Owners have reported 9 crashes, 1 fire, 9 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2019 Buick Encore. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints18
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2019 Buick Encore frequently experiences turbocharger failures, often resulting in reduced power and difficulty maintaining speed, especially during highway merging or hill climbing. Complaints frequently mention illuminated check engine lights and diagnostic codes such as P0299, with some owners noting repeated issues even after repairs. Engine stalling and surging are also described, sometimes leading to unintended acceleration or loss of motive power. These issues are typically reported at mileages ranging from 13,000 to over 67,000 miles. While no crashes are documented, the loss of power and acceleration can pose safety risks, particularly in high-speed or remote driving conditions.
Owner complaints9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Buick Encore frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly involving the engine unexpectedly shutting off while driving, leading to a complete loss of control, lights, and steering. Some complaints indicate that the vehicle may restart itself without driver input, with incidents occurring both at high speeds and in-town driving. Additionally, owners describe problems with the stop-start feature, where the engine fails to restart after shutting off at stops, and in one instance, this left occupants temporarily trapped inside the vehicle. Another reported issue involves the windshield wipers operating intermittently without user control. These electrical failures, occurring as early as within one month of ownership, have led to at least one crash and two injuries, highlighting significant safety concerns for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints9
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2019 Buick Encore frequently report issues with airbag deployment, particularly during crashes, with five incidents involving crashes and seven injuries documented. Complaints often describe airbags failing to deploy upon impact, even in severe accidents, and some mention unexpected airbag warning lights or email alerts indicating a problem. Additionally, there are reports of airbag sensors not recognizing occupants in the passenger seat. These issues are noted across a range of mileages, from approximately 40,000 to 135,000 miles. Prospective buyers should be aware of the potential safety risks associated with these airbag malfunctions.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 7 injury reports
Owner complaints9
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2019 Buick Encore frequently report issues with the power train, particularly involving stalling and transmission failures. Common symptoms include the vehicle stalling in traffic, failure to start, and the gear shift lever becoming stuck in park. Some complaints describe the car moving unexpectedly while parked, and one report involves a crash where the vehicle lost motive power and could not engage the brakes. These issues often occur around 39,000 to 77,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, with stalling in traffic and loss of control being reported, which could be critical for potential buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2019 Buick Encore frequently report issues related to engine performance and unexpected vehicle behavior. Multiple complaints describe problems with the cooling system, including coolant leaks and overheating, leading to significant engine damage such as blown head gaskets. Some owners also experience sudden unintended acceleration, resulting in crashes, and a reported case of the vehicle catching fire while in operation. Additionally, there are reports of stereo volume inconsistencies and connectivity issues with Apple CarPlay. These issues often occur at varying mileages, with some occurring shortly after purchase. Safety implications include a crash and a fire, both of which are serious concerns for potential buyers of this model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints5
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report several brake-related issues with the 2019 Buick Encore. Common symptoms include the brake pedal traveling to the floorboard, brakes locking up, and a hard-to-depress brake pedal, sometimes accompanied by a burning odor. These issues occur at varying mileages, with specific complaints noted at 3,000, 8,000, 23,600, and 63,000 miles. Some owners mention needing to pump the brakes for them to function properly or experiencing brake lock-up at speeds over 50 mph. Safety implications include potential loss of control due to brake failure or locking, though no crashes or fires are reported in the complaints. Used car buyers should be aware of these issues and consider inspecting the brake system thoroughly before purchase.
Owner complaints5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2019 Buick Encore frequently report issues related to the turbocharger and engine components. Complaints often mention symptoms such as loss of power, engine jerking, and the illumination of the check engine light, with some instances of white smoke from the tailpipe and burning oil odors. These problems typically occur between approximately 63,000 and 123,000 miles. Safety implications include potential stalling and loss of power while driving, which can be concerning for highway travel. Buyers considering a used 2019 Buick Encore should be aware of these recurring issues, especially related to turbocharger failures and potential coolant intrusion into the engine.
Owner complaints4
SUSPENSION
Owners report issues with the suspension system of the 2019 Buick Encore, particularly involving the lower control arm. Complaints frequently mention that the control arm can bend or break, especially after hitting a pothole, leading to significant damage such as the CV joint detaching from the transmission. Symptoms described include loud clunking noises and a heavy physical clunk when brakes are applied. These issues are noted at relatively low mileage, with one report at just 37,000 miles. Safety implications are evident as the failure of the control arm can lead to loss of vehicle control, and one owner highlights the need to tow the vehicle due to safety concerns. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these potential suspension issues and the associated repair costs.
Owner complaints3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2019 Buick Encore report issues related to sudden acceleration and transmission performance. One complaint describes sudden acceleration occurring on three occasions with the vehicle having 34,000 miles. Another owner reports a crash incident where the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated while parking, leading to a collision with a building. Additionally, transmission-related symptoms such as whirring noises, skipping while driving, and failure to downshift after acceleration are noted. These issues suggest potential safety implications, particularly concerning sudden acceleration incidents.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
STEERING
Owners of the 2019 Buick Encore report issues with the power steering system, specifically describing instances where the power steering fails while driving, as noted in one complaint at approximately 45,500 miles. This failure is characterized by a sudden loss of steering assistance, requiring the driver to pull over and restart the vehicle to restore functionality. The power steering warning light is reported to illuminate during these incidents. No crashes or injuries are mentioned in the complaints, but the temporary loss of power steering could pose a safety risk. Prospective buyers should be aware of these symptoms and monitor for any warning lights or steering difficulties during test drives.
