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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2014 Buick EncoreRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 60 owner complaints for the 2014 Buick Encore. Most complaints involve engine (25) and electrical system (13). The EPA rates it 25–28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4–5 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
25–28mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4–5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jul 2017
Owner complaints
60
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jul 10, 2017NHTSA 17V437000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Sep 8, 2016NHTSA 16V651000

Seats

Free remedy

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.

SeatsReported Jul 23, 2014NHTSA 14V446000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

60 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2014 – Oct 2025
  1. Engine25
  2. Electrical system13
  3. Power train9
  4. Fuel/propulsion system8
  5. Air bags5
  6. Service brakes5
  7. Engine and engine cooling3
  8. Lane departure3
  9. Seat belts3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Encore model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201352
201460
2015124
201680
201790
201875
201988
202019
20219
20228
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

25 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 17, 2025Seats, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11694037

Electrical system

13 reports
“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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2025Electrical systemODI 11667527

Power train

9 reports
“I PURCHASED MY 2014 BUICK ENCORE APRIL 2021 THAT NEXT YEAR 2022 MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK IT TO O'REILLY THEY TURNED IT OFF TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR MY VEHICLE STARTED DRIVING ROUGH I WAS HAVING TROUBLE TAKING OFF ONCE I DID IT WOULD IDLE UP HIGH WHEN I CAME TO A STOP IT WOULD START SHAKING AND IT WOULD TURN OFF CARS WENT AROUND ME I COULDN'T ACCELERATE IT KEPT HESITATING SO NOW I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY THIS YEAR 2023 ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON CURRENTLY HERE'S THE CODE THAT CAME UP p020 THEY DAY MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON APRIL 5TH MY MILEAGE WAS 94,357 MY AC STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD CAUSE MY AC TO START BLOWIN HOT AIR MY CAR INSURANCE ALLSTATE IS HOW I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE ENGINE ALERT TY,,”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2023Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11535394
All 2014 Encore problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Encore
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253328$2,200320
Encore AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
232925$2,500351
  • Encore
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    25 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Encore AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    23 city · 29 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Buick Encore SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Buick Encore SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 8293Vehicle 8292
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 Encore questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Buick Encore have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Buick Encore problems?

Owners filed 60 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (25), electrical system (13), power train (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Buick Encore get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Buick Encore at 25–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Buick Encore?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Buick Encore 4–5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026