2019 Buick Encore Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2019 Buick Encore most often describe engine and turbo-related trouble: loss of power, hesitation, check engine lights and, in a number of cases, turbocharger replacement. Complaints also cover air bags that did not deploy in crashes, unexpected stalling or electrical shutdown while driving, and brake, transmission and suspension concerns reported at relatively low mileage.

1. 1
   Engine

   Turbocharger failure and loss of power

   • 18 complaints (20%)
   • median 65,750 mi at 6.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle sputtering, hesitating or losing power, most noticeably when merging onto a highway, climbing a hill or accelerating from a stop, often with the check engine light on. Several say a mechanic diagnosed a failed or sticking turbocharger wastegate, a cracked turbo, or low oil pressure damage to the turbo, and that the turbocharger was replaced; some report the problem returned after replacement or that a second replacement unit also failed. Others mention related parts such as the intake manifold, valve cover, oxygen sensors or catalytic converter being replaced alongside it. Reported from roughly 14,000 miles up past 100,000 miles, often during highway merging or acceleration.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the turbocharger or wastegate has been replaced and request service records; on a test drive, watch for weak acceleration, whistling or smoke, and have a mechanic check for stored turbo-related codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “turbocharger failures, which can result in reduced acceleration, power loss causing problems while trying to merge onto traffic and also in hill climbing. My understanding this is a common problem with the Buick Encore and has not been recalled. My garage said they have repaired a ton of these turbo in Buick Encores. Why no recall???”

   NHTSA complaint #11676117, filed 2025-07

   “•On January 25th 2025 I paid approximately $3,383 for a turbocharger repair on my 2019 Buick Encore. This included a turbocharger oil return tube, turbocharger oil supply and re, intercooler, int. man. & vAL. COV. Kit, R&R inter cooler, R&R turbocharger, R&R intake manifold, and turbocharger assembly. Since that time, the same problem has recurred and I have returned the vehicle to the same location on four separate occasions without resolution. It is currently available for inspection. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11684367, filed 2025-09
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Check engine light and fuel/emissions parts replaced

   • 20 complaints (23%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on repeatedly, sometimes with rough running or hesitation. Repairs reported include the fuel pump control module, fuel pump and thermostat, knock sensor, intake manifold, EVAP-related valves and the catalytic converter, and in several cases the light returned after the repair. Some say a dealer attributed the problem to a known issue but did not cover it under warranty. Most often reported between about 30,000 and 95,000 miles.

   What to check: Before buying, have the vehicle scanned for pending and stored codes and ask for receipts showing which sensors, pump or emissions parts have already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My engine light came on. The repair shop said I have to replace the fuel pump control module and that it is a known issue with Buick. I was advised not to drive the car. I am concerned that I could have been out and the car could have broken down. The car doesn’t even have 50,000 miles on it. This should not happen.”

   NHTSA complaint #11640581, filed 2025-02

   “They sold me a car and 2 days later the check engine light came on I fixed it then a second time it came on I fixed again then a third time it came on I fixed it again now this is the 4th time that this light has come on and I called up there they tell me well we can see about putting you in another car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11663741, filed 2025-05
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine stalls or shuts off while driving

   • 11 complaints (13%)
   • median 32,225 mi at 1.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners report the engine cutting out at speed or while stopped in traffic, sometimes with the headlights and other electrical functions going dark at the same time, and with no warning light or stored code. Several say the vehicle restarts after being shut off and left for a few minutes, and that repeated dealer visits did not identify a cause. Some connect the behavior to the start-stop system, describing a hard jolt or surge when the engine restarts. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to over 100,000, in both city and highway driving.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether any stalling or no-start complaints were diagnosed and repaired, and have a scan tool check for body and powertrain codes; note that a service bulletin describes a no-crank or stall condition with a security light and specific codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I'm driving sometimes the car seems like it's about to cut off or something & the check engine light plus stabilizer track message bones on & I start losing power & it's happened more than 10 times ! I let the car sit for a few minutes & it works !”

   NHTSA complaint #11707372, filed 2025-12

   “My suv dies while im driving it. The engine stalls the lights go off. Its very dangerous I had a semi truck behind me last night and my encore basically became invisible. No lights no power, nothing. He almost hit me. Ive had this encore to several mechanics and none of them knows what the problem is. There are no warning lights on and it does not show any codes when hooked up to a diagnostic machine. I have called Buick Corp.and she told me to take it to a mechanic.”

   NHTSA complaint #11691122, filed 2025-10
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bags did not deploy in a crash

   • 9 complaints (10%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   In several complaints, owners state that front or side air bags did not deploy during a collision, including moderate-speed impacts, and that occupants were injured. Some also describe an air bag warning message or a light that came on intermittently, or a passenger-seat sensor that did not always enable the passenger air bag. In one case the owner reports side air bags deploying without a crash. Reported in crashes across the mileage range, from about 30,000 to over 130,000 miles.

   Recall 18V774000

   What to check: Check with a dealer whether recall 18V774000 (air bag sensing module left in manufacturing mode) was completed for this vehicle, and confirm the air bag warning light comes on at startup and then goes out.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am getting continuous emails saying that there has been an issue detected with my airbags. The airbag light will sporadically come on, and when someone is in the passenger seat the airbags do not always turn on.”

   NHTSA complaint #11397674, filed 2021-02, 30,000 miles

   “The airbags never deployed. I sustained a brain injury in the accident along with whiplash. I told the deputy on scene, that they did not deploy. My insurance looked at it. They totaled the car out. It is now sitting in a junk yard somewhere.”

   NHTSA complaint #11685017, filed 2025-09
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brakes grabbing, locking or wearing early

   • 8 complaints (9%)
   • median 8,000 mi at 1.2 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2023

   Owners describe a hard or low brake pedal that needed pumping, brakes that locked up at highway speed, a burning smell with charred calipers and pads, and pulsing or uneven pad wear at low mileage. One owner reports a rear caliper freezing in cold weather and damaging a tire, and another was told by a dealer that the condition resulted from two-footed driving. Mostly reported under about 25,000 miles, with some cases in cold weather.

   What to check: Have the brake fluid, pads, rotors and calipers inspected, and on a test drive listen for dragging or grinding and feel for pulsation through the pedal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The brakes lock up and the car won't shift. It's done this twice since we bought it this year. We took it to the dealer and they told us it was caused by driving two footed . It will reset itself by turning the car off and waiting 15 minutes or so. It occurred while driving on public roads.”

   NHTSA complaint #11255476, filed 2019-09, 2,000 miles

   “10/26/2022 Dealer inspection of vehicle brake system. Owner concerned with pulsing sensation at higher speeds when braking. Dealer discovered 'uneven pad wear on front axle and rear rotors worn and have excessive thickness variation.' Dealer 'recommends front and rear brake job.' Vehicle has 23,600 miles. Brakes are wearing excessively for low mileage. Dealer verbally recommended future inspection of brake system at intervals of 15,000 miles. Vehicle has been owned for 40 months. Outside of warranty by 3 months. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11491100, filed 2022-10

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is worthwhile on this model year, with attention to turbo and check-engine history, brake condition and whether the air bag recall was completed. Service records showing recent turbo, fuel-system or brake work are useful to confirm what has already been addressed.

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.