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2015 Buick Encore Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20265 Critical Recalls
Daniel Wilson
2015 Buick Encore Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2015 Buick Encore has 185 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve electrical system and engine.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

6.2/ 10

Based on 185 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

30 16.2%

ENGINE

27 14.6%

STEERING

26 14.1%

SERVICE BRAKES

19 10.3%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

15 8.1%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 16.2% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 22 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2015 Buick Encore

The 2015 Buick Encore has 185 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 16% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2015 Buick Encore are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (30), ENGINE (27), STEERING (26).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 132 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2015 Buick Encore?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2016 Encore complaints2014 Encore complaints2017 Encore complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 22 of 22 systems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

30 Reports16% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHILE BRAKING TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A BUSY 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. I SHIFTED INTO PARK TO RESTART IT. ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DEAD EXCEPT POWER SEATS AND DOOR LOCKS. ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND NO OTHER ELECTRICAL RELATED EQUIPMENT WORKED INCLUDING ENGINE, GEAR SHIFT, INSTRUMENT PANEL, RADIO, LIGHTS,TURN SIGNALS, AND EMERGENCY LIGHTS. TWO SAFETY ISSUES BECAUSE THE CAR COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED: 1). COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK TO PUSH CAR OFF THE ROAD. NONE OF THE 4 LADIES IN THE CAR COULD GET IT OUT OF PARK. FORTUNATELY, WHEN MY HUSBAND ARRIVED HE COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF PARK EITHER. TWO MACHO POLICE OFFICERS GAVE IT A TRY, BUT FAILED ALSO. AFTER SOME EFFORT, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL BY USING THE SHIFT LOCK MAUAL RELEASE. NONE OF US EVER HEARD OF IT 2). EMERGENCY FLASIHING LIGHTS DID NOT WORK GMC DEALER TOLD US A WELD ON THE BATTERY FAILED CAUSING BATTERY WIRE TO SHORT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOME POWER WORKED, BUT THERE SHOULD BE A BACKUP SOURCE FOR EMERGENCY FLASHING LIGHTS.

9/4/2015

DRIVING ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL POWER TURNED OFF, AND THE DASH BOARD SCREEN WAS BLACK. I THEN TURN THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAIN DRIVING ROAD.

9/17/2015

28 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

27 Reports15% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

DRIVING ALONG AT APPROX. 55 MPH ON A MAIN HIWAY SLOWED TO APPROX. 40 MPH TO MAKE A TURN, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STOPPED OPERATING. EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES. ON STAR DID NOT RESPOND, CAR WAS DISABLED ABOUT 5-7 MINUTES, TRIED TO START SEVERAL TIME WITH THE KEY. SERIOUS ISSUE, HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER, FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND NO CODES WERE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPUTER SYSTEM!

9/29/2015

HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT DEALER (TYPICAL 15,000 MILE CHECK). ON THE RETURN TRIP TO HOME, ENGINE STARTED TO MISS, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM BACK OF CAR LIKE OIL WAS BEING BURNED AND THE ENGINE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS STOPPED. CALLED DEALER WHO HAD CAR TOWED TO THEIR LOCATION. WHILE WAITING FOR TOW, I CHECKED OIL LEVEL (IT WAS OVER FILLED BY AT LEAST A QUART (MAYBE MORE), DIP STICK WAS NOT SEATED PROPERLY TO CHECK OIL LEVEL. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVE ARRIVED AND HOOKED THE CAR UP TO TOW, HE INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE TO THE FRAME WAS MISSING. HE INDICATED THAT HE WOULD TELL THE DEALER (COLMAN BUICK) ABOUT THE PROBLEM. LATER ON THE SECOND DAY AT THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY WERE WORKING ON THE CAR ALL DAY AND WERE IN PROCESS OF REPLACING ALL FUEL INJECTOR (DON'T KNOW HOW THEY COULD GO BAD IN 13K MILES) AND THE SMOKING OF THE CAR HAS BEEN REDUCED (SOMEHOW OIL IS GETTING PAST THE RINGS AND IS BEING BURNED.TWO DAYS AND STILL NO CAR.

6/9/2016

25 more complaints are available in this category.

STEERING

26 Reports14% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

DRIVING ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL POWER TURNED OFF, AND THE DASH BOARD SCREEN WAS BLACK. I THEN TURN THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAIN DRIVING ROAD.

