2014 Buick ENCORE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
60 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 41 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 60 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 25 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 3 |
Engine: 25; Electrical System: 12; Power Train: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 6; Air Bags: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 5 |
2014: 4; 2015: 6; 2016: 4; 2017: 4; 2018: 4; 2019: 7; 2020: 9; 2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 8; 2024: 3; 2025: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10715554 · 2015-05-10 (May 10, 2015)
AFTER OWNING MY 2014 BUICK ENCORE FOR ONLY 64 DAYS I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE CAR JUMPED AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER WHO TESTED THE BATTERY AND THE BATTERY FAILED, SO THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY. TODAY, WHICH IS MOTHER'S DAY I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DEAD AND NO LIGHTS OR ANYTHING WOULD LIGHT UP. SO AFTER HAVING A NEW BATTERY IN MY BUICK ENCORE FOR ONLY 69 DAYS I AM LEFT WITH ANOTHER TRIP TO THE DEALER TO SORT OUT SOME PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO FIND OUT WHAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,986 miles reported. Look up ODI 10715554 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10744905 · 2015-07-30 (July 30, 2015)
WE HAD OUR 2014 BUICK ENCORE 8 MONTHS AND IT RAN GREAT UNTIL IT SAT IDLE FOR 10 DAYS. THEN, IT FAILED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS DEAD . WE CHARGED THE BATTERY AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPORTED NOTHING WRONG. THEY ADVISED IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN. AFTER SITTING IDLE FOR ABOUT 12 DAYS THE END OF JUNE, SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (BY OUR AAA COVERAGE) WHO AGAIN REPORTED NO PROBLEMS. GM AUTHORIZED THE DEALERSHIP TO RELEASE THE VEHICLE TO US WITHOUT FIXING THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,064 miles reported. Look up ODI 10744905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10615607 · 2014-07-23 (July 23, 2014)
THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN NOVEMBER 2013. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES SINCE THE BEGINNING OF MARCH FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. AT SLOW SPEEDS (BETWEEN 1 AND 25 MPH) WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR RELEASED A WHISTLING, WHIRRING, AND GRINDING SOUND GENERATES FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. (THE NOISE STARTED 4 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR.) THE NOISE IS SO LOUD THAT IS CAN BE HEARD OVER A RADIO SET AT SOUND LEVEL 18 AND DISRUPTS CONVERSATION IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE EAR PIERCING NOISE T…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10788565 · 2015-11-05 (November 5, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE BRAKES EMITTED A SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE REVERSING AND DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10788565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10779505 · 2015-10-03 (October 3, 2015)
THE BUICK ENCORE HAS 15,000 MILES ON IT, THE LAST 2,000 MILES OR SO THE ENGINE HESITATES ANY SPEEDS. IT DOES NOT STALL BUT IT KEEPS HESITATING. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED
Owner-reported narrative. 13,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10779505 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11252563 · 2019-08-31 (August 31, 2019)
CAMSHAFT COVER FAILED PCV SYSTEM HAD COVER REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY ENGINE LIGHT COMES VEHICLE STALLS AT STOP LIGHT THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 80,000 MILES THIS TIME BECAUSE OF CAUSING TO MUCH VACUM HAD TO REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET SO IT IS MY THOUGHT MAYBE BUICK SHOULD PUT THIS CAMSHAFT COVER WITH PCV SYSTEM ON RECALL SAME PART FAILED AGAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11252563 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11450944 · 2022-02-08 (February 8, 2022)
Arked my car started back up power steering malfunctioned. Took to dealer they said gears striped on electronic assist. Front axle needs to be replaced a d there are no parts available unknown when any will be. It has been sitting at the dealer since. Lafontaine of highland mi.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11450944 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11595246 · 2024-06-19 (June 19, 2024)
On two occasions, there was a loss of steering assist while making a 90 degree right turn at an intersection. After forcing the steering wheel back straight, steering assist resumed. The vehicle can be made available for inspection. No warning lamps illuminated. Contacted Buick customer assistance. 2015 Buick Encore has a recall for loss of steering assist, but 2014 model is not included.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11595246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11444688 · 2021-12-22 (December 22, 2021)
I pulled out of a gas station and about 1 mile down the road my car all of a sudden would not accelerate; it was stuck at a maximum of 35mph. The transmission/check engine light did not go on for at least another mile until I was able to pull off the side of the road. Car was towed to a local AAMCO where it was determined that entire transmission failed with no warning whatsoever.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11444688 at NHTSA ↗