BUICK ENCORE · model year

2019 BUICK ENCORE

113 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2019BUICKENCORE carries 113 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, and 3 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2019 ENCORE is engine with 25 filings, followed by electrical system (10) and fuel/propulsion system (10). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2019 ENCORE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

113
Complaints
16
Crashes
0
Fires
14
Injuries
3
Deaths
2019 BUICK ENCORE — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2019 BUICK ENCORE. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

113 filings

Crashes Reported

16 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10
AIR BAGS9
POWER TRAIN9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
SERVICE BRAKES7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
SUSPENSION3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
STEERING2
TIRES2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER2
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recalls (2)

20V66800029/10/2020

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th

18V77400001/11/2018

AIR BAGS

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Recent Complaints

20260218ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, with the odor of burning oil inside the cabin of the vehicle, before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the valve cover, intake manifold, and oxygen sensors were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,360

Mileage: 63,360

20260218ENGINE

Driving down the road and car became sluggish to respond/accelerate and could barely operate at slow speeds or not be able to go. Thankfully at this time I was close to home and not on the highway but was leaving on a long trip with areas of no service and isolation and temps in the -20F could be a very dangerous situation. There were no warning lights on at all. But I own a code reader and hooked it up anyways and got code P0299. Took it to a small local repair shop and will include their report as a file because I don't understand all of it but this is a known issue/defect from the manufacturer with a technical bulletin out about it with a fix for it. Was never notified of this at purchase or since. Then took to the manufacturer dealership to try and get them to fix it but they won't and want more money than the small shop. Feel misled when headquarters said yea we should cover that move it to a dealership.

20260126ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with a blown turbo charger caused by low oil pressure. The contact stated that the turbo charger was previously replaced due to the same failure. The contact stated there was a recall for the for 2017-2018 Buick Encore for the same issue; however, the 2019 model year was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,500.

Mileage: 63,500

20260119ENGINE

turbo charger and catalytic convertor both failed at 50k miles. the 2017 and 2018 buick encores have a safety recall for turbochargers but the 2019 was not included in that recall despite it having the exact same engine and turbocharger.

20260108ENGINE

Turbocharger gasket failed resulting in leaking coolant and overheating of engine. Damages resulted turbocharge replacement and replacement of water outlet in $4463.43 repair bill.

20260108FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Turbocharger gasket failed resulting in leaking coolant and overheating of engine. Damages resulted turbocharge replacement and replacement of water outlet in $4463.43 repair bill.

20260102POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that after the vehicle was stopped, the gear shift lever was stuck in park(P). After several attempts, the contact was able to move the gear shifter lever. The contact stated that the drive back to the residence was rough. Two or three days later, the gear shift lever failed to function as intended. The service warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and retrieved DTC: P171D (For transmission pressure issue and oil leak). The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was provided with the same DTC and informed that the transmission had failed and was leaking fluid. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. Upon further investigation, the contact learned that the failure might be related to missing bolts on the transmission accumulator. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. T

Mileage: 77,000

20251228VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

When I'm driving sometimes the car seems like it's about to cut off or something & the check engine light plus stabilizer track message bones on & I start losing power & it's happened more than 10 times ! I let the car sit for a few minutes & it works !

20251228SUSPENSION

When I'm driving sometimes the car seems like it's about to cut off or something & the check engine light plus stabilizer track message bones on & I start losing power & it's happened more than 10 times ! I let the car sit for a few minutes & it works !

20251222CrashAIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 35 MPH, another vehicle failed to yield at a left turn, driving northbound, and crashed into the contact's vehicle on the front driver's side. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact's daughter and granddaughter were both injured and were later treated at the local hospital for soreness in various parts of their body. Both occupants sustained emotional trauma as a result of the accident. The other driver was also injured as a result of the accident and was transported to the hospital by ambulance; their injuries are unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an independent tow yard, where it was deemed a total loss. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

20251216LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

85,000 miles bought new. Was having hesitation and power issues, experienced increased fatigue the longer I drove. Took it in for service at 85,000 miles and the turbo PVC valve was bad as well as the catalytic converter. I’ve never had a catalytic converter go bad on any vehicle in my 42 years of driving. Cost = $2,000 for just the catalytic converter and extended warranty covered. Advised at time of being repaired that blind spot monitoring on right side of passenger mirror was malfunctioning. The dealer insisted I make a separate appointment which is another $100 co-pay so they can fix it. I was told the insurance company may delay or deny the claim. I know that can’t be true but my boyfriend has cancer and need the vehicle back asap for his treatment transportation. Sounds like problem with Encore.

20251216FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

85,000 miles bought new. Was having hesitation and power issues, experienced increased fatigue the longer I drove. Took it in for service at 85,000 miles and the turbo PVC valve was bad as well as the catalytic converter. I’ve never had a catalytic converter go bad on any vehicle in my 42 years of driving. Cost = $2,000 for just the catalytic converter and extended warranty covered. Advised at time of being repaired that blind spot monitoring on right side of passenger mirror was malfunctioning. The dealer insisted I make a separate appointment which is another $100 co-pay so they can fix it. I was told the insurance company may delay or deny the claim. I know that can’t be true but my boyfriend has cancer and need the vehicle back asap for his treatment transportation. Sounds like problem with Encore.

