Is the 2013 Buick ENCORE reliable?

The 2013 Buick ENCORE has 70 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Buick ENCORE?

Top problems: ENGINE (23 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (8 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (7 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Buick ENCORE?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, AIR BAGS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, SEATS, SEAT BELTS:FRONT, STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Buick ENCORE?

The 2013 Buick ENCORE gets 28 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1714. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2013 Buick ENCORE often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Buick ENCORE: low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Buick ENCORE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Buick ENCORE is approximately $1,368/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Buick ENCORE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Buick ENCORE has 70 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is engine problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: leaving a stop sign onto three lane road going down a hill,when the car had no acceleration, i put on flashers and coasted to curb,had to call wrecker and be towed to dealer,said it was a throttle body sensor,that is sensitive to cold weather,2 dealers said the same thing. new part was ordered,but i. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

6 crash reports 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

23 complaints

33%

• LEAVING A STOP SIGN ONTO THREE LANE ROAD GOING DOWN A HILL,WHEN THE CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION, I PUT ON FLASHERS AND COASTED TO CURB,HAD TO CALL WRECKER AND BE TOWED TO DEALER,SAID IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY SENSOR,THAT IS SENSITIVE TO COLD WEATHER,2 DEALERS SAID THE SAME THING. NEW PART WAS ORDERED,BUT I
• 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.S
• I LIVE IN MINNESOTA. ON A -30 DEGREE DAY IN JANUARY I DROVE TO WORK (30 MILES ONE WAY). WHEN I LEFT FOR LUNCH I DROVE ABOUT A QUARTER MILE AND STARTED SMELLING A BURNING SMELL SIMILAR TO WHEN FOLLOWING A VEHICLE THAT IS BURNING OIL. MY CAR WAS NEW SO I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS ME. I WENT ABOUT 2 MILES AN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“LEAVING A STOP SIGN ONTO THREE LANE ROAD GOING DOWN A HILL,WHEN THE CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION, I PUT ON FLASHERS AND COASTED TO CURB,HAD TO CALL WRECKER AND BE TOWED TO DEALER,SAID IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY SENSOR,THAT IS SENSITIVE TO COLD WEATHER,2 DEALERS SAID THE SAME THING. NEW PART WAS ORDERED,BUT I”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Buick ENCORE

Based on 55 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 23K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 9K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 36K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 23K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION05/07/2016

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."

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.

Low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Buick ENCORE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,715

Per month

$143

Per mile

14.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,455/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Buick ENCORE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,368

Full coverage / month

$114

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk0.90x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1368

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Buick New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Buick. If you're buying a used 2013 ENCORE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Buick dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 70 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: LEAVING A STOP SIGN ONTO THREE LANE ROAD GOING DOWN A HILL,WHEN THE CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION, I PUT ON FLASHERS AND COASTED TO CURB,HAD TO CALL WRECKER AND BE TOWED TO DEALER,SAID IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY SENSOR,THAT IS SENSITIVE TO COLD WEATHER,2 DEALERS SAID THE SAME THING. NEW PART WAS ORDERED,BUT I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 2013 BUICK ENCORE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE INSTRUMENT CAN NOT BE READ IN SUNNY WEATHER. *SMD THE SPEEDOMETER, HEAT AND FUEL GAUGES COULD NOT BE READ.*JB
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 2013 BUICK ENCORE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK, RUB AND GRAB. ON THANKSGIVING DAY, WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIS DRIVEWAY, ON SNOWY DAY, THE ABS LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A PLOW
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: LEAVING A STOP SIGN ONTO THREE LANE ROAD GOING DOWN A HILL,WHEN THE CAR HAD NO ACCELERATION, I PUT ON FLASHERS AND COASTED TO CURB,HAD TO CALL WRECKER AND BE TOWED TO DEALER,SAID IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY SENSOR,THAT IS SENSITIVE TO COLD WEATHER,2 DEALERS SAID THE SAME THING. NEW PART WAS ORDERED,BUT I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)