Best & Worst Buick Encore Years: Which Years to Buy and Which to Skip

The Buick Encore has a clear identity: luxury-lite for the city driver. It’s small enough to park anywhere, quiet enough to feel premium, and priced accessible enough to attract buyers who want the Buick badge without the Buick price tag. For a compact luxury crossover, that’s a compelling combination.

But it comes with a condition. The Buick Encore’s reliability record is sharply split between its early years and its later production life and buying from the wrong side of that split can mean repeated shop visits, expensive repairs, and safety recalls that shake your confidence in the car.

The team at AutoPeeky has dug into NHTSA complaint databases, Consumer Reports reliability data, J.D. Power owner surveys, recall histories, and real-world ownership accounts to give you a clear, honest answer: Best & Worst Buick Encore Years should you avoid and which ones are genuinely worth buying?

Let’s break it down.

Buick Encore: One Generation, One Clear Pattern

Unlike many models that span multiple platforms, the original Buick Encore ran as a single generation from 2013 through 2022, when it was discontinued. It received one significant mid-cycle facelift for 2017, but the core vehicle built on GM’s Gamma II platform with a 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder remained consistent throughout.

That continuity makes the model easy to analyze: the early years were rough, the later years were significantly better, and there’s a clear dividing line around 2018 where the Encore became a genuinely dependable used buy.

Buick Encore Best & Worst Years

Here is AutoPeeky’s complete year-by-year ranking:

Years	Rating	Summary
2013, 2014, 2015	❌ Worst	Turbo failures, engine issues, major recalls
2016, 2017	⚠️ Neutral	Improving but still carrying engine concerns
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022	✅ Best	Low complaints, strong reliability, best used buy

The pattern is unambiguous: avoid the 2013–2015 models, approach 2016–2017 with caution, and target 2018 or newer for the most dependable ownership experience.

Also Read: Toyota Venza Best and Worst Years

Buick Encore Years to Avoid: 2013, 2014 & 2015

These three years represent the Encore’s most problematic era, what industry mechanics commonly call the “beta test” phase, where GM was still working through the kinks in a brand-new platform and powertrain combination.

2013 Buick Encore 

The 2013 Encore was Buick’s first attempt at the subcompact luxury crossover segment, and first-year buyers paid the price for that early ambition.

Turbocharger failure was the defining complaint of the 2013 model. The 1.4L turbocharged engine’s turbo unit degraded well ahead of expectations in some cases as early as 30,000–40,000 miles. Symptoms included loss of boost pressure, sluggish acceleration, excessive smoke from the exhaust, and ultimately a complete turbocharger replacement costing $1,500–$2,500 at a dealership.

Engine stalling and power loss generated hundreds of NHTSA complaints including reports of vehicles losing power on highways, a genuinely dangerous situation. Rough idle and poor acceleration were widely documented alongside these power-loss incidents.

Safety recall activity was significant: the 2013 Encore faced recalls for seatbelt pretensioner failures and front passenger airbag deployment faults, two of the most critical safety systems in any vehicle.

2014 Buick Encore – Same Problems, Fresh Packaging

The 2014 model arrived with minor aesthetic updates but inherited virtually all of the 2013’s mechanical issues. Turbocharger failure and engine power loss continued as the top complaints. The airbag concerns persisted, and electrical system faults, infotainment crashes, random warning lights, and accessory malfunctions became a more prominent theme in 2014.

2015 Buick Encore -The Worst of the Bunch

The 2015 Encore is, by most reliability measures, the single worst year in the model’s history and the one AutoPeeky recommends avoiding most emphatically.

PCV valve cover leaks caused oil to seep into the engine bay both a mess and a long-term engine health risk. Excessive oil consumption forced owners to top up between oil changes, a sign of deeper engine wear occurring faster than it should. Some owners reported needing a quart of oil every 1,000–1,500 miles.

Power steering loss suddenly, without warning was documented at alarming rates. Losing power steering assist mid-corner or in traffic is a serious accident risk. 

Brake system failures, including brake noise, mushy pedal feel, and loss of braking effectiveness, added to the safety concerns.

The 2015’s most significant recall was a sweeping GM action covering over 3.6 million vehicles including 2015–2017 Encores, for a defective airbag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) that could prevent frontal airbags and seatbelt pretensioners from deploying in a crash. If you’re looking at a 2015, confirming this recall was completed on the specific VIN is absolutely non-negotiable.

Read More: Best & Worst Toyota Avalon Years

Neutral Years: 2016 & 2017 – Better, But Not Quite There

By 2016, GM had addressed many of the worst early-generation turbocharger failures, and the improvement shows. RepairPal awarded the 2016 Encore a 4 out of 5 reliability rating, and J.D. Power scored it 84 out of 100, the highest reliability score the pre-facelift Encore achieved. Complaint volumes dropped meaningfully.

However, 2016 wasn’t entirely clean. Powertrain concerns continued; some owners reported check engine lights illuminating and loss of power on the freeway, with dealers replacing entire engines in certain cases. The airbag recall from 2015 extended into 2016 production, requiring VIN verification.

