2013 Buick Encore problems and recalls

Owners have filed 52 complaints on the 2013 Buick Encore, and NHTSA has issued 6 recalls. The most cited component is the Engine (21 complaints).

52
Complaints
6
Recalls
4
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
2
Injuries
61.2
Severity index

Severity index 61.2 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 61.2p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 77 of 145 by severity index among 2013 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 47% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2013 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 21 complaints (40.4%)21 40%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 8 complaints (15.4%)8 15%Power TrainPower Train: 7 complaints (13.5%)7 13%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 6 complaints (11.5%)6 12%Air BagsAir Bags: 5 complaints (9.6%)5 10%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 4 complaints (7.7%)4 8%Service BrakesService Brakes: 3 complaints (5.8%)3 6%TiresTires: 3 complaints (5.8%)3 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE2140.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM815.4%
POWER TRAIN713.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL611.5%
AIR BAGS59.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM47.7%
SERVICE BRAKES35.8%
TIRES35.8%

Complaints filed per year

08162013: 22014: 162015: 72016: 62017: 62018: 72019: 52021: 12023: 213141615161718192123
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20132
201416
20157
20166
20176
20187
20195
20211
20232
Filings in 2019 to 2023 ran 0.4x those in 2016 to 2018 (8 against 19).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
16V50200005/07/2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-20
14V29800006/06/2014AIR BAGSGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured April 10, 2013, to May 8, 2013, and Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured December 30, 2012, to March 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, an improper weld on the passenger side front a
14V41700002/07/2014EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICALGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to Augu
14V44600023/07/2014SEATSGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the f
14V48800008/08/2014SEAT BELTS:FRONTGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to March 1, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to May 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt p
13V10500028/03/2013STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BARGeneral Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured between December 9, 2012 and December 28, 2012, and equipped with a heated steering wheel. The steering wheel fastener may not have been properly installed. This could cause the steering whee

Other Buick Encore model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 8 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.