2013 Buick Encore Problems: 15 Known Issues

On the 2013-2018 Buick Encore, the 1.4L turbo Encore is known for turbocharger failures 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 acceleration. GM later issued a field action/warranty extension (Special Coverage N232395330, February 2024) covering turbochargers on 2017-2018 Encores with the 1.4L LUV engine for 10 years / 120,000 miles, with the repair replacing the turbo assembly and associated oil-feed seals and gaskets.

On the 2013-2015 Buick Encore, 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 traced to sensor faults, throttle body issues, or turbo-related underboost. Multiple reports note the problem recurring even after throttle body or sensor replacement, creating a serious safety hazard in traffic.

On the 2013-2022 Buick Encore, contamination (ice, water, oil or sludge) at the charge-air bypass valve, a restricted bypass solenoid, ice in the intake manifold blocking the PCV passage, a plugged crankcase vent tube or ice in the charge air cooler can restrict air to the engine. Owners may notice loss of power, hesitation, smoke from the tailpipe, stalling, a burning-oil odor or the check-engine light; GM adds that higher crankcase pressure can cause oil leaks at seals and gaskets. GM says the bypass-valve condition (22-NA-067) can occur in any weather, while the icing conditions are tied to extreme cold of 0°F (-18°C) or below. This applies to 2013–2020 Encores with the 1.4L LUV engine (22-NA-067) and 2013–2021 LUV Encores in extreme cold (16-NA-405). GM covers the same charge-air-cooler icing on 2016–2019 and 2021–2022 Encores with the 1.4L LE2 engine in bulletin 17-NA-221. GM's Service Update N222372590 (2016–2022 Encore) added a thermal wrap to the turbocharger wastegate regulator solenoid valve and, where applicable, an engine-computer update; that service update expired June 30, 2024.

On the 2013-2021 Buick Encore, owners report misfires, rough running and a flashing check-engine light traced to the one-piece coil pack that sits over all four plugs. They describe a broken coil tower, or a boot, spring and plug that had corroded on one cylinder while the others looked clean. It affects Encores with the 1.4L turbo LUJ or LUV engine, which uses a one-piece coil pack. The linked reports come from owners of 2013, 2014 and 2016 Encores. One owner notes that the 1.4L LE2 engine uses individual coil packs; the LE2 was fitted to the 2016–2019 Sport Touring, offered as an option on all but the base model in 2017–2018, and used in later-build 2021 Encores, so those cars are not covered here. One 2014 owner reports the failure at 62,000 miles.

On the 2013-2019 Buick Encore, some 1.4L turbo Encores use oil between changes or blow blue smoke, sometimes with a check-engine light and codes P0171, P0300 or P0299. GM's acceptable consumption is 1 quart (0.9 L) in 2,000 miles (3,200 km), not counting leaks. GM lists a leaking camshaft-cover PCV orifice, a missing intake-manifold non-return valve and a weak or broken piston ring land as possible causes. It affects 2013–2019 Encores with the 1.4L turbo LUJ or LUV engine, as listed in GM PIP5197K. GM later replaced the PIP5197 series with bulletin 19-NA-114, which keeps only the PCV-diaphragm test; no GM document found lists the 2020 or 2021 Encore, so this does not cover them. It does not cover Encores with the 1.4L LE2 engine: the 2016–2019 Sport Touring, the LE2 option offered on all but the base model in 2017–2018, and later-build 2021 Encores.

On the 2013-2019 Buick Encore, the PCV crankcase pressure control diaphragm is built into the plastic camshaft (valve) cover. If it tears, un-metered air enters the crankcase, the check-engine light comes on and a lean-fuel-trim code (P0171) can set; the PCV valve may make a whistling noise. GM's earlier PIP5197K adds that a missing intake-manifold non-return valve may have damaged the diaphragm. It affects 2013–2019 Encores with the 1.4L turbo LUJ or LUV engine, as listed in GM bulletin 19-NA-114, which replaced the PIP5197 series. No GM document found lists the 2020 or 2021 Encore, so this does not cover them. It does not cover Encores with the 1.4L LE2 engine: the 2016–2019 Sport Touring, the LE2 option offered on all but the base model in 2017–2018, and later-build 2021 Encores.