The 2017 Encore brought a meaningful exterior facelift plus updated interior technology, and reliability data was broadly positive J.D. Power scored it 82 out of 100. But a small spike in engine complaints appeared in 2017 data, primarily around oil pump concerns and rough running behavior. It’s a better car than 2013–2015, but it carries just enough residual concern to keep it out of our recommended column.

Both the 2016 and 2017 are acceptable used buys if priced well below better alternatives and if a thorough inspection confirms no engine or recall issues but the 2018 and newer are clearly preferable.

Also Read About: Best & Worst Kia Forte Years

Best Buick Encore Years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022

From 2018 onward, the Buick Encore became a genuinely dependable compact luxury crossover and the reliability data reflects it clearly. According to CarComplaints.com, complaint submissions for 2018 and beyond dropped to near zero compared to the earlier model years. This is the most reliable period in the Encore’s entire production run.

Powertrain: The 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission was fully refined by 2018. Fuel economy reached 27 city / 33 highway MPG competitive for the segment. The turbocharger failures that plagued 2013–2016 were effectively resolved.

Technology: These years gained Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, an upgraded IntelliLink infotainment system, and on higher trims blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as available safety features. The Essence trim added genuine luxury touches: leather seating, heated front seats, and a premium Bose audio system.

Reliability by year:

• 2018 – Near-zero complaints, no significant recalls. Best balance of reliability and used-market affordability. RepairPal 4/5 rating.
• 2019 – Continued the 2018’s strong reliability trend. Owner satisfaction scores on Edmunds and KBB ranked among the best in the subcompact luxury SUV class.
• 2020 – J.D. Power 90/100 reliability score the highest of any Encore year. Low NHTSA complaint volume. Strong by every available metric.
• 2021 – The most refined Encore ever built. Fewest reported issues of any model year across all data sources reviewed. AutoPeeky’s top recommendation.
• 2022 – The Encore’s final year of production. Consistent quality with 2020–2021. An excellent buy, now available at attractive used-market prices.

Read More: Best & Worst Jeep Compass Years to Buy and Avoid in 2026

How Long Does a Buick Encore Last?

This is one of the most-searched questions about the Encore and the answer depends heavily on which year you buy.

A well-maintained Buick Encore from the 2018–2022 model years can realistically reach 150,000 to 200,000 miles roughly 13–15 years of driving at average annual mileage. Multiple owners have reported surpassing this range with no major mechanical issues.

The 2013–2015 models are a different story. Turbocharger failures and oil consumption issues in these years significantly reduce the realistic longevity expectation. Many owners experienced major powertrain repairs well before 100,000 miles.

The single most important factor for Encore longevity regardless of year is strict adherence to oil change intervals. The 1.4L turbo engine is sensitive to oil quality and frequency. Synthetic oil changed every 5,000–7,500 miles is non-negotiable for long-term reliability.

Annual maintenance cost: RepairPal estimates Buick Encore owners spend around $466 per year on maintenance and repairs virtually identical to the subcompact SUV segment average. The Encore visits the shop for unexpected repairs only 0.1 times per year on average, versus a 0.2 average for comparable vehicles. In a good model year, this is a genuinely affordable luxury crossover to own.

Common Buick Encore Problems: What to Check Before You Buy

Regardless of the specific year you’re considering, AutoPeeky flagged these recurring issues across the Encore’s production run inspect for all of them before completing any purchase:

Turbocharger condition (2013–2016): Listen for unusual whistling, hissing, or lag under acceleration. Have a mechanic inspect the boost pressure output.

Oil consumption (2013–2016): Request oil change records. Ask the seller if they’ve needed to add oil between changes. Test-drive and check for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Airbag recall completion (2015–2017): Verify the specific VIN at NHTSA.gov. The 3.6-million-vehicle SDM recall must be confirmed as completed before purchase.

Power steering behavior (all years): Any hesitation, sudden weight changes, or unusual steering feel during a test drive warrants investigation.

Infotainment stability (2018+): The Encore’s IntelliLink system can suffer from software glitches in some years. Test all touchscreen functions, connectivity features, and backup camera on the test drive.

Conclusion

The Buick Encore tells a classic automotive improvement story: early years rough around the edges, later years sorted and genuinely dependable. If you pick the right model year, you get a quiet, comfortable, well-featured compact luxury crossover that’s affordable to own and capable of lasting well over 150,000 miles.

AutoPeeky’s top recommendation: the 2020 or 2021 Buick Encore. These two years score highest on J.D. Power reliability, carry the lowest NHTSA complaint volumes, and represent the Encore at the peak of its development before discontinuation.

If the budget requires something earlier, 2018 or 2019 are excellent alternatives. The 2016 is the minimum threshold we’d consider from the pre-facelift era, and only with a confirmed clean inspection.

Avoid the 2013, 2014, and 2015 without exception the engine, turbocharger, and safety recall history makes them a risk no used-car shopper should have to accept when so many better alternatives exist within the same model line.

Verify every VIN at NHTSA.gov, get an independent inspection, and confirm all open recalls are closed before you sign anything.

Have a question about a specific Encore year or trim? Drop it in the comments the AutoPeeky team reads every one.

FAQ’s