2016 Buick Encore Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Buick Encore.

20152017
Complaints
118
Crashes
8
Fires
1
Injuries
18
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2016 Buick Encore Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#140 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:49,746 mi
Fires:1
#213 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:23,348 mi
#311 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:51,270 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Buick Encore.

Engine Problems
40
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
49,746
Fuel System
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
23,348
Transmission / Drivetrain
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
51,270
Airbags
7
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
31,549
Electrical Faults
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
24,833
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
52,590
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Buick Encore. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 Buick Encore

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~3,680,845 vehicles.

17V437000Seat Belts:pretensioner · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive · Air Bags:frontal
~40,683 affected

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.

16V651000Seat Belts:pretensioner · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive · Air Bags:frontal
~3,640,162 affected

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.

Other Buick Encore Years

2016 Buick Encore — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2016 Buick Encore reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2016 Buick Encore has 118 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 40 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 Buick Encore?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (40 complaints, avg 49,746 mi); Fuel System (13 complaints, avg 23,348 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (11 complaints, avg 51,270 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Buick Encore?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 42,349 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 Buick Encore?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Buick Encore include 8 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 18 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2016 Buick Encore have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,680,845 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2016 Buick Encore?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Buick Encore reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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