VehicleVerdict

2017 Buick Encore problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2017 Buick Encore sits mid-pack among Encore years: 132 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 99, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 34 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 41 reports (31% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

132

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

34

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Encore years?

Encore NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 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, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Encore years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Buick Encore problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4131%
Other1310%
Airbags1310%
Transmission97%
Visibility & Wipers86%
Brakes86%
Seat Belts86%
Fuel System75%
Electrical System54%
Body & Structure43%
Steering43%
Tires & Wheels43%
Speed Control32%
Suspension22%
Driver Assistance22%
Lighting11%

Does the 2017 Buick Encore have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CAR WAS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND OUTSIDE HOME. ATV ACCIDENTALLY RAN INTO REAR BUMPER OF CAR (HAD MOVED APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET). CAR ROLLED AWAY AND ENDED UP ROLLING DOWN A SMALL HILL, JUMPING A DITCH AND RESTING ON ANOTHER HILL. CAR MOVED APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET PRIOR TO COMING TO A STOP. WHEELS WERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 3, 2018 · crash

“WE HIT 2 DEERS AT 70 MPH IT DAMAGED THE WHOLE FRONT PART OF OUR CAR . NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE 4 WAY FLASHERS CAME ON THE SEATBELTS LOCKED UP YET NO AIRBAGS. ALSO THIS IS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME THE 4 WAY FLASHERS WORKED. THE CAR HAS BEEN FIXED AND NO 4 WAY FLASHERS AGAIN.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 9, 2019 · crash

“CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AFTER AN ACCIDENT. *AS *JS *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE SEAT BELTS OPERATED AS DESIGNED. *JS CLAIM NUMBER XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 3, 2019 · crash

“THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING NOISES AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SCREEN WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE, BUT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS OUT. RADIO STOPPED WORKING, MY SCREEN WENT DARK AND THE BACKUP CAMERA DIDN'T WORK. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND THE SECOND IT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 26, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 28 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE AND SHE HIT HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL; SHE ALSO HIT HER LEFT KNEE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE AIR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · November 27, 2019 · crash

2017 Buick Encore — common questions

Is the 2017 Buick Encore reliable?

It is close to typical for the Encore: 132 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2017 Encore problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (41 complaints), airbags (13 complaints), other (13 complaints).

Does the 2017 Buick Encore have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 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 2017 Buick Encore?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 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.