9/17/2015

DRIVING ON FREEWAY, APPROX 74 MPH IN A 75 ZONE. ABOUT 1.5 HOURS IN TO A 2.5 HOUR TRIP. ALL SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONING AND NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON GAS PEDAL , POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , ALL GAUGES ARE FUNCTIONING ERRATICALLY AND THEN ALL GAUGES STOPPED OR WENT TO ZERO. LIGHT INDICTATING THE TRANSMISSION GEAR KEPT CHANGING. BUT THE CARS TRANNY DIDN'T SHIFT OR CHANGE JUST THE LIGHT FOR THE GEAR INDICATOR WASFLASHING. CAR SLOWED TO APPROX. 40 MPH, WITH THE RPM'S RACING TO APPROX. 4500/6000. ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AND NOT OVER HEATING OR ANY OTHER LIGHTS EXCEPT CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING LIGHT. STOPPED CAR ON SHOULDER TO TAKE INVENTORY OF SITUATION, CAR RUNNING AND IDILE RPM'S SEEMED NORMAL CHK. ENGINE AND POWER STEERING LIGHT STILL ON, PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AGAIN . NO LEAKS OR OVERHEATING . ALL GAUGES CAME BACK UP/ ON. PROCEED TO DRIVE ... CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION , VERY LITTLE , LIKE THE CAR WAS STILL IN A HIGHER GEAR . SPEED UP VERY SLOWLY UNTIL IT REACHED APPROX 55-60 MPH. BUT THE RPM'S WERE AT 5500/6000 , FELT LIKE THE TRANNY NEEDED TO SHIFT BUT WOULDN'T. SLOWED DOWN TO APPROX. 35-40 .. TO GET RPM'S IN LINE OR MORE IN LINE. DROVE HOME LAST HOUR ON SIDE ROADS AND FRONTAGE ROADS WITH FLASHERS ON. CAN'T DRIVE THAT SLOW ON A FREEWAY. ALL OF CAR FUNCTIONAL WERE NORMALS , AC , RADIO ,WINDOWS , LIGHTS . JUST THE POWER STEERING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON WITH NO ACCELERATION POWER OR POWER STEERING ....CALLED DEALER MONDAY MORNING FOR A TOW INTO THE SHOP .

11/8/2016

24 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

19 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

NEW BUICK 2015 ENCORE 1. APPYING BRAKES WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE CREATES A SHRILL SQUEAL. 2. WHEN SLOWING FOR THE STOP SIGN AT THE END OF THE STREET, APPLYING BRAKES MAKES A MOANING SOUND AND SLIGHT VIBRATION. 3. WHEN I APPLY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AT ABOUT 5 MPH SUCH AS STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION, THE BRAKES 'GRAB' RATHER THAN SLOWING SMOOTHLY. ALL PROBLEMS HAPPEN IN THE MORNING AFTER THE CAR HAS SET OVERNIGHT, AND THEY USUALLY GO AWAY AFTER DRIVING ENOUGH TO USE THE BRAKES A NUMBER OF TIMES. LAST WEEK I DROVE IN A HARD RAIN FOR 20-30 MINUTES GETTING HOME. PARKED CAR OVERNIGHT. BRAKE WORKED WITHOUT THE ABOVE PROBLEMS FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS, THEN STARTED AGAIN. DEALER SAYS THEY (GM) ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM ON SOME 2015 ENCORES AND ARE "WORKING ON IT" BUT IT IS SAFE, AND MIGHT BE A FEW MONTHS BEFORE A FIX.

6/4/2015

ALMOST EVERY DAY THE 1 ST & 2 ND TIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE & IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE GRABBING. ON MY CAR IT SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE.MY CAR PARKS IN THE GARAGE. 1 ST TIME DEALER SAID THERE WAS A BIT OF RUST ON THE CALIPERS THEY CLEANED THEM UP..NEXT MORNING SAME THING..2 ND TIME BACK TO DEALER THEY SAID IT'S PROBABLY CONDENSATION & IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE THAT WAY..MY RESPONSE WAS THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE & I WILL CONTINUE TO BRING MY CAR BACK TILL ITS FIXED.THEY LATER TOLD ME THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROB..GM IS MONITORING & WORKING ON THE FIX.

