YearToAvoid

2019 Buick Encore Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 45 Engine complaints for the 2019 Buick Encore, 52% of all 86 complaints filed for that year. Owners reported stalling, sudden acceleration, turbocharger failure, and one engine fire, with median mileage at failure around 60,000 miles. No related recalls are listed.

Engine complaints
45
52% of 86
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
60,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the engine stalling or losing power without warning, sometimes twice in a row, along with a malfunctioning start button and illuminated check engine light.
  • Several complaints describe unintended forward surging or sudden acceleration when the driver's foot leaves the brake, in some cases causing a crash into a curb or building.
  • Turbocharger failure was reported at 14,300 miles, triggering a P0299 code and a significant loss of power while merging onto a highway.
  • Rougher driving and jolting forward from a stop were reported alongside a check engine light at 34,000 miles.
  • One owner reported the engine catching fire while driving on an expressway.
  • Some owners describe the vehicle shutting off entirely while driving, killing headlights and steering control before the engine restarts on its own.

When 2019 Buick Encore engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 19, 2019, latest Sep 19, 2026.

2019 Buick Encore engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2019Nov 2020Jan 2023Aug 2024Jul 2025Jan 2026Jul 2026
45 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2024 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2019 Buick Encore

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Encore model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201325 (48%)
  2. 201427 (45%)
  3. 201535 (28%)
  4. 201642 (53%)
  5. 201742 (47%)
  6. 201834 (46%)
  7. 201945 (52%)
  8. 20209 (47%)
  9. 20213 (33%)
  10. 20222 (25%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2019 Buick Encore?
NHTSA lists 45 engine complaints for the 2019 Buick Encore, which is 52% of the 86 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2019 Buick Encore engine?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the 2019 Buick Encore engine complaints.
At what mileage do 2019 Encore engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2019 Buick Encore is 60,000 miles.
Are engine complaints worse for the 2019 Encore than other model years?
The 2019 Encore's engine complaints make up 52% of that year's total complaints, the highest share among the model years listed in this data, which range from 25% to 53%.
What kind of engine failures do owners describe?
Owners describe stalling, sudden acceleration or surging, turbocharger failure, rough driving, and in one case an engine fire while driving.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.