2015 Buick Encore Airbags Problems
NHTSA lists 16 airbag complaints for the 2015 Buick Encore, 13% of that year's 124 total complaints. These involve non-deployment during crashes and a faulty passenger-seat sensor, with a median failure mileage of 37,100 miles. Two crashes and three injuries are linked to this area.
- Airbags complaints
- 16
- 13% of 124
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 37,100 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical airbag symptoms owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during frontal or side-impact crashes, in some cases resulting in injury.
- Passenger airbag 'off' indicator stays lit even when an occupant over the stated weight threshold is seated, suggesting a faulty occupant-sensing system.
- Driver airbag warning light stays illuminated repeatedly after dealer service, with owners reporting the issue recurs even after being addressed once.
- Owners report being unaware of the 2016 airbag-related recall until reading about it elsewhere, and some say dealers did not respond to requests for repair.
- Some owners report the passenger airbag sensor problem persisted even after a firmware or software update was performed.
When 2015 Buick Encore airbag complaints were filed
First complaint Oct 20, 2016, latest May 11, 2026.
Airbags recalls for the 2015 Buick Encore
- NHTSA 16V651000Sep 8, 2016Airbags3,640,162 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
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.
Risk: 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.
Airbags complaints by Encore model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
- 20135 (10%)
- 20145 (8%)
- 201516 (13%)
- 20167 (9%)
- 201713 (15%)
- 201810 (14%)
- 201911 (13%)
- 20201 (5%)
- 20211 (11%)
- 20221 (13%)
Frequently asked questions
- How many airbag complaints does NHTSA have for the 2015 Buick Encore?
- NHTSA lists 16 airbag-related complaints for the 2015 Encore, which is 13% of the 124 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there an airbag recall for the 2015 Buick Encore?
- NHTSA lists recall campaign 16V651000, filed September 8, 2016, covering airbag issues; it does not carry a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.
- What airbag problems do owners report on the 2015 Encore?
- Owners report airbags not deploying in crashes, a passenger airbag sensor that shows 'off' even with an adult seated, and a driver airbag warning light that recurs after service.
- At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up on the 2015 Encore?
- The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints on the 2015 Encore is 37,100 miles.
- Were there any injuries linked to airbag problems in the 2015 Encore?
- NHTSA complaint data links this issue to 2 crashes and 3 injuries for the 2015 Encore.