RoadVitals

2014 Buick Encore Electrical Problems

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

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
13
Latest Jun 17, 2025
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.
22%
of 60 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.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Buick Encore submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 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 electrical

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

Electrical
Filed Jun 17, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster displayed a black screen. In addition, the low air pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was stopped by the Police due to the taillight on the driver’s side being inoperable. The bulb was checked, and the bulb was not blown. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was started; however, the failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA ID
11667527
Incident
Jun 13, 2025
Mileage
88,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 16, 2024

My 2014 Buick encore at random times when I turn the key to start the vehicle it just clicks once then complete power out even though the battery is fully charged. To deal with the issue I need to open the hood, unplug the negative from the battery and reconnect it. Then try again. I do this at least once every week, sometimes multiple times throughout a single day. It also does it when a new battery is used. Ive also has a mechanic inspect the vehicle and was so frustrated that everything seems okay but just couldnt figure out why the vehicle don't start. 12 hours of searching for the source of the problem , After giving up on the vehicle I turn the key and it turned on. Other time the vehicle will turn off when already driving. I need this problem fixed. I honestly regret financing this vehicle in January 2024. I was dealing with this problem since May 2024. 73000miles when I bought the vehicle and now at 84000mile. Half of the year 2024 it's been repeat problems with this vehicle. This vehicle should have been a lemon.

NHTSA ID
11630912
Incident
Apr 30, 2024
Electrical
Filed Jan 27, 2024

My antitheft alarm keeps going off and on. Yesterday my info screen went black had no back up cameras no way to control any of the car panel instruments. That was 1-26-24. Sometimes the info screen will blink off and on as I’m driving. It acts like there’s a short or something somewhere. My door locks do not always respond sometimes the doors unlock themselves. That has been going on for the last year. (2023)

NHTSA ID
11568161
Incident
Jan 26, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 16, 2023

CONSTANT airflow problems. Turbo on engine already gone out, engine light and air flow codes constantly.

NHTSA ID
11512118
Incident
Mar 16, 2023
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 16, 2022

The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated that twice while her son was driving the vehicle at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights had illuminated. After the most recent failure, the vehicle had become inoperable and failed to restart after multiple attempts. The vehicle had been towed to an independent mechanic and a dealer however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11456939
Incident
Aug 1, 2021
ElectricalExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 20, 2021

During the past 3 years I have had to replace the battery 3 times, my daytime running lamps keep turning off, I have had to replace the ignition coil and now my car has been at the dealership for a week because there is an electrical problem they cannot figure out. The chassis control module was replaced but did not fix the problem. My personal mechanic advised the TCM was coding, but dealership said no. I am beyond frustrated! These problems started around 60000 miles and now it has 83000 miles on it and can't be driven. If GM knew about the issues (as found in multiple articles on line) why didn't they disclose?

NHTSA ID
11421526
Incident
Dec 23, 2019
Electrical
Filed Jan 8, 2020
1 injury reported

WHEN START UP, AC AUTOMATICALLY STARTS AND COMPRESSOR SOUNDS LIKE LOUD DRAGGING NOISE AND NO COLD AIR COMES OUT!! THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED ON 1/18/2018.

NHTSA ID
11297902
Incident
Jan 5, 2020
Mileage
62,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 24, 2017

DEAT BATTERY I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR SIX WEEKS AND HAVE HAD TRIPLE A OUT THREE TIMES TO JUMP ME. ONCE IT STARTS THE BATTERY RECHARGES ITS-SELF. THEY ALSO TESTED THE ALTERNATOR TOO AND ITS TESTING FINE. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 15,000 MILES AND I AM THE 3RD OWNER. LAST WEEK TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT CHECKS OUT FINE. THE CAR SITS MORE THAN 3 DAYS WILL NOT START. YES, THREE DAYS!!!! THERE IS SOMETHING THAT RUNS IN THE BACK GROUND OF THIS CAR THAT IS ZAPPING THE BATTERY. I CAN TELL YOU AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND REMOVING THE KEY AND HOURS LATER YOU CAN GO TO YOUR CAR AND TURN ON THE RADIO WITHOUT USING A KEY. I FEEL THIS ISSUE IS CONNECTED TO THE SYSTEM DISPLAY SCREEN WITH THE ONSTAR, RADIO ECT THAT CONTINUES TO RUN IN THE BACK GROUND. HOWEVER, I'M NOT CERTAIN. I'M BEYOND FRUSTRATED.

