2018 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
2018 · All trims · All engines
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2018 Buick Encore has 11 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Encore 1.4L Turbo (LUJ/LUV) Timing Chain Stretch ($1,200-$4,000 repair) and Turbocharger / Oil Supply Line Failure Causing Sudden Loss of Power ($1,200-$3,000 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 2018 Buick Encore has 11 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, 1.4L Turbo Intake Manifold PCV Check Valve Failure - P1101/P0171 Lean Codes and Repeat Valve-Cover Failures. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2018 Buick Encore has 11 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Encore 1.4L Turbo (LUJ/LUV) Timing Chain Stretch and Turbocharger / Oil Supply Line Failure Causing Sudden Loss of Power. 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.
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.
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
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.
From 2018 the Encore added automatic engine stop/start, which leans on an AGM battery that is cycled far harder than a conventional battery. BuickForums carries repeated threads from 2018-2020 Encore and 2020+ Encore GX owners whose first symptom was stop/start quietly disabling… Repairs typically run $0-$350. Severity: low.
