2013 Buick Encore Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 15%of 52 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,470miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Buick Encore, 15% of the 52 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,470 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving a Buick Encore, rental car, and after using the wipers, my hand touched the ignition key (barely touched it) and the engine turned off leaving me with no power steering or power brakes. I managed to get to the side of the road and put it into park to restart the car. I returned it to the rental place right away and reported the problem to them.”
NHTSA complaint #10576467, filed 2014-04, 7,400 miles“**no accident** since the purchase date of my car I have had trouble sliding the key into the ignition. It normally takes at least a few attempts and can require some light force to insert the key. After several attempts to resolve the issue, my local Buick dealership will be replacing the ignition during my appointment this week. As well, the last time I was at the dealer, another customer had the same complaint with the Buick Encore. I am reporting this issue simple out of concern due to all of the ignition issues GM has recently had. …”
NHTSA complaint #10643038, filed 2014-10, 500 miles“In a line of traffic getting ready to make a left turn and without warning, the engine raced causing the car to accelerate and slam into the rear of another car causing over $5k worth of damage to the Encore. The air bags did not go off. The impact was so intense that the rear glove box opened tossing the contents out into the trunk.”
NHTSA complaint #10643646, filed 2014-10, 22,500 miles“2013 Buick Encore. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle instrument can not be read in sunny weather. The speedometer, heat and fuel gauges could not be read.”
NHTSA complaint #10563044, filed 2014-02, 250 miles“The contact owns a 2013 Buick Encore. The contact stated that the gauges in the instrument panel were very hard to be seen while the sun was out. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not provided. The failure mileage was 14,000. Updated 3/31/15”
NHTSA complaint #10691789, filed 2015-03, 14,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V502000Jul 5, 2016General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the…Covers: Buick Encore 2013, Chevrolet Cruze 2011–2016, Equinox 2010–2013 +4 more
- 14V417000Jul 2, 2014General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013…Covers: Buick Encore 2013–2014, Chevrolet Sonic 2012–2014, Buick Verano 2013–2014 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009170Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary information communicates additional information on how a LIN bus operates and diagnostic tips when working on a LIN bus.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11008986Oct 18, 2024This Preliminary information communicates direction and examples when diagnosing multiple DTCs, one of which includes U**** Byte 71 DTC.
- 11010421Oct 3, 2024This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 11% |
| 2020 | 4 | 21% |
| 2019 | 10 | 11% |
| 2018 | 9 | 12% |
| 2017 | 4 | 4% |
| 2016 | 9 | 11% |
| 2015 | 30 | 24% |
| 2014 | 13 | 22% |
| 2013 | 8 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2013 Buick Encore
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Buick Encore
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology