AI Damage2019 Buick Encore: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Buick Encore filed 88 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and fuel/propulsion system. The maker issued 553 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 88
- involving a crash
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 553
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 38% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 8% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- Engine: 33 complaints (38% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 57.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 12 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Air bags: 11 complaints (13% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electrical system: 10 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 92.
- Powertrain: 10 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 53.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 88 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 33 | 3 | 57 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 11 | 5 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 1 | 92 |
| Powertrain | 10 | 1 | 53 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 105 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 | 14 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 12 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 20 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 34 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 13 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact's daughter and granddaughter were both injured and were later treated at the local hospital for soreness in various parts of their body. Both occupants sustained emotional trauma as a result of the accident.
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.
The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. After the impact, the contact received a notice on her phone that there was a problem with the air bag. The vehicle failed to restart after the crash. The contact went to the Urgent care clinic and was transported to the Hospital via ambulance.
The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start-up after several attempts with the check engine warning light illuminated.
I remember hitting my head 2 times on the side window and my body twice against the door. My airbags didn't deploy. My car faced the airport when it came to a stop and was facing west.
The car's stop start feature surged the car forward pinning my legs between the car and the building. I couldn't put the car in park because my legs were pinned and the vehicle shift would not go into park. I screamed and the clerk had to take my shoes off so I could pull my legs in the car.
The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated to start after multiple attempts. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was purchased, and the mechanic replaced the oxygen sensor.
There were no warning lights just sounds reported and investigated to find cause.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 628 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Encore has 34 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 88, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic module with no DTC'ss
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
NHTSA lists 553 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Buick Encore?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, fuel/propulsion system, air bags. Total complaints: 88. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (32%), stalls while driving (10%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Buick Encore?
NHTSA lists 553 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 Buick Encore from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.