The Buick Encore from General Motors turned out to be an instant craze in the US after it hit the streets in 2012.
In recent years, this car continues to be the best-selling model.
This is a subcompact SUV that offers customizable cargo space.
With flexible seating arrangements capable of accommodating up to 5 people, this car became an instant sensation for automobile enthusiasts.
You would love driving this car, thanks to the agile handling, enough engine power, and silent cabin.
Although this car comes under the luxury automobile category, the annual maintenance charges wouldn’t bite your pocket.
On average, the repair and maintenance costs come to around $500.
longevity of this car, common problems, reliability, and maintenance tips in this article.
How many miles does a Buick encore last?
You can expect your Buick Encore to serve up around 200K miles.
With conservative driving habits and proper upkeep, the car should last for at least 13 years.
Considering that an average driver covers around 15K miles a year, the car would deliver its service for 200K miles.
Buick’s cars are not popular for high mileage. However, with proper maintenance, it should trouble you with expensive repairs.
Some of the users reported that they have already covered 100K miles with this car without encountering any major issues.
Considering that the car hit the streets just in 2012, there aren’t too many vehicles that reached the 200K milestone.
To maximize the lifeline of the vehicle, make sure to follow up the scheduled maintenance at the factory.
Also, remember to clean the vehicle to prevent it from rusting.
Regularly checking the fluid levels along with the tire pressures would keep the car in good shape.
Is the Buick Encore a reliable car?
The Buick Encore, as a subcompact SUV, has a great reliability score.
RepairPal rated this car 4 out of 5. This car is capable enough, and you would appreciate the luxurious essence.
The overall ride quality is superb, and the owners also cherish the enhanced drivability of the vehicle.
J.D. Power rated the 2021 model of this car 85/100, appreciating it for its ‘great’ reliability and build quality.
In the last five years, all the models have retained the average score of 84/100 in terms of rating.
On the basis of 139 reviews from customers, the Kelley Blue Book rated the Buick Encore 4.5 out of 5.
However, you have some better-rated models under the same category.
Among the competitors of the Buick Encore, the cars with a better reliability rating include Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, and the Kia Soul.
On the other hand, the Buick Encore fares the same as other models like Chevrolet Trax and the Nissan Juke.
The average reliability score of subcompact SUVs is 4.0 out of 5. So, the Buick Encore lives up to industry standards.
Do Buick Encore have a lot of problems?
Although the Buick Encore doesn’t have too many problems, some of its initial models troubled the owners with technical glitches.
1. Engine problems
In 2017, many cars had severe issues with the engine.
Some of these problems include stalling, excessive smoke, and poor acceleration. Besides, some of the cars caught fire at the front.
Most importantly, the engine problems affected the Buick Enclave cars while they are relatively new just after they crossed 11K miles.
Some of these engine problems were serious enough to result in accidents and injuries.
In case you are planning to settle with a used model, get the engine inspected by a technician to detect possible glitches.
2. Defective seatbelts and airbags
Between 2015 and 2017, one of the key issues with the Buick Encore was its defective seat belts.
In some cars, the owners reported malfunctioning airbags as well.
General Motors recalled more than 3.6 million cars across different models, including the Buick Encore.
General Motors clarified that the glitch appeared due to a problematic airbag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) tool.
Also, the brand recommended the owners of the problematic cars replace the SDMs for free at their dealerships.
3. Brake issues
Some severe brake issues affected many 2015 Buick Encore cars, making the drivers and the occupants susceptible to accidents.
The owners reported abnormal noises when they applied the brakes, or simply during driving.
Also, some owners reported that there wasn’t adequate force in the brakes, increasing the braking distance.
In other cars, there were unnatural vibrations of the brake pedals. Malfunctioning brakes often led to the loss of control of these cars.
Issues with the brakes in the 2015 model of Buick Encore cropped just after the cars crossed 13K miles.
4. Faulty battery
One of the most haunting problems for the 2014 model owners was the fast drainage of the battery.
Some drivers reported the battery dying out every four hours. Due to a dead battery, some drivers couldn’t even start the car.
Complications in the electrical system of the car mostly lead to fast drainage of batteries.