20251115ENGINE

My check engine light has been appearing off and on for a few months. I received a diagnostic code of P0325 TWICE by two different professional technicians. I ordered an OEM knock sensor, hired a technician to replace the knock sensor, drove about 10 miles and the check engine light came back on. Then, I received a diagnostic code of P-1101, and the recommended solution is to replace the intake manifold and all necessary gadgets. After speaking with professional technicians and doing thorough online research, I discovered that General Motors issued a service bulletin No. 19-NA-101, dated July 2024, covers certain 2013–2019 model vehicles (including Buick Encore with 1.4L turbo) for oil consumption and/or leaks caused by a missing non-return valve in the intake manifold. The bulletin acknowledges that the intake manifold design on these 1.4L turbo engines has a non-return (check) valve or PCV system component inside the manifold that can fail or go missing, leading to issues like boos

20251115FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My check engine light has been appearing off and on for a few months. I received a diagnostic code of P0325 TWICE by two different professional technicians. I ordered an OEM knock sensor, hired a technician to replace the knock sensor, drove about 10 miles and the check engine light came back on. Then, I received a diagnostic code of P-1101, and the recommended solution is to replace the intake manifold and all necessary gadgets. After speaking with professional technicians and doing thorough online research, I discovered that General Motors issued a service bulletin No. 19-NA-101, dated July 2024, covers certain 2013–2019 model vehicles (including Buick Encore with 1.4L turbo) for oil consumption and/or leaks caused by a missing non-return valve in the intake manifold. The bulletin acknowledges that the intake manifold design on these 1.4L turbo engines has a non-return (check) valve or PCV system component inside the manifold that can fail or go missing, leading to issues like boos

20251003ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My suv dies while im driving it. The engine stalls the lights go off. Its very dangerous I had a semi truck behind me last night and my encore basically became invisible. No lights no power, nothing. He almost hit me. Ive had this encore to several mechanics and none of them knows what the problem is. There are no warning lights on and it does not show any codes when hooked up to a diagnostic machine. I have called Buick Corp.and she told me to take it to a mechanic.

20251003ENGINE

My suv dies while im driving it. The engine stalls the lights go off. Its very dangerous I had a semi truck behind me last night and my encore basically became invisible. No lights no power, nothing. He almost hit me. Ive had this encore to several mechanics and none of them knows what the problem is. There are no warning lights on and it does not show any codes when hooked up to a diagnostic machine. I have called Buick Corp.and she told me to take it to a mechanic.

20251003EXTERIOR LIGHTING

My suv dies while im driving it. The engine stalls the lights go off. Its very dangerous I had a semi truck behind me last night and my encore basically became invisible. No lights no power, nothing. He almost hit me. Ive had this encore to several mechanics and none of them knows what the problem is. There are no warning lights on and it does not show any codes when hooked up to a diagnostic machine. I have called Buick Corp.and she told me to take it to a mechanic.

20250914ENGINE

I have been calling Autonations for months now since my car started driving funny. I was first told it was a head gasket that needed replacement however using my vin number the engine that’s currently inside the vehicle is not the one that matches with what pulls up using the vin number. Than the antifreeze leaks out, the oil leaks out and one day the car started smoking on the freeway with my children and I inside. It just stopped and haven’t been working ever since. I literally just got messed out of money because I purchased this vehicle a year ago not knowing it was a recall and this is one of the recalls now I am completely screwed over without a car and my money!! Now I’m being told I have to pay because this car was sold to me already over the mileage limit to be fixed for free!!

20250914FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I have been calling Autonations for months now since my car started driving funny. I was first told it was a head gasket that needed replacement however using my vin number the engine that’s currently inside the vehicle is not the one that matches with what pulls up using the vin number. Than the antifreeze leaks out, the oil leaks out and one day the car started smoking on the freeway with my children and I inside. It just stopped and haven’t been working ever since. I literally just got messed out of money because I purchased this vehicle a year ago not knowing it was a recall and this is one of the recalls now I am completely screwed over without a car and my money!! Now I’m being told I have to pay because this car was sold to me already over the mileage limit to be fixed for free!!

20250914ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I have been calling Autonations for months now since my car started driving funny. I was first told it was a head gasket that needed replacement however using my vin number the engine that’s currently inside the vehicle is not the one that matches with what pulls up using the vin number. Than the antifreeze leaks out, the oil leaks out and one day the car started smoking on the freeway with my children and I inside. It just stopped and haven’t been working ever since. I literally just got messed out of money because I purchased this vehicle a year ago not knowing it was a recall and this is one of the recalls now I am completely screwed over without a car and my money!! Now I’m being told I have to pay because this car was sold to me already over the mileage limit to be fixed for free!!

Compare 2019BUICKENCORE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2019 BUICK ENCORE have?
The 2019 BUICK ENCORE has 113 NHTSA complaints, 16 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2019 BUICK ENCORE?
The 2019 BUICK ENCORE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2019 BUICK ENCORE?
Yes, the 2019 BUICK ENCORE has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 BUICK ENCORE?
The most-complained component for the 2019 BUICK ENCORE is ENGINE with 25 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2019 BUICK ENCORE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2019 BUICK ENCORE has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.