The 2016 Buick Encore has few recorded issues. But, you will want to check your VIN for a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall on the airbags, and consider buying certified pre-owned to ensure that the subcompact SUV’s sensing and diagnostics module has been inspected.
Key Points
- The 2016 Buick Encore has just 45 complaints and two recalls on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- A pair of airbag recalls are the biggest concern for 2016 Encore drivers, with complaints still rolling in years after the fact.
- Engine stall has been reported in a few units, sometimes resulting in a blown engine or transmission failure.
- Three drivers have reportedly had the power steering go out on them.
- Annual repair costs are estimated at around $466, and the car holds a Top Safety Pick award with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, making it a safe, dependable used SUV.
2016 Buick Encore’s Airbags Have Been Recalled Twice, But a Small Handful of Complaints Continue to Roll in
The 2016 Buick Encore has two recalls listed here with the NHTSA, both for the same problem: frontal airbags may not deploy. The first recall was issued in September, 2016 and included several GM nameplates, covering more than 3,500,000 units in total. The second was a July, 2017 followup covering over 40,000 units.
In both instances, the issue had to do with the software loaded into the airbag control unit. Under certain driving conditions, the sensing and diagnostics module would run a diagnostic test, preventing airbag deployment in the event of an accident. The fix involved replacing the module.
Every airbag complaint for the vehicle, except for one, was registered after both of these recalls were issued. Whether this means that a few VINs were mistakenly left out of the recall, these drivers didn’t get the notice, or this is an entirely new issue altogether, it’s difficult to say. But the recalls were not the end of the problem.
Incidence rate is low, with only seven complaints on file as of the time of this writing. But all the same, you’ll want to check your VIN and keep an eye on your dashboard warnings to make sure that your airbag system is up to code.
Engine Stall Complaints are Few But May End in Total Blowout or Transmission Failure
Taking the lead for the biggest source of complaints is the engine, with sudden power loss being the main concern here. One driver reports that their engine was “skipping,” and then completely lost power while they were driving. Since replacing the transmission, the skipping problem persists.
Another driver reports a buzzing noise when pressing the accelerator. They gave it another push only to find that the car would not accelerate, and then they heard a pop. Next, they saw smoke coming out of the tail pipe and their mechanic told them that the engine had blown.
Most other complaints are along these lines. Jumping and skipping, erratic rpms, power loss, stalling, and eventually, total failure of the engine or transmission. Failure mileage has been reported at fairly low numbers, with one driver requiring a total engine replacement at just over 32,000 miles.
As with the airbag issue, the rate of incidence here is, thankfully, pretty low. The worst of these complaints number around a dozen or so. Buick sold around 78,000 units in 2016, so fewer than one vehicle in 6,000 have been affected by the most severe engine problems.
2016 Buick Encore Drivers Have Reported Loss of Power Steering and the Steering Wheel Locking Up
A few drivers have reported some issues with the steering wheel, typically connected with some other issues. In 2021, a driver reported that his steering wheel locked up and the engine light and traction control light turned on. His vehicle was shaking through the entire incident.
In 2019, another driver reported that she was experiencing a loss of power steering, plus transmission failure. She says that her heater remained on when she turned her vehicle off, suggesting that this may have been primarily an electrical issue.
In 2017, a driver from Indianapolis said he got a “service power steering” alert on the dashboard, and his wheel went out entirely, leaving him unable to move left or right at highway speeds. He said there was no warning at all prior to the incident.
There have been no investigations into the matter, and there are no recalls for the power steering. Given the very low rate of incidence, that is likely to remain the case for the foreseeable future.
A Couple of Big Recalls Aside, There’s Very Little to Worry About Behind the Wheel of a 2016 Buick Encore
Combine the low rate of complaints with an annual repair cost of around $466, a perfect five-star safety rating with the NHTSA, and a Top Safety Pick award with the IIHS, and the 2016 Buick Encore is clearly one of the more dependable used SUVs on the road today.
That being said, the SUVs airbag recalls affect pretty much every 2016 Buick Encore ever manufactured. So, be sure to check the VIN before buying used.
Other than that, your odds of actually having to deal with any issues are pretty slim. There will always be a few defective units when you’re producing cars by the tens of thousands, but thankfully, those defective units are pretty scarce for the 2016 Buick Encore.
Photos: Buick
