10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 20,713 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.
My check engine light came on in February 2024, vehicle mileage at the time was approximately 70,000 miles. My certified GM independent mechanic's diagnostic check revealed a DTC-P0299 code: faulty turbo charger. He advised repairs be made at a GM dealer under Special Coverage N-232395330 released in February 2024 by GM. My GM dealer (where I purchaser the vehicle) has also received the P0299 code and advised replacing the turbo charger. But since my VIN number is not a part of the Special Coverage, the cost of repairs would be my responsibility. I am requesting my vehicle's VIN be added to the Special Coverage and GM provide me the appropriate customer letter to cover all costs related my repair work.
- Escondido, CA, USA
See attached document for complaint
- Sun Valley, NV, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact was able to drive a short distance to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 176,000.
- Syracuse, UT, USA
There is a known defect with the GM Ecotec engines, specifically the lack of retaining clip for the internal PCV valve, allowing it to become dislodged and drawn into the engine. Without the PCV valve, tremendous engine pressure is produced, leading to broken gaskets causing vacuum leaks, misfiring, severe vibration, and loss of power when accelerating (which can be a safety issue). Dorman produced a video outlining the issue and has re-engineered the part to prevent the issue from occurring: "Why GM 1.4L Ecotec engine intake manifold and valve covers repairs are often related" [XXX] This appears to be a fairly wide-spread issue with the GM Ecotec engines, and GM should perform a recall to replace these parts, and reimburse those who had to replace themselves. This also causes error codes requiring spark plugs to be replaced (they get fouled by oil) and the MAF Sensor. In troubleshooting, I also had to replace the distributor power bar and air intake hose. I have recipts for all parts, but file upload is not working on this site. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- El Paso, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle started overheating and the high engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and waited for the vehicle to cool down. Once the vehicle cooled down, the contact was able to operate the vehicle normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired because the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
The contact owned a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated that the vehicle was at a standstill in a traffic light, she saw smoke exiting from the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated a bystander informed the vehicle was on fire. The contact was able to exit the vehicle safely before the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The insurance company deemed the vehicle was a total loss. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
- Chicago, IL, USA
Back in July 2022 I started receiving error messages of the stabilitrak system to get checked by OnStar. I took to Ed Martin Buick in Carmel, In they thought that it was from possibly pressing brake and pedal at same time and fixed code. Then about two weeks later I got the same error code, I took to Ray Skillman Northeast Buick they said it was a transmission manufacturing defect and had to do with Manifold which they fixed under power train warranty. Now February 2023 I have same issue Stabilitrak error message. I have to take back again to Ray Skillman Northeast Buick. This is an ongoing issue and should not be receiving same codes car only has 67,000 miles and should not be having transmission issues either.
- Indianapolis , IN, USA
Bought a 2017 Buick Encore November 2020 less than 6 months into owning the car check engine light came on. Purge solenoid as well as the Camshaft and 1 other component had a leak brought it to dealership and it was covered under warranty for repairs. Fast forward about a year and a half there is another leak will be bringing back to dealership and paying out of pocket for leaks because of a rough idle, poor fuel economy, and another check engine light problem. Have also read articles about this particular cars not fairing well in the temperatures changes during the seasonal changes. Yet there is no recalls and no mention of Buick or GMC being held responsible for this recurring problem.
- Coventry, CT, USA
Vehicle check engine light (illuminated amber picture of an engine) came on. Vehicle started running rough. Difficulty keeping the vehicle running at idle. Engine running rough/poor acceleration. Drove vehicle to local service center and left for diagnosis and repair. Service center scanned computer for codes. Found the P.C.V. vacuum control in the valve cover had torn its diaphragm and the engine was running with 19" of vacuum in it, where it is normally at 2"- 3" of vacuum. Service center obtained and installed new dealer valve cover assembly with P.C.V. control valve and gasket. Service center said they have repaired three-four of these in past few weeks. Service center said recall may be forthcoming. Have documentation.
- Mcfarland, WI, USA
Vehicle has been in and out of shop since Feb 2022 for 'limp mode' disabled due to faulty booster or something. Vehicles leave driver stranded unable to accelerate or maneuver vehicle to avoid a collision. I'm told this is a well known problem for both this vehicle and the chevy cruze although no recalls are out for this huge safety issue. Somebody is seriously going to get injured if driver is unable to move car to safety when it just dies on the highway or road. All documentation is available for the excessive repairs that don't resolve the issue the correction only last from 24 hours to 2 weeks before the light comes on again and car dies.
