What 60 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Buick Encore GX

The car only has 54700 I am orginal owner. Drivers seat does not work, Catalytic converter, GM Service Bulletin #43210. Ask if your VIN is affected or if they’ve seen similar failures in 2014 models. This car is a lemon.

NHTSA ODI 11694037

Coolant leak and cover gasket failure. Buick has been in the shop multiple times for coolant issues and leaks. Next step is for the shop to remove the entire front end to adequately repair. Constant issue and other complaint relay the same

NHTSA ODI 11684754

The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster displayed a black screen. In addition, the low air pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was stopped by the Police due to the taillight on the driver’s side being inoperable. The bulb was checked, and the bulb was not blown. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was started; however, the failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11667527

The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and replaced the 02 sensor. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning light became illuminated again. The contact had the vehicle towed to another mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was towed to another mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that a cylinder in the engine failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact informed the manufacturer of the failure but received no assistance in repairing the vehicle. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11667168

On March 18 , 2025 I purchased a 2014 Buick Encore with an implied warranty, the vehicle had 128,644 miles on the odometer. At the time of purchase the check light was not on and the vehicle had no visible or audible mechanical issues. Not 14 days after purchase there was a strong odor of burning oil due to an oil leak dripping into the splash shield. A certified mechanic advised me that the problem was a very common issue with the 2014 Buick Encore and the oil cooler associated with the turbo charger needed to be replaced. This issue is so common that the NHTSA issued a GM part failure warning for the 2017 model and instructed GM to reimburse all vehicle owners to replace the part (N232395330). This issue clearly a problem that needs to be addressed with the 2014 model as well. My mechanic said that auto dealers are cleaning the splash pad prior to selling the vehicle so that the burning oil smell is not noticeable until 14 days or so after purchase. The repairs cost me $1148.00 just weeks after purchasing the vehicle. This problem of dealers covering up the problem and faulty GM parts needs to be addressed. I believe my vehicle falls under the previous GM parts needs failure warning and I should be reimbursed the cost of the repairs in the amount of $1148.00.

NHTSA ODI 11664894

My 2014 Buick encore at random times when I turn the key to start the vehicle it just clicks once then complete power out even though the battery is fully charged. To deal with the issue I need to open the hood, unplug the negative from the battery and reconnect it. Then try again. I do this at least once every week, sometimes multiple times throughout a single day. It also does it when a new battery is used. Ive also has a mechanic inspect the vehicle and was so frustrated that everything seems okay but just couldnt figure out why the vehicle don't start. 12 hours of searching for the source of the problem , After giving up on the vehicle I turn the key and it turned on. Other time the vehicle will turn off when already driving. I need this problem fixed. I honestly regret financing this vehicle in January 2024. I was dealing with this problem since May 2024. 73000miles when I bought the vehicle and now at 84000mile. Half of the year 2024 it's been repeat problems with this vehicle. This vehicle should have been a lemon.

NHTSA ODI 11630912

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.

NHTSA ODI 11595246

My antitheft alarm keeps going off and on. Yesterday my info screen went black had no back up cameras no way to control any of the car panel instruments. That was 1-26-24. Sometimes the info screen will blink off and on as I’m driving. It acts like there’s a short or something somewhere. My door locks do not always respond sometimes the doors unlock themselves. That has been going on for the last year. (2023)

NHTSA ODI 11568161

The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitant to accelerate and lost power while on an incline. Traction and engine warning light was illuminated The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the thermostat heater control circuit and a faulty catalytic converter. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 61,009

NHTSA ODI 11549478

The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and overheated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the turbo charger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,978.

NHTSA ODI 11539316

The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine revved loudly, but the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle shuddered during start-up. The contact also stated that the vehicle shuddered while coming to a stop, then lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone Auto Parts, where the diagnostic code P0420 was retrieved, and it was determined that the rear catalytic converter and the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11536244

I PURCHASED MY 2014 BUICK ENCORE APRIL 2021 THAT NEXT YEAR 2022 MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK IT TO O'REILLY THEY TURNED IT OFF TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR MY VEHICLE STARTED DRIVING ROUGH I WAS HAVING TROUBLE TAKING OFF ONCE I DID IT WOULD IDLE UP HIGH WHEN I CAME TO A STOP IT WOULD START SHAKING AND IT WOULD TURN OFF CARS WENT AROUND ME I COULDN'T ACCELERATE IT KEPT HESITATING SO NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY THIS YEAR 2023 ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON CURRENTLY HERE'S THE CODE THAT CAME UP p020 THEY DAY MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON APRIL 5TH MY MILEAGE WAS 94,357 MY AC STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD CAUSE MY AC TO START BLOWIN HOT AIR MY CAR INSURANCE ALLSTATE IS HOW I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE ENGINE ALERT TY,,

NHTSA ODI 11535394

The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle overheated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the water outlet and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure was due to the turbo charger. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 11529336

CONSTANT airflow problems. Turbo on engine already gone out, engine light and air flow codes constantly.

