NHTSA — Engine Problems

5.8

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,222 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Buick Encore engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Buick Encore Owner Comments

problem #18

Jan 102025

Encore

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have been alerted by General Motors, via a letter that I received in March, 2024, that, due to a defect, my car's (a 2018 model year Buick Encore) engine may have a "condition where the turbocharger could fail" and that "the engine may run rough or have reduced power." In the letter, they have offered "additional protection for the condition" if the "condition occurs...within 10 years of the date your car was originally placed in service or 120,000 miles...whichever occurs first." On [XXX], my car was at 126,819 miles, and had all of the symptoms of the issue that were described in the March 2024 letter ("the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light) will illuminate and a diagnostic trouble code will set. Additionally, the engine may run rough or have reduced power.") On May 3, 2024, I contacted GM at the phone number provided in the March 2024 letter ((800) 521-7300.) I was told by the GM representative that, because I was "over the mileage", that any GM dealer would have to charge me a $130 Diagnostic Fee to diagnose the issue, and, that even after diagnosing, there was no guarantee that GM would fix the issue, because I was "over the mileage". The GM representative also said I could ask the dealer to waive the Diagnostic Fee, at the dealer's discretion. If, after paying the Diagnostic Fee, and if the Diagnostic Fee revealed that my car did have the "turbocharger fail condition", that I could THEN contact GM to see IF they would cover the repair cost. In May, 2024, my car was at about 128,000 miles. I contacted two GM dealers: Les Stanford Buick in Ferndale, MI, and James Martin Chevy in Detroit, MI. Both refused to waive the Diagnostic Fee. So, in other words: - GM has created a defective, potentially DANGEROUS product, that GM acknowledges is defective. - GM created a warranty extension in which GM arbitrarily extended the warranty mileage and time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #17

Dec 272024

Encore

  • 152,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact's husband noticed there was oil leaking onto the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact-??s husband, who is a certified mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was caused by a leaking oil cooler pipe. The contact was informed that the oil cooler pipe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the leak was persistent. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced GMC recall 43210; however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

- North Haven, CT, USA

problem #16

Mar 132024

Encore

  • miles
Overdrive recall and check engine lights is on. We were just informed about the recall from our mechanic

- Egg Harbor Twp, NJ, USA

problem #15

Aug 262024

Encore

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Stalling and shuts off. Low power when accelerating. Car has been so slow to take off that when merging into on coming traffic I have to move to shoulder & then try again to prevent an accident. Coughs, putt & squeaking sounds.Car shakes while in park or not in motion. Check engine light on.

- Baton Rouge , LA, USA

problem #14

Jul 162024

Encore

  • miles
There are many Buick Encores, including 2018 that have a problem with acceleator position sensors. My car-??s vin # shows that it does not have this notice, and thus no problem. However, in July this 2018 Buick Encore went into -??limp mode, check engine light came on. Code for problem was 2138 (accelerator Pedal Position Sensor) The initial dealer solution was to apply dielectric grease. However, this -??cure-?? lasted. 15 miles, when it went into limp mode, ,, again check engine icon came on THIS is very dangerous, as it cannot accelerate and from a stop, it does not move until a minute later-?? that is so frightening, I again took it to the deaer, same code of P2138, and now they recommend the accelerator pedal positon sensor replacement-??. THIS is identical to the problems with the other Encores, This is a severe safety issue, and the rest of the 2018 Buick Encores should be included for notification AND repair.

- Niles, MI, USA

problem #13

Feb 012019

Encore

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, power steering, and brake functionality. The vehicle began to shake, and the brakes and steering wheel became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where the mechanic test drove the vehicle but was unable to duplicate the failure. While driving, the fan failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer Orange Buick GMC (3883 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808), where it was diagnosed that the coil and relay needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle failed to accelerate above 65 MPH. The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken back to another local dealer, Gettel Chevrolet Buick GMC (1901 Tamiami Trl, Punta Gorda, FL 33950), where it was diagnosed that the fan, relay, and spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact about repairing the vehicle and the process for reimbursement. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The VIN was not available.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #12

Mar 272024

Encore

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Turbo charger has A leak, dealer stated they knew it had a leak but they couldn't find it. All they did was clear the code. My car has A check engine light, and a trouble code of PO299, does not maintain proper speed, has issues with acceleration.

- Bowman, ND, USA

problem #11

Feb 182024

Encore

  • miles
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that soon after the warning light appeared, the engine struggled to remain running. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal while in park to prevent the engine from shutting off. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal while driving at various speeds. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- De Soto, IL, USA

problem #10

Mar 142024

Encore

  • miles
We took our 2018 buick encore in to get the turbo fixed for the recall. The mechanic told us he can't test the turbo on it because the oil line going into the turbo isn't working and he has multiple other vehicles in for the SAME issue and they have been sitting in his back lot since December because he can't get the part in because everyone is out of stock. We will have to pay out of pocket for the oil line issue which will be $2300. So the turbo going bad is not the only issue this recall should cover. Because the oil line supplying the turbo should be included with the recall!

