2018 Buick Encore Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Buick Encore has a Complaint Index of 56 and ranks 5th worst out of 10 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine complaints dominate at 46% of reports, with brakes and airbags also notable, but NHTSA lists no recalls for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 56/100
- #5 of 10 Encore years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 74
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 25.5 city / 32 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2018 Buick Encore problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine34 (46%)
- Brakes15 (20%)
- Airbags10 (14%)
- Electrical System10 (14%)
- Other10 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (14%)
- Fuel System6 (8%)
- Steering6 (8%)
- Seat Belts2 (3%)
- Structure & Body2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles have rolled away unattended while parked and unoccupied, striking other cars.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during front and rear-impact collisions, including one with reported injuries.
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration when pressing the brake pedal, in some cases causing crashes.
- Some drivers report the engine revving on its own while braking to a stop in a parking lot.
- One driver described combined brake and steering failure on the highway.
- Fuel filler ports have been reported to trap water during rain, blocking gas nozzle insertion.
2018 Buick Encore recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2018 Buick Encore fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25.5 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Encore years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Buick Encore reliable?
- It has a Complaint Index of 56, ranking 5th worst among the 10 Encore model years with data, and carries a Caution verdict relative to other Encore years.
- What problems does the 2018 Buick Encore have?
- Engine issues make up 46% of complaints, followed by brakes at 20% and airbags and electrical system each at 14%. The median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 54,000 miles.
- Does the 2018 Buick Encore have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2018 Buick Encore.
- Which Buick Encore years should I avoid?
- Among Encore years, 2015, 2017, and 2019 carry Avoid verdicts with higher Complaint Index scores than 2018's 56.
- Are airbags a problem on the 2018 Buick Encore?
- Airbags account for 14% of complaints and are linked to 6 crashes, with owners reporting non-deployment during collisions.