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#BS-2016-BUIENC-197D2016 Buick Encore
Based on reports from 116 owners and 2 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 116 complaints, 8 crashes, 1 fires, and 2 recalls.
Top reported problems
engine stopped working
5 complaints • Severity 9.2/10
turbo exit flex tube cracked
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
slips
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
42 owners reported engine issues — failures commonly reported around 35K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (25 reports) • Median: 35K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Engine (42 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2016 Buick Encore: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 36% of all reports filed for the 2016 Buick Encore, with 42 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 35,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 35K-mile mark.
Fuel System Issues
Fuel System complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2016 Buick Encore, with 13 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to fuel system-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2016 Buick Encore, with 11 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2016 Buick Encore, with 7 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2016 Buick Encore. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (2 recalls)
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Buick Encore is the 2014 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2016 Buick Encore vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD)
This vehicle
116
Class avg
449
Below the class average — fewer complaints than typical small sport utility vehicle 2wd vehicles. A good sign.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 116 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 2 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Buick Encore Model Years
View all Buick Encore years →2016 Buick Encore: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Buick Encore?
Is the 2016 Buick Encore reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2016 Buick Encore problems?
Does the 2016 Buick Encore have any recalls?
What mileage do Buick Encore problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
What if the report isn’t useful?
Get the Full 2016 Buick Encore Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 116 owner reports. Know before you buy.