NHTSA ID
11010370
Incident
Jul 15, 2017
Mileage
1,475 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 30, 2015

WE HAD OUR 2014 BUICK ENCORE 8 MONTHS AND IT RAN GREAT UNTIL IT SAT IDLE FOR 10 DAYS. THEN, IT FAILED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS DEAD . WE CHARGED THE BATTERY AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPORTED NOTHING WRONG. THEY ADVISED IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN. AFTER SITTING IDLE FOR ABOUT 12 DAYS THE END OF JUNE, SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (BY OUR AAA COVERAGE) WHO AGAIN REPORTED NO PROBLEMS. GM AUTHORIZED THE DEALERSHIP TO RELEASE THE VEHICLE TO US WITHOUT FIXING THE PROBLEM. UPON OUR SUGGESTION THAT EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY TESTED OKAY IT MIGHT BE FAULTY, THE DEALERSHIP AGREED TO PUT IN A USED BATTERY FROM ANOTHER 2014 ENCORE AS GM WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE A NEW BATTERY. AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT FOR ABOUT 11 DAYS WITH THE USED BATTERY, IT STARTED JUST FINE. NEITHER GM NOR THE DEALERSHIP WILL ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEM EXISTED WITH THE PREVIOUS BATTERY. I WAS WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A MONTH WITH NO LOANER. GM HAS BEEN LESS THAN HELPFUL AND, AT ONE POINT, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US,. "WE CAN'T FIX WHAT WE CAN'T FIND."

NHTSA ID
10744905
Incident
Jun 1, 2015
Mileage
10,064 mi
Electrical
Filed May 10, 2015

AFTER OWNING MY 2014 BUICK ENCORE FOR ONLY 64 DAYS I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE CAR JUMPED AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER WHO TESTED THE BATTERY AND THE BATTERY FAILED, SO THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY. TODAY, WHICH IS MOTHER'S DAY I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DEAD AND NO LIGHTS OR ANYTHING WOULD LIGHT UP. SO AFTER HAVING A NEW BATTERY IN MY BUICK ENCORE FOR ONLY 69 DAYS I AM LEFT WITH ANOTHER TRIP TO THE DEALER TO SORT OUT SOME PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO FIND OUT WHAT IS DRAINING THE LIFE OUT OF THIS NEW BATTERY. SO, AFTER OWNING THE CAR SINCE DEC. 28, 2014 , LESS THAN 5 MONTHS I AM DISAPPOINTED IN OWNING THIS NEW CAR AND HAVE LITTLE JOY IN DRIVING IT.

NHTSA ID
10715554
Incident
Mar 2, 2015
Mileage
14,986 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 24, 2014

REAR VIEW CAMERA SYSTEM: WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE DURING LIGHT HOURS THE DISPLAY IS USELESS. THE LIGHT SENSOR TAKES FROM ONE MINUTE TO FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE THE DISPLAY GOES BRIGHT. SINCE MY DRIVEWAY CROSSES A SIDEWALK THE DISPLAY IS USELESS IN THAT SITUATION AND A SAFETY HAZZARD. THE DEALER ADVISED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. THE LIGHT SENSOR IS MOUNTED ON TOP OF THE DASHBOARD, SO IT HAS A CLEAR VIEW OF LIGHT CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10649716
Incident
Mar 8, 2014
Mileage
50 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 28, 2014

INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT, WHILE WEARING SUNGLASSES, IS INSUFFICIENT. IN ORDER TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER EITHER ON THE ANALOG DIAL OR ON THE SMALL DIGITAL DISPLAY WHILE DRIVING, REQUIRES THE REMOVAL OF THE SUNGLASSES, TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD, AND PEER INTO THE PANEL IN ORDER TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER. THE GAS AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES ARE NOT VISIBLE AT ALL. ADJUSTING THE INTENSITY SWITCH HAS NO EFFECT DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE LOCAL BUICK SERVICE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS BUICK HEADQUARTERS. THEY SAID THEY WILL INFORM THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS LIGHTING ISSUE WAS VERIFIED ON OTHER NEW ENCORE'S IN THE DEALERS LOT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10606632
Incident
Jun 12, 2014
Mileage
425 mi
Electrical
Filed May 15, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCASSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER HOWEVER IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. DRRK

NHTSA ID
10588643
Incident
Apr 21, 2014
Mileage
200 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .