2018 Buick Encore Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around the 1.4L turbo engine, where owners most often describe a loss of power and turbo underboost codes, followed by brake and steering problems — in some cases the vehicle loses power assist or locks while driving. Airbag concerns (warning lights and non-deployment in crashes) and stalling/loss-of-motive-power complaints are also common, and several appear at relatively low mileage.

1. 1
   Engine

   Turbo underboost, loss of engine power (P0299)

   Mentioned in 11 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on along with reduced power, sluggish acceleration, and difficulty climbing hills or merging; several mention code P0299 and a turbocharger replacement. Some report repeat failures of the turbo, the turbo hoses, or the oil line feeding the turbo, with parts on back order. Dealers often cleared the code or replaced components while the symptom returned. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to well over 120,000, often on hills or at highway speeds.

   What to check: Ask whether the turbocharger or turbo hoses have been replaced and whether any special coverage for turbo underboost was used. On a test drive, check for sluggish acceleration, a flashing check engine light, and stored P0299 codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “With estimating my months over a span of 4 months I had my turbo charger replacedbecause it had gone bad. I was out of town the light came on. And when I return I took it to the shop they diagnose it and said it was a turbo charger. I had an extended warranty on the car so they replace the turbo charger with no problems give me a rental with no problems everything was covered.. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11389714, filed 2021-01, 80,000 miles

   “There is a malfunction with the turbo hose on a majority of 2018 Buick Encore's that require a new hose. There is a nationwide back order on these parts due to all of the repairs. When this item broke I was driving about 70 MPH on the interstate, there was a loud pop from the engine compartment and the vehicle would not accelerate appropriately.”

   NHTSA complaint #11133103, filed 2018-10, 4,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brakes lock or fail, steering and power loss

   • 9 complaints (12%)
   • median 20,200 mi at 3.4 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe the brakes grabbing or locking on their own while driving, the pedal going to the floor, and simultaneous loss of power steering, with a shaking or humming noise and warning lights on the dash. In several cases the vehicle felt as though it accelerated or failed to slow. Owners report dealers replacing the brake pedal position sensor or an unknown module, and some say the problem came back or could not be duplicated. Reported from under 15,000 miles up to around 50,000 miles, often at moderate speeds on roads in traffic.

   What to check: Ask if the brake pedal position sensor, ABS or stability-control components have been replaced and whether warning lights were ever logged. Have a shop scan for stored brake and stability-control codes before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving, my car began to glitch out. The screens started turning on and off, the doors began locking and unlocking, and I lost my ability to steer, brake, and accelerate. It caused me to run a red light and I almost got into a severe accident. This issue has occurred several times, and during more recent occasions the car has turned off completely while driving. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11661607, filed 2025-05

   “Since I bought this car in 04/2018 I had many problems problems as the engine sensor had to be replaced, headlights going out when I was driving, they could not reproduce the problem at the dealership , now the back wheel driver module is bad,it will need to be replaced ,and finally I almost could not drive in the highway on 04/25/2020, I was very afraid that I was going to be in an accident when the power steering wheel locked, ABS, brake lights and traction light were all on in the panel and so a warning signal.the vehicle was in motion.I …”

   NHTSA complaint #11322311, filed 2020-04, 61,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Stalling, shuddering and loss of power while driving

   • 24 complaints (32%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Complaints describe the engine stumbling, shuddering or cutting out at stops and under acceleration, sometimes with the check engine or StabiliTrak light on and sometimes restarting on its own. Owners report dealers replacing an ignition coil, a sensor or clearing codes without resolving the problem, and diagnosis was often hindered when the fault did not reproduce. Described from around 7,000 miles upward, including vehicles past 100,000 miles, often at lower speeds or from a stop.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look for stored or pending engine codes and any history of sensor or ignition coil replacement. Ask whether the vehicle has ever stalled or reduced power on a test drive, and note the condition of the throttle and accelerator pedal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving, the vehicle will stutter and make the car feel as though it’s bubbling, once you come to a stop, the vehicle will shut off. This is a huge safety concern considering I have children and if the vehicle just turns off and I shouldn’t be braked for a while I can get hit. I have almost been hit 4x since this has started because the car shuts off when attempting to brake or braking completely. After speaking to multiple mechanics over this car it seems to be a common issue for it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11536655, filed 2023-08

