Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2021 Buick Encore with NHTSA between 2022 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 10 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 6
Against the median year of the Buick Encore. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 94
18.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2021 Buick Encore
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
327.3%
Engine & Cooling
327.3%
Brakes
218.2%
Median failure at 38,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
19.1%
Airbags
19.1%
Electrical System
19.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2022peak 2May 2026
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Norwood, MA1 injured
AIR BAGS
NOTHING AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT STARTED WENT TO DRIVE OFF !! BANG 2000 BOUNDS OF PRESSURE IN MY FACE! MY WHOLE BODY!! IT WAS A RENTAL !! LOOK INTO THIS VECHICAIL !HAIR BURNT! FRIED WIRE SMELL STILL ON MY BURNT JACKET!! LOOK INTO THIS WITH GREAT CONCERN AS IAM REACHING OUT WITH SHOCK AND AWE ABOUT THIS WHOLE SITUATION THAT ACCURED** THERE IS VIDEO OF ACCURANCE IN PARKING LOT * THINK THE OWNER IS GOING TO TRY TO COVER UP WHAT EVER HE CAN , SAYING THAT FOR REASON'S OF MY OWN! PLEASE SOMEONE'S JOB TO INVESTAGTE RIGHT ! BLACK BOX DATA SPEED WHICH 2 MILES A HOUR WAS SPEED .. COULDNT SEE * AIR BAGS EVEN CAME UP FROM THE PEDDLES?? WHY ?? SO CANT PUT THE BREAKS ON? LIKE IWAS TRAPPED HURT DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON .
NHTSA complaint #11557296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norwood, MA1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NOTHING AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT STARTED WENT TO DRIVE OFF !! BANG 2000 BOUNDS OF PRESSURE IN MY FACE! MY WHOLE BODY!! IT WAS A RENTAL !! LOOK INTO THIS VECHICAIL !HAIR BURNT! FRIED WIRE SMELL STILL ON MY BURNT JACKET!! LOOK INTO THIS WITH GREAT CONCERN AS IAM REACHING OUT WITH SHOCK AND AWE ABOUT THIS WHOLE SITUATION THAT ACCURED** THERE IS VIDEO OF ACCURANCE IN PARKING LOT * THINK THE OWNER IS GOING TO TRY TO COVER UP WHAT EVER HE CAN , SAYING THAT FOR REASON'S OF MY OWN! PLEASE SOMEONE'S JOB TO INVESTAGTE RIGHT ! BLACK BOX DATA SPEED WHICH 2 MILES A HOUR WAS SPEED .. COULDNT SEE * AIR BAGS EVEN CAME UP FROM THE PEDDLES?? WHY ?? SO CANT PUT THE BREAKS ON? LIKE IWAS TRAPPED HURT DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON .
NHTSA complaint #11557296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Ashland, PA
POWER TRAIN
Intermittent Service Brake Assist Light with very hard brake pedal and almost no breaks backing up. Have had it to several shops who said it was a turbo booster issue so scheduled service with Patriot GMC Boyertown Pa. Also intermittently has little to no power causing driving hazard suddenly especially uphill. Seems to mostly happen during rainy days.
NHTSA complaint #11740366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ashland, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
Intermittent Service Brake Assist Light with very hard brake pedal and almost no breaks backing up. Have had it to several shops who said it was a turbo booster issue so scheduled service with Patriot GMC Boyertown Pa. Also intermittently has little to no power causing driving hazard suddenly especially uphill. Seems to mostly happen during rainy days.
NHTSA complaint #11740366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milwaukee, WI
ENGINE
I have continuously had my check engine light pop on. I have took it in twice for them fix the issue which is the purge sensor. It did not fix the issue because the light just pops back on. This has caused issues with me passing emissions and has been an headache shortly street I obtained the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11698861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesFonda, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firm while depressed. The contact had to slam on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the Hill Assist message was displayed. The brake pedal was pumped several times before the brake pedal released. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the brake sensor needed to be replaced. The dealer and another dealer, Mangino Chevrolet, INC. (4447 NY-30, Amsterdam, NY 12010); were made aware of the failure, but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V588000 (Service Brakes); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
NHTSA complaint #11682080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wixom, MI
ENGINE
Took to the dealership. They stated my flex pipe had melted and the o2 sensors are stuck in the pipe need replacement as well. They have to replace flex pipe and everything leading to the 2nd o2 sensor. They stated there was no damage or tampering to the flex pipe. This should not have happened in this new of a vehicle. This is a dangerous and costly repair that falls on a faulty flex pipe and not covered by the warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11675559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edgerton, WI
POWER TRAIN
Turbo Charger failed while passing a semi-trailer truck causing a severe lack of power and almost causing a head on collision with on-coming traffic. I had 3 passengers at the time. The problem has been confirmed by a independent service center and I am getting a second opinion from a dealer on 2/3. The check engine light did come on when it happened. There were no symptoms prior to failure. I have since researched the problem and found that Turbo Charger failure is the #1 issue with this make and year.
