Buick Encore: best & worst years

No Buick Encore model year rates as one to avoid in CarVitals data. The strongest years are 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Below is every year (2013–2022) ranked best to worst, with the owner-reported problems behind each verdict.

Every Buick Encore year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2022 Recommended 7 The 1.4L turbocharged engine can suffer turbocharger failure and underboost (P0299) at higher mileage, causing a check-engine light and reduced power; far fewer reports than the early years. Full report ↗
2021 Recommended 7 The 1.4L turbocharged engine can suffer turbocharger failure and underboost (P0299) at higher mileage, causing a check-engine light and reduced power; far fewer reports than the early years. Full report ↗
2020 Recommended 6 The 1.4L turbocharged engine can suffer turbocharger failure and underboost (P0299) at higher mileage, causing a check-engine light and reduced power; far fewer reports than the early years. Full report ↗
2019 Caution 6 1.4L turbocharger failure and loss of power: the turbo can fail around 90,000 miles, setting an underboost code (P0299) and triggering reduced-power/limp mode and a check-engine light. The defining Encore defect across the whole run.; Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; the inflator can degrade over time and must be confirmed repaired under the GM recall.; Engine cooling system leaks: many coolant hoses and components on the 1.4L turbo are plastic and prone to cracking, leading to coolant loss and overheating. Full report ↗
2018 Recommended 6 1.4L turbocharger failure and loss of power: the turbo can fail around 90,000 miles, setting an underboost code (P0299) and triggering reduced-power/limp mode and a check-engine light. The defining Encore defect across the whole run.; Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; the inflator can degrade over time and must be confirmed repaired under the GM recall.; Engine cooling system leaks: many coolant hoses and components on the 1.4L turbo are plastic and prone to cracking, leading to coolant loss and overheating. Full report ↗
2017 Caution 5 1.4L turbocharger failure and loss of power: the turbo can fail around 90,000 miles, setting an underboost code (P0299) and triggering reduced-power/limp mode and a check-engine light. The defining Encore defect across the whole run.; Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; the inflator can degrade over time and must be confirmed repaired under the GM recall.; Engine cooling system leaks: many coolant hoses and components on the 1.4L turbo are plastic and prone to cracking, leading to coolant loss and overheating. Full report ↗
2016 Caution 5 1.4L turbocharger failure and loss of power: the turbo can fail around 90,000 miles, setting an underboost code (P0299) and triggering reduced-power/limp mode and a check-engine light. The defining Encore defect across the whole run.; Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; the inflator can degrade over time and must be confirmed repaired under the GM recall.; Engine cooling system leaks: many coolant hoses and components on the 1.4L turbo are plastic and prone to cracking, leading to coolant loss and overheating. Full report ↗
2015 Caution 4 1.4L turbocharger failure and reduced engine power: the worst years for this defect, owners report sudden loss of power, underboost (P0299), check-engine lights and turbo replacement, often around 90,000 miles.; Electric power-steering failure: a "Service Power Steering" warning with sudden loss of steering assist, sometimes intermittent or worse when cold; clusters heavily in 2015.; Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; confirm the inflator was replaced under the GM recall. Full report ↗
2014 Caution 4 1.4L turbocharger failure and reduced engine power: the worst years for this defect, owners report sudden loss of power, underboost (P0299), check-engine lights and turbo replacement, often around 90,000 miles.; Electric power-steering failure: a "Service Power Steering" warning with sudden loss of steering assist, sometimes intermittent or worse when cold; clusters heavily in 2015.; Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; confirm the inflator was replaced under the GM recall. Full report ↗
2013 Caution 4 1.4L turbocharger failure and reduced engine power: the worst years for this defect, owners report sudden loss of power, underboost (P0299), check-engine lights and turbo replacement, often around 90,000 miles.; Electric power-steering failure: a "Service Power Steering" warning with sudden loss of steering assist, sometimes intermittent or worse when cold; clusters heavily in 2015.; Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; confirm the inflator was replaced under the GM recall. Full report ↗

Buick Encore problems by year

2022 Buick Encore Recommended

Final model year: the most refined, lowest-complaint Encore, with a strong reliability rating and low running costs. The small 1.4L turbo is the chief long-term watch-item; an easy, quiet, value-priced used subcompact crossover.

  • The 1.4L turbocharged engine can suffer turbocharger failure and underboost (P0299) at higher mileage, causing a check-engine light and reduced power; far fewer reports than the early years.

2021 Buick Encore Recommended

Refined, low-complaint late-run Encore with excellent ownership costs and a quiet, upscale-feel cabin. The 1.4L turbo is the main thing to inspect at higher mileage; otherwise a dependable, easy-to-own city crossover.

  • The 1.4L turbocharged engine can suffer turbocharger failure and underboost (P0299) at higher mileage, causing a check-engine light and reduced power; far fewer reports than the early years.

2020 Buick Encore Recommended

Among the most trouble-free Encore years, with sharply fewer complaints. The aging 1.4L turbo remains the main long-term concern, but low repair costs and a quiet, easy-to-drive cabin make it a sensible value used buy.

