2018 Buick Encore problems and recalls

Owners filed 33 complaints on the 2018 Buick Encore in the last three full years, out of 74 on record. The most cited component is the Engine.

74
Complaints
0
Recalls
10
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
9
Injuries
99.4
Severity index

Severity index 99.4 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 99.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 10 of 122 by severity index among 2018 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 92% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2018 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 29 complaints (39.2%)29 39%Service BrakesService Brakes: 11 complaints (14.9%)11 15%Power TrainPower Train: 10 complaints (13.5%)10 14%Air BagsAir Bags: 10 complaints (13.5%)10 14%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 10 complaints (13.5%)10 14%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 9 complaints (12.2%)9 12%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 6 complaints (8.1%)6 8%SteeringSteering: 6 complaints (8.1%)6 8%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE2939.2%
SERVICE BRAKES1114.9%
POWER TRAIN1013.5%
AIR BAGS1013.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1013.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM912.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM68.1%
STEERING68.1%

Complaints filed per year

07142018: 62019: 72020: 52021: 72022: 72023: 62024: 132025: 142026: 9 (partial year)18192021222324251426
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20186
20197
20205
20217
20227
20236
202413
202514
2026 (year to date)9
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.7x those in 2020 to 2022 (33 against 19).

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 2026-08-05. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.