IllustrationTHE STEARING JOINT AND BAR ARE TOTALY RUSTED OUT. I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA. AND THIS CAR IS A 2015 BUT SOLD IN 2016. THE PICTURES WONT UP LOAD
2015 Buick Encore
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2015 Buick Encore do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 67.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Encore years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
340–25K
1625–50K
1750–75K
975–100K
4100–150K
0150K+
80 reports with mileage · 44 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports
Steering complaints
27 reportsWHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE ON WE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. LUCKILY IT OCCURRED AS WE WERE PULLING AWAY FROM THE DRIVEWAY, WE ATTEMPTED TO RE-ENGINE THE VEHICLE TO NO AVAIL. EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY.
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. ON A STRAIGHT PORTION OF THE ROAD THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO OVER 4000 RPM, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP, AND MANY OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TRYING TO CONTROL THE CAR. I WAS FORCED TO SLOW DOWN AND WHEN I REACHED…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. ON A STRAIGHT PORTION OF THE ROAD THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO OVER 4000 RPM, THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP, AND MANY OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TRYING TO CONTROL THE CAR. I WAS FORCED TO SLOW DOWN AND WHEN I REACHED 40MPH THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING OVER 4000 RPM. MOST OF THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY LIGHTS WENT OFF EXCEPT FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HAD TO DRIVE UNDER 40 MPH UNTIL I GOT HOME. WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING MY ONSTAR SENT ME A NOTIFICATION THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE GM DEALER. AT THE GM DEALER THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES IN THE CARS COMPUTER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CARL BLACK CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (1110 ROBERTS BLVD, KENNESAW, GA 30144 (770) 424-2200), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY. WHILE THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CARL BLACK CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (1110 ROBERTS BLVD, KENNESAW, GA 30144 (770) 424-2200), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TOWED, THE KEYS WERE LEFT IN THE IGNITION AND CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE AUTOMATICALLY RESET ITSELF AS A RESULT OF THE DEAD BATTERY THAT NEEDED TO BE RECHARGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V146000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE GAUGES FLUCTUATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE GROUND CABLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE GAUGES FLUCTUATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE GROUND CABLE AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REWIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES: THREE WHEN THEIR DAUGHTER OPERATED THE VEHICLE AND ONCE WHILE THE CONTACT OPERATED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHSTA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V146000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
DRIVING ON FREEWAY, APPROX 74 MPH IN A 75 ZONE. ABOUT 1.5 HOURS IN TO A 2.5 HOUR TRIP. ALL SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONING AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON GAS PEDAL , POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , ALL GAUGES ARE FUNCTIONING ERRATICALLY AND THEN ALL GAUGES STOPPED OR WENT TO ZERO.…
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DRIVING ON FREEWAY, APPROX 74 MPH IN A 75 ZONE. ABOUT 1.5 HOURS IN TO A 2.5 HOUR TRIP. ALL SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONING AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON GAS PEDAL , POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , ALL GAUGES ARE FUNCTIONING ERRATICALLY AND THEN ALL GAUGES STOPPED OR WENT TO ZERO. LIGHT INDICTATING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR KEPT CHANGING. BUT THE CARS TRANNY DIDN'T SHIFT OR CHANGE JUST THE LIGHT FOR THE GEAR INDICATOR WASFLASHING. CAR SLOWED TO APPROX. 40 MPH, WITH THE RPM'S RACING TO APPROX. 4500/6000. ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND NOT OVER HEATING OR ANY OTHER LIGHTS EXCEPT CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING LIGHT. STOPPED CAR ON SHOULDER TO TAKE INVENTORY OF SITUATION, CAR RUNNING AND IDILE RPM'S SEEMED NORMAL CHK. ENGINE AND POWER STEERING LIGHT STILL ON, PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AGAIN . NO LEAKS OR OVERHEATING . ALL GAUGES CAME BACK UP/ ON. PROCEED TO DRIVE ... CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION , VERY LITTLE , LIKE THE CAR WAS STILL IN A HIGHER GEAR . SPEED UP VERY SLOWLY UNTIL IT REACHED APPROX 55-60 MPH. BUT THE RPM'S WERE AT 5500/6000 , FELT LIKE THE TRANNY NEEDED TO SHIFT BUT WOULDN'T. SLOWED DOWN TO APPROX. 35-40 .. TO GET RPM'S IN LINE OR MORE IN LINE. DROVE HOME LAST HOUR ON SIDE ROADS AND FRONTAGE ROADS WITH FLASHERS ON. CAN'T DRIVE THAT SLOW ON A FREEWAY. ALL OF CAR FUNCTIONAL WERE NORMALS , AC , RADIO ,WINDOWS , LIGHTS . JUST THE POWER STEERING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON WITH NO ACCELERATION POWER OR POWER STEERING ....CALLED DEALER MONDAY MORNING FOR A TOW INTO THE SHOP .
DRIVING ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL POWER TURNED OFF, AND THE DASH BOARD SCREEN WAS BLACK. I THEN TURN THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAIN DRIVING ROAD.
Official recalls
417V437000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seat Belts:pretensioner
Jul 10, 2017
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 August 4, 2017. 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 17287.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Seat Belts:pretensioner
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, 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.
Consequence: 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 August 4, 2017. 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 17287.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, 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.
Consequence: 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 August 4, 2017. 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 17287.
Air Bags:frontal
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, 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.
Consequence: 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 August 4, 2017. 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 17287.
16V651000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seat Belts:pretensioner
Sep 8, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Seat Belts:pretensioner
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence: 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.
Air Bags:frontal
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.
Consequence: 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.
15V162000 · Equipment:other:labels
Mar 20, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to February 9, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured October 13, 2014, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles have tire placards that do not provide the rim size information for the front or rear wheels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the label is missing front and rear rim size information, the owner may replace the rims with ones that are an incorrect size, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and will send owners a corrected label, free of charge. The recall April 29, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15166.
15V146000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Mar 13, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured November 27, 2014, to February 24, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured November 18, 2014, to February 17, 2015. The steering column assembly housing may contact the power steering printed circuit board causing the circuit board to wear.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The circuit board wear may cause a sudden loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15168.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.