2016 Buick ENCORE
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Buick ENCORE has 118 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is engine problems (36% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 buick encore. while driving various speeds, the contact noticed a strong odor in the vehicle. the check engine warning indicator illuminated. the dealer diagnosed that the ecm sensor needed to be replaced. the vehicle was taken to the dealer twice, and the dealer replaced. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
118
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
1.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
43 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE, AND THE DEALER REPLACED
- • THE VEHICLE IS NEW, HAS 250 MILES, WAS PURCHASED FROM PENSKE BUICK IN CERRITOS, CA. SEVERAL MORNINGS IT HAS EITHER FAILED TO START, OR STARTED AND PROMPTLY FAILED, WHEN PUT IN GEAR AND THE ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE ENGINE STOPPED DURING A TURN ONTO A CITY STREET, CAUSING A NEAR COLLISION WITH
- • HEAVY VIBRATION IN LOWER GEAR WHILE SHIFTING SEEMS TO COME FROM ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION CANT TELL BUT STRONG VIBRATION CAN BE FELT IN SHIFT HANDLE WHEN YOU ATTAIN HIGHER GEAR SEEMS TO STOP ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY SAME EXPERIENCE WORSE IN LOWER GEARS.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE, AND THE DEALER REPLACED”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2016 Buick ENCORE
Based on 61 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 35K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
AIR BAGS
FUEL SYSTEM
ENGINE
STEERING
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 (2)
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 2016 Buick ENCORE
Live EIA pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Buick ENCORE
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Buick New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Buick. If you're buying a used 2016 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 118 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE, AND THE DEALER REPLACED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: THE VEHICLE IS NEW, HAS 250 MILES, WAS PURCHASED FROM PENSKE BUICK IN CERRITOS, CA. SEVERAL MORNINGS IT HAS EITHER FAILED TO START, OR STARTED AND PROMPTLY FAILED, WHEN PUT IN GEAR AND THE ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE ENGINE STOPPED DURING A TURN ONTO A CITY STREET, CAUSING A NEAR COLLISION WITH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: HEAVY VIBRATION IN LOWER GEAR WHILE SHIFTING SEEMS TO COME FROM ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION CANT TELL BUT STRONG VIBRATION CAN BE FELT IN SHIFT HANDLE WHEN YOU ATTAIN HIGHER GEAR SEEMS TO STOP ON CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY SAME EXPERIENCE WORSE IN LOWER GEARS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: THE WHEEL WELL LINER AND THE PLASTIC BUMPER ATTACHMENT ARE ATTACHED TO EACH OTHER OR NEAR EACH OTHER. IN MY OPINION THIS TYPE OF MATERIAL AND DESIGN IS FAULTY. THIS DESIGN DOES NOT SUPPORT HEAVY SNOW. LAST MARCH WHEN THE ROCHESTER, NY. RECEIVED HEAVY SNOW, THE WEIGHT OF THE SNOW CAUSED THE WHEEL LIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Buick ENCORE — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 118
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 7
- Injury reports
- 18
- Segment avg
- 105
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Buick ENCORE