2015 Buick Encore Electrical Problems

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the steering wheel seized. The traction control warning light and the power steering warning light was illuminated, and the message to “Contact Dealer for Service” was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that one of the wiring harnesses connected with the CPU had failed. The wiring harness in the CPU was replaced. After the repair, while driving 60 MPH, the failure reoccurred and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V146000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ID

11677619

Incident

Jun 30, 2025

Mileage

138,000 mi

tilt steering wheel usage is causing wires in steering culumb to break

NHTSA ID

11601793

Incident

Jun 20, 2024

MY KEY GETS STUCK IN THE EGNITION, MY MACHANIC SAID IT IS SPECIFIC TO THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR.

NHTSA ID

11582072

Incident

Apr 3, 2023

The cooling system malfunctions. Repaired six times in a year. Overheats. Coolant issues.

NHTSA ID

11512934

Incident

Mar 21, 2023

My car started surging when I was sitting at a traffic light and as I was crossing abridge The check engine light came on - 2 codes - transmission module 0700 and module 0073

NHTSA ID

11499335

Incident

Dec 22, 2022

I've had my car for 3 years. I've always kept up with it's maintenance. My engine/head gasket are blown and I found out this is a common issue with this car. The airbags also dont recognize when there are passengers in the car. I started my car up one morning in September and all of my lights started flashing. I immediately turned it off and towed it to my mechanic to find out that it pretty much has everything wrong with it. My car is barely above 80k

NHTSA ID

11496601

Incident

Sep 19, 2022

We have had problems with the air bags since the car was new. The SRS light would come on for a couple months then go off. It says it has a problem with the passenger presence module. Never had a recall but the dealer said that when we took it in for an oil change they updated the firmware on the air bag system. It never did work, it would sometimes work then not work. I took it back a few weeks ago and told them it still isn't right and I said since it is a safety issue they should cover it. They told me that since Ohio doesn't have auto inspections that they are not responsibile for taking care of it and I was looking at over 1000 to repair. That pissed me off so I took my car and left. I am taking it to a independent garage. I have had lots of problems eith this car and only have 42000 on it now. My last GM, next will be Toyota/

NHTSA ID

11461407

Incident

Apr 4, 2022

Have had the car in the Buick dealership numerous times to get these things fixed. Each time was told it was fixed and I paid for parts and labor. 1. Engine Light keeps coming on. 2. traction light keeps coming on. 3. Power steering goes out 4. Press on gas and have to floor it in order to just crawl to a place to stop. 5 Hard jumps after stopping at a light Have had this in to Tasca Buick and each time they say they fixed it - then it happens less then 2 weeks later. Have told them this car is going to kill someone with the steering going out while driving. I have a 2015 beautiful Buick Encore in the drive that I cannot drive. I am 77 years old and can't just walk. I don't know what to do. I have tried taking it in to have it fixed and it keeps doing the same things. It is definitely available for inspection. This has happened numerous times since I have had the car. Not just on one date - numerous dates

NHTSA ID

11445454

Incident

Dec 29, 2021

While driving, I received a call that routed through the Bluetooth hands-free system. Within seconds of receiving the call, the entire system seemed to blitz out and shut the car off completely. Luckily I was not going fast and was able to glide to the side. I lost almost all the ability to control the car. If this had been on the freeway it wouldn't have ended as well.

NHTSA ID

11445387

Incident

Nov 18, 2021

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the steering wheel was locked. Additionally, a burning odor was detected, and the tachometer was inoperable while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ID

11443985

Incident

Dec 16, 2021

Mileage

71,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving the computer shut down without warning. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who stated they were unable to duplicate the failure due to the computer shutting down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The contact was concerned about being involved in a crash due to an unsafe vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ID

11435937

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

Mileage

55,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 BUICK ENCORE. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was placed in reverse the vehicle felt as if the tires were dragging. When the steering wheel was being turned in any direction, the vehicle would show signs of hesitation before turning. The contact stated that the failures were related to TSB number: 10161933 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 10139246 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND STEERING), 18NA049. The contact had taken the vehicle to the local dealer who stated that the rear differential had failed and the failure was caused by the issues mentioned in the TSB’s mentioned above. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11417580

