2018 Buick Encore Brakes Problems

I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding a repeated dangerous defect in my 2018 Buick Encore. The vehicle intermittently locks up while driving without warning. When this happens: brakes become unresponsive or lock steering becomes difficult or locks gas pedal does not respond dashboard warning lights activate vehicle systems malfunction vehicle may not shut off normally This defect has occurred multiple times and creates a serious crash risk. The vehicle has now undergone three repair attempts at an authorized Buick dealership. During the second repair attempt, dealership staff personally experienced the same malfunction while test driving the vehicle. I paid approximately $2,078 cash for repairs after being told the issue was fixed, but the same dangerous defect happened again afterward.The vehicle has remained at the dealership for 15+ consecutive days, causing loss of transportation and work hardship. I am also concerned by inconsistent repair documentation and possible repairs performed that were not clearly disclosed or authorized. This vehicle remains unsafe to drive, and the defect has not been corrected despite multiple repair attempts. I believe this may involve a serious electrical, braking, steering, or control system failure that warrants investigation before someone is injured.

NHTSA ID

11734491

Incident

Sep 15, 2025

While driving, my car began to glitch out. The screens started turning on and off, the doors began locking and unlocking, and I lost my ability to steer, brake, and accelerate. It caused me to run a red light and I almost got into a severe accident. This issue has occurred several times, and during more recent occasions the car has turned off completely while driving. There were no warning lights or messages indicating that something was wrong with the car, but sometimes when I turn the car back on, it says “calibrating.” If Buick has sold cars that are capable of losing complete control, this should be investigated immediately.

NHTSA ID

11661607

Incident

May 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, power steering, and brake functionality. The vehicle began to shake, and the brakes and steering wheel became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where the mechanic test drove the vehicle but was unable to duplicate the failure. While driving, the fan failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer Orange Buick GMC (3883 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808), where it was diagnosed that the coil and relay needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle failed to accelerate above 65 MPH. The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken back to another local dealer, Gettel Chevrolet Buick GMC (1901 Tamiami Trl, Punta Gorda, FL 33950), where it was diagnosed that the fan, relay, and spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact about repairing the vehicle and the process for reimbursement. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11607573

Incident

Feb 1, 2019

Mileage

20,000 mi

Have been experiencing brake malfunction on my 2018 Buick Encore with the brakes getting locked while driving. There were instances where the brakes would lock randomly and the vehicle would start slowing down during driving even with a foot on the gas pedal and I had to turn on the hazards lights to pull the vehicle on the side in order to avoid being rear ended. Took the vehicle to a GM dealership and initial diagnostics mentioned that the brake pedal position sensor was malfunctioning and would need a replacement. Agreed to replace that, but after this repair dealership claimed that there was a loose pivot in the brake pedal assembly causing the brake light to be on(Did not have this issue before taking the vehicle to dealership). Since the vehicle was not in a driving condition due to the brake light being "ON" all the time, as per the dealership suggestion I agreed to replacing the entire brake pedal assembly as well. However, the original issue was not resolved and the dealership is now recommending that replacing the master brake cylinder and brake booster might resolve the issue. The dealership has also mentioned that all these recommended repairs are from GM and my vehicle is still at the dealership.

NHTSA ID

11585910

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

When driving, the vehicle will stutter and make the car feel as though it’s bubbling, once you come to a stop, the vehicle will shut off. This is a huge safety concern considering I have children and if the vehicle just turns off and I shouldn’t be braked for a while I can get hit. I have almost been hit 4x since this has started because the car shuts off when attempting to brake or braking completely. After speaking to multiple mechanics over this car it seems to be a common issue for it.