NHTSA ODI 11512118

My engine light came on 4 days prior. Took to repair shop and code showed PO OB6. I was informed there is a small pinhole leak of antifreeze by the Head Gasket at the block. There is only 63k mileage on this vehicle and if I had blown this gasket I could have put me at risk or others had this blown a gasket. I just cant believe this is happening since there is not much mileage on this vehicle. Please research.

NHTSA ODI 11504728

During lane departure the size of the rear view mirrors do not display a vehicle in an adjacent lane until it’s too late. However, although the lane departure does notify the driver with a flashing light in the mirror the flashing light is easily missed. An audible warning would be more effective when the turn signal is activated. I departed my lane nearly colliding with an unseen vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11504563

The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated that twice while her son was driving the vehicle at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights had illuminated. After the most recent failure, the vehicle had become inoperable and failed to restart after multiple attempts. The vehicle had been towed to an independent mechanic and a dealer however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11456939

The contact owned a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while in idle traffic going onto the express way when they were suddenly hit in the rear of the vehicle when the seat belts failed to restrain the contact from going forward. The contact stated there was no air bag deployment. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The contact received injuries to their shoulders, neck and chest that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact had not spoken with the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11456286

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.

NHTSA ODI 11450944

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.

NHTSA ODI 11444688

During the past 3 years I have had to replace the battery 3 times, my daytime running lamps keep turning off, I have had to replace the ignition coil and now my car has been at the dealership for a week because there is an electrical problem they cannot figure out. The chassis control module was replaced but did not fix the problem. My personal mechanic advised the TCM was coding, but dealership said no. I am beyond frustrated! These problems started around 60000 miles and now it has 83000 miles on it and can't be driven. If GM knew about the issues (as found in multiple articles on line) why didn't they disclose?

NHTSA ODI 11421526

I WAS DRIVING ON A 70MPH HIGHWAY. WENT TO PASS SLOWER VEHICLE. THE CAR DID NOT REACT TO THE ACCELERATOR. IN FACT IT SLOWED DOWN WITH THE ENGINE TRYING TO REV UP. LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES TRYING TO PASS AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE I HAD TO DROP BACK. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT A BUICK DEALERSHIP FOR ENGINE PROPULSION REPAIR. DO NOT HAVE COMPLETE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR YET. WAS TOLD COULD BE APPROX $2300. ONE YEAR EARLIER, AT 50000 MILES HAD SIMILAR ACCELERATION PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF CATALYST CONVERTER. THE CATALYST CONVERTER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11403651

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR ON MARCH 26, 2020, MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO KELLER'S PROFESSIONAL AUTO, WHO DETECTED THAT MY TURBO HAD A CRACK ALL THE WAY ACROSS, SO I HAD TO REPLACE IT. I ONLY HAD 45,352 MILES ON MY CAR. ACCORDING TO KELLER'S AND MY RESEARCH, THE TURBO SHOULD LAST FOR 100,000 TO 150,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11377760

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT (PO420 CODE) CAME ON AND VEHICLE BEGIN TO VIBRATE AT START UP ESPECIALLY. TEMP GAUGE SHOWED OVERHEATING WITH NO SIGNS OF OVERHEATING. THERMOSTAT HOUSING REPLACED. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AFTER REPAIR. MECHANIC SHOP REPLACED CONVERTER THAT WAS FAULTY (PO420 CODE) A WEEK LATER. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (PO 420 CODE) (171 CODE) MECHANIC SHOP REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, R&R FRONT. , LEFT SHOP THAT DAY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. REPLACE CATALYTIC SENSOR, NEXT DAY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. REPLACE OXYGEN REGULATOR PART AND VALVE COIL, (SAME CODES EVERYTIME), THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1300.00 AND STILL HAVE THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT ON. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING VEHICLE DURING THIS TIME.I HAVE INVOICES FOR THE REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI 11361178

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BOHN BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 3815 LAPALCO BLVD, HARVEY, LA 70058, (504) 347-4070, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE PURGE VALVE, INTAKE MANIFOLD, VALVE COVER WITH PVC SYSTEM AND HOSE TO BE REPLACED AND THE PCM-R TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,100.

NHTSA ODI 11360987