Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
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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 2014 Buick Encore submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 27 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.
The 25 most recent of 27, in the owner's own words
The car only has 54700 I am orginal owner. Drivers seat does not work, Catalytic converter, GM Service Bulletin #43210. Ask if your VIN is affected or if they’ve seen similar failures in 2014 models. This car is a lemon.
Coolant leak and cover gasket failure. Buick has been in the shop multiple times for coolant issues and leaks. Next step is for the shop to remove the entire front end to adequately repair. Constant issue and other complaint relay the same
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and replaced the 02 sensor. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning light became illuminated again. The contact had the vehicle towed to another mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was towed to another mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that a cylinder in the engine failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact informed the manufacturer of the failure but received no assistance in repairing the vehicle. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
On March 18 , 2025 I purchased a 2014 Buick Encore with an implied warranty, the vehicle had 128,644 miles on the odometer. At the time of purchase the check light was not on and the vehicle had no visible or audible mechanical issues. Not 14 days after purchase there was a strong odor of burning oil due to an oil leak dripping into the splash shield. A certified mechanic advised me that the problem was a very common issue with the 2014 Buick Encore and the oil cooler associated with the turbo charger needed to be replaced. This issue is so common that the NHTSA issued a GM part failure warning for the 2017 model and instructed GM to reimburse all vehicle owners to replace the part (N232395330). This issue clearly a problem that needs to be addressed with the 2014 model as well. My mechanic said that auto dealers are cleaning the splash pad prior to selling the vehicle so that the burning oil smell is not noticeable until 14 days or so after purchase. The repairs cost me $1148.00 just weeks after purchasing the vehicle. This problem of dealers covering up the problem and faulty GM parts needs to be addressed. I believe my vehicle falls under the previous GM parts needs failure warning and I should be reimbursed the cost of the repairs in the amount of $1148.00.
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitant to accelerate and lost power while on an incline. Traction and engine warning light was illuminated The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the thermostat heater control circuit and a faulty catalytic converter. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 61,009
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and overheated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the turbo charger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,978.
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine revved loudly, but the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle shuddered during start-up. The contact also stated that the vehicle shuddered while coming to a stop, then lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone Auto Parts, where the diagnostic code P0420 was retrieved, and it was determined that the rear catalytic converter and the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
I PURCHASED MY 2014 BUICK ENCORE APRIL 2021 THAT NEXT YEAR 2022 MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK IT TO O'REILLY THEY TURNED IT OFF TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR MY VEHICLE STARTED DRIVING ROUGH I WAS HAVING TROUBLE TAKING OFF ONCE I DID IT WOULD IDLE UP HIGH WHEN I CAME TO A STOP IT WOULD START SHAKING AND IT WOULD TURN OFF CARS WENT AROUND ME I COULDN'T ACCELERATE IT KEPT HESITATING SO NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY THIS YEAR 2023 ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON CURRENTLY HERE'S THE CODE THAT CAME UP p020 THEY DAY MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON APRIL 5TH MY MILEAGE WAS 94,357 MY AC STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD CAUSE MY AC TO START BLOWIN HOT AIR MY CAR INSURANCE ALLSTATE IS HOW I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE ENGINE ALERT TY,,
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle overheated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the water outlet and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure was due to the turbo charger. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
CONSTANT airflow problems. Turbo on engine already gone out, engine light and air flow codes constantly.
My engine light came on 4 days prior. Took to repair shop and code showed PO OB6. I was informed there is a small pinhole leak of antifreeze by the Head Gasket at the block. There is only 63k mileage on this vehicle and if I had blown this gasket I could have put me at risk or others had this blown a gasket. I just cant believe this is happening since there is not much mileage on this vehicle. Please research.
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.
I pulled out of a gas station and about 1 mile down the road my car all of a sudden would not accelerate; it was stuck at a maximum of 35mph. The transmission/check engine light did not go on for at least another mile until I was able to pull off the side of the road. Car was towed to a local AAMCO where it was determined that entire transmission failed with no warning whatsoever.
I WAS DRIVING ON A 70MPH HIGHWAY. WENT TO PASS SLOWER VEHICLE. THE CAR DID NOT REACT TO THE ACCELERATOR. IN FACT IT SLOWED DOWN WITH THE ENGINE TRYING TO REV UP. LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES TRYING TO PASS AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE I HAD TO DROP BACK. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT A BUICK DEALERSHIP FOR ENGINE PROPULSION REPAIR. DO NOT HAVE COMPLETE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR YET. WAS TOLD COULD BE APPROX $2300. ONE YEAR EARLIER, AT 50000 MILES HAD SIMILAR ACCELERATION PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF CATALYST CONVERTER. THE CATALYST CONVERTER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON MARCH 26, 2020, MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO KELLER'S PROFESSIONAL AUTO, WHO DETECTED THAT MY TURBO HAD A CRACK ALL THE WAY ACROSS, SO I HAD TO REPLACE IT. I ONLY HAD 45,352 MILES ON MY CAR. ACCORDING TO KELLER'S AND MY RESEARCH, THE TURBO SHOULD LAST FOR 100,000 TO 150,000 MILES.
