2017 Buick Encore fuel/propulsion system problems

What owners report

• “The factory-installed turbocharger assembly on my 2017 Buick Encore failed mechanically while operating the vehicle, creating an immediate and severe roadway safety hazard.The structural failure of the turbocharger causes the vehicle to experience a sudden, unpredictable, and extreme loss of engine propulsion while actively driving. This severe power degradation makes it incredibly dangerous to accelerate, merge into highway traffic, or clear busy intersections safely, as the vehicle fails to re…”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 07/22/2026

• “I have went to the dealership for the past two years with this problem and they keep saying they are not getting any codes: when the air conditioner is on it’s pulling the power from the motor and makes it hard to go up hill. Hard To accelerate when going on to the freeway as well. The problem is only getting worse and worse.”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 09/17/2025

• “First the car started to act odd, jumpy or you could tell there was issues with the turbo. On [XXX] car overheated??? Out of nowhere. Mileage 82049. No warnings, no lights. We had it towed to shop where we were told we need new turbo, new engine, power steering service, ac service. The total Cost was $6813.54. We had to take out 2 loans - 90 days same as cash then 145% interest as well as pay $243.54 in Cash. We were guaranteed the car was in great condition. We picked it up on 1/24/25. Then on …”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 04/03/2025

• “Turbo replaced under recall in March 2024 at local GMC dealership. June 2024 oil changed at independent service center and was informed that oil leak from turbo present. Vehicle brought back to dealership in June 2024 where vehicle was repaired for oil feed line being loose at the feed line. July 2024 car taken to independent mechanic and informed that a new turbo is needed. If turbo problem persists it will result in the vehicle shutting down while driving, violent shaking of the engine, and a…”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 07/30/2024

• “1.BOTH OF MY AIRBAGS ARE SHOWING OFF. WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STILL LIGHTS UP AS OFF. 2. IF THE AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO THE SENSOR THIS WILL BE VERY DANGEROUS. 3. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED. 4.THE MANIFOLD AND INTAKE DID NOT WORK. THE CAR ONLY HAS 87,000 MILES ON IT. THE DATE OF NUMBER 4 IS 2/10/2022.”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 02/10/2022

• “EVERYTIME I PUT GAS IN IT DOESN'T WANT TO START BACK UP. AT A STOP SIGN AND RED LIGHT IT JERKS LIKE IT IS GOING TO DYE OUT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO HAVE IT START THE PROBLEM AGAIN THE NEXT DAY.”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 10/20/2020

• “POOR ACCELERATION CAUSING INCREASE IN FORCE ON GAS PEDAL. HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE ON FLAT SURFACES, GOING UP HILL, AROUND CURVES WITH AC ON OR OFF. ONCE ACCELERATION KICKS IN, SPEED INCREASES CAUSING THE NEED FOR APPLYING THE BREAKS. REQUIRES ADDITIONAL SPACE WHEN PULLING OUT ON THE ROAD TO ENSURE ENOUGH TIME TO ACHIEVE PROPER SPEED. TOOK TO CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. TECH UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ISSUE AND SINCE NO CODES OR SERVICE LIGHT, THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. PICKED UP THE …”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 08/19/2019

• “THE 2017 BUICK ENCORE WOULD BLOW OUT A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE AND DIE IN COLDER WEATHER ANYTIME YOU STEP OFF THE GAS PEDAL. IT DID RE-START, HOWEVER WOULD DIE SEVERAL TIME IMMEDIATELY UNTIL IT STOP SMOKING. ONCE IT HESITATED AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS DUE TO TRAFFIC AND ALMOST DIED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CAR COMPUTER SHOWED NO PROBLEMS AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THEY ADMITTED IT SHOULD HAVE RECORDED THE PROBLEM I HAD, BUT DID NOT. BUT THE COMPUTER WAS STILL TRUSTWORTHY…”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 03/13/2019

Unverified owner reports from NHTSA's public complaint database.

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