7/30/2015

17 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

15 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

DRIVING ALONG AT APPROX. 55 MPH ON A MAIN HIWAY SLOWED TO APPROX. 40 MPH TO MAKE A TURN, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STOPPED OPERATING. EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES. ON STAR DID NOT RESPOND, CAR WAS DISABLED ABOUT 5-7 MINUTES, TRIED TO START SEVERAL TIME WITH THE KEY. SERIOUS ISSUE, HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER, FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND NO CODES WERE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPUTER SYSTEM!

9/29/2015

THE C0LLISION WARNING SYSTEM NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE OUTSIDE DETECTION SYSTEM SHUTS ITSELF OFF NOW AND THEN SOMETIMES GIVING A MESSAGE "OUTSIDE DETECTION SYSTEM NOT AVAILABLE." ALL THIS OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHICH FOR ME IS A SAFETY C0NCERN. IT HAS HAPPENED OFF AND ON SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE.

12/2/2015

13 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

15 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

GENERAL MOTORS NEVER NOTIFIED ME OF A RECALL ON MY 2015 BUICK ENCORE IN SEPT 2016. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL BY READING IT IN THE NEWSPAPER. IT INVOLVED THE AIR BAG. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR. I CALLED GM AND ASKED WHY THEY DIDN'T NOTIFY ME. THEY HAD NO GOOD ANSWER AS TO WHY. ONE OF THE PEOPLE I TALKED TO SAID THE REASON WAS BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR ( I BOUGHT THE CAR IN FEB 2015) THIS MAKES NO SENSE. MY LOCAL DEALER TOLD ME THE RECALL WAS MADE ON 9SEP 2016. THE BUICK WEB SITE HAD ANOTHER PERSON ASKING A QUESTION ABOUT THIS RECALL AND STATED THEY NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE.THE ANSWER GIVEN WAS CALL YOUR BUICK DEALER. AIR BAG RECALLS ARE VERY SERIOUS AND I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD BE THE ONE TO NOTIFY EVER ONE.

10/20/2016

THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS AS BEING UNSAFE. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND ASKED FOR THEM TO RETURN MY CALL SO I COULD DETERMINE A SOLUTION TO THE UNSAFE SITUATION. THEY HAVE NOT CONTACTED ME BACK IN ANY FASHION.

12/5/2016

13 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

9 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

MY VEHICLE'S AWD DISABLED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK APPROXIMATELY 5PM DURING A SNOWSTORM (I WAS ABOUT 9 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOME AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES). I WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE WHEN THE AWD SUDDENLY DISABLED, RESULTING IN VIOLENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I DROVE SIDEWAYS UP AND THEN CONSEQUENTLY DOWN THE HILL AND CURVY ROAD, VEERING INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE MANY TIMES DURING THE DURATION OF MY DRIVE HOME. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I TRIED TO STAY IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD UNTIL I REACHED FLAT ROAD WITHOUT INCLINES, DIPS AND CURVES, WHEN I WAS ABLE TO SLIDE BACK INTO MY LANE. MY VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY PULLING ITSELF OFF THE ROAD AND HEADING TOWARDS THE GUARDRAILS. THE AWD DID NOT RECOVER AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY VEHICLE. I JUST BARELY MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE UP THE LAST INCLINE AND INTO MY STREET/DRIVEWAY. THE NEXT MORNING, THE AWD WAS RESTORED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT MY AWD DISABLED. THE FIRST TIME IT DISABLED WAS EARLIER THAT YEAR, APPROXIMATELY JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016, DURING A SNOWSTORM ON MY MORNING COMMUTE UP THE SAME ROAD. DURING THIS FIRST TIME, I HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 6 MINUTES WHEN THE AWD DISABLED. I SLID SIDEWAYS UP THE INCLINE BUT MANAGED TO KEEP THE CAR IN MY LANE, ALTHOUGH IT WAS SLIDING FREQUENTLY..EVENTUALLY I REACHED A FLAT STRETCH OF ROAD WHEN THE AWD RESTORED ITSELF APPROXIMATELY WITHIN 15 MINUTES. BOTH DRIVING EXPERIENCES WHEN THE AWD DISABLED WERE INCREDIBLY FRIGHTENING. I SIMPLY THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. I REPORTED THE SECOND AND MOST RECENT INSTANCE TO MY CAR DEALERSHIP, WHO STATED THAT THERE IS NO FIX AND NO RECALL. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALL-SEASON TIRES WHICH ARE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT AND ADEQUATE TO DEAL WITH WINTER WEATHER DRIVING. *TR

