First generation
2015 Buick Encore
The most reported problem on the 2015 Buick Encore is power steering loss, with 23 complaints, usually around 51,000 miles.
- 124owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 6involved a crash
- 38,000median miles at failure
Newest report Jul 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2015 Buick Encore has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2015 Buick Encore reliable?
The 2015 Buick Encore has 124 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, less than half the median of 314 for 2015 SUVs on this site. Of the 7 Encore model years since 2014, it has the most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to other model years
- Complaints filed before 2015 aren't in the files this site reads, so the 2015 count runs short and isn't compared with the model years next to it.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Power steering loss has 23 complaints and brake wear has 21, out of 124 in all. A quarter of the 15 owners who gave a mileage for power steering loss saw it by about 24,000 miles, and half by about 51,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 10 of the 124 complaints (8%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little above the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 6 reports mention a crash, 2 mention a fire and 7 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 4 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2019 at 17 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 4. So far in 2026, 4 more have come in. Filings on record start in 2015.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: power steering cuts out or goes heavy, 23 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
124 complaints is 2.2 times fewer than the median 2015 model on this site and 2.5 times fewer than the median 2015 SUV. Among the 1 Encore model years here it ranks 1st for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2015 Buick Encore
Buick filed 1,460 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2015 Buick Encore. 112 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 5 bulletins · 23 complaints
This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO CLEAR ALL ACTIVE PULL COMPENSATION LEARNED LIMITS IN THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN ON A STEERING DRIFT OR PULL CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE MAY APPEAR TO PULL OR DRIFT IN THE ...
3 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed the power steering system to correct a condition of power steering noise or fluid leak from power steering pump, gear or high pressure hose during extreme low temperature conditions.
Power Steering Noise or Fluid Leak from Power Steering Pump, Gear or High Pressure Hose During Extreme Low Temperature Conditions
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to repair any power steering leak that may be caused from extremely low temperatures and use the recommended fluid.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 7 bulletins · 21 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that had the Brake Pressure Modulator Valve now Diagnostic Trouble Code C0131 is set current.
This service bulletin provides information for tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system concerns.
5 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the rear brake pads to correct a condition of a moan noise in the rear brake pads at first apply due to an internal concern regarding the pads that were initially installed on the vehicle.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the rear brake pads to correct a condition of a noise in the rear brake pads at first apply due to an internal concern regarding the pads that were initially installed on the vehicle.
This informational bulletin provides information on installing the correct tires for vehicles with the condition of under hard acceleration at higher speeds, the traction control light will flash.
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION ADVISES THE TECHNICIAN THAT VEHICLES MAY HAVE REAR BRAKE NOISE THAT OCCURS AT FIRST BRAKE APPLY WHEN BACKING UP BUT CAN ALSO OCCUR IN DRIVE.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a rear brake noise that occurs first brake apply when backing up but can also occur in drive.
Check engine light or misfire 25 bulletins · 18 complaints
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce ...
This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to ...
23 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or P0455 Set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible cause of engine oil consumption, misfire, cylinder leakage or blow by.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a Malfunction Indicator Lamp on. The technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0299 or P0234 set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a rough idle or misfire. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P0300 set in the Engine Control Module.
This Technical bulletin provides a procedure for dealers/technicians to correct a condition of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated, DTC P0420 Set.
This informational bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to ...
This informational bulletin provides information to the tech to test the PCV for proper performance before replacing the camshaft cover to correct a MIL On w/DTC P0171.
This engineering information PI ends the need for information from the field on reduced engine power, DTC P0299 set.
This engineering informational bulletin is requesting information from the field on reduced engine power, DTC P0299 set.
Plus 13 older ones not listed here.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 52 bulletins · 13 complaints
This Preliminary Information communicates diagnostic tips for a condition of No GPS location on Radio.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Navigation radio does not have a global positioning system location but OnStar is able to accurately locate the vehicle.
50 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communicates reason forAC Inoperative and/or Ambient Temperature Display Missing from the Radio. Dealer to isolate and repair open circuit to the ambient temperature sensor.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone.
