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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2013–2022

Buick Encore recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns and 600 owner complaints for the Buick Encore, covering model years 2013 to 2022. The 2015 model year drew the most complaints (124), and Engine is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Buick Encore VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 13 recall campaigns on file
  • 600 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 10 model years with data (2013–2022)
  • most complaints: 2015 (124 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine (222 complaints)
  • latest recall 20V668000 (reported Oct 29, 2020)
  • 52 complaints reporting a crash (8.7%)
  • 9 complaints reporting a fire (1.5%)
  • 38 complaints reporting an injury (6.3%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a death (0.2%)

Buick Encore complaints by model year

10 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2015 model year has the most complaints: 124 of 600, or 20.7%. Next come 2017 (89) and 2019 (86). The fewest are for 2022, with 8 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Buick Encore owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2013–2022Column chart of 600 complaints across 10 model years. The highest is 2015 with 124. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2013: 52 complaints5220132014: 60 complaints6020142015: 124 complaints12420152016: 79 complaints7920162017: 89 complaints8920172018: 74 complaints7420182019: 86 complaints8620192020: 19 complaints1920202021: 9 complaints920212022: 8 complaints82022
Buick Encore complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Buick Encore complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2013524020
2014603030
20151246260
2016796140
20178912480
20187410050
2019869271
2020191010
202190010
202281010
All model years600529381

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Buick Encore components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine is the component named most often, in 222 complaints (37.0% of all 600), followed by Electrical System (88) and Power Train (76).

Components named most often in Buick Encore complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Buick Encore complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine22237.0%
Electrical System8814.7%
Power Train7612.7%
Unknown or Other7412.3%
Air Bags7011.7%
Fuel/Propulsion System6210.3%
Service Brakes599.8%
Steering488.0%
Vehicle Speed Control335.5%
Engine and Engine Cooling284.7%
Seat Belts264.3%
Structure162.7%
Visibility/Wiper162.7%
Exterior Lighting152.5%
Suspension132.2%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Buick Encore recalls

13 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Encore, newest first. The 13 campaigns cover model years 2013 to 2020. The 2013 model year appears in the most campaigns (6).

  • 13 recall campaigns
Buick Encore recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2013: 6 campaigns2014: 4 campaigns2015: 4 campaigns2016: 2 campaigns2017: 2 campaigns2018: no campaigns2019: 2 campaigns
2020: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 20V668000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission

    Model years 2019–2020

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

    Consequence:
    Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 20V537000

    Reported

    Seats › Critical Fasteners; Seats

    Model year 2020

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.

    Consequence:
    If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202304380.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 18V774000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module; Air Bags

    Model year 2019

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

    Consequence:
    If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18365.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 17V437000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Pretensioner; Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive; Air Bags › Frontal

    Model years 2014–2017

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

    Consequence:
    A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 16V651000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Pretensioner; Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive; Air Bags › Frontal

    Model years 2014–2017

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

    Consequence:
    A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 16V502000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Ignition; Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM)

    Model year 2013

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

    Consequence:
    If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  7. NHTSA campaign 15V162000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Labels

    Model year 2015

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to February 9, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured October 13, 2014, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles have tire placards that do not provide the rim size information for the front or rear wheels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less."

    Consequence:
    If the label is missing front and rear rim size information, the owner may replace the rims with ones that are an incorrect size, increasing the risk of crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and will send owners a corrected label, free of charge. The recall April 29, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15166.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  8. NHTSA campaign 15V146000

    Reported

    Steering › Electric Power Assist System

    Model year 2015

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured November 27, 2014, to February 24, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured November 18, 2014, to February 17, 2015. The steering column assembly housing may contact the power steering printed circuit board causing the circuit board to wear.

    Consequence:
    The circuit board wear may cause a sudden loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15168.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  9. NHTSA campaign 14V488000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front

    Model year 2013

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to March 1, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to May 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock in a retracted position, allowing the seat belts to extend when pulled upon.

    Consequence:
    If the seat belts do not remain locked in the retracted position when under load, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front the driver's and the passenger's lap belt pretensioners, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. GM sent interim notifications on October 7, 2014 and will send a second notification when remedy parts are available. The recall began on November 20, 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14171.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  10. NHTSA campaign 14V446000

    Reported

    Seats

    Model years 2013–2014

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.

    Consequence:
    A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Show 3 more recalls

  1. NHTSA campaign 14V417000

    Reported

    Equipment › Electrical

    Model years 2013–2014

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

    Consequence:
    Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 14V298000

    Reported

    Air Bags

    Model year 2013

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured April 10, 2013, to May 8, 2013, and Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured December 30, 2012, to March 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, an improper weld on the passenger side front air bag inflator may result in the air bag not deploying.

    Consequence:
    If the air bag does not to deploy in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the front passenger.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick) or 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14211.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 13V105000

    Reported

    Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

    Model year 2013

    General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured between December 9, 2012 and December 28, 2012, and equipped with a heated steering wheel. The steering wheel fastener may not have been properly installed. This could cause the steering wheel to come loose or separate from the steering column.

    Consequence:
    If the steering wheel separates from the steering column while driving, the ability to steer could be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and make any necessary repairs on the steering wheel. These services will be provided at no charge to the customer. The safety recall began on May 21, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is General Motors campaign number 13098.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Buick Encore questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Buick Encore have?

NHTSA lists 13 vehicle recall campaigns for the Buick Encore, covering model years 2013 to 2022. The most recent, 20V668000, was reported on October 29, 2020 and is filed under “Power train”. The 2013 model year is covered by the most campaigns (6).

Which Buick Encore model year has the most complaints?

The 2015 model year, with 124 of the 600 complaints in NHTSA’s file (20.7%). The next are 2017 (89) and 2019 (86). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Buick Encore complaint?

Engine is the component named most often: 222 complaints, or 37.0% of all 600. Electrical System (88) and Power Train (76) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Buick Encore?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Buick dealer.

How many Buick Encore complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 600 complaints, 52 report a crash, 9 a fire, 38 at least one injury and 1 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Buick models

8 models · most complaints first

The Buick models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Buick VIN decoder with every Buick model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Buick models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.