2019 Buick ENCORE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
84 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
32,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 84 complaints (38.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 18 | 21.4% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 10.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 6.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.6% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.4% |
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 | 32 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
Engine: 32; Fuel/Propulsion System: 12; Unknown Or Other: 12; Air Bags: 10; Electrical System: 10; Power Train: 9; Service Brakes: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 54 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 17 |
2019: 9; 2020: 7; 2021: 7; 2022: 5; 2023: 11; 2024: 11; 2025: 17; 2026: 17
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 11194564 · 2019-04-08 (April 8, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BUICK ENCORE. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL A FEW TIMES FOR IT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STILLWATER MOTORS (5900 STILLWATER BLVD N, STILLWATER, MN 55082, [phone removed]) ON APRIL 3, 2019 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED; HOWEVER, THE SAME CODES DID NOT APPEAR THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11194564 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11230819 · 2019-07-10 (July 10, 2019)
I WAS STOPPING TO PARK THE CAR AND TOOK MY FOOT OF THE BRAKE BEFORE I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD OVER THE CURB, A SIDE WALK AND INTO A ROCK GARDEN, (I WAS PARKING AT A NURSERY) I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. I THINK IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE 1.4L SIDI TURBO ENGINE WITH ITS START-STOP TECHNOLOGY. I THINK IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THE ENGINE SURGE WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO PROPEL THE CAR OVER THE CURB, A SIDE WALK AND INTO A GARDEN. I BELIEVE THAT THIS TECHNOLOGY WILL CAUSE A LOT OF REAR END COLLISION…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11230819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11189925 · 2019-03-19 (March 19, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED TWICE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE START BUTTON MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE TO PHILLIPS BUICK AND GMC (2160 US HIGHWAY 441, 27, FRUITLAND PARK, FL 34731, [phone removed]). THE DEALER WAS CURRENTLY DIAGNOSING THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT WITH THE RESULTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MI…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,090 miles reported. Look up ODI 11189925 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11268006 · 2019-10-11 (October 11, 2019)
I WAS STOPPED IN A DRIVE THRU TACO BELL AND THE CLERK DROPPED MY CHANGE DOLLARS FROM MY PURCHASE SO I REACTED BY OPENING THE DOOR TO PICK UP THE MONEY BY TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WITHOUT PUTTING IT IN PARK BECAUSE IT WAS A REACTION. THE CAR'S STOP START FEATURE SURGED THE CAR FORWARD PINNING MY LEGS BETWEEN THE CAR AND THE BUILDING. I COULDN'T PUT THE CAR IN PARK BECAUSE MY LEGS WERE PINNED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFT WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. I SCREAMED AND THE CLERK HAD TO TAKE MY SHOES OFF SO I COULD PULL MY LEGS IN THE CAR. I WENT DIRECTLY TO U…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11268006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11207294 · 2019-05-13 (May 13, 2019)
THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS POORLY DESIGNED. WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A POTHOLE IT WILL CAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARE TO BEND NEAR THE BALL JOINT. BASICALLY, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM METAL IS NOT REINFORCED IN THAT AREA. THE AREA BY THE BALL JOINT IS JUST A FLAT PIECE AND DOES NOT HAVE MUCH STRENGTH. WHEN IT FAILS IT WILL CAUSE THE CV JOINT TO COME OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION AND BREAK MANY PARTS.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11207294 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11437372 · 2021-10-19 (October 19, 2021)
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated while the vehicle was in the park with the engine running, the contact felt a bump from the vehicle and the vehicle began to slowly move forward. The contact depressed on the brake pedal very hard for the vehicle to stop. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times afterward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the cogwheel in the transmission had failed and the transmission failed to lock in place while parked. The dealer informed the contact that …
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11437372 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11417542 · 2021-05-17 (May 17, 2021)
This car has the engine shutoff feature when stopped. My wife was waiting in the left turn lane of a major street with three lanes on her side plus two left turning lanes. Due to the busy intersection the wait for a green light is long, perhaps three minutes. The engine shut off and would not restart when she released the brake pedal. Also, almost everything electrical was inoperable, including the interior door release. My wife and granddaughter were temporarily trapped inside the vehicle. She tried the door handle, tried to put down the windo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11417542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11472028 · 2022-07-01 (July 1, 2022)
When I pulled into a parking space at docs office, my car suddenly lurched forward very fast, over the curb and into rocks. I had foot on brake and put in reverse, only to have it reverse very fast and hit a parked car! I was shocked! It had a mind of its own! This has never happened before. I do recall that sometimes when I back out of garage at home, I keep foot on brake and it seems like it wants to “go”. I read on a website that another Encore had very similar incident as mine. My son found online “Transmission slipping” problems with Buic…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11472028 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11398316 · 2021-02-28 (February 28, 2021)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE TURNS ITSELF OFF. HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AND THERE IS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL CRANK ITSELF WITHOUT TOUCHING THE START BUTTON. SOMETIMES SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT WILL REMAIN ON LONG ENOUGH TO START DRIVING AGAIN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF ENGINE SHUTDOWN. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT IS HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR IN TOWN. TONIGHT IT TOOK OVER 2 HOURS TO TRAVEL A NORMAL 20 MINUTE DRIVE. IT ALL STARTED 27 FEB 21 AND TODAY (28 FEB…
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11398316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11506642 · 2023-02-10 (February 10, 2023)
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the power steering failed to function as needed. The contact pulled off the roadway into a parking lot, placed the vehicle in park, turned off, and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the power steering resumed normal functionality. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failu…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11506642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11610904 · 2024-08-26 (August 26, 2024)
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with fuel pump and thermostat failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump and thermostat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure had recurred. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed, the vehicle lost…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11610904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11640581 · 2025-02-04 (February 4, 2025)
My engine light came on. The repair shop said I have to replace the fuel pump control module and that it is a known issue with Buick. I was advised not to drive the car. I am concerned that I could have been out and the car could have broken down. The car doesn’t even have 50,000 miles on it. This should not happen.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11640581 at NHTSA ↗