Complaints
101
Crashes
14
Fires
0
Injuries
10
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2018 Buick Encore Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#126 complaints
Engine Problems
Avg mileage:77,384 mi
#210 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:10,325 mi
Crash-related:6
#310 complaints
Transmission / Drivetrain
Avg mileage:53,305 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 Buick Encore.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 26 | — | — | 77,384 mi | |
| Airbags | 10 | 6 | — | 10,325 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 10 | 1 | — | 53,305 mi | |
| Brakes | 10 | 4 | — | 15,089 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 8 | — | — | 61,000 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 5 | — | — | 69,100 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | 1 | — | 40,500 mi | |
| Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine Problems
26
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,384
Airbags
10
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
10,325
Transmission / Drivetrain
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
53,305
Brakes
10
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
15,089
Electrical Faults
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
61,000
Electronic Stability Control
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,100
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,500
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Buick Encore. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Buick Encore Years
2018 Buick Encore — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2018 Buick Encore reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2018 Buick Encore has 101 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 26 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2018 Buick Encore?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (26 complaints, avg 77,384 mi); Airbags (10 complaints, avg 10,325 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (10 complaints, avg 53,305 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 2018 Buick Encore?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 51,827 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2018 Buick Encore?
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Buick Encore include 14 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 10 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 2018 Buick Encore have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2018 Buick Encore as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2018 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.
Check Your Specific 2018 Buick Encore
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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