Buick Encore years to avoid and best years
Newer Buick Encore years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2015 has the most complaints per year, at 11 (124 complaints). Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2021 at 1 (from 9 complaints), 2022 at 2 (from 8 complaints), and 2020 at 2 (from 19 complaints). On the 2015 Buick Encore, 15 of 124 complaints name Steering.
Data as of .
Buick Encore reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Buick Encore. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 → Fewest | 2 | 8 | 0 | Air bags | 28 |
| 2021 → Fewest | 1 | 9 | 0 | Engine | 27.7 |
| 2020 → Fewest | 2 | 19 | 2 | Electrical system | 28 |
| 2019 → | 8 | 86 | 2 | Engine | 27 |
| 2018 → | 6 | 74 | 0 | Engine | 28.3 |
| 2017 → | 7 | 89 | 2 | Engine | 28.3 |
| 2016 → | 5 | 79 | 2 | Engine | 28 |
| 2015 → Most | 11 | 124 | 4 | Steering | 27 |
| 2014 → | 5 | 60 | 4 | Engine | 26.5 |
| 2013 → | 8 | 52 | 6 | Engine | 26.5 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- Crossover
- Oil
- 5W-30 full synthetic (1.4L turbo and 1.4L NA) · 5 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 215/55R18
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA campaign 15V-146 covers certain 2015 Buick Encore vehicles: the steering column housing may wear the power-steering circuit board and cause a sudden loss of electric power steering assist; dealers inspect and replace the column as needed. Campaign 16V-651 covers certain 2014-2017 Encore vehicles among a large multi-model GM population where SDM software may prevent frontal air bags or pretensioners from deploying; dealers reflash or replace the SDM. Campaign 18V-774 covers certain 2019 Encore vehicles left in SDM manufacturing mode so air bags may not deploy; dealers reprogram the SDM. Campaign 20V-668 covers certain 2019-2020 Encore vehicles (with many other GM models) for missing bolts on a start/stop transmission accumulator endcap that can leak fluid and progress to loss of propulsion or fire risk; dealers inspect and replace the accumulator if bolts are missing. Shared campaign unit counts cover multiple nameplates.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Encore years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2021 at 1 (from 9 complaints), 2022 at 2 (from 8 complaints), and 2020 at 2 (from 19 complaints).
Which Buick Encore year has the most owner complaints?
2015 has the most complaints per year, at 11 (124 complaints). On the 2015 Buick Encore, 15 of 124 complaints name Steering.
How do Buick Encore owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Buick Encore years have fewer owner complaints per year than the older ones.
What oil does a Buick Encore take?
5W-30 full synthetic for the 1.4L turbo and 1.4L naturally aspirated engines on the GK generation (2013-2022).
What tire size does the Buick Encore use?
215/55R18 is the common GK-generation size listed on this site.
What does NHTSA campaign 15V-146 cover on the Encore?
Certain 2015 Encore vehicles: the steering column housing may wear the power-steering circuit board and cause a sudden loss of electric power steering assist; dealers inspect and replace the column as needed.