What 79 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Buick Encore GX

Car purchased new in Nov 2018. Within 3 years needed a turbocharger replacement. At this time this was covered under warranty. Recently had to undergo replacement for the turbocharger again. This time it was not covered under the warranty. In researching this problem I saw that in Feb of 2024, Buick extended the warranty on the Buick 2017-2018 Encores, due to a manufacturer defect in the turbocharger. This add'lwarranty covered the cost of the repair & was good for up to 120,000 miles. Since we purchased the car in 2018, the parts used to build it had to be the same as those used on 2018 Encores. Asking to see what we can do to see if this car, under these circumstances qualifies for the recall.

NHTSA ODI 11748662

Car has airbag light on. The car keeps leaking which then caused damage to my spark plugs and coil pack. It then led to the O2 sensors being burned. It has been at the dealership multiple times within a 3-week time frame. The low fuel light comes on when it is on a full tank, then it begins to hesitate and the car lunges forward when at a complete stop. Tires act like they cannot keep traction when all 4 tires are brand new and front rotors and brakes have been replaced. Yes, all my concerns have been brought to many dealerships' attention. It is unsafe and unreliable. The dealership said they could not replicate the issue but once I get back into my car it starts up.

NHTSA ODI 11736708

My check engine light continues to turn on and the code is related to the wastegate actuator/turbo charger. My car is running rough and doesn't accelerate properly. It sometimes rocks back and forth when I try to accelerate. Which is a KNOWN PROBLEM WITH BUICK. GMC REFUSES TO RECALL THIS WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE. And naturally, it becomes an issue after the warranty expires. Mileage: 67,067

NHTSA ODI 11735620

3 leaks in oil cooler. When mech got in to do the repairs, they noticed the turbo was cracked. Replaced it with new turbo which also failed. After the second new turbo was installed the car ran fine for about a day and now the turbo continuously stalls while driving it.

NHTSA ODI 11732593

Car sputtered and slowed on expressway, turbo failed. Recalls issued 2016 and 2017, then reissued 2020 to 2023, same turbo, 2019 was exempted

NHTSA ODI 11729050

SUV has ran hot and had it towed on 3 separate occasions when this happened. Had thermostat and water pump replaced. Not fixed. Coolant keeps running out if bottom of suv. It is at dealership and blown head gasket and probably much worse. Apparently these models have something wrong with cooling system. The engine cost will be about what I owe on it. Buick needs to pay for another engine for my SUV. I have a warranty but they won’t honor the engine replacement and I’m out of a vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11727136

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

NHTSA ODI 11718695

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.

NHTSA ODI 11718958

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.

NHTSA ODI 11713427

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.

NHTSA ODI 11711884

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.

NHTSA ODI 11709627

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. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

NHTSA ODI 11708397

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 !

NHTSA ODI 11707372

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.

NHTSA ODI 11706615

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.

NHTSA ODI 11705468

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 boost/vacuum leaks, oil consumption, engine performance faults. •The PCV valve is non-serviceable (you can’t replace it separately), meaning the only fix is replacing the manifold — which GM calls out in the bulletin. If GM or Buick hasn't issued a recall they should offer goodwill assistance especially since this is a defect on their end.

NHTSA ODI 11699532

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.

NHTSA ODI 11691122

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!!

NHTSA ODI 11687171

The airbags never deployed. I sustained a brain injury in the accident along with whiplash. I told the deputy on scene, that they did not deploy. My insurance looked at it. They totaled the car out. It is now sitting in a junk yard somewhere.

NHTSA ODI 11685017

•On January 25th 2025 I paid approximately $3,383 for a turbocharger repair on my 2019 Buick Encore. This included a turbocharger oil return tube, turbocharger oil supply and re, intercooler, int. man. & vAL. COV. Kit, R&R inter cooler, R&R turbocharger, R&R intake manifold, and turbocharger assembly. Since that time, the same problem has recurred and I have returned the vehicle to the same location on four separate occasions without resolution. It is currently available for inspection. •August 11th, 2025: Vehicle stalled in the middle of an intersection as I attempted to accelerate from a stop sign, placing me in immediate danger of collision. •I have had the check engine code read by another independent service center. •No one else has inspected the vehicle •The check engine light has come off and on since January when the problem began after visiting Mavis Discount Tire in sinking spring for a routine oil change. There were no symptoms prior to this first failure that signaled the issue that resulted in the repair. Prior to the incident on August 11th there had been repeated symptoms of an issue even when the check engine light was off. These issues included overheating, smoking, lack of acceleration, and stalling.

NHTSA ODI 11684367

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 35 MPH and following the roadway to the left, all the side air bags deployed unexpectedly. The contact stated that his daughter was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated during the failure. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11683986

turbocharger failures, which can result in reduced acceleration, power loss causing problems while trying to merge onto traffic and also in hill climbing. My understanding this is a common problem with the Buick Encore and has not been recalled. My garage said they have repaired a "ton" of these turbo in Buick Encores. Why no recall???

NHTSA ODI 11676117

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and jerking abnormally. The contact stated her daughter reported there were several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. The driver exited the highway and pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinders, and the engine needed to be disassembled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

NHTSA ODI 11675136

My daughter owns a 2019 Buick Encore and the check engine light keeps going on. She took her car to the dealer and was told that it needed a Turbo Bypass Valve and Solenoid valve. The car is just a few months within the 10 year powertrain warranty and the dealer refused to cover as defect. She drives on the freeway 45 minutes to/from work and this is a serious issue that causes the engine to rev hard and not stop as well as stall intermittently.

NHTSA ODI 11664937

They sold me a car and 2 days later the check engine light came on I fixed it then a second time it came on I fixed again then a third time it came on I fixed it again now this is the 4th time that this light has come on and I called up there they tell me well we can see about putting you in another car. I go up there today and they tell me well the loan place you chose won’t do it because what’s on my credit so I ask if they can fix it for free because I can’t afford to pay 500$ 9’ car note and 500$ for car Insurance they said it’s nothing they could do to help me I asked for a manger Chelsea , she walked passed me 3 times and one of the times was to go smoke a cigarette didn’t even try to aknowlege me until I called my salesmen Veronica too say she walked passed me 3 times and didn’t say anything I don’t appreciate im working hard to try and pay for this car and. I felt as if no one cares I feel as if I was sold a lemon and they continue to say well we didn’t sale you a lemon how would you know if it’s a lemon or not prior to buying know one knows that

NHTSA ODI 11663741