   “8/14-car was lacking power, service manager was able to duplicate issue on road test . 8/24-car service for rough idle and lack of power, service stabilitrak light on and check engine light on with an error code of p0171. In september, car started to shake while in park but no check engine light, dealer advise unable to do any repairs unless check engine light on. 11/27- check engine light on again for same code, p0171. Vehicle is currently in shop. Vehicle has had the same issues dec 2018 and at the time of purchase. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11282934, filed 2019-11, 48,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and no front airbag deployment

   • 10 complaints (14%)
   • median 10,150 mi at 1.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report the passenger airbag status indicator showing the airbag off even with an adult present, or the airbag warning light staying on. Several crashes are described where front airbags did not deploy while side airbags did. Dealers reportedly could not reproduce or repair the indicator issues in some cases, and owners were quoted diagnostic fees. Reported across a wide mileage range, from near-new vehicles to roughly 20,000 miles, often noticed soon after purchase.

   What to check: With the car on, sit in the passenger seat and confirm the airbag status shows On. Ask whether the passenger presence sensor or airbag module has been replaced, and check that the airbag warning light goes out after the self-test.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “previous airbag recall, but not including my VIN. However, my airbag light is on and malfunctioning. It will cost $200 to just diagnose the repair and no idea what the cost to fix this saftey issue on a car that is only 5 years old. Please help!”

   NHTSA complaint #11497139, filed 2022-12

   “When crossing through an intersection at approximately 45mph, I was struck by another vehicle, speed unknown, who failed to stop at a stop sign. My vehicle was struck on the front passenger corner. My vehicle continued in a forward motion for several hundred feet. Both driver and front passenger wore seat belts, however the driver struck her head on steering wheel, loosing consciousness for several minutes. Side airbags deployed, however front air bags did not”

   NHTSA complaint #11682540, filed 2025-08
5. 5
   Engine

   Oil leaks and smoke from engine seals

   • 13 complaints (18%)
   • median 98,507 mi at 7.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe oil leaking under the vehicle, a cracked oil filter housing, and leaking valve cover or intake manifold seals, sometimes noted during routine oil changes. Some complaints mention crankcase pressure as a suspected factor and reference other models covered by a special policy. Repairs were quoted at the owner's expense in several cases. Reported mostly on higher-mileage vehicles, generally above 90,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check under the engine and beneath the oil filter housing for fresh oil, and look for the smell of burning oil. Ask whether the valve cover, intake manifold gaskets or oil cooler lines have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brought my car to get an oil change and was told they could not do it as my oil filter housing unit is cracked and leaking oil they said to check for recalls as this is an issue with other vehicle same problem. Upon checking i was informed that Buick is not making this a recall item at this time. They put in enough oil for me to get home.”

   NHTSA complaint #11699432, filed 2025-11

   “Component failure: the engine timing chain. Yes, it is available for inspection. Safety risk: vehicle hesitated and lost power in traffic, causing my vehicle to automatically slow down where I was no longer driving at the speed limit. My safety and other drivers around me was compromised as this could have caused a major accident should I have been rear ended. I had it towed to lambert Buick, cuyahoga falls, ohio. They diagnosed a timing chain malfunction which was confirmed by dealership diagnostic testing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11698683, filed 2025-11

Buying note. Ask for service records showing whether turbo, brake sensor or airbag-sensor work has been done, and have a pre-purchase inspection scan stored codes and check for oil leaks. A test drive should include highway merging and hill climbs to confirm the engine makes power normally.

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.