NHTSA ID

11536655

Incident

Aug 4, 2023

While on the highway car suddenly had a brake and steering failure which resulted in injuries to myself. Zeigler and Buick are doing nothing to remedy situation and want to put myself and my family at risk

NHTSA ID

11527313

Incident

May 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, she depressed the brake pedal but it failed to stop the vehicle, causing her to rear-end a truck. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries nor sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a collision center and had the front bumper repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

NHTSA ID

11471693

Incident

Jun 13, 2022

Mileage

15,000 mi

Twice I was driving my car going about 35-45 mikes an hour. My car started to shake along with a loud humming sound. I lost my power steering and brakes. The over drive light was flashing both on the right under radio and on the dash. The RPMs started racing as well one time for sure. I was able to get to the side of the road and hit the emergency brake at the same time put it into park. I was so scared. I waited a few minutes turned it back on and drove around a parking lot before I ventured home.The second time I was close to home and drove it home 10 miles an hour. Since then I am extremely scared to drive my car. Being a nurse I NEED MY CAR. I took it to Sterling Buick in Venice. They ran a diagnostic test and it showed nothing. They drove it and of course it did not do it. There suggestion was for me to trade it in. They charged me and sent me on my way. They fixed something with my AC. When I droved the car days later my fiance called to tell me that there was something now leaking from the bottom of my car and took pictures of the brown pink color fluid dripping from undermeath the car. I called Buick. They suggested they would give me On Star for 6 months!!! REALLY!!! I they want to beable to find me in a ditch. I can not in good concious trade that car in knowing what has happened. If someone does not have the hinsight to beable to stop it they can be killled or kill someone else! The first time it happened I had my kids in the car and they were screaming. The second time I had 2 friends with me.

NHTSA ID

11430872

Incident

Aug 2, 2021

THIS TOOK PLACE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY IN THE PARKING LOT OF A COMMERCIAL BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING FORWARD. IT WAS DECELERATING HEAD-IN INTO A PARKING SPOT. THE BRAKING ACTION WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE HAD SLOWED TO ABOUT 5 MPH. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKING WAS ENGAGED. I THEN HEARD THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE REVVING AT A VERY HIGH RATE. THERE WAS A HIGH WHINING SOUND. I LOST BRAKING AS MY RIGHT FOOT DEPRESSED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AT AN INCREASED SPEED. IT JUMPED THE SIDEWALK CURB, CROSSED THE CONCRETE SIDEWALK, AND SLAMMED INTO A CINDER BLOCK WALL COLUMN ON THE SIDE OF A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ID

11308591

Incident

Oct 7, 2019

Mileage

14,367 mi

WHEN IT RAINS MOST IF THE TIME THE VEHICLE ONSTAR SETS OFF ALERTS FOR MY ANTILOCK BRAKES AND STABILITY TO BE CHECKED. DEALER SAID IT IS NORMAL AND NOT CONCERNING BUT CHECKED AT THE 1 YEAR INSPECTION FOR ME. NPF. A MONTH LATER A RAINY DAY, ALERTS, AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON, 'PRESS BRAKE TO START' APPEARED BUT PRESSING BREAK DID NOT START IT. AFTER AN HOUR OF TRYING VARIOUS 'TRICKS' IT STARTED WITH THE REMOTE STARTER. A WEEK LATER SAME THING. RAIN, ALERTS, AND NO START. THIS TIME 2 HOURS OF TRYING VARIOUS TRICKS- (EMERGENCY BREAK ON OFF/ PARK PUSHED ALL THE WAY UP, WHEELS FORWARD, REMOTE START ATTEMPTS, ONSTAR DIAGNOSTICS ETC) I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. THE MECHANIC FROM AAA TRIED AND NOTHING, WE TOWED AN HOUR BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND HE TRIED ONCE MORE, NOTHING. NEXT MORNING THE DEALERSHIP REPORTED NPF. I AM PICKING IT UP TOMORROW BUT EXPECT TO REPORT THIS HAPPENING AGAIN SOON.

NHTSA ID

11278761

Incident

Nov 5, 2019

I HAVE COMPLIN TO MY DEALER ABOUT MY CAR EXCELERATING WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES . THEY SAID THEY CAN FIND A PROBLEM , WELL IT HAPPEN AGAIN ON AUGUST 29 2019 AN IT CAUSE A ACCIDENT I WAS DRIVING ON A 6 LANE ROADWAY AROUND 330 IN THE AFTERNOON I WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 45 MPH AN WHEN I WENT TO STOP THE CAR ACCELLERATED . I WAS NOT ABLE TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME

NHTSA ID

11255370

Incident

Aug 29, 2019

Mileage

10,989 mi