RoadVitals

2013 Buick Encore Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
52
Latest Dec 21, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Buick Encore, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine2333.8%
  • Powertrain (other)710.3%
  • Driver assistance68.8%
  • Airbags57.4%
  • Fuel system45.9%
  • Seat belts34.4%
  • Tires & wheels34.4%
  • Brakes34.4%
  • Interior & seats22.9%
  • Body & structure11.5%
  • Other / unspecified11.5%
  • Steering11.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

23
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 21, 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 · filed Jul 17, 2023
All 23 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Nov 28, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS NOT PROPERLY GENERATING THE CORRECT ROUTES WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VOICE RESPONSE FEATURE WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE CONTACT'S VOICE. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE FAILURE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER MORE THAN FIVE TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE RADIO, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC FROM THE SECOND DEALER STATED THAT THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE REMEDY NEEDED TO BE DETERMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO RECEIVE THE WRONG ROUTE INFORMATION WITHOUT VOICE COMMAND CONNECTION WITH THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10706356 · filed Apr 17, 2015
All 9 reports naming electrical

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The turbo charger is underboost and can explode the engine with oil flying everywhere

NHTSA ID 11430630 · filed Aug 26, 2021

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 · filed Mar 14, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 8, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID 11001327 · filed Jun 26, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 10980551 · filed Apr 25, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID 10969995 · filed Apr 2, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 17, 2023

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 · filed May 6, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V488000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ UPDATED 9/26/2017*CN

NHTSA ID 10690537 · filed Feb 25, 2015

2013 BUICK ENCORE CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF RECALLS ARE REAL OR JUST SOME OF THEM *CN

NHTSA ID 10659585 · filed Dec 30, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10934980 · filed Dec 13, 2016

CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT 215/55/18 UNKNOWN DAMAGE ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. 2ND OCCURRENCE WITHIN 2 MONTHS. TIRE UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE. LEASING BUICK ENCORE 2013. *TR

NHTSA ID 10678822 · filed Jan 26, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11144647 · filed Nov 1, 2018

2013 BUICK ENCORE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK, RUB AND GRAB. ON THANKSGIVING DAY, WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIS DRIVEWAY, ON SNOWY DAY, THE ABS LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A PLOWED SNOW BANK, IN WHICH THE BUMPER WAS CRACKED. ALSO, AS HE WIFE WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT, AS SHE BRAKED. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE AWD DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB

NHTSA ID 10574525 · filed Mar 26, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V488000 (SEATS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID 10648907 · filed Oct 20, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER OF 2013 BUICK ENCORE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN STRUCK AT PERPENDICULAR ANGLE ON PASSENGERS SIDE. CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS LOST. THE ENCORE TIPPED, LANDING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER WAS CONSCIOUS, BUT SMELLED FUMES. AN ASTHMATIC, THE DRIVER SENSED AN ONCOMING ATTACK AND BEGAN SCREAMING TO BE PULLED FROM THE VEHICLE. A HEROIC BYSTANDER CLIMBED ONTO THE VEHICLE, WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TOWARD THE SKY, AND PULLED HER FROM THE VEHICLE BEFORE PARAMEDICS ARRIVED. AMAZINGLY, THE DRIVER WALKED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE UNHARMED. ACCORDING TO REPORTS, TIPPING UNDER THESE CONDITIONS IS RARE. THE 2013 BUICK ENCORE MUST BE EXAMINED FOR A PROPENSITY TO TIP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10543765 · filed Sep 15, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT 215/55/18 UNKNOWN DAMAGE ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. 2ND OCCURRENCE WITHIN 2 MONTHS. TIRE UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE. LEASING BUICK ENCORE 2013. *TR

NHTSA ID 10678822 · filed Jan 26, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 12, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .