2016 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
2016 · All trims · All engines
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2016 Buick Encore has 13 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are Encore 1.4L Turbo (LUJ/LUV) Timing Chain Stretch ($1,200-$4,000 repair), Turbocharger / Oil Supply Line Failure Causing Sudden Loss of Power ($1,200-$3,000 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) and Airbag SDM Software Diagnostic-Test Fault - Frontal Airbags and Pretensioners May Not Deploy (Recalls 16V651 and 17V437) ($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.
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or get a full repair guide.
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2016 Buick Encore has 13 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Encore 1.4L Turbo (LUJ/LUV) Timing Chain Stretch, Turbocharger / Oil Supply Line Failure Causing Sudden Loss of Power, Electric Power Steering Circuit-Board Wear - Sudden Loss of Steering Assist (Recall 15V146) and Cold-Morning 'Service Power Steering' Faults. Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2016 Buick Encore has 13 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 4 issues are rated critical: Encore 1.4L Turbo (LUJ/LUV) Timing Chain Stretch and Turbocharger / Oil Supply Line Failure Causing Sudden Loss of Power 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). 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. The most critical issue, Encore 1.4L Turbo (LUJ/LUV) Timing Chain Stretch, typically costs $1,200-$4,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
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 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.
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.
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.
The 1.4L LUV turbo in the 2013-2022 Encore (same family as the Cruze/Sonic/Trax 1.4T) loses coolant from several plastic-and-rubber weak points that fail in sequence as the engine ages. The water pump develops a weep from its seal, the plastic thermostat/water-outlet housing crac… Repairs typically run $250-$1,200. Severity: medium.
The 1.4L LUV turbo uses a single four-tower ignition coil cassette that sits on the valve cover and fires all four cylinders. Heat cycling cracks the coil body or its boots, and the cassette can lose spark on one or more cylinders at once - a Bob Is The Oil Guy thread on an Encor… Repairs typically run $150-$500. Severity: low.
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… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: low.
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.
