VehicleVerdict

2015 Buick Encore problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 192 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Encore year — the 2015 model ranks #1 of 10 Encore years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (35), engine (31), and steering (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

192

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Encore years?

Encore NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 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, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Encore years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Buick Encore problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3518%
Engine3116%
Steering2714%
Brakes2111%
Airbags168%
Other158%
Transmission116%
Fuel System74%
Body & Structure53%
Lighting53%
Speed Control53%
Suspension53%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Seat Belts42%
Seats11%

Does the 2015 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.

15V162000OtherMarch 20, 2015 · 19,831 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

15V146000SteeringMarch 13, 2015 · 2,295 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the steering wheel was locked. Additionally, a burning odor was detected, and the tachometer was inoperable while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 16, 2021 · fire

TRIED TO STOP BEFORE A RED SIGN ON A CITY STREET, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, PASSED THE RED LIGHT AND RUN AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON A 35 MPH STREET FOR ABOUT HALF A MILE AND THEN STOPPED BY ITSELF. PRESSING THE BRAKES AND EVEN PUTTING IT ON PARK DID NOT HELP. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE WITH MY TWO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 12, 2019

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the steering wheel was locked. Additionally, a burning odor was detected, and the tachometer was inoperable while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 16, 2021 · fire

ON 5/25/18, ABS FAILED WHEN BRAKES APPLIED AT AROUND 30 MPH LEADING TO A REAR END CRASH ON WET RAINY ROAD AT A ROUNDABOUT AT JACARANDA BOULEVARD AND EAST VENICE AVENUE, VENICE, FL.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 25, 2018 · crash

MY CAR WAS IN MOTION GOING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH WHEN IT HIT A STATIONARY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO HIT MY BRAKES BUT STILL HIT THE CAR IN ALMOST FULL FORCE, HEAD ON. BOTH MY CAR AND THE CAR I HIT ARE TOTALED, AND I WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPUTAL AFTER, BUT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 1, 2017 · crash

2015 Buick Encore — common questions

Is the 2015 Buick Encore reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 192 complaints put the 2015 model at #1 of 10 Encore years. It is one of the Encore years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Encore problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (35 complaints), engine (31 complaints), steering (27 complaints).

Does the 2015 Buick Encore have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 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 2015 Buick Encore?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 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.