2016 Buick Encore Safety Report

2016 Buick Encore Safety and Reliability Report

77Complaints
2Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
6/100Reliability Score
6Crash Reports
1Fire Reports
14Injuries
Most reported components: Engine (20)Fuel/Propulsion System (5)Steering (3)Power Train,Engine (3)Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System (3)Unknown Or Other (3)Air Bags (3)Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System (2)Engine And Engine Cooling (2)Structure (2)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Buick Encore

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Buick Encore. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.

2016 Buick Encore Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenModerate (2)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsModerate (77)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports7Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubEngineCompare engine issues across vehicles.
Cleaner nearby model year2021Compare against the 2021 Buick Encore with 8 complaints and 0 recalls.
Riskier nearby model year2015Check the 2015 Buick Encore before buying across this generation.

Buick Encore Year-by-Year Comparison

The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Buick Encore years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.

Nearby Buick Encore Model Years
Model YearComplaintsRecallsUse case
2017 Buick Encore 83 2 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2015 Buick Encore 120 4 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2018 Buick Encore 69 0 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2019 Buick Encore 74 2 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2020 Buick Encore 17 2 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2021 Buick Encore 8 0 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.

2016 Buick Encore Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Buick Encore, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.

Engine

20 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine issues Buick only

Fuel/Propulsion System

5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Buick only

Steering

3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Steering issues Buick only

Power Train,Engine

3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train,Engine issues Buick only

Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System

3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Buick only

Unknown Or Other

3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Unknown Or Other issues Buick only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Buick Encore

The 2016 BUICK ENCORE has accumulated 77 complaints and 2 recalls in the NHTSA database. It received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Among the complaints, 6 involved crashes and 1 involved fires. There have been 14 reported injuries and 0 reported deaths. The most frequently reported problem areas are engine (20 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (5 complaints), steering (3 complaints). Power steering failure at highway speeds can make the steering wheel hard to turn, posing a safety risk. Turbocharger issues, including the P0299 code, can cause the vehicle to become sluggish and hesitate, affecting performance. Key known issues to be aware of include Airbags, Engine and Fuel/Propulsion System, Power Train. Be aware of potential power steering and turbocharger issues, and check for recalls related to airbags and engine problems.

Reliability Score

The 2016 Buick Encore receives a reliability score of 6 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.

NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Buick Encore

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.

Overall
★★★★★
5/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Side Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Rollover
★★★★☆
4/5

Known Issues for the 2016 Buick Encore

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Buick Encore:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Airbags
Recalled for potential airbag failure in certain models.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles
Engine And Fuel/Propulsion System
Issues include power steering failure and turbocharger problems.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles
Power Train
Coolant leakage issues have been reported.
Low Common 30k-60k miles
Steering
Steering fault warnings have been observed.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Buick Encore:

Power Steering 23% of complaints

23% of reported issues involve power steering problems.

Turbocharger 20% of complaints

20% of reported issues involve turbocharger malfunctions.

Airbags 14% of complaints

14% of reported issues involve airbag malfunctions.

Engine And Fuel/Propulsion System 10% of complaints

10% of reported issues involve engine and fuel system problems.

Recall Details for the 2016 Buick Encore

The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Buick Encore by NHTSA:

Air Bags:Frontal
Campaign #17V437000 10/07/2017

Summary: 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 ...

Consequence: 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.

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 custom...

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Air Bags:Frontal
Campaign #16V651000 08/09/2016

Summary: 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...

Consequence: 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.

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 cust...

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Buick Encore

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Buick Encore with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.

Crash Reports: 2 Fire Reports: 1 Injury/Fatality Reports: 2
Suspension,Engine
02/21/2026

power steering failure while driving at highway speeds. In traffic had a warning come on power steering fault. Then wheel was hard to turn. Had to use strength to steer car home approx. 25 miles. Took to dealer they had car for 3 days before repair done. For $1800 repair bill. Said it was a circuit card in the steering system that was the problem. 2015 years had a recall but not 2016 . But the fa...

ODI #11719555
Fuel/Propulsion System
02/02/2026

Turbo exhibits exact same symptoms of 17-18 encore recall for the turbo. I frequently get the p0299 code the car becomes sluggish and hesitates to take off from a stop when this code comes on making this car dangerous to drive. This issue has almost caused multiple accidents because the car is so under powered that its hard to get the car across traffic without being hit. I have been having this...

