Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Buick Encore problems

Owners filed 88 complaints about the 2019 Buick Encore with NHTSA between Mar 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (33).

Complaints
88
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine33
  2. Fuel/propulsion system12
  3. Air bags11
  4. Power train10
  5. Electrical system10
  6. Engine and engine cooling7
  7. Vehicle speed control7
  8. Service brakes7
  9. Exterior lighting5
  10. Suspension4
  11. Tires3
  12. Forward collision avoidance3
  13. Wheels2
  14. Lane departure2

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20199
20207
20217
20225
202311
202411
202517
202621

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

33 reports3 crashes1 fire
“Loss of acceleration due to cracked turbo boost. I guess you need a special 2019 vin # to be included in a recall. Recall for 2017 2018 and a select few 2019 very disappointed with this big repair job that is a known problem. I'm done with Buick.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2026EngineODI 11755596

Fuel/propulsion system

12 reports
“92,000 miles my catalytic convertor went bad, had for 5 years. This resulted in lag when trying to accelerate and pull out in traffic. It cost $3,000 to fix as well as the turbocharger being broke. The blind spot detection to passenger side mirror stays on at all times and should only come on when there is an object detected in the right side blind area. I'm [XXX] old and have never ever has a catalytic convertor go bad. Buick should be responsible for these repairs.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2026Fuel/propulsion system, Lane departureODI 11751732

Air bags

11 reports5 crashes1 related recall
“Car has airbag light on. The car keeps leaking which then caused damage to my spark plugs and coil pack. It then led to the O2 sensors being burned. It has been at the dealership multiple times within a 3-week time frame. The low fuel light comes on when it is on a full tank, then it begins to hesitate and the car lunges forward when at a complete stop. Tires act like they cannot keep traction when all 4 tires are brand new and front rotors and brakes have been replaced. Yes, all my concerns have been brought to many dealerships' attention. It is unsafe and unreliable. The dealership said they could not replicate the issue but once I get back into my car it starts up.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2026Suspension, Air bags, EngineODI 11736708

Power train

10 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that after the vehicle was stopped, the gear shift lever was stuck in park(P). After several attempts, the contact was able to move the gear shifter lever. The contact stated that the drive back to the residence was rough. Two or three days later, the gear shift lever failed to function as intended. The service warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and retrieved DTC: P171D (For transmission pressure issue and oil leak). The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was provided with the same DTC and informed that the transmission had failed and was leaking fluid. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. Upon further investigation, the contact learned that the failure might be related to missing bolts on the transmission accumulator. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2026Power trainODI 11708397

Electrical system

10 reports1 crash
“My suv dies while im driving it. The engine stalls the lights go off. Its very dangerous I had a semi truck behind me last night and my encore basically became invisible. No lights no power, nothing. He almost hit me. Ive had this encore to several mechanics and none of them knows what the problem is. There are no warning lights on and it does not show any codes when hooked up to a diagnostic machine. I have called Buick Corp.and she told me to take it to a mechanic.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2025Electrical system, Exterior lighting, EngineODI 11691122

Engine and engine cooling

7 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated to start after multiple attempts. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was purchased, and the mechanic replaced the oxygen sensor. Despite the repair, the failure recurred intermittently. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to a second independent mechanic. Diagnostic trouble codes retrieved via an OBD-II scanner indicated catalytic converter issues; however, the mechanic determined the failure was related to the flex plate. The contact was referred to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and assigned a case number. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11772066
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

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