1/8/2017

1. THE VEHICLE ROLL BACKWARDS IN UNPREDICTABLE WAYS EVEN ON SMALL INCLINES WHEN FOOT IS TAKEN OFF THE BRAKES. AT TIMES VEHICLE WILL GO FORWARD AND AT OTHER TIMES IT WILL ROLL BACK ON THE EXACT SLOPE. WE WERE TOLD BY BUICK DEALERS THAT THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT SEE THIS AS AN ISSUE. HOWEVER, BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN STARTLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN WAYS THAT WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE. WE CONSIDER OURSELVES TO BE VERY SAFE DRIVERS AN HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 20 YEARS IN THE US WITH NO ACCIDENT CLAIMS. NONE OF THE VEHICLES WE HAVE OWNED OR DRIVEN HAD BEEN THIS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WE HAVE COME CLOSE TO HITTING STOPPED VEHICLES BEHIND US AT TRAFFIC SIGNALS. 2. IN ADDITION, REAR VISIBILITY THROUGH THE SMALL WINDOWS IS CHALLENGING WHICH IS FURTHER OBSTRUCTED BY COLUMNS. 3. ALSO, REAR VISIBILITY THROUGH THE REAR VIEW CAMERA IS POOR UNDER NORMAL DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS DUE TO THE POOR RESOLUTION. AS A RESULT OF THE ABOVE POINTS, IT'S VERY UNNERVING WHEN ONE IS CAUGHT ON THE DRIVER SEAT WITH THE VEHICLE MOVING BACKWARDS UNEXPECTEDLY. FINALLY, THE INEVITABLE HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE MET WITH AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THIS. THE VEHICLE WHICH USUALLY GOES FORWARD WITH FEET OFF ACCELERATOR ON A MILD SLOPED DRIVEWAY IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE, ROLLED BACKWARDS IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE. THE STARTLED DRIVER ERRED ON THE SIDE OF SAFETY BY PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FORWARD SINCE THERE WERE CHILDREN PLAYING AROUND. HOWEVER, WITH LIMITED ROOM TO MANEUVER, THE VEHICLE ENDED UP HITTING OUR GARAGE DOOR. THE REPAIR HAS BEEN ESTIMATED AT $6000 +. $1500 FOR THE GARAGE DOOR. WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE VEHICLE OPERATIONAL DESIGN. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR DRIVING. WE HAVE NOT HAD A SINGLE INCIDENT IN 20 YEARS OF DRIVING WITH ANY OF THE CARS WE OWNED OR RENTED.

6/6/2017

7 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

6 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

MY 2015 BUICK ENCORE HAS A TICKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTION. DEFINITELY IRRITATING. UIC DEALER SAID IT'S NOT A PROBLEM. THE NOISE WAS THERE WHEN I BOUGHT IT IN AUGUST, 8, 2017

1/7/2018

CODE PO300 IGNITION COIL ARCING TO THE VALVE COVER RANDOM CYLINDER MISFIRE

3/25/2019

4 more complaints are available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

5 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

DURING THE DAY, DASH LIGHTS ARE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. AT NIGHT THE DASH LIGHTS UP, BUT DURING DAY TIME DRIVING THEY ARE HORRIBLE. THIS COULD BE A REAL HAZARD WHEN HAVING TO LOOK DOWN & STUDY THE GAUGES & TAKE YOUR EYES FROM THE ROAD. WHY DOESN'T GM CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? THIS PROBLEM EXISTS WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL DURING DAY LIGHT HOURS.

7/18/2016

INFOTAINMENT SCREEN DIMS AUTOMATICALLY WHILE UNDER A TREE OR DRIVING UNDER SOME CLOUDS CAUSING THE DRIVER TO MANUALLY TURN THE LIGHT DIAL TO THE LEFT TO REGAIN THE BRIGHTNESS ON THE SCREEN. THIS WILL AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF THE DAYLIGHT DRIVING LIGHTS. THIS OCCURS EITHER STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN IN FOR ANOTHER MODEL OF THE BUICK LINE BUT NOTHING FOR THE ENCORE. THE TECH PERSONNEL INDICATED THE SENSORS ARE TOO SENSITIVE AND THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.

3/21/2017

3 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

5 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

MY CAR WAS IN MOTION GOING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH WHEN IT HIT A STATIONARY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO HIT MY BRAKES BUT STILL HIT THE CAR IN ALMOST FULL FORCE, HEAD ON. BOTH MY CAR AND THE CAR I HIT ARE TOTALED, AND I WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPUTAL AFTER, BUT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF.

