Is the 2019 Buick ENCORE reliable?

The 2019 Buick ENCORE has 122 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Buick ENCORE?

Top problems: ENGINE (35 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (11 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (11 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Buick ENCORE?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Buick ENCORE?

The 2019 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 2019 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 2019 Buick ENCORE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Buick ENCORE is approximately $1,487/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.

2019 Buick ENCORE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Buick ENCORE has 122 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is engine problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2019 buick encore. the contact stated that the vehicle lost power and stalled twice without warning. the contact also stated that the engine start button malfunctioned and the check engine indicator illuminated. the vehicle was towed twice to phillips buick and gmc (2160 us hi. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

15 crash reports 13 injuries

122

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

35 complaints

29%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED TWICE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE START BUTTON MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE TO PHILLIPS BUICK AND GMC (2160 US HI
• I WAS STOPPING TO PARK THE CAR AND TOOK MY FOOT OF THE BRAKE BEFORE I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD OVER THE CURB, A SIDE WALK AND INTO A ROCK GARDEN, (I WAS PARKING AT A NURSERY) I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. I THINK IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE 1.4L SIDI TU
• I WAS STOPPED IN A DRIVE THRU TACO BELL AND THE CLERK DROPPED MY CHANGE DOLLARS FROM MY PURCHASE SO I REACTED BY OPENING THE DOOR TO PICK UP THE MONEY BY TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WITHOUT PUTTING IT IN PARK BECAUSE IT WAS A REACTION. THE CAR'S STOP START FEATURE SURGED THE CAR FORWARD PINNING MY

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED TWICE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE START BUTTON MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE TO PHILLIPS BUICK AND GMC (2160 US HI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Buick ENCORE

Based on 40 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 22K 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 60K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 8K 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 (2)

AIR BAGS01/11/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Risk: If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18365.

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 2019 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)

$1,549/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 2019 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

$1,487

Full coverage / month

$124

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-11%

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 age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1487

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 2019 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

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~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 122 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED TWICE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE START BUTTON MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TWICE TO PHILLIPS BUICK AND GMC (2160 US HI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND THE CAR TOOK OVER AND WAS SPEEDING AND HIT THE CONCRETE POLE,AIR BAGS WENT OFF THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE BEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVING ROUGHER. IT JOLTS FORWARD WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE FROM A FULL STOP, MORE THAN NORMAL.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I WAS STOPPED IN A DRIVE THRU TACO BELL AND THE CLERK DROPPED MY CHANGE DOLLARS FROM MY PURCHASE SO I REACTED BY OPENING THE DOOR TO PICK UP THE MONEY BY TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WITHOUT PUTTING IT IN PARK BECAUSE IT WAS A REACTION. THE CAR'S STOP START FEATURE SURGED THE CAR FORWARD PINNING MY
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)