12 of the
129 complaints about the 2019 Buick Encore are about the
other systems — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
4,100 miles.
F
12
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Unknown OR Other
12100.0%
Other & Unspecified across every Buick Encore year
On XXX, at approximately 1:00 p.m., my 2019 Buick Encore unexpectedly caught fire while I was operating it in [XXX]. Prior to the fire, I experienced abnormal symptoms, including the vehicle failing to restart, a hissing sound, smoke coming from the engine compartment, and then visible flames. The smoke changed from black to white and then green before the fire intensified. I safely exited the vehicle before the fire spread. The exact component that failed is unknown. Based on my observations, the fire appeared to originate from the engine compartment or underneath the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was declared a total loss. This incident placed my safety at serious risk because the fire occurred without warning while I was using the vehicle. Had I not exited when I did, the outcome could have been much worse. The incident also created a hazard to nearby motorists and anyone in the surrounding area. The problem has not been reproduced because the vehicle was destroyed by the fire. The vehicle was inspected by General Motors after the incident as part of a product allegation investigation. General Motors later informed me that it found “no merit” to my product allegation but refused to disclose the basis for its conclusion, stating that its investigation materials are confidential and proprietary. As a result, I still have not been provided with an explanation for what caused my vehicle to catch fire. I am submitting this complaint because I believe an unexpected vehicle fire is a significant safety concern that should be documented and evaluated. If other owners have experienced similar inci INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11750846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dover, NJ, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FRONT RADIATOR COLLANT OVERFLOW EXPANION TANK W/CAP & SENSOR FLUID LEVEL GETS EXTREMELY LOW AND SETS OFF A DASHBOARD MESSAGE STATING ENGINE OVERHEATING - ONCE I FILL UP THE COLLANT THE LIGHT GOES OFF THIS CONTINUALLY OCCURS EVERY FEW WEEKS/MONTHS WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TO OCCURED? I HAD IT SERVICED AND A LEAK HAS NOT BEEN DETECTED 2019 BUICK ENCORE AWD
NHTSA complaint #11749910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Villa Hills, KY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car purchased new in Nov 2018. Within 3 years needed a turbocharger replacement. At this time this was covered under warranty. Recently had to undergo replacement for the turbocharger again. This time it was not covered under the warranty. In researching this problem I saw that in Feb of 2024, Buick extended the warranty on the Buick 2017-2018 Encores, due to a manufacturer defect in the turbocharger. This add'lwarranty covered the cost of the repair & was good for up to 120,000 miles. Since we purchased the car in 2018, the parts used to build it had to be the same as those used on 2018 Encores. Asking to see what we can do to see if this car, under these circumstances qualifies for the recall.
NHTSA complaint #11748662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, AL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUV has ran hot and had it towed on 3 separate occasions when this happened. Had thermostat and water pump replaced. Not fixed. Coolant keeps running out if bottom of suv. It is at dealership and blown head gasket and probably much worse. Apparently these models have something wrong with cooling system. The engine cost will be about what I owe on it. Buick needs to pay for another engine for my SUV. I have a warranty but they won’t honor the engine replacement and I’m out of a vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11727136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piedmont, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Transmission whirring, vehicle is skipping while driving, gear/rpm not downshifting after acceleration
NHTSA complaint #11609546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When I apply brakes the car accelerates instead of stopping. This occurs randomly and not all the time. It has occurred at traffic lights or when I am at a location to park the suv. I was in a accident in May which caused damages to another car. I reported this to GM back in May of this year and they stated that they sent a engineer to inspect the car and could not find anything wrong. at that time the car had been towed to the dealership. I went and picked the car up It drove fine for a while and now its back doing the same thing again. It will run thru red lights, stop signs and doesn't stop when I pull into parking spaces, this is very dangerous, I am getting the run around with General motors. I need some one's help before someone gets injured or killed with this vehicle. I hope its not me.
