2013-2023 model years · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2013-2023 Buick Encore has 25 documented known issues, with 13 rated critical. The most serious are 2019 Encore Air Bag Non-Deployment - SDM Not Taken Out of Manufacturing Mode, Encore 1.4L Turbo (LUJ/LUV) Timing Chain Stretch ($1,200-$4,000 repair), Encore GX (2020+) Three-Cylinder Turbo Stalling and Low-Oil-Pressure ECM Recall, Encore GX Transmission Shudder, Jerking and Solenoid Faults ($300-$4,000 repair), Engine Stalling and Sudden Power Loss While Driving (Early Models) ($300-$1,000 repair), Turbocharger / Oil Supply Line Failure Causing Sudden Loss of Power ($1,200-$3,000 repair), Transmission Fluid Leak From an Under-Bolted Start/Stop Accumulator (Recall 20V668000), Front Seat Hook Bracket Incomplete Weld - Seat May Not Stay Anchored in a Crash (Recall 14V446) ($0-$0 repair), Front Lap-Belt Pretensioner Cable Does Not Lock Retracted (Recall 14V488) ($0-$0 repair), Encore GX Front Seat Rear Attachment Bolts Not Installed (Recall 20V537) ($0-$0 repair), Electric Power Steering Circuit-Board Wear - Sudden Loss of Steering Assist (Recall 15V146) and Cold-Morning 'Service Power Steering' Faults ($0-$1,600 repair), Airbag SDM Software Diagnostic-Test Fault - Frontal Airbags and Pretensioners May Not Deploy (Recalls 16V651 and 17V437) ($0-$0 repair) and Encore GX Electronic Brake Boost Module Sensor Contamination - Loss of Brake Assist (Recall 20V588) ($0-$0 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $150 to $4,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
AIR BAGS
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2013-2023 Buick Encore has 25 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 2019 Encore Air Bag Non-Deployment - SDM Not Taken Out of Manufacturing Mode, Encore 1.4L Turbo (LUJ/LUV) Timing Chain Stretch, Encore GX (2020+) Three-Cylinder Turbo Stalling and Low-Oil-Pressure ECM Recall. Of these, 13 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2013-2023 Buick Encore has 25 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 13 issues are rated critical: 2019 Encore Air Bag Non-Deployment - SDM Not Taken Out of Manufacturing Mode and Encore 1.4L Turbo (LUJ/LUV) Timing Chain Stretch and Encore GX (2020+) Three-Cylinder Turbo Stalling and Low-Oil-Pressure ECM Recall and Encore GX Transmission Shudder, Jerking and Solenoid Faults and Engine Stalling and Sudden Power Loss While Driving (Early Models) and Turbocharger / Oil Supply Line Failure Causing Sudden Loss of Power and Transmission Fluid Leak From an Under-Bolted Start/Stop Accumulator (Recall 20V668000) and Front Seat Hook Bracket Incomplete Weld - Seat May Not Stay Anchored in a Crash (Recall 14V446) and Front Lap-Belt Pretensioner Cable Does Not Lock Retracted (Recall 14V488) and Encore GX Front Seat Rear Attachment Bolts Not Installed (Recall 20V537) and Electric Power Steering Circuit-Board Wear - Sudden Loss of Steering Assist (Recall 15V146) and Cold-Morning 'Service Power Steering' Faults and Airbag SDM Software Diagnostic-Test Fault - Frontal Airbags and Pretensioners May Not Deploy (Recalls 16V651 and 17V437) and Encore GX Electronic Brake Boost Module Sensor Contamination - Loss of Brake Assist (Recall 20V588). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Buick Encore issues range from $0 to $4,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Buick Encore. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2013-2023 Buick Encore with 25 documented issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.
Certain 2019 Buick Encore crossovers are covered by GM safety recall 18V774000 (GM number 18365). On these vehicles the Sensing Diagnostic Module - the air bag control module - may still be in "manufacturing mode," the setting used during vehicle assembly, rather than the normal… Severity: high.
The 1.4L Turbo LUJ (2011-2015) and LUV (2016+) in Encore — and shared Chevy Cruze/Sonic/Trax — develops timing chain stretch typically between 80,000-130,000 miles. Cold-start rattle, then misfire codes, then risk of chain skip. Same engine family used in Opel Astra J (Astra Adam… Repairs typically run $1,200-$4,000. Severity: high.
The second-generation Encore GX uses 1.2L and 1.3L turbocharged three-cylinder engines and has drawn complaints of reduced engine power, stalling, and lurching. GM issued a recall in which the engine control module (ECM) could fail to clear the permanent status of DTC P0521 (engi… Severity: high.
