2015 Buick Encore problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 62 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Buick Encore, most often about engine. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
62
Recalls
4
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Median mileage
67,370 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 20 of 62 complaints (32%).
  • Steering (19) and electrical system (16) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 67,370 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries.
  • The 2015 Buick Encore has 4 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 5th of 10 Buick Encore model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 100% more complaints than the 2014 model year (31).

2015 Buick Encore problems by category

  • 20 complaints
  • Steering
    19 complaints
  • Electrical System
    16 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    9 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    8 complaints
  • Brakes
    7 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    6 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    4 complaints
  • Suspension · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    3 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    3 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Steering19
Engine17
Electrical system16
Air bags9
Power train8
Service brakes7
Unknown or other6
Fuel/propulsion system4

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k110k–30k830k–60k1260k–100k4100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2015 Buick Encore complaints that list mileage.

2015 Buick Encore recalls (4)

  • Recall 17V437000Jul 10, 201740,683 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

    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.

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 16V651000Sep 8, 20163,640,162 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

    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.

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 15V162000Mar 20, 201519,831 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to February 9, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured October 13, 2014, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles have tire placards that do not provide the rim size information for the front or rear wheels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less."

    Risk: If the label is missing front and rear rim size information, the owner may replace the rims with ones that are an incorrect size, increasing the risk of crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and will send owners a corrected label, free of charge. The recall April 29, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15166.

  • Recall 15V146000Mar 13, 20152,295 vehicles
    STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured November 27, 2014, to February 24, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured November 18, 2014, to February 17, 2015. The steering column assembly housing may contact the power steering printed circuit board causing the circuit board to wear.

    Risk: The circuit board wear may cause a sudden loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2015. 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 15168.

Recent 2015 Buick Encore complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jul 29, 2026OHEngine
    Weber road auto service replaced the engine using county PRC and out-of-pocket funds, and the newly installed used engine has an active engine oil cooler leak, creating an immediate vehicle fire and sudden engine stalling hazard. Also there’s a leak at the ac compressor, condenser and coupler valves. This was discovered by Buckeye Auto Service. No repairs have been made as first shop keeps brushing me off.
    NHTSA complaint #11753438 · source
  2. Filed Jun 26, 2026INEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    The turbo in my vehicle has a check engine light come on and than the engine does no act right. The repair shop that looked at car stated that the manufacture knows this is a known issue and they have not made a recall as several cars my year range has this going on. If this is a known issue why is there no recall. I worked had for my car and I can not afford the repair of a know issues with the turbo as it cost a lot and I should not have to cover this as it is apparent…
    NHTSA complaint #11746663 · source
  3. Filed Sep 15, 2025COEngine
    The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The contact became aware of oil underneath the vehicle on the driveway, resulting in a complete loss of power. The vehicle leaked oil and lost the vehicle lost power twice. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined that the mass air flow sensor had failed. The MAF sensor was replaced…
    NHTSA complaint #11687354 · source
  4. Filed Jul 31, 2025138,000 miTXTowedElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering
    The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the steering wheel seized. The traction control warning light and the power steering warning light was illuminated, and the message to “Contact Dealer for Service” was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that one of the wiring harnesses connected…
    NHTSA complaint #11677619 · source
  5. Filed Jan 28, 2025FLEngine
    Leaking oil from oil coolant pipe under car and timing chain or belt gasket blowing oil.i have seen on Google in 2016 a stop update on 2015 had issue with the s02ame problem.
    NHTSA complaint #11639035 · source
  6. Filed Nov 26, 2024OHEngine
    The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle, before the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11627505 · source
  7. Filed Nov 20, 2024NYBody & Structure
    The painting on my 2015 Buick Encore started peeling about 2 years ago and has continued to worsen, and I am concerned about the longevity and overall appearance of my vehicle. As a loyal customer, I expect the paint job to last for a reasonable amount of time, and I believe this issue should be addressed by the manufacturer. I would like to request that Buick fixes this issue free of charge. I understand that my vehicle is no longer under warranty. This is particularly…
    NHTSA complaint #11626505 · source
  8. Filed Nov 2, 2024OHSteering
    While driving the dash signal came on stating that the power steering unit had gone off. The car was being driven without power steering. The message state to get serviced immediately. There was a recall for this problem but research states that my vin number did not show my car was part of this recall. WELL, IT IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS OTHERS. Please advise as to how I can get this fixed by the dealership under a recall #15168/15U14600. There is only 18,000 miles on this…
    NHTSA complaint #11623230 · source

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Other 2015 Buick models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology