74 of the
905 complaints filed about the Buick Encore
are about the other systems —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2015.
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.
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.
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.
UNKNOWN. MY 2017 Buick Encore while parked in front of my home just blew up at 1 am. I have a video of this occuring. It was on the passengers side. My neighbor stated that he heard a loud bang and went outside. He said parts were flying off my car. I don't know how to send the video but I do have one when this occured. I have contacted Buick Corporate and now they are saying that they are sending my matter to the legal department. Buick corporate told me to have my vehicle towed to the Buick Dealer which I did because I wanted to know why that happened. I paid to have it towed and tomorrow I have to pay to have it towed back home until legal gets back in touch with me. The way that the vehicle exploded I am scared to even get back into the vehicle. I am so thankful that this occured at 1 am and my grandson was in bed This could have really hurt or killed someone. I thank God that I wasn't driving it. When the tow truck driver arrived he said oh your air bag exploded . I told him that I didn't know what caused it. The Buick dealer never inspected the vehicle. The Buick dealer stated that it was the tire that blew from his visual inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11740762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11739555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I took my 2020 Buick Encore to an independent auto repair shop to have a brake inspection after I had contacted GM multiple times about the loss of acceleration, check engine light and stabilitrak light would come on with brake pedal stiffness and then almost needing to push it to the floor to stop. When I took it to the independent auto repair shop for the brake inspection they informed me of a PO161 code recall so I contacted my local recall service center, only to get a phone call from one of their salesman to come in and see about getting a new car. I've had other issues with this car since buying it in September of 2022 but now it's a serious safety situation and all they can either say is it doesn't match my vin so I'll have to pay out of pocket or go in debt for a new one. I don't know what to do at this point I feel at a loss.
NHTSA complaint #11734263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
On my way home in December 2025, my car started to sputter and make noises. All of a sudden the car started going about 10-15 miles. I almost go hit by several vehicles, because they had to put on brakes, I was trying to go up then down a hilly road. I finally was able to get to an Auto Advance Shop, I had to tow the car to Honda then to Buick for a diagnostic test. It had been over a month and I can’t get information in writing what the diagnostic test results are. I’ve had to rent a vehicle for over a month, even though I have a Lifetime Warranty on my power train and motor. I have submitted all my service and repair paperwork to John Miles Buick Conyers Georgia, the GM and Service Department, also I contacted GMC Corporate Office. I have been in a rental car for over a month that I can no longer afford. I don’t know where else to get results for my issue. Thank you, XXX. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11711624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
After filling up fuel vehicle starts and stalls out. This occurs while driving at stop signs. And also while driving loss of power. There is something wrong in the engine, timing belt, fuel, etc.
NHTSA complaint #11708285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had my vehicle to a GM dealer on a few occasions with the EMC code stored in the vehicle and an active check engine light on. While I’m driving - now during 70 percent or more of my trips - my vehicle loses power very suddenly and lunges me forward. I’m unable to stop and go on hills of any noticeable grade and have narrowly missed being in an accident many times. The dealer’s service manager has told me I should just BF glad the car is drivable when I have expressed ongoing safety concerns. I cannot get assistance from GM nor from the dealer in having this warranty connected part replaced. I do not have any other vehicle to drive, and I know I’m unsafe. I teach school and must get back and forth to work.
NHTSA complaint #11702048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The EMC on the vehicle appears to be faulty. The vehicle is burning more than double the fuel than it should, and I’m able to smell a strong oil burning odor while driving it. The SUV lunges you forward violently when this defect begins to act up, which can be at any point in a short or longer trip. The vehicle has little to no power once this is triggered and seems to go into limping mode. I’ve had this to a dealer three times, and they have failed to repair the issue. The first time I left it there for almost a month and within three miles of the dealership, the same problem happened. The dealer denies that the repair should be covered under the emissions regulation, which makes GM-BUICK responsible for repairs of this equipment until 8 years or 80,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11691523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My Encore is full of mice and mice droppings. The man at the dealership said GM should have screens or other safety measures done at the factory. This car has just 10,000 mils and I keep it in pristine condition. People can't believe how clean I keep it and this happens??? The tech told me there are at least 8-10 spots were mice come in. It is too easy for them. My brand new car is going to be totaled or close to it. I have AAA, but am already with all the added fee's at Enterprise car rental and my $500 deductible $700 out of pocket! I'm [XXX] and on a very fixed income. I'm still making car payments for the next 4 or 5 years. It's like never smoking and getting lung cancer. I didn't do anything wrong. GM is responsible. The are very irresponsibly in their manufacturing. Should I get a lawyer? The man who's meeting with the adjuster from my insurance told me how dangerous it was for driving this car. He said the smell (which I was unfortunately used to it, it's called olfactory fatigue, also known as odor fatigue, olfactory adaptation,) was very toxic. Yes, Gene Hackman's wife died from the inhaling rodent waste. I'm a Respiratory Therapist and know about the toxic particular you don't see and how it can and will kill you. Something has to be done. There are millions of innocent people that are dying because GM is too cheap to have this done in the factory! Please help asap. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11679011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 4/24/25 I noticed a pungent odor (like rotten eggs). The odor is worse today. I did research and it appears there may be a problem and or leak with the catalytic converter. The emissions are making me and my kids feel sick, nauseous, headache, irritated eyes, etc.
NHTSA complaint #11656756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON AN INCLINE, THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES ROLL BACKWARDS WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR WHEN CHANGING MY FOOT TO THE GAS PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD ONCE THE LIGHT CHANGES. THE MORE THE INCLINE; THE WORSE THE PROBLEM. This happens at a bus stop in a community with an incline and kids at a bus stop. This feeling is as I am driving a manual vehicle. It's not a good feeling knowing that there's children around and knowing that we want our children around for the future and something like this happens with a vehicle, the service department in the dealership cannot find what the problem is. This has happened to my car more than once. I have complained about it once and I am complaining about it again. I have low mi on my car and now, this has happened between the low miles of my car after purchasing up to miles. I have on it now .I've got 110,000 mi on my car and it still is not being repaired and is still happening. And it's bad. Once the car is paid off it turns into multiple problems with my car. Up
NHTSA complaint #11622138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Engine, vehicle purchased end 2019. Several repairs, New Battery, some warranty repairs. March of 2022 PO131 - HO2s PO171 fuel trim lean PO300 engine misfire Evap system flow PO496 P1101 intake airflow UO401, 71 invalid data from the motor. Jun 2023 Need a New Engine 10k (Dealership) Sought out 2nd opinion 8k for New Engine Vehicle has been dead ever since. Repairs surpass what’s owed.
NHTSA complaint #11598890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
While driving on interstate highway, CEL illuminated. When able to stop and check, DTC codes P1467 & P146b where detected. These codes deal with the Evap Purge system. The pump was recalled in model year 2021 for the make, model and engine in this vehicle. Failure to fix this issue results in increased fuel vapor escaping to the atmosphere as well as potential system damage. Since the same part was faulty in the previous model year, it seems GM did not correct the issue. A recall should be issued or an extended warranty with reimbursement in the 2022 model year also. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11593192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
All Wheel Drive System & All Wheel Drive Off Warnings 4 Different Times One Time lost the ability to Steer Once to Dealership can not duplicate & the lights are off so can't get codes they said. There is a recall for same issue on same vehicle for same year but says my VIN isn't included. Jan. 16 May 3 May 6 May 21 all of this year. Had warranty on car when started said only bumper to bumper would cover it. Car only had 48,839 miles when first happened. Still only has 51,852 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11590110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.