Buick Encore Best and Worst Years (2013–2022)
Avoid the 2015, 2017, and 2019 Buick Encore, which post complaint index scores of 78, 100, and 89, all driven mainly by engine complaints. The 2020, 2021, and 2022 model years score 22, 0, and 11 and are the best choices.
- 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.
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, built on 89 complaints. Engine problems dominate at 47% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 47,000. NHTSA logged 12 crashes, 4 fires, and 28 injuries for this year, the highest injury count in the lineup. Owners describe engines catching fire with low mileage, airbags failing to deploy in rear-end crashes, and brake failures during driving. Two recall campaigns cover seat belts and airbag software for this model year.
2019 Buick Encore Index 89 · 86 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2019 Encore carries a complaint index of 89, the second-worst year, with 86 total complaints and NHTSA's only recorded death among all Encore years. Engine complaints make up 52% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 60,000. Electrical system and fuel system issues each account for 14% of complaints. Owners describe unintended acceleration during the stop-start feature's activation, airbags deploying in low-speed parking incidents, and engines stalling with the check engine light on. Two recalls apply, covering the transmission accumulator and airbag sensing module.
2015 Buick Encore Index 78 · 124 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2015 Encore logs 124 complaints and a complaint index of 78, ranking third worst of the ten years covered. Engine issues lead at 28% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 50,075, followed closely by electrical system problems (27%, median 31,600 miles) and steering complaints (22%, median 54,500 miles). NHTSA recorded 6 crashes, 2 fires, and 7 injuries for the year. Owners describe airbags failing to deploy in collisions and brakes that did not stop the car as expected. Four recall campaigns apply to this model year, including seat belt and airbag software fixes.
2015 engine problems →2015 electrical system problems →2015 steering problems →
Most common Buick Encore problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- 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%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Buick Encore should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2015, 2017, and 2019 Buick Encore years score highest for reported problems, with complaint indexes of 78, 100, and 89. The 2017 model ranks worst overall.
- What is the best year for the Buick Encore?
- The 2020, 2021, and 2022 Encore years score lowest for reported problems, with complaint indexes of 22, 0, and 11, making them the best picks based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What is the most common problem with the Buick Encore?
- Engine problems are the top issue across all model years, accounting for 264 of 600 total complaints, or 44%.
- Does the 2019 Buick Encore have a recall?
- Yes. The 2019 Encore has two recall campaigns, one for a transmission start-stop accumulator issue and one for an airbag sensing diagnostic module left in manufacturing mode.
- Is the 2017 Buick Encore reliable?
- The 2017 Encore ranks worst of all ten model years covered, with a complaint index of 100, 89 complaints, 12 crashes, and 28 injuries reported to NHTSA, mostly tied to the engine.