Incident

Apr 25, 2021

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND REGAINED NORMAL POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE TO PARK AND THE VEHICLE THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHED WITH RANDOM MESSAGES, SOME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES. THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO START DUE TO THE BATTERY POWER BEING TO LOW DESPITE THE BATTERY BEING NEW WHEN PLACED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE BUT FAILED WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER INSTALLATION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DENOOYER CHEVROLET (5800 STADIUM DR, KALAMAZOO, MI 49009; (269) 389-0733) WHO WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ID

11373957

Incident

Aug 31, 2020

Mileage

51,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING MOSTLY ON HIGHWAY AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MINUTES THE STABILITRAK LIGHT BEGINS TO FLASH ON AND OFF, THEN IT GOES SOLID, THEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON, THEN THE SERVICE POWER STEERING DISPLAY LIGHTS UP AND THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY GOES OUT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS REVERSE NO LONGER WORKS. ON 12/10/19 I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO WILKINS BUICK, THEY KEPT IT FOR 2 DAYS, NOTED THAT THEY DID SEE MULTIPLE DETECTS FOR LOSS OF COMMUNICATION W/POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND SAID THE BATTERY CABLE WAS LOOSE, CHARGED ME $440.60. ON 1/10/20 LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN, WE UNHOOKED THE BATTERY, REHOOKED IT WHICH CLEARED THE LIGHTS AND WAS ABLE TO GET HOME, PARKED CAR FOR THE WEEKEND. ON 1/13/20 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TO WORK, AFTER APPROX 30 MINUTES OF CONTINUOUS HWY DRIVING, THE STABILITRAK LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. I DROPPED IT OFF AT HERITAGE BUICK THAT NIGHT. THEY KEPT THE CAR FROM 1/14/20-1/20/20, TOLD ME THEY DID SEE MULTIPLE PREVIOUS CODES ABOUT LOSS OF COMMUNICATION WITH POWER STEERING THE PROBLEM DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN THEY DROVE IT AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I PICKED CAR UP ON 1/21/20. THEY DID NOT CHARGE ME, GAVE ME NO PAPERWORK. ON 1/13/20 I DID OPEN A COMPLAINT WITH GM, CASE [XXX] BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN A CLOSED RECALL 15168, #15V14600 FOR SAME PROBLEM WITH 2015 ENCORES WITH BUILD DATES BEGINNING 1 MONTH AFTER MINE. ON 1/31/20 AFTER DRIVING APPROX 1.5HRS ON HIGHWAY I LOST THE POWER STEERING AGAIN, UNHOOKED BATTERY, RESET ,DROVE HOME, PARKED CAR FOR WEEKEND. 2/3/20 AFTER DRIVING 30 MINUTES ON HWY STABILITRAK LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, DROPPED CAR AT HERITAGE BUICK. THEY HAVE HAD CAR SINCE THEN, ON 2/6/20 I ESCALATED COMPLAINT WITH GM, ON 2/7/20 [XXX] @ GM CALLED W/NEW CASE [XXX], HAVE NOT HAD ANY CONTACT FROM EITHER HERITAGE BUICK OR GM SINCE. I LEFT A MESSAGE FOR HERITAGE EARLIER TODAY REQUESTED UPDATE, NO RESPONSE YET. *DL PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

NHTSA ID

11308490

Incident

Dec 10, 2019

Mileage

103,888 mi

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2017 WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES, 1 YEAR WARRANTY WAS PURCHASED. I HAVE HAD CONSTANT ISSUES WITH TIRES, BUT MORE SERIOUSLY I HAVE HAD OVER $2000 IN REPAIRS FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD, AIR CONDITIONING, VARIOUS ISSUES WITH TIRES, REPAIRED THERMOSTAT. I HAD AN IGNITION PROBLEM REPAIRED IN 2019 AND NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING, THE MOTOR DOESN'T WANT TO ENGAGE AND I AM IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE THAT I WILL BE ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WILL JUST SHUT DOWN, CAUSING A COLLISION!