On the 2013 Buick Encore, on certain model-year 2013 Encores (part of a 48,114-vehicle campaign that also covers the 2013 Cadillac ATS) 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 adequately restrained.

On the 2013-2014 Buick Encore, on 2013-2014 Encores (124,007 GM vehicles in the campaign, including Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Silverado 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 increasing injury risk to the occupant. The defect is not detectable by the owner in normal use.

On the 2013-2017 Buick Encore, the Encore uses a column-mounted electric power-steering unit. On model-year 2015 Encores built 27 Nov 2014 to 24 Feb 2015 (2,295 vehicles in total including the Chevrolet Trax), the steering column housing could contact and wear the power-steering printed circuit board, eventually causing a sudden loss of electric assist while driving. GM recalled these under NHTSA 15V146 (GM #15168) and replaced the steering column assembly. Beyond the recall population, BuickForums owners of 2013-2017 Encores report a 'Service Power Steering' warning with heavy steering on cold mornings that clears after a restart; owners have not confirmed a single cause, and one 2016 owner reports the steering module had to be replaced.

On the 2013 Buick Encore, some model-year 2013 Encores that were serviced with a defective replacement electronic park lock lever in the ignition lock housing could allow the key to be removed while the transmission was not in Park. The 8,367-vehicle campaign is led by 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu production vehicles; the Encore is included only because of the replacement part. With the key out and the shifter in a drive or neutral position the vehicle could roll away after the driver walked off. GM recalled the vehicles under 16V502 in July 2016.

On the 2013-2016 Buick Encore, first-generation Encores with the 7-inch IntelliLink system have a well-documented display failure: the screen intermittently goes black or reboots itself while driving, sometimes taking the audio, Bluetooth and the backup-camera image with it. BuickForums has a multi-page 'Black IntelliLink screen' thread and separate 2016 reports; a GM Authority owner thread describes a 2014 Encore radio/nav screen going black and rebooting. Owners report dealers checking for radio software updates and for low system voltage or corroded ground points; persistent cases needed the display or the radio (HMI) module replaced, which is a costly dealer repair once out of the 3-yr/36k bumper-to-bumper warranty. Since the backup camera renders on the same display, a dead screen also removes the camera view.

On the 2013-2019 Buick Encore, 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 case, gear oil weeps out, and the ring-and-pinion and bearings run dry, producing a growl or grind that rises with road speed, clunks on throttle tip-in and binding on turns. GM bulletin 18-NA-049 (2013-2016 Encore and Trax AWD) lists clunk or growl from the rear and binding when turning or backing up, caused by fluid loss from corrosion or excessive wear of the rear differential housing. Because the unit is a sealed assembly, the usual dealer repair is a complete replacement differential carrier, which is expensive on a vehicle of this class.

On the 2013-2018 Buick Encore, 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 AWD' / 'Service StabiliTrak' style message and codes C0800 and/or U0136; in rarer cases the corroded module back-feeds the network and causes a dead battery or loss of electric power-steering assist. Owners on BuickForums also describe the rear clutch randomly engaging with a pop or bang and binding in tight turns before the module fails outright. GM addressed this with service bulletin 18-NA-007 for 2013-2018 AWD Encores; in Canada, 2013-2017 models are covered by Special Coverage 17436.

On the 2013-2021 Buick Encore, owners report slow coolant loss, a sweet burning smell and, in some cases, overheating. Leaks were found at the turbocharger coolant lines (which can drip onto hot exhaust parts and burn off, leaving no puddle), a cracked water outlet or thermostat housing, brittle outlet hoses and the coolant reservoir. It affects Encores with the 1.4L turbo LUJ or LUV engine. The linked reports come from owners of 2013 and 2015 Encores, with a further overheating report from a 2018 Encore whose engine is not stated. Not established for the 1.4L LE2 engine. In the 8 linked owner reports that give a mileage, the leak showed up between 12,500 and 101,000 miles.

On the 2013-2018 Buick Encore, 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. Reported causes include worn fluid, failing shift solenoids and torque-converter lockup shudder; on 2013-2014 Encores built before August 1, 2013, GM bulletin PI0928E traces a bump, surge or vibration while stopped in Drive with the brake applied to the Neutral Idle feature and variation in the 1-2-3-4 clutch fiber plates. NHTSA powertrain complaints span the early-to-mid model years.