NHTSA complaint #11540811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monroe Township, NJCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
At approximately 1130am, pulling into parking space in a parking lot at very low speed, 50% of vehicle was in the parking space, when suddenly the car accelerated forward. This resulted in my vehicle jumping over a safety curb and crashing into a building resulting in damage to my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11486786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester Hills, MICrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When I pulled into a parking space at docs office, my car suddenly lurched forward very fast, over the curb and into rocks. I had foot on brake and put in reverse, only to have it reverse very fast and hit a parked car! I was shocked! It had a mind of its own! This has never happened before. I do recall that sometimes when I back out of garage at home, I keep foot on brake and it seems like it wants to “go”. I read on a website that another Encore had very similar incident as mine. My son found online “Transmission slipping” problems with Buicks. I am so thankful no one was walking in the parking lot at the time it happened. Problem has not been reproduced.. police officer didn’t know if there was any recalls for this either. I put a claim in with State Farm and they recommended an auto shop to go to, a few blocks from my condo. I went today (Carstar auto) and they looked at damage. They are trying to order parts for it. He said I can drive it, but honestly, I am afraid this will happen again. I have to go to work, so I’m hoping this doesn’t happen again. I don’t know what to do. The only warning I had on dashboard was to replace the battery in my key fob. I went to O’Reilly’s Auto Store and bought battery and My friends adult son replaced it for me. Most damage is to rear. Some in front underneath I can’t see. Man at Carstar auto saw it.
NHTSA complaint #11472028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,700 milesNampa, IDCrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
OCT 9TH - I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK ON OCTOBER 9TH AFTER WORKING A 12-HOUR SHIFT. IT WAS DARK. I WAS GOING SOUTH ON HAPPY VALLEY. I PULLED UP TO A FOUR-WAY STOP ON HAPPY VALLEY AND VICTORY ROAD. I STARTED TO PULL INTO THE INTERSECTION. A GIRL TRAVELING EAST TO WEST DIDN'T STOP AT HER STOP SIGN. WHEN I GOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, SHE HIT ME. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 45 MPH COMING FROM HER DIRECTION, BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW FAST SHE WAS TRAVELING. SHE HIT MY CAR AND IT SPUN MY CAR. I REMEMBER HITTING MY HEAD 2 TIMES ON THE SIDE WINDOW AND MY BODY TWICE AGAINST THE DOOR. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY CAR FACED THE AIRPORT WHEN IT CAME TO A STOP AND WAS FACING WEST.
NHTSA complaint #11376707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30 milesSAN Jose, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HACKER ITS BEING ABLE TO CHANGE STEREO AND PENETRATE INTO THE UNIT AND MANIPULATE CAR SETTINGS AS HE'S PLEASE. DANGEROUS WHILE I AM DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11376463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,100 milesSAN Francisco, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY HOOD POPPED OPEN WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE CAR NOTIFIED ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAVE DASH CAM AND PICTURES. I PULLED OVER AND CLOSED HOOD. THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. ASIDE FROM MY MAIN CONCERN ABOVE, MY APPLY CAR PLAY HAS TROUBLE WORKING WITH THE VEHICLE SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. THE VEHICLE NOTIFIED ME I WAS LOW ON FUEL SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I HAD ALMOST A FULL TANK. IT HAPPENED WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE IN THE LAST WEEK.
NHTSA complaint #11307606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spokane, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, A 2019 ENCORE SPORT TOURING, HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE STEREO VOLUME AND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STATIONARY.. WHEN SWITCHING FROM FM TO XM THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN AUDIO VOLUME. THE VOLUME WHILE LISTENING TO XM IS WHAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER AS NORMAL HOWEVER WHEN SWITCHING TO FM THE VOLUME IS ONLY 1/2 (WITHOUT ADJUSTING/MODIFYING VOLUME LEVEL) OF WHAT IT WAS AND NOW REQUIRES ALMOST 3/4 VOLUME ADJUSTMENT AND SOUNDS MUTED AND STILL CANNOT ACHEIVE SAME SOUND QUALITY. HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH DEALER AND THEY STATE THEY CONTACTED GM. THE ANSWER WAS AN UNACCEPTABLE "THIS IS NORMAL" OPERATION. HAVE LISTENED TO OTHER STEREOS IN OTHER CAR'S (INCLUDING BUICKS) WITH AM/FM AND XM AND THEY DO NOT SUFFER FROM THIS SAME ISSUE. WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE TO BE SOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #11289209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.