NHTSA ID

11298433

Incident

Jul 2, 2018

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INFORMATION SCREEN AND BACK UP CAMERA WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARKS BUICK GMC (2640 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607, (864) 568-7276) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INFORMATION CENTER AND RADIO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE PARTS BEING ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ID

11296831

Incident

Oct 28, 2019

Mileage

30,000 mi

DRIVING CAR LOCKS UP CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SAYS CHECK POWER STEERING, WE AIMED TO SIDE OF THE SHOULDER CAR DIES WOULDN'T START.WE HAD TO WAIT ON SIDE OF A INTERSTATE FOR 3 HOURS TO GET A TOW TRUCK, VERY DANGEROUS

NHTSA ID

11235058

Incident

Jul 26, 2019

Mileage

30,000 mi

THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. 5 TIMES TO A GM DEALER. 5 TIME NOT FIXED. AFTER TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70-75MPH FOR 3 HOURS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. FOLLOWED BY SERVICE POWER STEERING, THEN DIALS GO TO ZERO, TRANSMISSION STOP SHIFTING. TOWED OF THE HIGHWAY 3 TIMES, MANAGED TO LIMP TO A DEALER TWICE. ECM RE-PROGRAMMED, BATTERY CHANGES, REPLACED ECM. CAR IS NOW IN LITTLE ROCK AR, HAVING ITS FIFTH DIAGNOSIS. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO AND FROM OHIO TO AN INTERNSHIP IN DALLAS. BROKE DOWN OUTSIDE OF LOUSVILLE , NASHVILLE, FORT WORTH, TEXARKANA AND FINALLY LITTLE ROCK. VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

11229002

Incident

Jun 26, 2019

Mileage

38,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL? THE ELETRICAL CONTROL DISPLAY TURNS OFF AND SOMETIMES BACK ON RANDOMLY CREATING A DEFINITED DRIVER DISTRACTION. THE ONE CONNECTION I HAVE MADE IS IT DOES HAPPEN AT TIMES WHEN I TURN SLIGHTLY (NOT FULL HARD TURN NEEDED)ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CONCERNS ME AS A SAFETY ISSUE; I ASK IS THIS RELATED TO THE SYSTEM ELECTRICAL ISSUE IN RECALL 15168? FOR ME IT INVOLVES SAFETY AS ANYTHING HAPPENING IN A VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY CREATE DISTRACTION. IN MY CASE IT IS MOMENTARY, YET DISTRACTING NONE THE LESS. THER DATE LISTED BELONG IS ONE OF MANY TIMES.

NHTSA ID

11221378

Incident

Jun 7, 2019

Mileage

33,200 mi

CODE PO300 IGNITION COIL ARCING TO THE VALVE COVER RANDOM CYLINDER MISFIRE

NHTSA ID

11191460

Incident

Mar 24, 2019

Mileage

49,361 mi

THE DISPLAY SCREEN GOES BLACK DURING THE DAY LIGHT HRS. THEN COMES BACK ON SOMETIME LATER. SO YOU CAN'T SEE THE RADIO STATIONS.

NHTSA ID

11173453

Incident

Jun 25, 2018

"TAKARA RECALL" MY 2015 BUICK AS BEEN DOING DIFFRENT THINGS. FIRST THE BLINKERS AND RADIO WENT OUT AND THEN IT CAME BACK AND NOW NONE OF THE DOORS LOCK WORKED. I WAS STUCK INSIDE MY CAR FOR 30 MIN. NOW THE IGNITION GETS REALLY HOT. AND THE DOORS WON'T UNLOCK IN THE BACK. IM CONCERN ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON. WHILE DRIVING THE SIGNAL WASN'T WORKING NEITHER THE RADIO BUT OUT OF NOWHERE IT STARTS WORKING. IT'S BEEN DOING IT ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST FOUR OR SO DAYS. THE KEY IS GETTING VERY HOT TO WHERE IT ALMOST BURN ME. VERY WEIRD... IM TRULY CONCERN ABOUT THAT. AND I WAS IN THE CAR WHEN THE DOOR WOULDN'T UNLOCK.

