Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
170–25K
325–50K
250–75K
375–100K
2100–150K
1150K+
28 reports with mileage · 46 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 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
74 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2024
Service Brakes
Have been experiencing brake malfunction on my 2018 Buick Encore with the brakes getting locked while driving. There were instances where the brakes would lock randomly and the vehicle would start slowing down during driving even with a foot on the gas pedal and I had to turn on the hazards lights to pull the vehicle on the sid…
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Have been experiencing brake malfunction on my 2018 Buick Encore with the brakes getting locked while driving. There were instances where the brakes would lock randomly and the vehicle would start slowing down during driving even with a foot on the gas pedal and I had to turn on the hazards lights to pull the vehicle on the side in order to avoid being rear ended. Took the vehicle to a GM dealership and initial diagnostics mentioned that the brake pedal position sensor was malfunctioning and would need a replacement. Agreed to replace that, but after this repair dealership claimed that there was a loose pivot in the brake pedal assembly causing the brake light to be on(Did not have this issue before taking the vehicle to dealership). Since the vehicle was not in a driving condition due to the brake light being "ON" all the time, as per the dealership suggestion I agreed to replacing the entire brake pedal assembly as well. However, the original issue was not resolved and the dealership is now recommending that replacing the master brake cylinder and brake booster might resolve the issue. The dealership has also mentioned that all these recommended repairs are from GM and my vehicle is still at the dealership.
NHTSA ODI #11585910
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2024
Engine
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 c…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11577992
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2024
Engine
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 bec…
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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!
NHTSA ODI #11577432
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2024
Power Train
Turbo has gone out four times in less than a year. Car is unable to accelerate and goes way below speed limit on highway which puts me and my passengers in an unsafe position traveling on a high limit road. No. Only inspected by the auto repair places I have been. No warnings prior to the Turbo going out. Turbo goes out while go…
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Turbo has gone out four times in less than a year. Car is unable to accelerate and goes way below speed limit on highway which puts me and my passengers in an unsafe position traveling on a high limit road. No. Only inspected by the auto repair places I have been. No warnings prior to the Turbo going out. Turbo goes out while going up hills or going at higher rates of speed.
NHTSA ODI #11566389
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2024
Unknown Or Other
My all 4 tires blew in the past years. It was due to defective tires that I was not aware of. It could have meant death or injury consequences for me and the passengers of the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11566218
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2024
Engine
I have been employed in the Automotive Parts and Repair business for over forty years. I notice my vehicle exhaust sounded different than usual. I suspected the flex pipe part of the front exhaust pipe was leaking. This was confirmed by my local auto repair shop during a service visit. During my time as GM Parts Manager I can s…
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I have been employed in the Automotive Parts and Repair business for over forty years. I notice my vehicle exhaust sounded different than usual. I suspected the flex pipe part of the front exhaust pipe was leaking. This was confirmed by my local auto repair shop during a service visit. During my time as GM Parts Manager I can speak from experience to the problems these flex pipes cause because I kept two or three of them on the shelf to repair vehicles. My concern is exhaust fumes entering the passenger compartment of my vehicle because the flex pipe leaking which is just off the exhaust manifold. I contacted the local dealership where my vehicle was purchased because there still is a "Emission Warranty in effect. My 2018 Buick Encore has less than 50000 miles on it . I also contacted the Northeast Region District Service Manger with my concerns.
NHTSA ODI #11564273
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes
When driving, the vehicle will stutter and make the car feel as though it’s bubbling, once you come to a stop, the vehicle will shut off. This is a huge safety concern considering I have children and if the vehicle just turns off and I shouldn’t be braked for a while I can get hit. I have almost been hit 4x since this has starte…
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When driving, the vehicle will stutter and make the car feel as though it’s bubbling, once you come to a stop, the vehicle will shut off. This is a huge safety concern considering I have children and if the vehicle just turns off and I shouldn’t be braked for a while I can get hit. I have almost been hit 4x since this has started because the car shuts off when attempting to brake or braking completely. After speaking to multiple mechanics over this car it seems to be a common issue for it.
NHTSA ODI #11536655
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2023
Service BrakesSteeringCrashInjury
While on the highway car suddenly had a brake and steering failure which resulted in injuries to myself. Zeigler and Buick are doing nothing to remedy situation and want to put myself and my family at risk
NHTSA ODI #11527313
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2023
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
Pittering nosie started from under the hood a few days later the information pages glitches and gave 20+ options with the main menus in what looked like Arabic then a few days later the check engine light came on hooked up a code reader and the codes indicated fuel system issue but was able to clear code light remanded off and r…
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Pittering nosie started from under the hood a few days later the information pages glitches and gave 20+ options with the main menus in what looked like Arabic then a few days later the check engine light came on hooked up a code reader and the codes indicated fuel system issue but was able to clear code light remanded off and remote start quite working with remote and threw the app ran fine for about a month with no issue then light came back on on 01/31 and cleared itself in 7days and remote start began working again began running rough and had issues idling on the 2/22 and after getting gas on 2/23 would start but struggled for a few seconds and turned off 4times like it couldn't get fuel to maintain the start but was able to finally get it to start and was able to make it to work and seems to be running ok but still has the persistent Pittering sound
NHTSA ODI #11508677
17,846 miles · Jan 17, 2023
Seat Belts
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side seat belt was not retracting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehic…
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The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side seat belt was not retracting. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle warranty had expired. There was no further assistance provided. The failure mileage was 17,846.
NHTSA ODI #11502191
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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.
2018 Buick Encore Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year