2018 Buick Encore air bags problems

What owners report

• “The front passenger air bag sensor turns off either before we begin driving or while the vehicle is in motion. The manual says that if you have a seat cushion or are not in the position for the sensor to "see" you, it may turn off. I have a bad back, and I need my 2-inch seat cushion for long trips, or I will be in pain. But when I use my seat cushion, the sensor turns the air bag off. So, if I use my seat cushion (or the sensor otherwise decides to turn the air bag off), I am not protected in t…”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 02/20/2026

• “When crossing through an intersection at approximately 45mph, I was struck by another vehicle, speed unknown, who failed to stop at a stop sign. My vehicle was struck on the front passenger corner. My vehicle continued in a forward motion for several hundred feet. Both driver and front passenger wore seat belts, however the driver struck her head on steering wheel, loosing consciousness for several minutes. Side airbags deployed, however front air bags did not”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 08/23/2025 · crash

• “A deer came out of nowhere and I hit it head on. It totaled the car. The airbag did not go off”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 03/20/2025 · crash

• “My airbag light is on and malfunctioning. It will cost $200 for the diagnostic and no repair. To repair it will cost $873.19. I see there are more complaints in regarding this issue. To me this is a safety issue and concerns me as I drive my grandchildren in this car. I am told it is an actual sensor in the cushion of the seat. My vehicle is under 5 years old. Something has to be done.”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 01/10/2023

• “previous airbag recall, but not including my VIN. However, my airbag light is on and malfunctioning. It will cost $200 to just diagnose the repair and no idea what the cost to fix this saftey issue on a car that is only 5 years old. Please help!”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 12/12/2022

• “The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, she depressed the brake pedal but it failed to stop the vehicle, causing her to rear-end a truck. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries nor sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicl…”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 06/30/2022 · crash

• “I HAVE BROUGHT MY NEW 2018 BUICK ENCORE VEHICLE INTO DELRAY BUICK DEALERSHIP, DELRAY BEACH, FL FOR NUMEROUS SERVICING TO ADDRESS CORRECTING/REPAIR/REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SWITCH AND OR ANY COMPONENTS IN THE SYSTEM EFFECTING THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHT WHICH SHOWS 100% OF THE TIME THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN THERE IS IN FACT AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AND CONCERNINGLY IS A HAZARD TO THE PASSENGER IN THIS SEAT AND ALL PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. DELRAY BUICK AND GM HAVE FAILED …”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 07/21/2020

• “TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, CRASHED INTO THE CORNER PANEL OF AN UNKNOWN VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER FRONTAL AND FLOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEGS AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO FIRE DUE TO THE CRASH. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACT…”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 07/23/2019 · crash

Unverified owner reports from NHTSA's public complaint database.

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