2017 Buick Encore Powertrain (other) Problems

Formal Consumer Complaint Statement — GM / Crivelli Buick I am filing a formal consumer complaint against Crivelli Chevrolet Buick GMC and General Motors/Buick regarding what I believe was discriminatory and unfair treatment in connection with a warranty-covered vehicle repair. The customer is [XXX] , owner of a 2017 Buick Encore. The vehicle was serviced by Crivelli Chevrolet Buick GMC in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, on or about May 20, 2026, for a turbocharger failure covered under GM Special Coverage Bulletin N232395330. The vehicle had recently passed Pennsylvania safety and emissions inspection on April 30, 2026. The turbo-related diagnostic code appeared on or about [XXX]. Crivelli completed the minimum turbocharger warranty repair but then informed the customer that additional intake/manifold-related repairs were needed and would not be covered. The customer disputed this because the additional failure appeared during the same repair sequence and appears directly related to the covered turbocharger failure. A written request was faxed asking Crivelli to review the invoice, compare the repair to GM’s covered parts list, and submit the related intake/manifold issue to GM for collateral coverage, goodwill review, or warranty consideration. Crivelli did not respond to the fax notice and did not return the customer’s calls. When the customer attempted to follow up with the service department, Scott from the service department refused to review the concern, refused to provide further service, and refused to contact GM regarding the related warranty issue. Based on the conduct, tone, refusal to review the documentation, refusal to escalate to GM, and refusal to provide equal service, I believe the customer was denied fair consumer service because of race.The customer is not asking for special treatment. The customer is asking for equal treatment, proper review of GM’s own warranty/special coverage bulletin, and fair handling of a related mechanical INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A

NHTSA ID

11739555

Incident

May 20, 2026

First the car started to act odd, jumpy or you could tell there was issues with the turbo. On [XXX] car overheated??? Out of nowhere. Mileage 82049. No warnings, no lights. We had it towed to shop where we were told we need new turbo, new engine, power steering service, ac service. The total Cost was $6813.54. We had to take out 2 loans - 90 days same as cash then 145% interest as well as pay $243.54 in Cash. We were guaranteed the car was in great condition. We picked it up on 1/24/25. Then on [XXX] - Odometer reading 82509 - We pulled over on the side of the road to grab something from the trunk. Driver got back in car and all of a sudden the car just shut down saying overheated and smoke was coming out of the hood. Again, Absolutely no warning, no lights, no weird noises, nothing! We are now stuck in the middle of nowhere with our [XXX] granddaughter. Thank God a police man drove by. The next day we had to have it towed back to shop. Once back to the shop we were told that the engine or labor that they just put in our vehicle would not be covered by warranty. Nothing was fixed!!! I contacted the attorney general. We went to pick it up on 3/28/2025. Once they got involved the shop agreed to do all repairs for $1873.96. (pay $600 now and then post date 2 more checks). The owners said they looked over everything and nothing should be going wrong. It should be good as new. On [XXX] We were on our way to Puerto Penasco Mexico where we have a vacation home. About 20 miles into Mexico the car just stopped. Tons of Smoke from the tail pipe, Low oil pressure all of a sudden came on. I am attaching pics showing that the car was not showing overheated. So now my husband and i are stuck on the side of the road in Mexico with no cell phone service with a [XXX] car that we can not get fixed no matter how much money or time we put into it. When we finally got ahold of the shop they said they are washing their hands of it and do not want to see this car again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

NHTSA ID

11652657

Incident

Mar 31, 2025

Back in July 2022 I started receiving error messages of the stabilitrak system to get checked by OnStar. I took to Ed Martin Buick in Carmel, In they thought that it was from possibly pressing brake and pedal at same time and fixed code. Then about two weeks later I got the same error code, I took to Ray Skillman Northeast Buick they said it was a transmission manufacturing defect and had to do with Manifold which they fixed under power train warranty. Now February 2023 I have same issue Stabilitrak error message. I have to take back again to Ray Skillman Northeast Buick. This is an ongoing issue and should not be receiving same codes car only has 67,000 miles and should not be having transmission issues either.

NHTSA ID

11505622

Incident

Jul 1, 2022

Vehicle has been in and out of shop since Feb 2022 for 'limp mode' disabled due to faulty booster or something. Vehicles leave driver stranded unable to accelerate or maneuver vehicle to avoid a collision. I'm told this is a well known problem for both this vehicle and the chevy cruze although no recalls are out for this huge safety issue. Somebody is seriously going to get injured if driver is unable to move car to safety when it just dies on the highway or road. All documentation is available for the excessive repairs that don't resolve the issue the correction only last from 24 hours to 2 weeks before the light comes on again and car dies.

NHTSA ID

11463635

Incident

May 6, 2022

Turbo failure on car caused lack of power to the vehicle when accelerating

NHTSA ID

11433628

Incident

Sep 16, 2021

THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING NOISES AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SCREEN WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE, BUT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS OUT. RADIO STOPPED WORKING, MY SCREEN WENT DARK AND THE BACKUP CAMERA DIDN'T WORK. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND THE SECOND IT OCCURRED WHILE BACKING OUT A PARKING SPOT.

NHTSA ID

11384992

Incident

Dec 26, 2020

Mileage

33,000 mi

POOR ACCELERATION CAUSING INCREASE IN FORCE ON GAS PEDAL. HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE ON FLAT SURFACES, GOING UP HILL, AROUND CURVES WITH AC ON OR OFF. ONCE ACCELERATION KICKS IN, SPEED INCREASES CAUSING THE NEED FOR APPLYING THE BREAKS. REQUIRES ADDITIONAL SPACE WHEN PULLING OUT ON THE ROAD TO ENSURE ENOUGH TIME TO ACHIEVE PROPER SPEED. TOOK TO CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. TECH UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ISSUE AND SINCE NO CODES OR SERVICE LIGHT, THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. PICKED UP THE CAR FROM DEALERSHIP. NEXT DAY ISSUE CONTINUES. CAR WOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE WHEN FOOT REMOVED FROM PEDAL (ALMOST LIKE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON), PRESSED ON BREAKS WHICH DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. HAD TO MOVE TO SIDE OF ROAD & CONTINUE TRY & STOP. MADE A SECOND APPOINTMENT TO RETURN CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP. AFRAID OF TRANSPORTING PEOPLE IN VEHICLE DUE TO UNKNOWN/STICKING ACCELERATOR ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11245121

Incident

May 1, 2019

Mileage

32,000 mi

I WAS DROPPING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL. I WAS IN LINE OF DROP OFF. I STOPPED MY CAR PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND REMOVED MY FOOT FROM BRAKE. SUDDENLY I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS MOVING JUST LIKE IN THE SPEED OF NEUTAL. I PUSHED THE BRAKES HARD BECAUSE MY CAR WAS ABOUT TO HIT THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. I CHECKED THE THE SHIFT WAS STILL IN THE PARK. SO IN SHORT, CAR WAS STILL MOVING WHEN IN PARK. SCARRY!!!!

NHTSA ID

11065351

Incident

Jan 26, 2018

Mileage

5,600 mi