2015 Buick Encore Problems

What owners report

Complaints on the 2015 Buick Encore cluster around a sudden loss of power steering assist, often accompanied by several warning lights at once and sometimes by stalling or erratic shifting, along with charging, wiring and electronic-control problems that produce similar electrical symptoms. Engine complaints cover turbocharger faults, oil consumption and misfires; airbag and rear seat belt complaints concern passengers not being sensed or the rear belt locking up.

1. 1
   Steering

   Loss of power steering assist while driving

   • 19 complaints (15%)
   • median 54,500 mi at 5.8 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2025

   Owners describe the steering wheel suddenly going stiff at speed, with the power steering warning light or a service message appearing. In many accounts the assist returns after the vehicle is restarted, and several owners report repeated occurrences after dealer visits. Some complaints tie the event to a loose ground or battery cable, a wiring harness fault or a low/dead battery; dealers sometimes could not duplicate the failure. A few owners say their vehicle was not covered by recall 15V146000 for the electronic power steering system. Reported from roughly 5,000 to 108,000 miles, with many at highway speeds and some after 30-40 minutes of continuous driving.

   Recall 15V1460001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the steering column and power steering control module have been inspected, and whether any software update or recall work was completed. During a test drive, watch for the power steering warning light and check battery and ground connections.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on a highway at 65mph. On a straight portion of the road the engine light came on , the engine revved up to over 4000 RPM, the power steering locked up, and many other lights came on on the dashboard display. This was a very dangerous situation trying to control the car. I was forced to slow down and when I reached 40mph the power steering came back on. The engine was still running over 4000 RPM. Most of the dashboard display lights went off except for the check engine light. Had to drive under 40 MPH until I got home. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11021542, filed 2017-09, 12,955 miles

   “While driving mostly on highway after approximately 30-40 minutes the stabilitrak light begins to flash on and off, then it goes solid, then the power steering light comes on, then the service power steering display lights up and the power steering completely goes out. When this happens reverse no longer works. On 12/10/19 I had to have car towed to wilkins Buick, they kept it for 2 days, noted that they did see multiple detects for loss of communication w/power steering control module and said the battery cable was loose, charged me $440.60. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11308490, filed 2020-02, 103,888 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Warning lights, electrical glitches and stalling

   • 52 complaints (42%)
   • median 40,500 mi at 4.7 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners report clusters of warning lights (traction control, power steering, check engine) coming on together, gauges dropping out, the radio or information screen behaving erratically, and occasional stalling or failure to restart. Dealers have re-flashed or replaced control modules, replaced wiring harnesses and batteries, and in some cases could not find the cause. A few complaints describe a burning smell or a hot ignition key. Appears from a few thousand miles up past 100,000 miles, sometimes after long highway runs and sometimes right after starting.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that the battery and its cables are in good condition and ask for any module reprogramming records. Scan for stored diagnostic codes, since intermittent communication faults may not show up on a short test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “*many times sitting still or going down road screen goes dim and sometimes almost black (whether headlights are on or not) *screen has went completely off * headlights comes on when not needed, and doesn't always come on when needed, going down road *alert lights in mirrors doesn't always work going down road *sitting in school parking lot with keys off the radio comes on by itself *sitting in sonic parking lot and when I went to start car I had nothing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11081558, filed 2018-03, 3,000 miles

   “Had trouble getting into the car the engine light and power steering warning came on. The radio face was not working but the radio was on with no keys in the ignition. Tried to start the car and it will not turn over. Took several minutes to get in/out of the vehicle. Once I exited the car I went back to get the VIN and again the radio was on no keys in the ignition and the service power steering light came on. I was just trying to start my car to go to work and it's like it's possessed”

   NHTSA complaint #11184265, filed 2019-03, 36,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Turbocharger faults, misfires and oil consumption

   • 21 complaints (17%)
   • median 58,082 mi at 4.1 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe hesitation, jerking, loss of acceleration, rough running and a check engine light, with dealers diagnosing a faulty turbocharger that needed replacement. Other complaints mention excessive oil use between changes, oil leaks, an overheated engine, and, in a few cases, a failed catalytic converter causing sputtering. Some owners report the engine light remaining on with no repair completed because of parts availability or warranty mileage limits. Mostly reported between about 12,000 and 95,000 miles, during acceleration and highway driving.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition and ask for service records showing oil changes. Have the engine scanned for codes and listen for turbo whine or boost-related hesitation on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Engine has 66,164 miles on it, it is using 1.4 quarts every 1500 to 2000 miles. I've kept maintenance on time! Had to add oil and at 68,132 miles had to put 4 quarts in this is second time. I'm told its all buicks are doing this? $12.00 every 2000 miles? Engine light says on! Napa - prodemand read out. This SUV is on city streets”

   NHTSA complaint #11321842, filed 2020-04, 66,164 miles

   “I purchased this vehicle in 2017 with only 45,000 miles, 1 year warranty was purchased. I have had constant issues with tires, but more seriously I have had over $2000 in repairs for intake manifold, air conditioning, various issues with tires, repaired thermostat. I had an ignition problem repaired in 2019 and now the check engine light keeps flashing, the motor doesn't want to engage and I am in fear for my life that I will be on the highway and it will just shut down, causing a collision!”

   NHTSA complaint #11298433, filed 2020-01, 50,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Passenger airbag sensor shows the bag off

   • 14 complaints (11%)
   • median 37,100 mi at 3.4 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2023

   Owners report the passenger air bag indicator showing off with an adult seated, sometimes requiring a much heavier occupant before it switches on. Dealers have told some owners no trouble code was stored or that the seat sensor needed replacement; at least one owner says the problem returned after earlier recall work. A few complaints describe airbags not deploying in a collision. Reported from a few thousand to about 93,000 miles, with the light showing whether the vehicle is parked or moving.

   What to check: Sit in the passenger seat with the ignition on and confirm the air bag indicator reads on for an average-size adult. Ask whether any seat sensor or airbag recall work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 go off.”

   NHTSA complaint #10994050, filed 2017-06, 9,000 miles

   “My front passenger air bag will not turn on with an average size person weighing 135lbs sitting in the front passenger seat. It seems to only work with someone sitting in it at a weight of over 200lbs. I just bought this car and my local gmc Buick dealership tells me there is nothing wrong with the sensor because the mechanic that worked on it sat in it at 220lbs and it turned on for him just fine. Plus they said they are receiving no error codes on it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10958688, filed 2017-03, 21,200 miles

Buying note. Check the steering assist and airbag indicator carefully on a test drive, ask for service records covering turbocharger, battery and module repairs, and confirm by VIN which recalls have been completed. A pre-purchase scan for stored codes is worthwhile given how many complaints involve intermittent electrical faults.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.