2015 Buick Encore Steering Problems

Transmission wouldn't shift out of 2nd gear and wouldnt shift into reverse. Has no power steering or power brakes

NHTSA ID

11742919

Incident

May 30, 2026

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

While driving the dash signal came on stating that the power steering unit had gone off. The car was being driven without power steering. The message state to get serviced immediately. There was a recall for this problem but research states that my vin number did not show my car was part of this recall. WELL, IT IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS OTHERS. Please advise as to how I can get this fixed by the dealership under a recall #15168/15U14600. There is only 18,000 miles on this car, YES eighteen thousand. This recall needs to include my vehicle. Please respond immediately.

NHTSA ID

11623230

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The contact stopped the vehicle and added coolant and drove to the residence. The contact stated that the next day while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became abnormally stiff, making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. Additionally, the radio and instrument panel became inoperable. The message "Check Power Steering Unit" was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V146000 (Steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 108,172.

NHTSA ID

11606836

Incident

Aug 5, 2024

Mileage

108,172 mi

I was driving at 65 when the power assist on my steering stopped and i was forced off the road. The check engine light was on and the word STEERING appeared on the dash It duplicates the description in recall 15168 but there is no recall listed for my VIN number The dealer also stated the same issue regarding the VIN

NHTSA ID

11573532

Incident

Feb 21, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized with the electronic power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a gas station temporarily. The dealer was contacted and suggested the contact call the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V146000 (Steering) as a possible solution; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,326.

NHTSA ID

11568862

Incident

Jan 29, 2024

Mileage

88,326 mi

While at a stoplight, my buick encore's power steering just stopped working. I was only able to turn the steering wheel with great effort. The car would not go in reverse, although when pressing on the accelerator in reverse, the engine would rev. Shifting from drive to reverse also caused the car to jolt. The car is available for inspection. This has happened previously in fall of 2021, and the same exact thing happened, but this time while I was driving through an intersection. I was unable to steer and ran into a curb. My safety and safety of others was put at risk because I could have hit another driver or pedestrian The car has been inspected by a Triple A approved mechanic twice (once in 2021 and once now), and they have not found any problems with the car. The power steering and traction lights came on on my dashboard.

NHTSA ID

11564285

Incident

Jan 5, 2024

Power steering failed when driving. I had another passenger with me and when avoiding a pothole in the road, the car went crazy and it took all I could to control the vehicle and NOT crash into anyone or another car! I am having nightmares of what could have happened to me and my passenger. On the next day, I tried to start my vehicle and the steeling wheel was locked. I had it towed to VIP near me. They did a diagnosis on my vehicle and claim that I need a new steeling column and the circuit board. They did further research and found that the 2015 Buick Encores have had a recall on the steering. They then mentioned that there was nothing more they could do and they advised me NOT to drive the vehicle as it was UNSAFE. I then had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer (Jacks Chevrolet) claims that my car's VIN isn't included in the recall. My question is if my vehicle demonstrates the same characteristics, WHY isn't it part of the recall? My car is UNSAFE to drive! Jack’s Chevrolet in Saco performed a diagnosis, and the issue was with the battery. From what the contact was told, the power steering is electric, and the battery had tested bad (bad cell). And they stated the power steering is working properly. The contact stated after one event of driving the vehicle after the repair, the vehicle is again demonstrating an unreasonable risk to safety. The steering wheel is locked, and the steering is uncontrolled.

NHTSA ID

11557260

Incident

Nov 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and pulling into the driveway, the vehicle decelerated independently with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the "Power Steering Fault" message was displayed, and the steering wheel became firm. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence and the vehicle shutoff and failed to restart. The contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle. The contact replaced the battery but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the failure had persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V146000 (Steering) and advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11539112

Incident

Jun 14, 2023

Mileage

60,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist and became firm. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V146000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11516683

Incident

Apr 11, 2023

Mileage

50,000 mi

The car stopped having power steering and went into limp mode while I was turning into a school and then stalled.

NHTSA ID

11475054

Incident

Jul 20, 2022

while driving, the check engine light came on, traction assist light and then the car lost power steering. Very scary.

NHTSA ID

11465711

Incident

May 20, 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

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 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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND STALLED WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S SISTER'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED CASEY CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 11700 JEFFERSON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23606, AND WAS NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V146000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID

11341626

Incident

Jul 24, 2020

Mileage

5,000 mi

WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, YOU ARE ABLE TO HEAR A CREAKING SOUND THAT IS VERY PRONOUNCED. THIS JUST STARTED ALL SUDDENLY. THIS HAPPENS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AS WELL AS THE RIGHT.

NHTSA ID

11321555

Incident

Apr 1, 2020

Mileage

67,000 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

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY QUIT, AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR WONT GET OUT OF LOW GEAR AND REVERSE DOESN'T WORK

NHTSA ID

11171400

Incident

Jan 22, 2019

Mileage

58,000 mi

THE STEARING JOINT AND BAR ARE TOTALY RUSTED OUT. I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA. AND THIS CAR IS A 2015 BUT SOLD IN 2016. THE PICTURES WONT UP LOAD

NHTSA ID

11128329

Incident

Sep 9, 2018

Mileage

16,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE ON WE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. LUCKILY IT OCCURRED AS WE WERE PULLING AWAY FROM THE DRIVEWAY, WE ATTEMPTED TO RE-ENGINE THE VEHICLE TO NO AVAIL. EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY.

NHTSA ID

11111500

Incident

Jul 13, 2018

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CARL BLACK CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (1110 ROBERTS BLVD, KENNESAW, GA 30144 (770) 424-2200), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TOWED, THE KEYS WERE LEFT IN THE IGNITION AND CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE AUTOMATICALLY RESET ITSELF AS A RESULT OF THE DEAD BATTERY THAT NEEDED TO BE RECHARGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V146000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.

NHTSA ID

11001722

Incident

Jun 17, 2017

Mileage

24,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE GAUGES FLUCTUATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE GROUND CABLE AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REWIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES: THREE WHEN THEIR DAUGHTER OPERATED THE VEHICLE AND ONCE WHILE THE CONTACT OPERATED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHSTA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V146000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID

10969481

Incident

Oct 1, 2016

Mileage

30,000 mi