VehicleVerdict

2014 Buick Encore problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2014 Buick Encore sits mid-pack among Encore years: 92 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 99, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 28 reports (30% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

92

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other Encore years?

Encore NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted192 complaints2013: 70 complaints2014: 92 complaints2015: 192 complaints2016: 118 complaints2017: 132 complaints2018: 105 complaints2019: 122 complaints2020: 34 complaints2021: 11 complaints2022: 11 complaints
Encore NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Encore years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Buick Encore problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2830%
Electrical System1415%
Transmission910%
Fuel System89%
Other67%
Airbags55%
Brakes55%
Driver Assistance44%
Seat Belts33%
Steering22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Lighting22%
Speed Control22%
Seats11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2014 Buick Encore have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

17V437000Seat BeltsJuly 10, 2017 · 40,683 units

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.

Consequence

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.

16V651000Seat BeltsSeptember 8, 2016 · 3,640,162 units

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.

Consequence

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.

14V446000SeatsJuly 23, 2014 · 124,007 units

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.

Consequence

A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.

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.

14V417000Electrical SystemJuly 2, 2014 · 2,990 units

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.

Consequence

Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

CAMSHAFT COVER FAILED PCV SYSTEM HAD COVER REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY ENGINE LIGHT COMES VEHICLE STALLS AT STOP LIGHT THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 80,000 MILES THIS TIME BECAUSE OF CAUSING TO MUCH VACUM HAD TO REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET SO IT IS MY THOUGHT MAYBE BUICK SHOULD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 24, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO START. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCASSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER HOWEVER IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 21, 2014

CAMSHAFT COVER FAILED PCV SYSTEM HAD COVER REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY ENGINE LIGHT COMES VEHICLE STALLS AT STOP LIGHT THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 80,000 MILES THIS TIME BECAUSE OF CAUSING TO MUCH VACUM HAD TO REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET SO IT IS MY THOUGHT MAYBE BUICK SHOULD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 24, 2019

CAMSHAFT COVER FAILED PCV SYSTEM HAD COVER REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY ENGINE LIGHT COMES VEHICLE STALLS AT STOP LIGHT THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 80,000 MILES THIS TIME BECAUSE OF CAUSING TO MUCH VACUM HAD TO REPLACE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET SO IT IS MY THOUGHT MAYBE BUICK SHOULD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 24, 2019

BATTERY WEST EVEN A YEAR OLD AND IT WENT OUT. DEAD. COOLANT WAS LEAKING. BUT WASN'T LEAKING AT FIRST. I BELIEVE THEY DAMAGED IT. WHEN WE TOOK IT FOR CHECK UP THE SAME WARRANTY WAS GOING OUT AND THEY SAID WE WILL MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS WORKING. THEY JUST HALF FIX EVERY THING AND GOT THE MONEY. THIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 27, 2018

2014 Buick Encore — common questions

Is the 2014 Buick Encore reliable?

It is close to typical for the Encore: 92 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2014 Encore problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (28 complaints), electrical system (14 complaints), transmission (9 complaints).

Does the 2014 Buick Encore have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Buick Encore. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Buick Encore years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Encore years to avoid are 2015, 2013. The cleanest record among Encore years belongs to 2022.

How safe is the 2014 Buick Encore?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Buick Encore earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.