10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 33,164 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
03/09/2024 overheated, replace thermostat and housing, refilled coolant 3/16/2024 overheated, refilled coolant 3/18/2024 towed to dealership. leaking oil, losing coolant $3280 repairs 4/1/2024 water pump 4/6/2024 Turbo coolant feedline Safety concern, I commute via I-95. Overheating could cause a multi vehicle collision Temperature gauge quickly drops to overheat.
- Fernandina Beach, FL, USA
On Wednesday February 27, 2024 while driving on the highway suddenly after about 15 minutes the engine light came on stating "Engine Overheating - idle engine." The car decreased speed to about 40mph in a 60mph speed zone and then continued to decrease to 20mph with black smoke excessively blowing out of the exhaust and then a rattling /knocking sound continued from the engine until the car stopped in which I was able to pull over to the side emergency lane. My safety was at risk due to the car's sudden decrease in speed to a stop on a busy and crowded highway. I have been on the highway at least 5-6 other times in which the car almost stops on a busy expressway. I have brought the car to the GM dealership on several occasions in which I received 2 recall letters: one September 2019 (regarding the evaporative emissions purge valve does not properly close) and another recall letter November 2021 (regarding a condition that could cause the turbo charger to fail due to a sticking wastegate actuator linkage) from GM describing that there were recalls on my 2016 Buick Encore. After bringing the car to the GM dealership where I purchased the car, I explained that the engine will almost come to a stop. I described that it was very frightening to drive the car like this. The service center did complete repairs however the stalling engine continued and I continued to bring the car to the dealer complaining of this concern each time. The vehicle was not inspected by the police or insurance representatives. The Engine light sensor would continue to appear on the dash in which I brought this to the service department's attention at the GM Dealership. The GM dealership tried to correct the engine's problem but never succeeded, therefore the engine was defective and unsafe to be driving.
- Highland Park, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Encore. The contact stated while pulling out of the driveway, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound and the engine seized. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed due to a failure with the oil pump. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer informed the contact that a portion of the cost of the repair would be covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 58,500.
- Wisconsin Rapids, WI, USA
2016 Buick Encore VIN # [XXX] with 67,584 miles. My car's check engine light came on. Upon checking the code at O'Reilly Auto I was told I had to see a mechanic as it showed code p0299, Turbo. I made an appointment at Garrigans Auto repair Shop, a reputable shop. After they inspected the SUV I was told the turbo had a crack and needed to be replaced. On 7/14/2023 I had the repairs done at a cost to me of $1,480.49 (attached). The car runs fine now. On 10/12/2023 I had another repair done on the car. This was the turbo emissions coolant line. While there, Thomas at the counter said he just received the notice of a "Special coverage [XXX] Turbocharger Replacement". I thanked him and contacted Buick. I talked to Diana and gave her my VIN number. She informed me of the extended coverage as long as my car was not more than 10 years old or more than 120,000 miles. My car has 67,584 miles (notice attached). She sent me the form and I filled it out and returned it (copy attached). The case number is [XXX] (attached). On 10/23/23 I received a call from Diane at Buick informing me my claim was denied. She said it was denied as it was not done at the dealership. If I had sustained a problem before Nov. 2021 I could file a claim but it had to be submitted by Nov. 2022. My work was done this year at a local shop. She said since it was not done at the dealership it was not covered. I told her I never knew of the 'special coverage' until after the work was done. She said it is not refundable. I asked for a supervisor who said the same thing. My issue is there is a serious malfunction of the turbo that could happen while I am driving down the interstate at 70 miles an hour only to have sudden reduced power or timing chain breakage causing serious damage to the car not to mention being hit from behind or when passing a semi due to loss of power or total engine malfunction (attached). Now I am contacting the NHTSA with my complaint. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.
- Tucson, AZ, USA
Turbocharger failed which can eventually cause engine seizure. Independent mechanic diagnosed and repaired after Buick dealer told me I was out of warranty. After repair I located a letter from Buick with my vin number on it dated November 2021 (after my warranty expiration) confirmed that the turbocharger might fail and they would replace free of charge within 10 yrs or 120,000 miles of vehicle purchase. Prior to incident of turbocharger fail, my vehicle alerted me with with a loud tone of "Engine overheat, engine Idle" - all the engine oil and coolant ran out while driving.. Mechanic replaced water outlet, then a short time later service engine light came on with code for turbocharger failure.
- Dunedin, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently with unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle started smoking and overheating. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and shut off the vehicle. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC codes: P0700, P0243, and P0333. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 123,000.
