KnownCarProblems2013 Buick Encore Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Buick Encore, most often about the engine (44% of complaints, typically around 47,000 miles). It is 7th of 10 Encore model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2013 Buick Encore problems
Engine
23 complaints · 44%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Encore. While the vehicle was idling in the park position, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 47,000.
There are toxic fumes and an odor emanating from the interior of my 2013 Buick Encore. The upholstery seems to be the most likely source. The fumes have been causing a chronic burning sensation in our eyes, nose, throat, and which occasionally results in stomach discomfort and nausea. The fumes and odor intensify on…
Electrical
8 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 9,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
Car ran great then I stopped at a stop light. When it turned green the traction control and check engine light came on. Engine power reduced came across dash and the car failed to accelerate, the car, radio and lights were still on. Almost caused 3 different accidents trying to get out of traffic.scan check system…
I was driving a Buick Encore, rental car, and after using the wipers, my hand touched the ignition key (barely touched it) and the engine turned off leaving me with no power steering or power brakes. I managed to get to the side of the road and put it into park to restart the car. I returned it to the rental place…
Transmission
7 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 22,500 miles.
In a line of traffic getting ready to make a left turn and without warning, the engine raced causing the car to accelerate and slam into the rear of another car causing over $5k worth of damage to the Encore. The air bags did not go off. The impact was so intense that the rear glove box opened tossing the contents out…
Premium trim level has forward collision warning. On at least six occasions beginning november of last year (2013), the forward collision warning has come on with no vehicle in front for hundreds of feet and has disengaged the cruise control, essentially causing the vehicle to coast until the accelerator was manually…
Speed control
6 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles.
My car drove fine and then I stopped at a red light at a busy intersection when my traction control and check engine light came on and the engine power reduced came across the dashboard. The lights, wipers, radio and engine was still running but when pressing on the gas pedal the car would not accelerate. I had to…
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started to loose power and the acceleration decreased even when accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was driven to the house at a very slow speed. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to…
Air bags
5 complaints · 10%In a line of traffic getting ready to make a left turn and without warning, the engine raced causing the car to accelerate and slam into the rear of another car causing over $5k worth of damage to the Encore. The air bags did not go off. The impact was so intense that the rear glove box opened tossing the contents out…
Purchased a used 2013 Buick Encore with 21,115 miles. After two (2) months the passenger airbag light starting showing off when my wife was seated in the car, she weighs 110 lbs. It would come on then go off or not come on at all. Took car to nearby dealership, they stated "no problem, we can adjust the sensor all the…
Fuel system
4 complaints · 8%The contact owns a 2013 Buick Encore. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop, there was an excessive reduction in the engine power and a warning light illuminated. The vehicle was maneuvered cautiously to the side of the road, where the engine was turned off. After restarting, the vehicle resumed…
The engine oil cooler is leaking. The front driver axle shaft seal is leaking. The car is running too lean the check engine light is on. I replaced the air filter and clean fuel injectors and the car is sputtering and the check engine light is still on. The car sputters when stationary as well as moving.
Brakes
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while reversing out of the garage, the brakes squeaked and made a loud abnormal noise. There was no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to sid dillon Buick gmc - fremont dealer ([phone], 2420 e 23rd st, fremont, ne 68025) where the brake pads…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 6%The contact owns a 2013 Buick Encore. The vehicle is equipped with continental conti pro contact tires, size 215/55r18 (na). The contact stated that the rear tires continuously flattened. An independent mechanic patched up the tires. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN and dot number were unavailable. The…
Continental pro contact 215/55/18 unknown damage according to dealership. 2nd occurrence within 2 months. Tire unable to be repaired. Dealership unable to find cause. Leasing Buick Encore 2013.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Buick Encore recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in park, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on october 14, 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, buick 1-800-521-7300, and gmc 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 buick verano and 2016 chevrolet malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in park. Also, certain 2013 buick encore, 2011 buick regal, 2013-2014 buick verano, 2011-2016 chevrolet cruze, 2010-2013 chevrolet equinox 2013-2015 chevrolet malibu, and 2011-2013 gmc terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention."
Seat belts: front
Risk: If the seat belts do not remain locked in the retracted position when under load, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front the driver's and the passenger's lap belt pretensioners, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Gm sent interim notifications on october 7, 2014 and will send a second notification when remedy parts are available. The recall began on november 20, 2014. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, or cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. Gm's number for this recall is 14171.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2013 buick encore vehicles manufactured august 23, 2012, to march 1, 2013, and model year 2013 cadillac ats vehicles manufactured april 23, 2012, to may 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock in a retracted position, allowing the seat belts to extend when pulled upon.
Seats
Risk: A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on august 15, 2014. Owners may contact gm customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (buick), 1-800-458-8006 (cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (gmc). Gm's number for this recall is 14340.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 buick encore and cadillac ats; 2014 cadillac cts, elr, chevrolet caprice and ss vehicles; and 2014-2015 chevrolet silverado and gmc sierra trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
Equipment: electrical
Risk: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree celsius. The recall began in august 2014. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is 14257.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 buick encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured august 23, 2012, to september 9, 2013; verano vehicles manufactured august 8, 2012, to june 20, 2013; chevrolet cruze vehicles manufactured august 7, 2012, to august 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 chevrolet sonic vehicles manufactured may 10, 2011, to august 16, 2012 equipped with a calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Air bags
Risk: If the air bag does not to deploy in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the front passenger.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on july 30, 2014. Owners may contact general motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (buick) or 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet). Gm's number for this recall is 14211.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2013 buick encore vehicles manufactured april 10, 2013, to may 8, 2013, and chevrolet spark vehicles manufactured december 30, 2012, to march 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, an improper weld on the passenger side front air bag inflator may result in the air bag not deploying.
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Risk: If the steering wheel separates from the steering column while driving, the ability to steer could be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: General motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and make any necessary repairs on the steering wheel. These services will be provided at no charge to the customer. The safety recall began on may 21, 2013. Owners may contact general motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is general motors campaign number 13098.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling certain model year 2013 buick encore vehicles manufactured between december 9, 2012 and december 28, 2012, and equipped with a heated steering wheel. The steering wheel fastener may not have been properly installed. This could cause the steering wheel to come loose or separate from the steering column.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2013 Buick Encore
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Buick Encore?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (23 complaints, typically around 47,000 miles); electrical (8 complaints, typically around 9,500 miles); transmission (7 complaints, typically around 22,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Buick Encore have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 5, 2016 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Buick Encore?
- It is 7th of 10 Encore model years by number of complaints, with 52 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.