Reliability & cost of ownership
Buick Encore Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Buick Encore? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Buick Encore problems by model year
22 recall entries across 8 model years and 604 owner complaints across 10 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 2 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Encore | Not confirmed | 8 | 5.0 | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2021 Encore | Not confirmed | 9 | 5.0 | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2020 Encore | 2 | 19 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2019 Encore | 2 | 88 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2018 Encore | 0 | 74 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2017 Encore | 2 | 90 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2016 Encore | 2 | 80 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2015 Encore | 4 | 124 | 5.0 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2014 Encore | 4 | 60 | 4.5 | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2013 Encore | 6 | 52 | 4.5 | AI reliability outlook → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Buick Encore, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- engine223 complaints
- electrical system88 complaints
- power train77 complaints
- unknown or other74 complaints
- air bags70 complaints
- fuel/propulsion system62 complaints
- service brakes59 complaints
- steering48 complaints