2018 Buick Encore

I have been alerted by General Motors, via a letter that I received in March, 2024, that, due to a defect, my car's (a 2018 model year Buick Encore) engine may have a "condition where the turbocharger could fail" and that "the engine may run rough or have reduced power." In the letter, they have offered "additional protection for the condition" if the "condition occurs...within 10 years of the date your car was originally placed in service or 120,000 miles...whichever occurs first." On [XXX], my car was at 126,819 miles, and had all of the symptoms of the issue that were described in the March 2024 letter ("the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light) will illuminate and a diagnostic trouble code will set. Additionally, the engine may run rough or have reduced power.") On May 3, 2024, I contacted GM at the phone number provided in the March 2024 letter ((800) 521-7300.) I was told by the GM representative that, because I was "over the mileage", that any GM dealer would have to charge me a $130.00 Diagnostic Fee to diagnose the issue, and, that even after diagnosing, there was no guarantee that GM would fix the issue, because I was "over the mileage". The GM representative also said I could ask the dealer to waive the Diagnostic Fee, at the dealer's discretion. If, after paying the Diagnostic Fee, and if the Diagnostic Fee revealed that my car did have the "turbocharger fail condition", that I could THEN contact GM to see IF they would cover the repair cost. In May, 2024, my car was at about 128,000 miles. I contacted two GM dealers: Les Stanford Buick in Ferndale, MI, and James Martin Chevy in Detroit, MI. Both refused to waive the Diagnostic Fee. So, in other words: - GM has created a defective, potentially DANGEROUS product, that GM acknowledges is defective. - GM created a warranty extension in which GM arbitrarily extended the warranty mileage and time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact's husband noticed there was oil leaking onto the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact’s husband, who is a certified mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was caused by a leaking oil cooler pipe. The contact was informed that the oil cooler pipe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the leak was persistent. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced GMC recall 43210; however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

There are many Buick Encores, including 2018 that have a problem with acceleator position sensors. My car’s vin # shows that it does not have this notice, and thus no problem. However, in July this 2018 Buick Encore went into ‘limp mode, check engine light came on. Code for problem was 2138 (accelerator Pedal Position Sensor) The initial dealer solution was to apply dielectric grease. However, this ‘cure’ lasted . 15 miles, when it went into limp mode,,, again check engine icon came on THIS is very dangerous, as it cannot accelerate and from a stop, it does not move until a minute later… that is so frightening, I again took it to the deaer, same code of P2138, and now they recommend the accelerator pedal positon sensor replacement…. THIS is identical to the problems with the other Encores, This is a severe safety issue, and the rest of the 2018 Buick Encores should be included for notification AND repair .

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, power steering, and brake functionality. The vehicle began to shake, and the brakes and steering wheel became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where the mechanic test drove the vehicle but was unable to duplicate the failure. While driving, the fan failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer Orange Buick GMC (3883 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808), where it was diagnosed that the coil and relay needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle failed to accelerate above 65 MPH. The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken back to another local dealer, Gettel Chevrolet Buick GMC (1901 Tamiami Trl, Punta Gorda, FL 33950), where it was diagnosed that the fan, relay, and spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact about repairing the vehicle and the process for reimbursement. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that soon after the warning light appeared, the engine struggled to remain running. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal while in park to prevent the engine from shutting off. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal while driving at various speeds. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

We took our 2018 buick encore in to get the turbo fixed for the recall. The mechanic told us he can't test the turbo on it because the oil line going into the turbo isn't working and he has multiple other vehicles in for the SAME issue and they have been sitting in his back lot since December because he can't get the part in because everyone is out of stock. We will have to pay out of pocket for the oil line issue which will be $2300. So the turbo going bad is not the only issue this recall should cover. Because the oil line supplying the turbo should be included with the recall!