6/8/2017

WE HAD JUST LEFT THE GROCERY STORE, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, AND LESS THAN A MILE INTO OUR TRIP HOME SOMETHING FAILED BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OF THE CAR THAT CAUSED HOT LIQUID (COOLANT?) TO POUR ONTO MY LOWER LEG AND FOOT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FOOT WELL. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY BEEN RUNNING FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND THE COOLANT WASN'T AT ITS FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, SO THE BURN WAS NO WORSE THAN A COFFEE SPILL AND DIDN'T CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURY. IF THE VEHICLE HAD FULLY WARMED UP AND THE COOLANT WAS 200+ DEGREES, I WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED VERY BADLY. I JUST WANT GM TO KNOW THAT THIS HAPPENED SO THAT MAYBE THEY CAN PUT SOMETHING IN PLACE TO PREVENT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SEVERELY BURNED .

6/16/2017

3 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

5 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN AN UNHEATED GARAGE FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. I STARTED IT, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND PUT IT IN GEAR (R). THE CAR LUNGED BACK AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. TO AVOID HITTING A VEHICLE BEHIND IT IN THE DRIVEWAY, I SHIFTED TO DRIVE (D) AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED FORWARD STILL AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE BRAKES DID NOT SLOW THE CAR DOWN. I BUMPED THE FRONT WALL OF THE GARAGE AND AGAIN SHIFTED INTO R. THE CAR STARTED MOVING BACK AGAIN AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THE CAR BEGAN SLOWING AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER BUMPING THE VEHICLE ABOUT 20 FEET BEHIND IT. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE WHOLE TIME. I CHECKED FOR OBSTRUCTIONS AROUND THE BRAKE PEDAL AND FOUND NONE. AFTERWARD, WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, IT DROVE NORMALLY WITHOUT TROUBLE. THERE WAS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE CAR AS A RESULT OF EITHER COLLISION BUT THE GARAGE WALL SUFFERED SOME MINOR DAMAGE.

4/5/2018

TRIED TO STOP BEFORE A RED SIGN ON A CITY STREET, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, PASSED THE RED LIGHT AND RUN AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON A 35 MPH STREET FOR ABOUT HALF A MILE AND THEN STOPPED BY ITSELF. PRESSING THE BRAKES AND EVEN PUTTING IT ON PARK DID NOT HELP. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE WITH MY TWO PASSENGERS, AND LUCKY NOT TO KILL ANYBODY OR CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE.

8/12/2019

3 more complaints are available in this category.

SUSPENSION

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

MY VEHICLE'S AWD DISABLED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK APPROXIMATELY 5PM DURING A SNOWSTORM (I WAS ABOUT 9 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOME AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES). I WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE WHEN THE AWD SUDDENLY DISABLED, RESULTING IN VIOLENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I DROVE SIDEWAYS UP AND THEN CONSEQUENTLY DOWN THE HILL AND CURVY ROAD, VEERING INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE MANY TIMES DURING THE DURATION OF MY DRIVE HOME. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I TRIED TO STAY IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD UNTIL I REACHED FLAT ROAD WITHOUT INCLINES, DIPS AND CURVES, WHEN I WAS ABLE TO SLIDE BACK INTO MY LANE. MY VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY PULLING ITSELF OFF THE ROAD AND HEADING TOWARDS THE GUARDRAILS. THE AWD DID NOT RECOVER AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY VEHICLE. I JUST BARELY MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE UP THE LAST INCLINE AND INTO MY STREET/DRIVEWAY. THE NEXT MORNING, THE AWD WAS RESTORED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT MY AWD DISABLED. THE FIRST TIME IT DISABLED WAS EARLIER THAT YEAR, APPROXIMATELY JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016, DURING A SNOWSTORM ON MY MORNING COMMUTE UP THE SAME ROAD. DURING THIS FIRST TIME, I HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 6 MINUTES WHEN THE AWD DISABLED. I SLID SIDEWAYS UP THE INCLINE BUT MANAGED TO KEEP THE CAR IN MY LANE, ALTHOUGH IT WAS SLIDING FREQUENTLY..EVENTUALLY I REACHED A FLAT STRETCH OF ROAD WHEN THE AWD RESTORED ITSELF APPROXIMATELY WITHIN 15 MINUTES. BOTH DRIVING EXPERIENCES WHEN THE AWD DISABLED WERE INCREDIBLY FRIGHTENING. I SIMPLY THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. I REPORTED THE SECOND AND MOST RECENT INSTANCE TO MY CAR DEALERSHIP, WHO STATED THAT THERE IS NO FIX AND NO RECALL. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALL-SEASON TIRES WHICH ARE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT AND ADEQUATE TO DEAL WITH WINTER WEATHER DRIVING. *TR

