The best Encore years to buy are 2019 and 2020. Avoid the 2013 and 2015: turbocharger faults on the first year and power steering failures on the 2015 give them the most complaints.
Best years: 20192020 Years to avoid: 20132015
Every Encore year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Year by year
| Year | Complaints | Per 100k sold | Recalls | Top issue | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 58 | 0 | Other | Few reports |
| 2021 | 9 | 45 | 0 | Transmission and drivetrain | Few reports |
| 2020 | 19 | 46 | 2 | Engine | Good buy |
| 2019 | 88 | 86 | 2 | Engine | Good buy |
| 2018 | 75 | 81 | 0 | Engine | Average |
| 2017 | 90 | 102 | 2 | Engine | Average |
| 2016 | 80 | 102 | 2 | Engine | Average |
| 2015 | 124 | 184 | 4 | Electrical | Skip this year |
| 2014 | 60 | 123 | 4 | Engine | Average |
| 2013 | 52 | 163 | 6 | Engine | Skip this year |
About the Encore
The Encore is Buick's small SUV, sold from 2013 to 2022 with a 1.4-liter turbo and a six-speed automatic. Its complaint rate is one of the lowest of any small SUV we track. The 2013 drew turbo boost and engine light complaints, the 2015 drew reports of power steering cutting out, and the 2018-2022 cars are very clean.
- 2013-2016: Original Encore. Turbo and power steering complaints on early years.
- 2017-2022: Refreshed Encore. Very low complaint rates.
Encore warranty extensions and special coverage
Carmakers sometimes extend the warranty on a part that fails too often, or pay for a fix outside a recall. These notices come from the dealer bulletins Buick files with NHTSA. 2,364 Encore bulletins are on file in total.
Customer Satisfaction Program.
Special Coverage - Certain vehicles may have a condition that could cause the evaporative emissions purge pump to fail.
Special Coverage.
N192218430 - Customer Satisfaction Program.
Special Coverage - Certain vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine may have a condition that could cause the turbocharger to fail.
N192210240 - Special Coverage Adjustment - Certain vehicles shown above, may have a condition that could cause the evaporative emissions purge valve to not fully close.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module.
14567 - special coverage.
14567a - special coverage (revised parts information section).
14395a - customer satisfaction program (revised labor time).
Ask a dealer to check a specific car by VIN. Extensions usually have a time or mileage limit.
Government investigations into the Encore
NHTSA opens an investigation when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Some end in a recall and some close without one.
Engineering analysis EA21002 · 2013 · opened Sep 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L.
Encore vs rivals
Questions
What is the best year for the Buick Encore?
2019 and 2020. The best Encore years to buy are 2019 and 2020. Avoid the 2013 and 2015: turbocharger faults on the first year and power steering failures on the 2015 give them the most complaints.
Which Buick Encore years should I avoid?
2013, 2015. These drew far more owner complaints per car sold than the Buick Encore average.
Does the Buick Encore have turbo problems?
Some Encores, mostly 2013-2016, show a check engine light for low turbo boost (code P0299), often from a failing wastegate or turbo. A turbo replacement typically costs $1,500 to $2,500.
Based on 605 complaints filed by owners with U.S. safety regulators for model years 2013 to 2022, and U.S. sales by calendar year. How we score.