CarModelProblems.com

2015 Buick Encore Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 2.2× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
123Complaints
4Recalls
6Crashes
2Fires
7Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Electrical System (24.4% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Electrical System complaints here are 2.2× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Electrical System30 · 24.4%No official action
Engine28 · 22.8%No official action
Steering27 · 22%RecalledRecall 15V146000
Service Brakes20 · 16.3%No official action
Air Bags16 · 13%RecalledRecall 16V651000 · Recall 17V437000
Power Train11 · 8.9%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE28 · 22.8%
STEERING27 · 22%
SERVICE BRAKES20 · 16.3%
AIR BAGS16 · 13%
Unspecified / other15 · 12.2%
POWER TRAIN11 · 8.9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7 · 5.7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5 · 4.1%
STRUCTURE:BODY5 · 4.1%

Percentages are the share of the 123 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 16V651000 · 2016 · reported 09/08/2016

A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 15V162000 · 2015 · reported 03/20/2015

If the label is missing front and rear rim size information, the owner may replace the rims with ones that are an incorrect size, increasing the risk of crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 17V437000 · 2017 · reported 07/10/2017

A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:electric Power Assist System

NHTSA campaign 15V146000 · 2015 · reported 03/13/2015

The circuit board wear may cause a sudden loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“The cooling system malfunctions. Repaired six times in a year. Overheats. Coolant issues.”NHTSA complaint 11512934 — filed 03/21/2023 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“My car started surging when I was sitting at a traffic light and as I was crossing abridge The check engine light came on -…”NHTSA complaint 11499335 — filed 12/29/2022 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“I've had my car for 3 years. I've always kept up with it's maintenance. My engine/head gasket are blown and I found out this is…”NHTSA complaint 11496601 — filed 12/08/2022 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1320151120162220171720182620192520202220211320221420231620246202572026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Buick Encore?

Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 30 of 123 NHTSA complaints (24.4%), followed by engine (28), steering (27), service brakes (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2015 Buick Encore have?

123 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 7 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2015 Buick Encore have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16V651000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2015 Buick Encore's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.