMOKE AND DIED. AGAIN IT WAS TOWED. AT THAT POINT A GM ENGINEER OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS CAME UP TO ASSESS MY CAR AS WELL AS SOME OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME PARTS WERE REPLACED INCLUDING THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR AND SOME AIR INTAKE PARTS. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH IT IS NOT UNCOMMON IN COLDER CLIMATES. I HAVE BEEN ON THE BUICK FORUMS AND HAVE FOUND OTHER INCIDENCES DOCUMENTED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE THE SAME PARTS THAT FAILED BEFORE SO THIS IS A PATCH NOT A FIX. NEXT WINTER THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. IT IS AWFUL TO HAVE A NEW CAR THAT I CAN'T TRUST. I'M NERVOUS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT WHEN IT'S REALLY COLD. NEXT TIME IT COULD DIE WHILE I'M IN TRAFFIC ON AN INTERSTATE OR I COULD BE STRANDED SOMEWHERE IN DANGEROUSLY COLD TEMPERATURES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10573306
Incident
Jan 9, 2014
Mileage
16,500 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 3, 2014

CAR RAN GREAT THEN I STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE POWER REDUCED CAME ACROSS DASH AND THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR, RADIO AND LIGHTS WERE STILL ON. ALMOST CAUSED 3 DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS TRYING TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC.SCAN CHECK SYSTEM, P2101, PER DOCUMENT ID:[XXX] DIAGNOSIS WAS TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY AND PERFORM JDLE RELEARN PROCEDURE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10566897
Incident
Feb 28, 2014
Mileage
11,540 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 27, 2014

LEAVING A STOP SIGN ONTO THREE LANE ROAD GOING DOWN A HILL,WHEN THE CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION, I PUT ON FLASHERS AND COASTED TO CURB,HAD TO CALL WRECKER AND BE TOWED TO DEALER,SAID IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY SENSOR,THAT IS SENSITIVE TO COLD WEATHER,2 DEALERS SAID THE SAME THING. NEW PART WAS ORDERED,BUT I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN OUR COLD WEATHER IF THIS HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY AND IT STOPS I AM SO AFRAID I WILL BE RUN OVER BY TRAFFIC MOVING AT THE SPEED LIMIT AND MY ENCORE JUST STOPS. FEEL MY NEW PART IS NOT THE FIX FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE, THEY SAY THEY CAN'T SAY IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. ALSO READ SOMEONE IN N.D. WAS HAVING SAME ISSUE. HOPE YOU CAN LOOK INTO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10566380
Incident
Jan 28, 2013
Mileage
2,030 mi

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Data on this page last refreshed .