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BrakesPart report

2018 Buick Encore Brakes Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
15%of 74 total for the year
Median mileage
14,684miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Buick Encore, 15% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,684 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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 have complin to my dealer about my car excelerating when I hit the brakes . They said they can find a problem , well it happen again on august 29 2019 an it cause a accident I was driving on a 6 lane roadway around 330 in the afternoon I was in cruise control at 45 MPH an when I went to stop the car accellerated . I was not able to avoid the car in front of me”

NHTSA complaint #11255370, filed 2019-09, 10,989 miles

“This took place on private property in the parking lot of a commercial building. The vehicle was in motion going forward. It was decelerating head-in into a parking spot. The braking action was engaged. The vehicle had slowed to about 5 MPH. My right foot was on the brake pedal and the braking was engaged. I then heard the sound of the engine revving at a very high rate. There was a high whining sound. I lost braking as my right foot depressed the pedal all the way to the floor. The car suddenly accelerated forward at an increased speed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11308591, filed 2020-02, 14,367 miles

“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

“I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding a repeated dangerous defect in my 2018 Buick Encore. The vehicle intermittently locks up while driving without warning. When this happens: brakes become unresponsive or lock steering becomes difficult or locks gas pedal does not respond dashboard warning lights activate vehicle systems malfunction vehicle may not shut off normally This defect has occurred multiple times and creates a serious crash risk. The vehicle has now undergone three repair attempts at an authorized Buick dealership. …”

NHTSA complaint #11734491, filed 2026-04

“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

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2021222%
2020316%
201978%
20181115%
201789%
201623%
20152117%
201458%
201336%

Other parts of the 2018 Buick Encore

Engine
29 complaints
Air bags
10 complaints
Other or unknown
10 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
10 complaints
Electrical system
9 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Steering
6 complaints
Electronic stability control
5 complaints
Engine cooling
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 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