- Bronx, NY, USA
I was driving down the road and the car started cutting back, then it got real bad, has No power at all right in the middle of work hour traffic! The check engine light comes on then the traction light comes on, OnStar diagnostics sent email stating emissions system, stabil trac system and anti lock system My daughter was in the car we was in danger!!! I pay way too much for this car, I am on disability, fixed income! I have to have a way to go and get my daughter to school!!!
- Gaffney, SC, USA
The turbo malfunctioned and made it not possible for the car to accelerate on the freeway. My safety was put at risk because the car would no longer accelerate at the speed limit which meant I was going slower than traffic. It sounds like this is a common problem for these cars in this year and 2017. The vehicle has been checked out by a mechanic. Nothing appeared until after it happened then the check engine light was on. sources that this is a common problem for this vehicle https://www.carcomplaints.com/Buick/Encore/2016/engine/engine.shtml https://www.driveandreview.com/buick-encore-problems/ https://buickforums.com/forums/threads/2017-buick-encore-turbo-failure.52583/
- Saint Paul, MN, USA
In reference to this vehicle, I purchased this car from Burns Honda in February 2020. I replaced the battery less than a year of having this car. I then had my engine light come on and my car was skipping, it completely stopped while driving. Several times, it jumped when I would go over 65 MPH. I took it to the dealership that same night and they continued to tell me nothing was wrong with it. I have had electrical issues along with that. After back and forth for several days with Buick, they finally replaced the transmission. Fast forward to October of 2021, my engine light continues to go off and on and my car has been jumping on me.
- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA
Buzzing heard when I pressed on accelerating pedal. Heard a pop, then it would not accelerate and smoked out tail pipe. Engine light and oil lights both turned on. Vehicle was in motion when it occurred. I parked shortly after incident and had car towed to Firestone next morning. Jeff said engine blew and recommended dealer powertrain warranty to fix. Turbo blew which blew engine
- Rio Rancho, NM, USA
I got onto the 91 freeway heading East from the long beach blvd entrance. When doing the turn onto the freeway (U) the steering wheel locked/car shifted and both the engine light and traction control light turned on. Car was shakey whole time until I pulled over.
- Long Beach, CA, USA
When stepping on the brake my car jumps and stalls. Check engine light is on. This is 3 third time it has happened in not even a year
- Van Nuys, CA, USA
Service light came on after being on the highway car started pulsing and now my car is idling rough.
- Harrison, OH, USA
Multiple lights came on at once and needed an intake manifold, pvc tube, valve cover, all which were repaired and the car continues to jerk forward intermittently on acceleration and deceleration.
- Port Orange, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idle or at start up the engine smoked. The contact stated that there was an odor of burning engine oil. The contact stated that there was evidence of oil on the top of the engine when the hood was raised. Haley GMC 9831 midlothian hyperlink, richmond va 23235: 804-250-1322, was contacted and a valve cover replacement was suggested. The contact stated that the onstar system alerted of an emission failure. A plug part was replaced while still covered under the warranty in an earlier visit to the same dealer. The burning odor still persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,064.
- South Chesterfield, VA, USA
My AWD went out on 3 occasions, each time I was told they found nothing. One day I lost acceleration power and then the engine light came on. The dealership said my pistons were not firing and had to be replaced with the turbo. All was covered, however two weeks later my red oil alarm came on, I was out of oil. The car went back to dealer, all oil was burned up and so was my turbo. I had taken my car in previously for large amount of smoke coming out the back-end. I was told nothing was found to be wrong?
- Cleveland, OH, USA
While traveling at higher speeds (60+ mph), the check engine light will come on and the car will lose significant power in 4th and higher gear. This will present as speed can still be gained although very slowly in 4th gear, speed can be maintained but not gained while in 5th gear, and speed will only be lost while in 6th gear. 3rd gear and below all work fine. This issue is resolved by turning the car off for a while and then it continues to operate as it should thereafter, however, the check engine light will remain lit for a few days. The main concern is that the car loses the capability to get out of the way in the case of an emergency due to the lack of power while in this state.
- Kunkletown, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Encore. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle decelerated to 44 mph and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle coasted until it came to a complete stop. The vehicle was restarted, but hesitated to drive. The vehicle was taken to bob ruth Ford (700 N U.S. 15, dillsburg, pa 17019, (877) 818-1593) where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was currently being repaired under warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,251.
- Harrisburg, PA, USA
When stopped, the vehicle feels like its missing, sometimes feels like it wants to stall. When accelerating, sometimes hesitates or not quite getting spark. Scary when merging and don't have full power right away. Brought to dealer 3 times, and now warranty has passed. Happens everyday.
- Saint Cloud, FL, USA
- Ypsilanti, MI, USA