2022 Buick Encore Problems: 8 Known Issues
2022 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
2022 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2022 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
2022 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
Interest applies to the selected vehicle and configuration; it is not a reservation. Voting stores a first-party identifier for up to 180 days to prevent repeat votes. No account or email is needed. Clearing cookies or using another device may count separately. Privacy
Visual coming soon
Your interest helps us choose what to build next.
Visual Known Issues · Coming soon
$4.99/month plus taxes at launch · No payment today
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2022 Buick Encore has 8 documented known issues, with 3 rated critical. The most serious are 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 and Encore GX Transmission Shudder, Jerking and Solenoid Faults ($300-$4,000 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.
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 2022 Buick Encore has 8 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Encore 1.4L Turbo (LUJ/LUV) Timing Chain Stretch, Encore GX (2020+) Three-Cylinder Turbo Stalling and Low-Oil-Pressure ECM Recall, Encore GX Transmission Shudder, Jerking and Solenoid Faults. Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2022 Buick Encore has 8 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 3 issues are rated critical: 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. 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Certain 2022 Buick Encore (and 2022-2023 Envision) models can experience evaporative-emissions purge pump failures that trigger a check engine light, cause emissions-test failures, reduce fuel efficiency, and may create driveability concerns. GM issued a special coverage adjustme… 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.