2018 Buick Encore power train problems

What owners report

• “The contact owned a 2018 Buick Encore. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Service AWD" warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The warning light remained illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 03/23/2026

• “The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Encore. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the transmission malfunctioned while in first gear, and the vehicle hesitated to accelerate from being stationary. Additionally, the message "Stabilizer" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yetbeen determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 147,000.”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 06/23/2025

• “Turbo has gone out four times in less than a year. Car is unable to accelerate and goes way below speed limit on highway which puts me and my passengers in an unsafe position traveling on a high limit road. No. Only inspected by the auto repair places I have been. No warnings prior to the Turbo going out. Turbo goes out while going up hills or going at higher rates of speed.”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 01/18/2024

• “Feel like the car is loosing drive/power and not accelerating. I was driving and the engine light started flashing. No power to go up the hill, it could have gone backwards. Car does not accelerate made a whirring noise when it was turned off. Dangerous situation. Service Bulletin #N212338400”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 07/05/2022

• “Stabilitrak warning comes on and car stalls out. Passenger seat belt doesn't clip person in correctly.”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 06/21/2022

• “The contact's girlfriend owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while his girlfriend was driving 35 mph, the vehicle inadvertently shifted to neutral and all the door latches unlocked independently. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The driver continued driving to her destination. The contact stated he also experienced the same failure while driving up a hill. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the fa…”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 07/26/2021

• “WITH ESTIMATING MY MONTHS OVER A SPAN OF 4 MONTHS I HAD MY TURBO CHARGER REPLACEDBECAUSE IT HAD GONE BAD. I WAS OUT OF TOWN THE LIGHT CAME ON. AND WHEN I RETURN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THEY DIAGNOSE IT AND SAID IT WAS A TURBO CHARGER. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE CAR SO THEY REPLACE THE TURBO CHARGER WITH NO PROBLEMS GIVE ME A RENTAL WITH NO PROBLEMS EVERYTHING WAS COVERED.. AND A MONTH AND A HALF LATER MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I REPLACED THE PURGE VALVE ANOTHER MONTH OR SO LATER THE ENGIN…”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 01/25/2021

• “TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND SHUDDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL TO CEASED AND THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO MARK PORTER CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (42411 CHARLES CHANCEY DRIVE, POMEROY, OH 45769). AN UNKNOWN MODULE WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE …”

  NHTSA complaint · filed 01/19/2021

Unverified owner reports from NHTSA's public complaint database.

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