NHTSA complaint #11639039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maple Grove, MN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The 2021 Buick Encore was listed by the NHTSA as having a parts recall with the Evaporative Emission Purge Pump, yet when I look up my VIN and talk to the dealer, I’m told the vehicle is not recalled, even though I’m having the exact same issue that was described in the recall. I’ve been delaying servicing because I was told the part was on back order but now they have it in stock and I’m hoping I don’t have to pay for it since my issue is the same one that was listed in the recall.
NHTSA complaint #11594871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norwood, MA1 injured
AIR BAGS
NOTHING AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT STARTED WENT TO DRIVE OFF !! BANG 2000 BOUNDS OF PRESSURE IN MY FACE! MY WHOLE BODY!! IT WAS A RENTAL !! LOOK INTO THIS VECHICAIL !HAIR BURNT! FRIED WIRE SMELL STILL ON MY BURNT JACKET!! LOOK INTO THIS WITH GREAT CONCERN AS IAM REACHING OUT WITH SHOCK AND AWE ABOUT THIS WHOLE SITUATION THAT ACCURED** THERE IS VIDEO OF ACCURANCE IN PARKING LOT * THINK THE OWNER IS GOING TO TRY TO COVER UP WHAT EVER HE CAN , SAYING THAT FOR REASON'S OF MY OWN! PLEASE SOMEONE'S JOB TO INVESTAGTE RIGHT ! BLACK BOX DATA SPEED WHICH 2 MILES A HOUR WAS SPEED .. COULDNT SEE * AIR BAGS EVEN CAME UP FROM THE PEDDLES?? WHY ?? SO CANT PUT THE BREAKS ON? LIKE IWAS TRAPPED HURT DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON .
NHTSA complaint #11557296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norwood, MA1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NOTHING AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT STARTED WENT TO DRIVE OFF !! BANG 2000 BOUNDS OF PRESSURE IN MY FACE! MY WHOLE BODY!! IT WAS A RENTAL !! LOOK INTO THIS VECHICAIL !HAIR BURNT! FRIED WIRE SMELL STILL ON MY BURNT JACKET!! LOOK INTO THIS WITH GREAT CONCERN AS IAM REACHING OUT WITH SHOCK AND AWE ABOUT THIS WHOLE SITUATION THAT ACCURED** THERE IS VIDEO OF ACCURANCE IN PARKING LOT * THINK THE OWNER IS GOING TO TRY TO COVER UP WHAT EVER HE CAN , SAYING THAT FOR REASON'S OF MY OWN! PLEASE SOMEONE'S JOB TO INVESTAGTE RIGHT ! BLACK BOX DATA SPEED WHICH 2 MILES A HOUR WAS SPEED .. COULDNT SEE * AIR BAGS EVEN CAME UP FROM THE PEDDLES?? WHY ?? SO CANT PUT THE BREAKS ON? LIKE IWAS TRAPPED HURT DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON .
NHTSA complaint #11557296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albion, MI
POWER TRAIN
Already had turbo go on this car once back in July 2022. Mechanic replaced turbo with another one (used with 20,000 miles on it) due to the turbo for this car being on backorder. Now my car is throwing P0299 after about 20,000 more miles being put on the used turbo and a P0420 code. Changed rear catalytic. Changed upstream O2 sensor, changed wastegate solenoid, turbo seems to be working fine, no noises, but losing power going up hills at highway speeds. Seriously unhappy and no recalls on this vehicle but it has the same turbo as other vehicles that has had recalls!!! I think this should be a recall!!!
NHTSA complaint #11505585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albion, MI
ENGINE
Had an oil change done 6/13/22. 6/21/22 Temp gauge rose to 3/4 mark, AC shut off, car really hot under hood, loss of power, car threw crankshaft position sensor code which we replaced. Had the temp gauge do it few more times from 6/21/22 to 8/13/22 when temp gauge did the same thing and car really hot under hood, smoke from tailpipe and loss of power. Took to repair shop, they want to replace engine, oil lines, turbo and gaskets. Car has 121530 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint #11483354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.