The dead battery problem affected perfectly working vehicles as well.
The owners were greatly disappointed with these cars, as the battery issues cropped up around the 12K mile mark.
5. Loss of acceleration
Acceleration loss affected many of the 2013 models of the Buick Encore. Many of these cars had poor turbochargers.
Besides, some owners reported associated symptoms along with the loss of acceleration.
These include abnormal noises, illuminated check lights, and excessive rattling.
When the odometer reads around 94K miles, the turbochargers start malfunctioning. Replacing the turbochargers can resolve this issue.
Unless you get this component replaced immediately, other parts of your Buick Encore may sustain damage.
Besides, replacing the turbocharger can cost you around $1,650.
Factors that can impact the longevity of Buick Encore
As a concerned car owner, you would like to maximize the lifeline of your Buick Encore.
- Closely adhere to the recommended maintenance schedule of the factory.
- Make sure to top the fluids up and inspect the same regularly.
- Adopt smooth driving habits with gentle braking and controlled acceleration.
- Don’t overlook checking the tire pressure to keep the suspension system in proper shape.
- Inspect the engine oil every couple of weeks and use branded fluids and parts.
- Store your Buick Encore in a covered space or garage to secure it from the elements of weather.
- It would be wise to get a ceramic coating so that you can protect the car’s surface from scratches and contaminants.
- Go for the rust-proofing investments to retain the sheen on your car for long.
- After the car encounters snow and salt, make sure to wash it properly.
What is the best year for Buick Encore?
The 2020 and 2021 models of the Buick Encore are the best picks to purchase.
Although these models have hit the street relatively late, there haven’t been any complaints yet.
Both these cars come loaded with a plethora of sophisticated features.
Considering the zero-complaint record over one year, both these models would be a wise purchase.
Moreover, reputed automobile review platforms such as US News, Car and Driver, and J.D.
Power have given excellent ratings to these models.
What is the worst year for Buick Encore?
Make sure not to purchase the 2014 model of the Buick Encore.
As per reports obtained from Car Complaints, this is the worst model of the car. Also, refrain from purchasing the 2013 model.
In 2014, the car recorded 44 complaints, while there were 42 complaints recorded in 2013.
Owners with the 2014 model mostly complained of faulty batteries.
During driving, the battery tends to die all of a sudden, leaving the car stranded.
Other issues with the car involved problems with door locks. In some models, the owners complained of insufficient power.
The number of complaints started dipping in 2018. Both the 2018 and 2019 models recorded 3 complaints each.
How Long Do the Tires Last?
The Buick Encore comes with quality tires that can serve you for the first three years. This is equivalent to 50K miles on the road.
How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?
In your Buick Encore, the stock spark plugs should serve for the first couple of years.
So, if you are driving around 15K miles a year, you should expect them to last up to the first 30K miles.
The function of spark plugs is to generate a spark. This spark is responsible for igniting the mixture between air and fuel.
This results in an explosion, thereby generating power in the engine of the car.
During the routine tune-ups, you need to inspect the spark plugs and replace them as per the experts’ recommendations.
How Long Do the Batteries Last?
The battery of your Buick Encore can last up to 5 years.
However, heavy use of the vehicle and poor weather conditions while driving can diminish its lifeline to as low as 3 years.
How Long Do the Brakes Last?
The Buick Encore brakes last between 2 to 4 years.
Based on the road conditions and your driving habits, the brakes would serve you for 30K to 70K miles.
To ensure a long service from these brakes, drive smoothly and refrain from applying them suddenly while driving at full speed.
Besides, driving on city roads would diminish the life of the brakes.
How Long Do the Transmissions Last?
The Buick Encore comes with long-lasting transmissions. So, they should last up to 200K miles.
This is almost equal to the total lifeline of the car.
Conclusion
While most of the complaints about the Buick Encore poured in during its early years, the later models are relatively more reliable.
NHTSA reveals that there have been 22 recalls for this car so far.
So, the newer models are ideal for purchase. Also, insuring your Buick Encore would cost you $1,414 a year.
Altogether, the Buick Encore appears to be a decent purchase.
If you decide to go for a used car, try to get a model the brand launched in or after 2018.