This informational bulletin provides information for the technicians on multi-media infotainment tester (MIT), does not function properly when diagnosing infotainment complaints, which may lead to mis-diagnosis.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to clear the codes and re-evaluate the XM radio channels to correct a condition of audio muting when listening to some Sirius XM channels but if they change channels they will find others that experience normal ...
This preliminary information bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for the customer concern of a blank radio with/without audio, by checking the the wiring harness, ECU and reprograming the HMI software update, if the wiring or ECU are not the cause.
This technical bulletin provides repair information for repairing the IP to body harness connector to correct a customer concern for intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated with Reduced Engine Power displayed and DTC P2138 set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D-37 history in the Vehicle Communication Interface Module or telematics communication interface control module.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about customers that may complain of various concerns when using Bluetooth components.
This informational bulletin provides information on On rare occasions, a security code input message with SPS error code E5659, M5304, and/or M5530 may be displayed in TIS2web when the technician is programming any module.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have an OnStar Turn-By-Turn Navigation the system that is inoperative.
Plus 40 older ones not listed here.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 2 bulletins · 12 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
This preliminary informational bulletin provides diagnostic tips that may be helpful in correcting a customer concern about a whistle noise heard from the engine area after the vehicle has warmed up, or for up to 10 seconds after the engine is shut off.
Turbo failure or loss of boost 6 bulletins · 9 complaints
This service bulletin provides a procedure to install a PCV heater or a charge air cooler to correct the turbo charger system from freezing causing cold weather performance issues.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to install a PCV heater or a charge air cooler to correct the turbo charger system from freezing causing cold weather performance issues.
4 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to install a PCV heater and a front fascia blocker to correct the turbo charger system from freezing causing cold weather performance issues.
This preliminary informational bulletin provides information on Damaged, Disassembled or Improperly Packaged Turbochargers Returned to Warranty Part Center.
This preliminary informational bulletin was created to inform Service Agents or Dealers, they may be charged back for parts and labor due to the turbo-chargers are being returned to the Warranty Parts center damaged, improperly assembled or missing parts and ...
This preliminary informational bulletin provides dealership personnel with policies and procedures regarding damaged, disassembled or improperly packaged turbochargers returned to Warranty Part Center.
Battery dies or the car will not start 8 bulletins · 7 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about a no start or another concern after swapping an Engine Control Module or other modules from one vehicle to another.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to help the dealership technicians perform a parasitic drain test for the OnStar module.
6 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with a diagnostic tip for the OnStar back-up battery failure. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code B1446 or B1447 and the OnStar LED is red.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a no start or multiple messages on the Driver Information Center during cold weather.
This informational bulletin provides information that may be useful in diagnosing/testing batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or set in cold weather climates to correct a customer concern of symptoms that include, but not limited to, a slow ...
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of no crank/no start due to dead battery, MIL illuminated.
14395 - CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. ON SOME VEHICLES, A PERFORMANCE ISSUE WITH THE ONSTAR® MODULE MIGHT IMPACT THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY LIFE. THIS CAN CAUSE A DEAD BATTERY IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT STARTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 DAYS.
OnStar® Module Battery Drain
A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 7 bulletins · 6 complaints
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air.
5 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles with various Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blower mode or temperature issues.
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ABOUT VEHICLES THAT AIR CONDITION INOPERATIVE AND/OR AMBIENT TEMPERATURE DISPLAY MISSING.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have various Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning issues. Technician should use Tis2Web to reprogram the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning control module.
A/C Blows Warm Or Poor Performance.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to correct the customers concern of odor coming from the Air conditioning.
Complaints filed by year
17 complaints came in 2019. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2015 Buick Encore
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to February 9, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured October 13, 2014, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles have tire placards that do not provide the rim size information for the front or rear wheels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and will send owners a corrected label, free of charge. The recall April 29, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15166.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured November 27, 2014, to February 24, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured November 18, 2014, to February 17, 2015. The steering column assembly housing may contact the power steering printed circuit board causing the circuit board to wear.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15168.
All 4 recalls on the 2015 Buick Encore, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2015 Buick Encore?
Power steering loss, with 23 of the 124 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 51,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2015 Buick Encore problems start?
Of the 74 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 18,000 miles and half by about 38,000.
How many 2015 Buick Encore complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
10 of them (8%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for power steering loss on the 2015 Buick Encore?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 15V-146. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.