What Buick Encore years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2015, 2017, and 2019 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 78, 100, and 89 respectively, all driven mainly by engine complaints.

Which Buick Encore model years are best?

2020, 2021, and 2022 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 22, 0, and 11 and far fewer total complaints (19, 9, and 8) than earlier years.

Is the 2017 Buick Encore reliable?

The 2017 Encore has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 89 complaints, 12 crashes, and 28 injuries, mostly tied to engine and airbag problems.

Does the Buick Encore have engine problems?

Engine issues are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 264 of 600 total complaints (44%), with the 2015, 2017, and 2019 years reporting the most.

How many recalls does the Buick Encore have?

Across 2013-2022, NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the Buick Encore, including seat belt sensor, airbag, and transmission accumulator campaigns.

Buick Encore Best and Worst Years (2013–2022)

Avoid the 2015, 2017, and 2019 Buick Encore, which have complaint indexes of 78, 100, and 89 and lead in engine and airbag complaints. The 2020-2022 models score lowest (indexes 22, 0, 11) and are rated Best, while 2013-2014 are rated Good.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2015 Avoid 2017 Avoid 2019 Best 2020 Best 2021 Best 2022

Model years: 10; 2013–2022
NHTSA complaints: 600
Recall campaigns: 13
Crashes reported: 52
Fires reported: 9
Top problem area: Engine

Encore Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Buick Encore problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2013	Good	33	52	4	0	6	Engine	26.5	5★
2014	Good	44	60	3	0	4	Engine	26.5	5★
2015	Avoid	78	124	6	2	4	Engine	27	5★
2016	Caution	67	79	6	1	2	Engine	28	5★
2017	Avoid	100	89	12	4	2	Engine	28	5★
2018	Caution	56	74	10	0	0	Engine	28	5★
2019	Avoid	89	86	9	2	2	Engine	27	5★
2020	Best	22	19	1	0	2	Engine	26.5	5★
2021	Best	0	9	0	0	0	Engine	26.5	5★
2022	Best	11	8	1	0	0	Engine	26.5	5★

Encore years to avoid: what went wrong

2017 Buick Encore Index 100 · 89 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2017 Encore ranks worst of all years with a complaint index of 100 and 89 total complaints. Engine problems dominate, with 42 complaints and a median failure mileage of 47,000. Airbag complaints (13, median 38,000 miles) and brake complaints (9, median 9,400 miles) follow. This year had 12 crashes, four fires, and 28 injuries, the highest injury count in the lineup. Two recalls cover seat belt sensing module software and airbag deployment issues shared with other GM vehicles.

2017 engine problems →

2019 Buick Encore Index 89 · 86 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2019 Encore carries a complaint index of 89 with 86 complaints and the model's only reported death. Engine complaints lead at 45, with a median failure mileage of 60,000, followed by electrical system faults (12 complaints, median 3,050 miles) and fuel system issues (12 complaints, median 34,000 miles). Two recalls apply: a start-stop transmission accumulator inspection and an airbag sensing module left in manufacturing mode.

2019 engine problems →

2015 Buick Encore Index 78 · 124 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2015 Encore logs 124 complaints and a complaint index of 78. Owners report engine problems (35 complaints, median failure mileage 50,075) plus electrical system faults (34 complaints, median 31,600 miles) and steering issues (27 complaints, median 54,500 miles). NHTSA recorded six fires and seven injuries for this year. Three recalls apply, including a seat belt sensing module reflash and an airbag campaign shared with other GM models, plus a label correction recall specific to the 2015 Encore.

2015 engine problems →2015 electrical system problems →2015 steering problems →

Most common Buick Encore problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine264 (44%)
Electrical System97 (16%)
Other76 (13%)
Transmission & Powertrain76 (13%)
Brakes71 (12%)
Airbags70 (12%)
Fuel System63 (11%)
Steering48 (8%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (5%)
Seat Belts26 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What Buick Encore years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2015, 2017, and 2019 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 78, 100, and 89 respectively, all driven mainly by engine complaints.
Which Buick Encore model years are best?: 2020, 2021, and 2022 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 22, 0, and 11 and far fewer total complaints (19, 9, and 8) than earlier years.
Is the 2017 Buick Encore reliable?: The 2017 Encore has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 89 complaints, 12 crashes, and 28 injuries, mostly tied to engine and airbag problems.
Does the Buick Encore have engine problems?: Engine issues are the top problem area across all years, accounting for 264 of 600 total complaints (44%), with the 2015, 2017, and 2019 years reporting the most.
How many recalls does the Buick Encore have?: Across 2013-2022, NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the Buick Encore, including seat belt sensor, airbag, and transmission accumulator campaigns.