CSR

Buick · NHTSA safety record

2014 Buick Encore

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

60

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2014 Buick Encore have filed 60 safety complaints with NHTSA between May 2014 and October 2025. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 25 of them (42%). The typical failure was reported at 50,000 miles, the median across the 41 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

17V437000 · July 10, 2017

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
The risk
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

General Motors LLC · up to 40,683 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

16V651000 · September 8, 2016

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
The risk
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

General Motors LLC · up to 3,640,162 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS

14V446000 · July 23, 2014

The defect
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 front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
The risk
A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.

General Motors LLC · up to 124,007 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

14V417000 · July 2, 2014

The defect
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 August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
The risk
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

General Motors LLC · up to 2,990 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 60.

ENGINE 25 42%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13 22%
POWER TRAIN 9 15%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6 10%
AIR BAGS 5 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 3 5%
LANE DEPARTURE 3 5%
SEAT BELTS 3 5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2 3%
STEERING 2 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2020 at 9.

2014 2020 2025
2014 to 2025

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SEAT BELTS

1 injured · crash · towed · 29,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE DRIVING ON A CURVED RESIDENTIAL ROAD, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR, TIRE, BUMPER, AND HOOD OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE IMPACT PUSHED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ONTO THE LAWN. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT HIP THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V651000 (AIR BAG, SEAT BELTS). THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: [XXX] WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

NHTSA complaint 11203121, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 80,000 miles

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 complaint 11456286. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · 62,000 miles

WHEN START UP, AC AUTOMATICALLY STARTS AND COMPRESSOR SOUNDS LIKE LOUD DRAGGING NOISE AND NO COLD AIR COMES OUT!! THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED ON 1/18/2018.

NHTSA complaint 11297902. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash · towed · 30,000 miles

I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE SERRA DEALERSHIP IN WASHINGTON, MI ON 3/20/17 TO HAVE THE FRONTAL AIRBAG AND PRETENSIONER NON DEPOY SAFETY RECALL (16007) REPAIRED. ON, 6/15/17, I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT TRAVELING AT ROUGHLY 50 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A FORD F-150 TURNED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITHOUT LOOKING CAUSING THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE SIDE OF HER TRUCK. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS ISSUED THE CITATION FROM THE POLICE. MY BUICK ENCORE IS MOST LIKELY TOTALED (AWAITING CONFIRMATION ON THAT).

NHTSA complaint 10995504. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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 complaint 11694037. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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 complaint 11684754. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

88,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11667527, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

towed · 70,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11667168, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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

NHTSA complaint 11664894, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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

NHTSA complaint 11630912, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Buick Encore

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2020 19 2
2019 84 2 1
2018 74 0
2017 89 2
2016 79 2
2015 124 4
2013 52 6

Other 2014 Buick models

Every Buick on this site — 60 vehicles, 172 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst