Is the 2015 Buick ENCORE reliable?

The 2015 Buick ENCORE has 189 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2015 Buick ENCORE?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (30 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (30 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (27 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2015 Buick ENCORE?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Buick ENCORE?

The 2015 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 2015 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 2015 Buick ENCORE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2015 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.

2015 Buick ENCORE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2015 Buick ENCORE has 189 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.8x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is electrical problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: while braking to stop for a traffic light on a busy 45 mph speed limit road, the engine stopped running. i shifted into park to restart it. entire electrical system was dead except power seats and door locks. engine would not start and no other electrical related equipment worked including engine. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 6 crash reports 5 injuries

189

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

30 complaints

16%

• WHILE BRAKING TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A BUSY 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. I SHIFTED INTO PARK TO RESTART IT. ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DEAD EXCEPT POWER SEATS AND DOOR LOCKS. ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND NO OTHER ELECTRICAL RELATED EQUIPMENT WORKED INCLUDING ENGINE
• DRIVING ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL POWER TURNED OFF, AND THE DASH BOARD SCREEN WAS BLACK. I THEN TURN THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAIN DRIVING ROAD.
• DRIVING ALONG AT APPROX. 55 MPH ON A MAIN HIWAY SLOWED TO APPROX. 40 MPH TO MAKE A TURN, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STOPPED OPERATING. EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES. ON STAR DID NOT RESPOND, CAR WAS DISABLED ABOUT 5-7 MINUTES, TRIED TO START SEVERAL TIME WITH THE KEY. SERIOUS ISSUE, HAD

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“WHILE BRAKING TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A BUSY 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. I SHIFTED INTO PARK TO RESTART IT. ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DEAD EXCEPT POWER SEATS AND DOOR LOCKS. ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND NO OTHER ELECTRICAL RELATED EQUIPMENT WORKED INCLUDING ENGINE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Buick ENCORE

Based on 124 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 35K 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+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 25K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Later than typicalmedian 38K mi · 21 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 (4)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL08/09/2016

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.

Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

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 2015 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 2015 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 2015 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 189 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: WHILE BRAKING TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A BUSY 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. I SHIFTED INTO PARK TO RESTART IT. ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DEAD EXCEPT POWER SEATS AND DOOR LOCKS. ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND NO OTHER ELECTRICAL RELATED EQUIPMENT WORKED INCLUDING ENGINE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: DRIVING ALONG AT APPROX. 55 MPH ON A MAIN HIWAY SLOWED TO APPROX. 40 MPH TO MAKE A TURN, WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STOPPED OPERATING. EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES. ON STAR DID NOT RESPOND, CAR WAS DISABLED ABOUT 5-7 MINUTES, TRIED TO START SEVERAL TIME WITH THE KEY. SERIOUS ISSUE, HAD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: DRIVING ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL POWER TURNED OFF, AND THE DASH BOARD SCREEN WAS BLACK. I THEN TURN THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MAIN DRIVING ROAD.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: NEW BUICK 2015 ENCORE 1. APPYING BRAKES WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE CREATES A SHRILL SQUEAL. 2. WHEN SLOWING FOR THE STOP SIGN AT THE END OF THE STREET, APPLYING BRAKES MAKES A MOANING SOUND AND SLIGHT VIBRATION. 3. WHEN I APPLY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AT ABOUT 5 MPH SUCH AS STOPPING AT AN I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)