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT (PO420 CODE) CAME ON AND VEHICLE BEGIN TO VIBRATE AT START UP ESPECIALLY. TEMP GAUGE SHOWED OVERHEATING WITH NO SIGNS OF OVERHEATING. THERMOSTAT HOUSING REPLACED. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AFTER REPAIR. MECHANIC SHOP REPLACED CONVERTER THAT WAS FAULTY (PO420 CODE) A WEEK LATER. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (PO 420 CODE) (171 CODE) MECHANIC SHOP REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, R&R FRONT. , LEFT SHOP THAT DAY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. REPLACE CATALYTIC SENSOR, NEXT DAY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. REPLACE OXYGEN REGULATOR PART AND VALVE COIL, (SAME CODES EVERYTIME), THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1300.00 AND STILL HAVE THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT ON. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING VEHICLE DURING THIS TIME.I HAVE INVOICES FOR THE REPAIRS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BOHN BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 3815 LAPALCO BLVD, HARVEY, LA 70058, (504) 347-4070, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE PURGE VALVE, INTAKE MANIFOLD, VALVE COVER WITH PVC SYSTEM AND HOSE TO BE REPLACED AND THE PCM-R TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,100.
MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 65MPH AND SUDDENLY I HEARD A STRANGE POP. MY CAR IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO LIMP MODE CAUSING MY SPEED TO DROP TO 25MPH ON A MODERATELY CROWDED INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. DUE TO THE DANGEROUS NATURE OF THIS ISSUE, I DROVE ON THE SHOULDER TO THE CLOSEST EXIT AND DROVE THE CAR TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP. 6 DIFFERENT TROUBLE CODES WERE PULLED ON THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO ALONG WITH A GMPP EXTENDED WARRANTY. FOR TWO WEEKS, THE WARRANTY COULD NOT BE FOUND AND I WAS CALLING NUMEROUS WARRANTY COMPANIES TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT OCCURRED WITH MY WARRANTY. AFTER THE 2 WEEKS OF CALLS AND CONFUSION, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WOULD COVER THE PCV VALVE ISSUE THAT THEY HAD DIAGNOSED TO BE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER STATED THAT THE PCV VALVE MALFUNCTION WAS IN FACT A "SPECIAL ADDED PROTECTION ISSUE" PUT OUT BY GM IN AUGUST. I FINALLY RECEIVED MY VEHICLE BACK TWO DAYS AGO AND THE CAR IS STILL NOT WORKING AS IT WAS BEFORE THIS REPAIR. IT IS IDLING HARD AND AT HIGH RPM AND ALSO HESITATING DURING ACCELERATION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEACON JONES CHEVROLET BUICK GMC OF CLINTON (1615 SUNSET AVE, CLINTON, NC 28328 (910) 684-4834) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CRACK IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER WASTE GATE WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TURBO CHARGER WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,350. *LN *JS*DT*JB
CAMSHAFT COVER FAILED PCV SYSTEM HAD COVER REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY ENGINE LIGHT COMES VEHICLE STALLS AT STOP LIGHT THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 80,000 MILES THIS TIME BECAUSE OF CAUSING TO MUCH VACUM HAD TO REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET SO IT IS MY THOUGHT MAYBE BUICK SHOULD PUT THIS CAMSHAFT COVER WITH PCV SYSTEM ON RECALL SAME PART FAILED AGAIN.
TURBO HAS UNDERBOOST, CAR RUNS FINE OTHER THAN LOSING POWER, ALL FLUIDS LOOK GOOD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE RPMS RANDOMLY INCREASED AND THE ENGINE SURGED. THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COURTESY BUICK (1857 EDWARDS LAKE RD, BIRMINGHAM, AL) IN 2017 AND THE CRACKED VALVE COVER SEAL WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE EVENTUALLY RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HOWARD BENTLEY BUICK GMC (4321 US HWY 43, ALBERTVILLE, AL) AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SEAL WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
CRACKED VALVE COVER FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS AUGUST OF 2017. THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENED JANUARY 6,2019. THIS OCCURRENCE CAUSED MULTIPLE FAILURES AND COST ME $727 TO HAVE REPAIRED. SYMPTOMS WERE NOTICEABLE OFF SHIFT POINTS DUE TO LACK OF POWER AND TOO MUCH AIR TO TURBO . ALSO A SURVIVING OF THE ENGINE WHEN GOING UP STEEP HILLS . THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AS BOTH TIMES THE DEALER KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND HAD PARTS ON HAND TO FIX . I TOOK VIDEO OF BOTH TIMES FOR MY RECORDS.
EXPERIENCING OIL BLOW BY IN CYLINDER BLOCK AND CATYLIC CONVERTER FAILURE
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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