- Greenup, IL, USA
Started stalling at idle, then just shuttered and stalled while moving, 28882.moles. Had crank, air would run but would not restart. Dealer had it for a week and told me was battery. Weird because it had crank but wouldnt start. Had it back and immediately notice did not accelerate right, very hesitant and at idle nearly stalled, felt like was "missing". a few days later it stalled twice while at a stop light on busy street right in front of dealership! it stalled again 2 days later so back to dealership. No codes of course. They said drove it for miles and couldn't duplicate. They actually drove it for 9 miles! gave me loaner and will keep it over weekend. Afraid someone is gonna run into back at a light when it stalls. Something is wrong and noone can figure it out.
- Grand Blanc, MI, USA
My 2017 Encore burst into flames. I arrived to work after lunch, I parked and turned off the ignition and I see smoke coming from under the hood of my car. I paused just a moment to see if it was going to stop but it got worse very fast. I grabbed my purse and jumped out of the car as the front end closest to the windshield was becoming engulfed in flames. I immediately called 911 but by the time the fire department arrived, it was too late to save the car.
- Ontario, CA, USA
This vehicle had less than 8,000 miles on it and had only been serviced one time by the dealer (oil change in May 2018) the engine caught on fire and consumed the entire front end of the vehicle. The driver was in the drive through lane of a kfc restaurant when the car caught on fire. 03 my 89 year old mother-in-law was dragged from the car to safety by 2 bystanders but could have very easily been killed. Have there been engine fire issues with this vehicle? a car with low miles that was serviced by the dealer should not spontaneously erupt into a fireball.
- Palm Harbor, FL, USA
The 2017 Buick Encore would blow out a large amount of white smoke and die in colder weather anytime you step off the gas pedal. It did re-start, however would die several time immediately until it stop smoking. Once it hesitated at highway speed when I let off the gas due to traffic and almost died. The dealership stated that the car computer showed no problems and nothing could be done. They admitted it should have recorded the problem I had, but did not. But the computer was still trustworthy to advise if the car had a problem. I has two near collisions due to the care problems just a few weeks prior to taking it in. I was advised that it was not possible to obtain a print out of the what the inspected because it was in the computer and non-printable. I feel the vehicle is unsafe to car, not knowing if the engine will just stop, and not able to find out why it stop in the beginning. The dealership advised I may need to wait till nest winter to check it again. The fact it almost cause an accident was not important.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
This vehicle has a keyless ignition system. Twice my wife accidentally turned off the vehicle, once at a stop, the other time on a freeway at 70 mph. She was unaware the vehicle could be started in neutral thinking she needed to be in park. The vehicle continued coasting allowing her to move to the side of the freeway. There she was able to put the vehicle in park, press on the brake and restart the car. She did not realize the vehicle engine was off until she.pressed on the gas to maintain speed. She panicked and turned to me as an engineer with 40 years in the automotive industry. I kept her calm and instructed her what to do. Only when we were on the side of the road did we determine she had accidentally turned off the engine when tuning the radio. With no warning or indication the engine was off the results could have been catastrophic. Her colleague at work also did this in his Lexus. The proximity of the start\stop button to other similar controls appears to be a factor in these incidents. No warning from the vehicle not notice from the manufacturer of the sales dealership of this possibility and what to do does not prepare the driver for when this occu.
- New Hudson, MI, USA
5 month after I had bought the car I was going 35 mph down a regular street when the car stop then when I want to move again the accelerator but then the car came to a complete stop where the engine had smoke coming out of it. The dealer said that there was a big hole in the engine. After they repair it no more than two weeks later I was going down a road where the car just turned off and it did not even let me move out of the road way. And now 3 weeks ago I was going down a street going 45 mph when the person in front of me stopped all of a sudden and I hit my brake so hard but they had not responded which led me to crash in front of the person in front of me. Luckily neither of us were injured but now for sure I know I do not feel safe driving any of General Motors cars whether is be Buick or GMC.
- Bakersfield, CA, USA
Car was parked on level ground outside home. Atv accidentally ran into rear bumper of car (had moved approximately 10 feet). Car rolled away and ended up rolling down a small hill, jumping a ditch and resting on another hill. Car moved approximately 300 feet prior to coming to a stop. Wheels were noted to be turning and rolling normally and car had minimal resistance to moving. Car was in park with secure break when we arrived at car.
- Rock, WV, USA
Aprx 6am Tuesday July 18, 2017, aprx 5:45 am, with no key fob in my wife's or my possession and no one within 30 feet of the care parked in the garage, the 2017 Buick Encore started on its own. The car was stationary and parked in the garage since aprx 7:00 pm Monday evening the 17th. Hearing a noise in the garage, I went there and found the card engine running. The garage door was closed, and no one could have entered the garage. We are taking the car to place of purchase, klick lewis Buick chev, palmyra, pa to determine what they will do to correct the problem. Checked recall and found nothing. Since this self starting could possibly cause other damage including carbon monoxide in a closed area (don't know if it would have shut off after a set short time on its own) thought it should be reported and a notice sent out to all Encore owners warning them of this issue. Thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
- Palmyra, PA, USA
- Middleburg, FL, USA