The Encore GX has frequent transmission complaints of shuddering, slipping, jerking, and lurching during acceleration, especially in 2021-2023 model years. Causes documented by owners and GM bulletins include defective shift solenoids producing erratic or rough shifts and failing… Repairs typically run $300-$4,000. Severity: high.
The 2013-2015 Encore generated hundreds of NHTSA complaints for engine stalling and abrupt loss of power, including incidents at highway speed where the vehicle decelerated unexpectedly. Owners report rough idle, hesitation, misfires, and the "engine power reduced" message, often… Repairs typically run $300-$1,000. Severity: high.
The 1.4L turbo Encore is known for turbocharger failures, often tied to the turbo oil feed/supply line, that cause a sudden loss of power while driving and a persistent check engine light. NHTSA complaints document dangerous highway events where the vehicle abruptly lost accelera… Repairs typically run $1,200-$3,000. Severity: high.
Buick recalled 2019 and 2020 Encore models as part of a wider General Motors campaign covering vehicles built between 2018 and 2020. The problem is manufacturing hardware: the start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts. If the endcap is not properly secured, transmissio… Severity: high.
On 2013-2014 Encores (124,007 GM vehicles in the campaign, including Chevrolet Trax and others) the weld on the front seat hook bracket assembly could be incomplete. Under a high-load event such as a frontal crash the front seat could break free of its lower track, greatly increa… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
On 48,114 model-year 2013 Encores (and Chevrolet Trax) the front driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables might not remain locked in the retracted position when placed under load. In a crash the belt could pay out more webbing than designed, so the occupant is not adequa… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Certain 2020 Encore GX crossovers left the assembly plant with one or both front seats missing their rear seat-track attachment bolts. A seat that is not fully bolted down can move or break free in a crash, and the missing bolts can also produce a seat that rocks or clunks under… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The Encore uses a column-mounted electric power-steering unit. On 2,295 model-year 2015 Encores built 27 Nov 2014 to 24 Feb 2015, the steering column housing could contact and wear the power-steering printed circuit board, eventually causing a sudden loss of electric assist while… Repairs typically run $0-$1,600. Severity: high.
Distinct from the 2019 'manufacturing mode' SDM recall, 2014-2017 Encores (built 9 Jul 2013 to 26 Aug 2016) were part of GM's 3.6-million-vehicle recall 16V651 (GM #16007). Under certain driving conditions the airbag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software could enter a diag… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The 2020-2021 Encore GX uses an electronic brake booster instead of a vacuum booster. A contaminant introduced by the material supplier into a sensor connection inside the brake boost module can interrupt communication between the sensor and the boost system. When that happens th… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
This is the upstream half of the 1.4L PCV story and is often missed. The intake manifold on the LUV/LUJ 1.4T contains a small, non-serviceable orange one-way check valve in the PCV port. Under boost that valve is meant to block pressure from reaching the crankcase; when it fails… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: medium.
On 2013-2018 Encore AWD models the rear differential clutch control module (RDCM) sits low at the rear axle where road splash reaches it over time. Water enters the module and corrodes its circuit board. The most common result is loss of all-wheel-drive engagement with a 'Service… Repairs typically run $500-$1,100. Severity: medium.
First-generation Encores with the 6T40/6T45 6-speed automatic are reported to develop harsh or delayed shifts, slipping, and a shudder or surge particularly around the 2nd/6th gear range. A common cause is debris blocking the oil passage that feeds the 2-6 clutch regulator valve,… Repairs typically run $200-$2,500. Severity: medium.
Many owners of the 1.4L turbo Encore report the engine consuming oil at an elevated rate between changes, often without an obvious external leak. Low oil levels left unchecked can starve the turbocharger and accelerate engine wear. Consumption is frequently linked to PCV system f… Severity: medium.
The 1.4L turbocharged engine (LUV/LUJ family) used in the first-generation Encore is prone to a ruptured PCV pressure-regulator diaphragm built into the plastic camshaft (valve) cover. When the diaphragm cracks, unmetered air enters the intake, producing a loud high-pitched whist… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: medium.
Separate from the electronic module problem, the rear differential/clutch-coupling assembly on 2013-2019 Encore AWD models (shared with the Chevrolet Trax and Opel Mokka) suffers severe exterior corrosion of its aluminum housing in salt-belt states. The corrosion eats through the… Repairs typically run $800-$3,000. Severity: medium.
On 8,367 model-year 2013 Encores the electronic park lock lever in the ignition lock housing could allow the key to be removed while the transmission was not in Park. With the key out and the shifter in a drive or neutral position the vehicle could roll away after the driver walk… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