1/8/2017

I HAD PURCHASED A 2015 BUICK ENCORE VEHICLE ON MARCH 03, 2020, THAT HAD A "NOT FOR SALE" YELLOW STICKER ON THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A THUMPING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE WHEN RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT TO JOHNNY LONDOFF SERVICE DEPT., BUT WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. IN ADDITION, TO NOTICING THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS ON THE SMALLEST OF INCLINE. AS TIME WENT ON THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACK, THEN ROLL FORWARD ON LEVELED GROUNDS WHEN I WOULD TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO JOHNNY LONDOFF SERVICE DEPT., AND AGAIN WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO TELLE TIRES AND AUTO CENTER AND FOUND THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS WORN OUT ON THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE VEHICLE, WITH STRUTS AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED. THIS VEHICLE ROLLS BACK WHEN SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AT, IN LINE AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH, AND JUST EVERYDAY DRIVING. JOHNNY LONDOFF SHOULD HAVE FIXED THE DAMAGES AND/OR REPAIRS NEEDED BEFORE SELLING ME THE VEHICLE. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND BUYING A VEHICLE OR DOING BUSINESS WITH THEM. *JS

1/3/2021

2 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TAKARA RECALL MY 2015 BUICK AS BEEN DOING DIFFRENT THINGS. FIRST THE BLINKERS AND RADIO WENT OUT AND THEN IT CAME BACK AND NOW NONE OF THE DOORS LOCK WORKED. I WAS STUCK INSIDE MY CAR FOR 30 MIN. NOW THE IGNITION GETS REALLY HOT. AND THE DOORS WON'T UNLOCK IN THE BACK. IM CONCERN ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON. WHILE DRIVING THE SIGNAL WASN'T WORKING NEITHER THE RADIO BUT OUT OF NOWHERE IT STARTS WORKING. IT'S BEEN DOING IT ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST FOUR OR SO DAYS. THE KEY IS GETTING VERY HOT TO WHERE IT ALMOST BURN ME. VERY WEIRD... IM TRULY CONCERN ABOUT THAT. AND I WAS IN THE CAR WHEN THE DOOR WOULDN'T UNLOCK.

9/17/2018

HAD TROUBLE GETTING INTO THE CAR THE ENGINE LIGHT AND POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON. THE RADIO FACE WAS NOT WORKING BUT THE RADIO WAS ON WITH NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT WILL NOT TURN OVER. TOOK SEVERAL MINUTES TO GET IN/OUT OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE I EXITED THE CAR I WENT BACK TO GET THE VIN AND AGAIN THE RADIO WAS ON NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND THE SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS JUST TRYING TO START MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND IT'S LIKE IT'S POSSESSED

3/5/2019

2 more complaints are available in this category.

SEAT BELTS

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT LOCKS WHEN SEAT IS PUT IN CARGO POSITION. THIS MAKES 2/3 POF THE REAR SEATS NON-USABLE AND PASSENGERS INCLUDING CHILDREN CANNOT RIDE SAFELY IN VEHICLE. DEALER TECHNICIAN REPORTED TO ME HE SAW 16 COMPLAINTS ON WEBSITE HE USED TO CONFER WITH ME. RESOLUTION IS TO COMPLETELY REMOVE REAR SEATS TO UNLOCK. THIS LEAVES CONSUMER WITH UNUSABEL AND UNSAFE REAR SEATS.

6/20/2019

REAR CENTER SEAT BELT LOCKS WHEN SEAT IS PUT IN CARGO POSITION MAKING 2/3 OF THE REAR SEAT UNUSABLE. VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THE SEAT WAS LOWERED, BUT RETURNING THE CAR WAS 2K MILES OVER WARRANTY. CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP 3 DAYS BEFORE LEAVING FOR TRIP, SO THEY WERE AWARE OF THE MILEAGE. DEALER CUT THE SEAT BELT SO THE SEAT COULD BE RAISED, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS DIRECTED TO CONTACT GM FOR ASSISTANCE. GM WAS OF LITTLE HELP AND CONTACTED ME 2 WEEKS LATER STATING THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT RETURN THEIR CALLS TO DISCUSS. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOUND AT VARIOUS SITES, VERY SURPRISED A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ACTIVATED. CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE! IT'S A SEAT BELT!!!!!

