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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

124 reports
33,200 miles · Jun 20, 2019
Electrical System

TAKATA RECALL? THE ELETRICAL CONTROL DISPLAY TURNS OFF AND SOMETIMES BACK ON RANDOMLY CREATING A DEFINITED DRIVER DISTRACTION. THE ONE CONNECTION I HAVE MADE IS IT DOES HAPPEN AT TIMES WHEN I TURN SLIGHTLY (NOT FULL HARD TURN NEEDED)ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CONCERNS ME AS A SAFETY ISSUE; I ASK IS THIS RELATED TO THE SYSTEM EL…

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TAKATA RECALL? THE ELETRICAL CONTROL DISPLAY TURNS OFF AND SOMETIMES BACK ON RANDOMLY CREATING A DEFINITED DRIVER DISTRACTION. THE ONE CONNECTION I HAVE MADE IS IT DOES HAPPEN AT TIMES WHEN I TURN SLIGHTLY (NOT FULL HARD TURN NEEDED)ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS CONCERNS ME AS A SAFETY ISSUE; I ASK IS THIS RELATED TO THE SYSTEM ELECTRICAL ISSUE IN RECALL 15168? FOR ME IT INVOLVES SAFETY AS ANYTHING HAPPENING IN A VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY CREATE DISTRACTION. IN MY CASE IT IS MOMENTARY, YET DISTRACTING NONE THE LESS. THER DATE LISTED BELONG IS ONE OF MANY TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11221378

33,200 miles · Jun 20, 2019
Seat BeltsSeats

THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT LOCKS WHEN SEAT IS PUT IN CARGO POSITION. THIS MAKES 2/3 POF THE REAR SEATS NON-USABLE AND PASSENGERS INCLUDING CHILDREN CANNOT RIDE SAFELY IN VEHICLE. DEALER TECHNICIAN REPORTED TO ME HE SAW 16 COMPLAINTS ON WEBSITE HE USED TO CONFER WITH ME. RESOLUTION IS TO COMPLETELY REMOVE REAR SEATS TO UNLOCK. THI…

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THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT LOCKS WHEN SEAT IS PUT IN CARGO POSITION. THIS MAKES 2/3 POF THE REAR SEATS NON-USABLE AND PASSENGERS INCLUDING CHILDREN CANNOT RIDE SAFELY IN VEHICLE. DEALER TECHNICIAN REPORTED TO ME HE SAW 16 COMPLAINTS ON WEBSITE HE USED TO CONFER WITH ME. RESOLUTION IS TO COMPLETELY REMOVE REAR SEATS TO UNLOCK. THIS LEAVES CONSUMER WITH UNUSABEL AND UNSAFE REAR SEATS.

NHTSA ODI #11221375

30,000 miles · Jun 7, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARBER GMC (5255 US-1, FORT PIERCE, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE TURBO CHARGER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARBER GMC (5255 US-1, FORT PIERCE, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE TURBO CHARGER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO HIGH DEMAND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #11218483

88,000 miles · Jun 6, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemStructure

AFTER DRIVING THE ENCORE FOR 30 MINUTES THEN MAKING STOPS AT DIFFERENT PLACES A FEW MINUTES APART, WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED THERE IS A SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR. DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN STARTING THE ENCORE FOR THE FIRST TIME OF THE DAY. I WAS INSIDE THE STORE FROM 5 MINUTES TO 30 MINUTES, HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL DAYS NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11218304

64,406 miles · Apr 5, 2019
Air Bags

PASSENGER AIRBAG DOES NOT ALWAYS ACTIVATE. THE LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS BEEN ACTIVATED DOES NOT ALWAYS TURN ON WHEN THE SEAT IS IN USE. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS MOVING OR STATIONARY. IT ALSO DOESN'T MATTER WHO IS SITTING IN THE SEAT, MEANING IT COULD WORK FOR THE PERSON ONE DAY AND NOT THE NEXT. …

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PASSENGER AIRBAG DOES NOT ALWAYS ACTIVATE. THE LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS BEEN ACTIVATED DOES NOT ALWAYS TURN ON WHEN THE SEAT IS IN USE. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS MOVING OR STATIONARY. IT ALSO DOESN'T MATTER WHO IS SITTING IN THE SEAT, MEANING IT COULD WORK FOR THE PERSON ONE DAY AND NOT THE NEXT. .

NHTSA ODI #11194175

49,361 miles · Mar 25, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

CODE PO300 IGNITION COIL ARCING TO THE VALVE COVER RANDOM CYLINDER MISFIRE

NHTSA ODI #11191460

36,000 miles · Mar 5, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

HAD TROUBLE GETTING INTO THE CAR THE ENGINE LIGHT AND POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON. THE RADIO FACE WAS NOT WORKING BUT THE RADIO WAS ON WITH NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT WILL NOT TURN OVER. TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES TO GET IN/OUT OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE I EXITED THE CAR I WENT BACK TO GET THE VIN AND AGAIN TH…

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HAD TROUBLE GETTING INTO THE CAR THE ENGINE LIGHT AND POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON. THE RADIO FACE WAS NOT WORKING BUT THE RADIO WAS ON WITH NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT WILL NOT TURN OVER. TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES TO GET IN/OUT OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE I EXITED THE CAR I WENT BACK TO GET THE VIN AND AGAIN THE RADIO WAS ON NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND THE SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS JUST TRYING TO START MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND IT'S LIKE IT'S POSSESSED

NHTSA ODI #11184265

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE DISPLAY SCREEN GOES BLACK DURING THE DAY LIGHT HRS. THEN COMES BACK ON SOMETIME LATER. SO YOU CAN'T SEE THE RADIO STATIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11173453

58,000 miles · Jan 22, 2019
Steering

DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY QUIT, AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR WONT GET OUT OF LOW GEAR AND REVERSE DOESN'T WORK

NHTSA ODI #11171400

20,000 miles · Nov 21, 2018
Service Brakes

WHEN FIRST STARTING OUT, THE BRAKES STOP SHORT. I HAVE TO BRAKE 3 TIMES SOMEWHERE SAFE IN ORDER TO NOT STOP SHORT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE BY ACCIDENT. I HAD THEM INSPECTED AND THE SERVICE CENTER SAID THEY WERE FINE, THAT'S JUST THE WAY THEY ARE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT STOPS SHORT, WHETHER I WANT TO OR N…

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WHEN FIRST STARTING OUT, THE BRAKES STOP SHORT. I HAVE TO BRAKE 3 TIMES SOMEWHERE SAFE IN ORDER TO NOT STOP SHORT IN FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE BY ACCIDENT. I HAD THEM INSPECTED AND THE SERVICE CENTER SAID THEY WERE FINE, THAT'S JUST THE WAY THEY ARE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT STOPS SHORT, WHETHER I WANT TO OR NOT. IT HAPPENS WHETHER IT IS RAINING OR NOT, BUT ESPECIALLY DURING RAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11153055

Official recalls

4

17V437000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.