IllustrationTHE STABLITRAK LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE HAS A THROBBING COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, TAKING VEHICLE INTO HAVE CHECKED AS WHEN YOU APPLY BRAKES IT IS FELT. THE THROBBING ALSO HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND DEALER ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE
2017 Buick Encore
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2017 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
160–25K
1225–50K
650–75K
775–100K
2100–150K
1150K+
44 reports with mileage · 45 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.
- Engine. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
89 reportsTHE POWER STEERING WORKS INTERMITTENT. IN THE MORNING WHEN IT IS COLD THERE IS NO POWER STEERING FOR YOU PARK IT IN THE SUN AND LET THE INSIDE OF THE CAR HEAT UP IT WILL START WORKING. ALSO, WHEN IT IS COLD IF YOU LET IT RUN WITH THE HEATER GOING ON THE FLOOR IT WILL START WORKING AFTER SOME TIME. THE DEALER IS SAYING THE STEERI…
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THE POWER STEERING WORKS INTERMITTENT. IN THE MORNING WHEN IT IS COLD THERE IS NO POWER STEERING FOR YOU PARK IT IN THE SUN AND LET THE INSIDE OF THE CAR HEAT UP IT WILL START WORKING. ALSO, WHEN IT IS COLD IF YOU LET IT RUN WITH THE HEATER GOING ON THE FLOOR IT WILL START WORKING AFTER SOME TIME. THE DEALER IS SAYING THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE IS BAD. I HAVE SEEN THAT BUICK HAS RECALLS FOR OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME ISSUES.
EVERYTIME I PUT GAS IN IT DOESN'T WANT TO START BACK UP. AT A STOP SIGN AND RED LIGHT IT JERKS LIKE IT IS GOING TO DYE OUT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO HAVE IT START THE PROBLEM AGAIN THE NEXT DAY.
I WAS HEADING TO WORK AND NEEDED TO USE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN THEY SIMPLY WOULD NOT TURN ON - NO SOUND FROM THE MOTOR OR ANYTHING. FOR MANY DAYS THIS HAS NOT WORKED, NOW GOING OVER A WEEK. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT ANYTHING COULD BE WRONG EITHER. I NEED MY WIPERS! THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP COULDN'T EVEN GET ME IN FOR A WEEK (I G…
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I WAS HEADING TO WORK AND NEEDED TO USE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN THEY SIMPLY WOULD NOT TURN ON - NO SOUND FROM THE MOTOR OR ANYTHING. FOR MANY DAYS THIS HAS NOT WORKED, NOW GOING OVER A WEEK. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT ANYTHING COULD BE WRONG EITHER. I NEED MY WIPERS! THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP COULDN'T EVEN GET ME IN FOR A WEEK (I GO TOMORROW). IF YOU SEARCH THIS ISSUE IT APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING THEME WITH BUICK AND GMC VEHICLES - ESSENTIALLY THE WIPER MOTOR JUST DECIDES TO DIE OUT OF NO WHERE. I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW..
MY DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WILL NOT LIGHT UP ORANGE FOR A SIGNAL. THE DEALERSHIP BUT A NEW LIGHT ON THE ENCORE AND IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. NO ONE HAS ANY IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM IS OR HOW TO FIX IT. THE LIGHT WORKS FINE EXCEPT THE TOP LIGHT THAT LOOKS LIKE AN UPSIDE DOWN CHECK MARK WILL NOT LIGHT UP ORANGE FOR THE SIGNAL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2017 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK SECURELY INTO THE BUCKLE. THE SEAT BELT WAS CLEANED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2017 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK SECURELY INTO THE BUCKLE. THE SEAT BELT WAS CLEANED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,124.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 28 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE AND SHE HIT HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL; SHE ALSO HIT HER LEFT KNEE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 28 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE AND SHE HIT HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL; SHE ALSO HIT HER LEFT KNEE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS WIFE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND SHE WAS TREATED FOR BRUISES TO HER CHEST AND LEFT KNEE. THE OTHER DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO CLASSIC CHEVROLET CADILLAC (3855 EASTEX FWY, BEAUMONT, TX 77706). THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.*BF*JB
WE HIT 2 DEERS AT 70 MPH IT DAMAGED THE WHOLE FRONT PART OF OUR CAR . NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE 4 WAY FLASHERS CAME ON THE SEATBELTS LOCKED UP YET NO AIRBAGS. ALSO THIS IS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME THE 4 WAY FLASHERS WORKED. THE CAR HAS BEEN FIXED AND NO 4 WAY FLASHERS AGAIN.
WHEN YOU WOULD START THE CAR THE WIPERS WOULD START BY THEMSELVES...NOW THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY..I DONT KNOW IF THERE'S WARRANTY ON THE CAR OR NOT
CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AFTER AN ACCIDENT. *AS *JS *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE SEAT BELTS OPERATED AS DESIGNED. *JS CLAIM NUMBER XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE…
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CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AFTER AN ACCIDENT. *AS *JS *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE SEAT BELTS OPERATED AS DESIGNED. *JS CLAIM NUMBER XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Official recalls
217V437000 · 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.
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.