2013 Buick Encore: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 6 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
52
Complaints
6
Recalls
4
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
2
Injuries
61.5
Severity index
Severity index 61.5 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 145 2013 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2013 Buick Encore ranks 77 of 145 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 47% of its model-year peers. See the full 2013 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 21 | 40.4% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 8 | 15.4% |
| POWER TRAIN | 7 | 13.5% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 | 11.5% |
| AIR BAGS | 5 | 9.6% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 4 | 7.7% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3 | 5.8% |
| TIRES | 3 | 5.8% |
The single most-reported system is ENGINE, cited in 21 of 52 complaints (40.4%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
Complaint volume is declining, consistent with a defect that was addressed by recall or that affected early builds.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16V502000 | 05/07/2016 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | General 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 |
| 14V298000 | 06/06/2014 | AIR BAGS | General 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 |
| 14V417000 | 02/07/2014 | EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL | General 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 |
| 14V446000 | 23/07/2014 | SEATS | General 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 |
| 14V488000 | 08/08/2014 | SEAT BELTS:FRONT | General 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 |
| 13V105000 | 28/03/2013 | STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | General 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 |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.