  • The 1.4L turbocharged engine can suffer turbocharger failure and underboost (P0299) at higher mileage, causing a check-engine light and reduced power; far fewer reports than the early years.

2019 Buick Encore Caution

Mature, comfortable small crossover with low running costs, but 1.4L turbo and engine-cooling complaints are still present. A good-value used pick overall, inspect the turbocharger and cooling system before buying.

  • 1.4L turbocharger failure and loss of power: the turbo can fail around 90,000 miles, setting an underboost code (P0299) and triggering reduced-power/limp mode and a check-engine light. The defining Encore defect across the whole run.
  • Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; the inflator can degrade over time and must be confirmed repaired under the GM recall.
  • Engine cooling system leaks: many coolant hoses and components on the 1.4L turbo are plastic and prone to cracking, leading to coolant loss and overheating.

2018 Buick Encore Recommended

One of the stronger Encore years: far fewer severe problems, with the 1.4L turbo the main long-term watch-item. Quiet cabin, easy size and low running costs make it a solid value used buy at moderate mileage.

  • 1.4L turbocharger failure and loss of power: the turbo can fail around 90,000 miles, setting an underboost code (P0299) and triggering reduced-power/limp mode and a check-engine light. The defining Encore defect across the whole run.
  • Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; the inflator can degrade over time and must be confirmed repaired under the GM recall.
  • Engine cooling system leaks: many coolant hoses and components on the 1.4L turbo are plastic and prone to cracking, leading to coolant loss and overheating.

2017 Buick Encore Caution

Refreshed styling and newer infotainment; the 1.4L turbocharger and PCV/cooling complaints remain the main concern, while overall trouble reports ease versus the early years. Comfortable city crossover, verify turbo and cooling health.

  • 1.4L turbocharger failure and loss of power: the turbo can fail around 90,000 miles, setting an underboost code (P0299) and triggering reduced-power/limp mode and a check-engine light. The defining Encore defect across the whole run.
  • Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; the inflator can degrade over time and must be confirmed repaired under the GM recall.
  • Engine cooling system leaks: many coolant hoses and components on the 1.4L turbo are plastic and prone to cracking, leading to coolant loss and overheating.

2016 Buick Encore Caution

Reliability starts improving: complaints shift to mostly the 1.4L turbo and cooling-system issues, with steering and brake reports easing. A quiet, value-priced subcompact; a reasonable used buy if the turbo checks out and mileage is low.

  • 1.4L turbocharger failure and loss of power: the turbo can fail around 90,000 miles, setting an underboost code (P0299) and triggering reduced-power/limp mode and a check-engine light. The defining Encore defect across the whole run.
  • Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; the inflator can degrade over time and must be confirmed repaired under the GM recall.
  • Engine cooling system leaks: many coolant hoses and components on the 1.4L turbo are plastic and prone to cracking, leading to coolant loss and overheating.

2015 Buick Encore Caution

Highest-complaint Encore year: electric power-steering failures, incline brake-hold/rollaway reports and the recurring 1.4L turbo and cooling issues all cluster here. Pleasant to drive but the least trouble-free year, inspect steering, brakes and turbo.

  • 1.4L turbocharger failure and reduced engine power: the worst years for this defect, owners report sudden loss of power, underboost (P0299), check-engine lights and turbo replacement, often around 90,000 miles.
  • Electric power-steering failure: a "Service Power Steering" warning with sudden loss of steering assist, sometimes intermittent or worse when cold; clusters heavily in 2015.
  • Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; confirm the inflator was replaced under the GM recall.

2014 Buick Encore Caution

Quiet, comfortable small crossover, but 2014 adds a well-known dead-battery/parasitic-drain problem on top of the 1.4L turbo and cooling-system weaknesses. Approach carefully; verify the battery and turbocharger health.

  • 1.4L turbocharger failure and reduced engine power: the worst years for this defect, owners report sudden loss of power, underboost (P0299), check-engine lights and turbo replacement, often around 90,000 miles.
  • Electric power-steering failure: a "Service Power Steering" warning with sudden loss of steering assist, sometimes intermittent or worse when cold; clusters heavily in 2015.
  • Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; confirm the inflator was replaced under the GM recall.

2013 Buick Encore Caution

First-year Encore: the 1.4L turbo failure, cooling-system leaks and reduced-power complaints are at their worst here. A quiet, easy-to-park city crossover, but the most trouble-prone year, buy low-mileage with a warranty and inspect the turbo.

  • 1.4L turbocharger failure and reduced engine power: the worst years for this defect, owners report sudden loss of power, underboost (P0299), check-engine lights and turbo replacement, often around 90,000 miles.
  • Electric power-steering failure: a "Service Power Steering" warning with sudden loss of steering assist, sometimes intermittent or worse when cold; clusters heavily in 2015.
  • Takata passenger-airbag inflator recall affects these years; confirm the inflator was replaced under the GM recall.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Buick models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.