10/18/2019

2 more complaints are available in this category.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

3 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

1. WHILE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE, EVEN A SMALL INCLINE, THE VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARDS 6-12" WHEN MOVING FOOT FROM BRAKE TO ACCELERATOR (THE VEHICLE HAS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). WE HAVE COME CLOSE TO HITTING TWO VEHICLES BEHIND US WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE SLID BACKWARDS. 2. BECAUSE OF DESIGN, THERE ARE COLUMNS REDUCING VISIBILITY THROUGH AN ALREADY SMALL REAR WINDOW. THE PROVIDED REAR VIEW CAMERA HAS ALMOST NO RESOLUTION AND UNDER MOST NORMAL LIGHTING CONDITIONS IS TOTALLY USELESS,. THE RESULT IS THERE IS NO WAY TO SEE WHAT IS BEHIND YOU WHEN BACKING UP OR BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. 3. WE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEN TO GM AND WERE TOLD THAT "ALL OTHER ENCORES WERE THE SAME THEREFORE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO."

10/13/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTENSE GLARE THAT IMPACTED VISIBILITY IN WHICH THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY FOR THE CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAY TIME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ; VEHICLE PURCHASE DATE SHOULD BE BEFORE INCIDENT DATE UPDATED 05/10/18*JB *CN

12/11/2015

1 more complaint is available in this category.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle, before the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

11/26/2024

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The contact became aware of oil underneath the vehicle on the driveway, resulting in a complete loss of power. The vehicle leaked oil and lost the vehicle lost power twice. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined that the mass air flow sensor had failed. The MAF sensor was replaced twice, the Oxygen sensors were replaced three times, and the turbocharger was replaced once. The failures persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

9/15/2025

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

2015 BUICK ENCORE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKES MAKES GRINDING NOISES, DEALERSHIP MADE TEMPORARY REPAIRS AND REFUSES ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. *SMD

11/8/2016

VISIBILITY

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TINT ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND TWO FRONT WINDOWS DID NOT PREVENT EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE SUNLIGHT BURNED THE CONTACT'S ARMS AND PRODUCED BLISTERS WHILE SHE WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0.

6/1/2017

SEATS

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT LOCKS WHEN SEAT IS PUT IN CARGO POSITION. THIS MAKES 2/3 POF THE REAR SEATS NON-USABLE AND PASSENGERS INCLUDING CHILDREN CANNOT RIDE SAFELY IN VEHICLE. DEALER TECHNICIAN REPORTED TO ME HE SAW 16 COMPLAINTS ON WEBSITE HE USED TO CONFER WITH ME. RESOLUTION IS TO COMPLETELY REMOVE REAR SEATS TO UNLOCK. THIS LEAVES CONSUMER WITH UNUSABEL AND UNSAFE REAR SEATS.

6/20/2019

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while their son was driving at approximately 30 mph when they suddenly heard a booming sound from underneath the body of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle then suddenly gear towards the right and the driver had lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle then crashed into another nearby vehicle which caused the vehicle to flip upside down. The air bags did deploy. A police incident report was filed. There were injuries to their hands, shoulders and back that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed however had not been decided to be deemed totaled as of yet. The contact stated that when a family member who was a licensed contractor in welding examined the vehicle they noticed the axle may have not been welded with appropriate material due to noticing that the material welding axle itself had deteriorated and began to detach from the axle. The contact was concerned that the failure could have resulted in a fatality had the driver been driving at higher speeds. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

9/8/2021

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH downhill during inclement weather, the vehicle experienced intermittent brake failure. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle and ran off the roadway to prevent a crash. The vehicle drove over a curb before coming to a stop. There was no injury sustained. The contact stated that the Traction Control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence where it remained unrepaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,740.

3/8/2022

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine revved and he was unable to shift the vehicle into the intended gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The contact referenced TSB Number: PIP5495H for the turbocharger. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

12/15/2022

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2015 Buick Encore?

The most reported complaint category for the 2015 Buick Encore is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, with 30 owner reports. That is about 16% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, STEERING.

Are complaints about the 2015 Buick Encore a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 132 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2015 Buick Encore?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2015 Buick Encore severe?

132 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Buick Encore: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
185
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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