- West Union , IL, USA

problem #9

Oct 012023

Encore

  • miles
I have been employed in the Automotive Parts and Repair business for over forty years. I notice my vehicle exhaust sounded different than usual. I suspected the flex pipe part of the front exhaust pipe was leaking. This was confirmed by my local auto repair shop during a service visit. During my time as GM Parts Manager I can speak from experience to the problems these flex pipes cause because I kept two or three of them on the shelf to repair vehicles. My concern is exhaust fumes entering the passenger compartment of my vehicle because the flex pipe leaking which is just off the exhaust manifold. I contacted the local dealership where my vehicle was purchased because there still is a "Emission Warranty in effect. My 2018 Buick Encore has less than 50000 miles on it. I also contacted the Northeast Region District Service Manger with my concerns.

- Rochester, NH, USA

problem #8

Aug 042023

Encore

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving, the vehicle will stutter and make the car feel as though it-??s bubbling, once you come to a stop, the vehicle will shut off. This is a huge safety concern considering I have children and if the vehicle just turns off and I shouldn-??t be braked for a while I can get hit. I have almost been hit 4x since this has started because the car shuts off when attempting to brake or braking completely. After speaking to multiple mechanics over this car it seems to be a common issue for it.

- Leander, TX, USA

problem #7

Jul 012022

Encore

  • miles
Feel like the car is loosing drive/power and not accelerating. I was driving and the engine light started flashing. No power to go up the hill, it could have gone backwards. Car does not accelerate made a whirring noise when it was turned off. Dangerous situation. Service Bulletin #N212338400

- Davie, FL, USA

problem #6

Jun 292022

Encore

  • miles
Turbo charger malfunction. Confirmed by dealership and had to be replaced. Stabilitrak malfunction. Car is stalling out at a red light or stop sign, and/or jerking hard. Stalled out in middle of an intersection with my children in the car. Ongoing problem.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #5

Jun 082022

Encore

  • miles
My vehicle would not start and I had no control over the computerized system.

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #4

Jul 082021

Encore

  • miles
Unknown. On Highway total loss of power, unable to steer.

- Lockhart, TX, USA

problem #3

Jan 102021

Encore

  • 80,000 miles
With estimating my months over a span of 4 months I had my turbo charger replacedbecause it had gone bad. I was out of town the light came on. And when I return I took it to the shop they diagnose it and said it was a turbo charger. I had an extended warranty on the car so they replace the turbo charger with no problems give me a rental with no problems everything was covered.. and a month and a half later my engine light came on and I replaced the purge valve another month or so later the engine light came back on and it was a turbo charger gone bad again. It took about week to find out why the turbo charge went bad. They finally said it had something to do with the return and supply line like there was no lubrication coming through a hose tthat runs to the turbo charge. This is the only place that I've had my oil change since I bought the car from king Cadillac Buick GMC. I went one other place one other time and that was it.I wonder why they did not check the supply line when they change the turbocharger the first time is that not a part of changing the turbo charge. I was told that they have seen this issue before but not a lot.when this first happened I was on interstate 40 on my way to was to salem North Carolina. And I noticed a decline when I went to celebrate on the gas. When it happened the second time I was riding to church here in my hometown and the engine light came on and just riding around hell is as if the car did not want to go like I would give it to gas and it would hesitate or not want to drive.

- Florence, SC, USA

problem #2

Nov 052019

Encore

  • miles
When it rains most if the time the vehicle onstar sets off alerts for my antilock brakes and stability to be checked. Dealer said it is normal and not concerning but checked at the 1 year inspection for me. Npf. A month later a rainy day, alerts, and the vehicle wouldn't start. All the lights came on, 'press brake to start' appeared but pressing break did not start it. After an hour of trying various 'tricks' it started with the remote starter. A week later same thing. Rain, alerts, and no start. This time 2 hours of trying various tricks- (emergency break on off/ park pushed all the way up, wheels forward, remote start attempts, onstar diagnostics etc) I had to have it towed. The mechanic from aaa tried and nothing, we towed an hour back to dealership and he tried once more, nothing. Next morning the dealership reported npf. I am picking it up tomorrow but expect to report this happening again soon.

- West Seneca, NY, USA

problem #1

Sep 142018

Encore

  • 4,000 miles
There is a malfunction with the turbo hose on a majority of 2018 Buick Encore's that require a new hose. There is a nationwide back order on these parts due to all of the repairs. When this item broke I was driving about 70 mph on the interstate, there was a loud pop from the engine compartment and the vehicle would not accelerate appropriately.

- Dwight, IL, USA

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