NHTSA ID

11130029

Incident

Sep 14, 2018

Mileage

74,733 mi

ON 4/25/18 WAS TRAVELING A COUPLE OF HOURS OUT OF TOWN FOR A MEETING. WHILE ACCELERATING (UP AN INCLINE) FROM A HWY WORK ZONE OF 50 MPH, I TEMPORARILY LOST: ALL DIAL READINGS, POWER STEERING AND ENGINE SOUNDED STUCK IN A LOWER GEAR. A FEW SECONDS LATER, REGAINED EVERYTHING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ON STAR PINGED TRANSMISSION ERROR/ TAKE IN FOR SERVICE WITHIN 1 DAY. DEALERSHIP RECEIVED U0073 CODE AND IDENTIFIED 2 LEAKS FROM AIR CONDITIONER. THEY SUSPECTED THE LEAKS WERE AFFECTING THE SENSORS. ON 5/5/18, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, JUST 1 MILE FROM LEAVING HOME - THE SAME THING HAPPENED AS ABOVE + TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON TEMPORARILY WITH POWER STEERING LIGHT. UPON PULLING OFF THE ROAD, TURNING THE CAR OFF, SITTING A MINUTE AND RESTARTING, EVERYTHING CAME BACK AND ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT. THE DEALERSHIP (WHO HAVE FABULOUS CUSTOMER SERVICE) IDENTIFIED A DIFFERENT SET OF CODES AND ENDED UP REPLACING "THE BRAINS" OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ON 5/9/18, DRIVING 35 MPH DOWN A SLIGHT DECLINE- AGAIN LOST ALL DIAL GAUGES, POWER STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO BE STUCK IN LOW GEAR. THIS CONDITION CONTINUED FOR A NUMBER OF MINUTES. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT ON A HILL (NO FUN TO COAX THE CAR UP), TURNED THE CAR OFF, TURNED IT ON, AND STILL POWER STEERING, TRANSMISSION AND GAUGES AREN'T WORKING RIGHT. SINCE HOME WAS 1 MILE AWAY, I HEADED THAT DIRECTION AND AFTER 1/2 MILE EVERYTHING RESOLVED + CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON. THE DRIVE THAT NIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP WAS SPECIAL. 50% OF THE TIME THE POWER STEERING WAS ON AND OFF ALONG WITH INABILITY TO ACCELERATE, ESPECIALLY UP HILL. THIS TIME 5 DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL CODES WERE IDENTIFIED. SO FAR, DEALERSHIP HAS RECHARGED THE BATTERY AND ARE DRIVING THE HECK OUT OF IT TO SEE IF MORE CODES POP UP. THEY DO NOT YET FEEL IT'S FIXED. WAS THERE A BAD BATCH OF 2015 ENCORES?

NHTSA ID

11093337

Incident

Apr 25, 2018

Mileage

43,000 mi

*MANY TIMES SITTING STILL OR GOING DOWN ROAD SCREEN GOES DIM AND SOMETIMES ALMOST BLACK (WHETHER HEADLIGHTS ARE ON OR NOT) *SCREEN HAS WENT COMPLETELY OFF * HEADLIGHTS COMES ON WHEN NOT NEEDED, AND DOESN'T ALWAYS COME ON WHEN NEEDED, GOING DOWN ROAD *ALERT LIGHTS IN MIRRORS DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK GOING DOWN ROAD *SITTING IN SCHOOL PARKING LOT WITH KEYS OFF THE RADIO COMES ON BY ITSELF *SITTING IN SONIC PARKING LOT AND WHEN I WENT TO START CAR I HAD NOTHING. I KEPT TRYING IT AND FINALLY IT STARTED *BLUETOOTH DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY, YOU CAN CALL OUT OR YOU CAN RECEIVE CALLS, YOU CAN HEAR THEM BUT THEY CAN'T HEAR YOU *PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT DOESN'T ALWAYS COME ON

NHTSA ID

11081558

Incident

Feb 23, 2015

Mileage

3,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. ON A STRAIGHT PORTION OF THE ROAD THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO OVER 4000 RPM, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP, AND MANY OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TRYING TO CONTROL THE CAR. I WAS FORCED TO SLOW DOWN AND WHEN I REACHED 40MPH THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING OVER 4000 RPM. MOST OF THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY LIGHTS WENT OFF EXCEPT FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HAD TO DRIVE UNDER 40 MPH UNTIL I GOT HOME. WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING MY ONSTAR SENT ME A NOTIFICATION THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE GM DEALER. AT THE GM DEALER THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES IN THE CARS COMPUTER.

NHTSA ID

11021542

Incident

Sep 4, 2017

Mileage

12,955 mi