ODI #11715060
Power Train,Unknown Or Other,Engine
01/17/2026

On my way home in December 2025, my car started to sputter and make noises. All of a sudden the car started going about 10-15 miles. I almost go hit by several vehicles, because they had to put on brakes, I was trying to go up then down a hilly road. I finally was able to get to an Auto Advance Shop, I had to tow the car to Honda then to Buick for a diagnostic test. It had been over a month and I ...

ODI #11711624
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine
01/07/2026

I was stopped at a traffic light and began moving forward to make a turn into traffic. As I activated my turn signal and started to proceed through the intersection, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off without warning, causing an immediate loss of power while the vehicle was in motion. Another vehicle was entering the intersection at the same time, creating a near-collision situation. I was ...

ODI #11709530
Steering
10/27/2025

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Encore. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the message "Steering Fault" was displayed, the steering icon was illuminated, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The following day, the contact discovered that the vehicle could be started. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the st...

ODI #11695799
Engine
08/14/2025

Vehicle unable to hold coolant. Local shop says the coolant lines hold pressure and leak appears to be with manifold and turbo. Car has less than 35k miles. There is a recall for this turbo issue with 2017 and up models but why not for 2016, or any other years with same issue?

ODI #11680618
Engine
06/16/2025

I believe my turbocharge is malfunctioning. The check engine light is on with code P0299. My vehicle is struggling to accelerate properly putting us in a few close calls while driving. Yes it is available for inspection - I've seen one mechanic on 6/13/25 - scheduled a follow up with a different one on 6/20/25 and have an appointment scheduled with GM on 7/1/25 should it go that far. I cannot pul...

ODI #11667276
Engine
04/19/2025

Add my car to your recall. Past recalls on these vehicles for oil leaking, which can cause a fire.

ODI #11655642
Engine
04/08/2025

The turbo has gone out on this and its not even 10 years old. I saw on other VIN's it got recalled and I believe all VIN's should be included

ODI #11653370
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
02/25/2025

This is an addendum to Complaint # 11644925 Before taking the car back to the dealership, Buick GMC of Beaverton, for repairs, I called the owner of Bassitt Auto Repair in Beaverton Oregon, 503-616-2007. He told me that they've had 3 other Buick Encores come to his repair shop in just the last 6 months, all with the identical problem. He said, without seeing our vehicle, that it is low compressio...

ODI #11644927
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
02/25/2025

My wife is [XXX] and I am [XXX] old. We purchased the 2016 Buick Encore with 29,000 miles from Buick GMC of Beaverton, Oregon on [XXX], expecting that it would out last both of us, since we are retired and only drive to the store and doctor's appointments; my wife has miraculously survived Stage IV cancer since February 1, 2019. The Encore is our only car and we depend on it for all transportat...

ODI #11644925
Engine
01/13/2025

Please help me. Please add my Vin# [XXX] for repair on a Past recall 2016 Buick. Dealer will not Fix my car, I need Vin Number added to recall. I have attached a copy of the recall. 43210 Engine Oil Leakage at Oil Cooler Pipe Reference Number: A162043210 GWM Number: 2043210 Condition Engine oil leakage at the oil cooler pipe caused by damaged O-ring. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO T...

ODI #11635756
Steering
11/25/2024

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that if his wife had been driving the vehicle at the time of the failure, she would not have been able to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer...

ODI #11627275
Power Train,Engine
11/15/2024

I purchased my 2016 Buick encore from the car dealer name [XXX] in Rochester Michigan. I purchased it in December 20 23 beginning in January when I would change gears the car sounded like the gears were clunking like they were gonna fall out or something. also, the engine hesitates and then excels really fast like I’m racing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),...

ODI #11625525
Engine
10/07/2024

Acceleration was reduced immediately on the freeway after the check engine light came on the day before with a P0299 code for turbocharger repair. Now the vehicle will not start and the dealership service said an additional code of po366 is now showing. Are these related? The turbocharger has an extended special coverage, but not engine repair that is likely the result of the turbocharger failu...

ODI #11618557
Fuel/Propulsion System
09/25/2024

In 2021, My ex husband received a notice from Buick extending the warranty to 120,000 on the Turbo Charger fuel injector due to failure in many vehicles. It was not included as a recall. In the State of Texas, vehicles must have an annual inspection to remain legal to drive. Each vehicle receives an annual Sticker. My sticker and inspection were due in July. In May of 2024, my check engine l...

ODI #11616340
Engine
08/02/2024

2016 Buick Encore VIN [XXX] approximately 60,000 miles. The vehicles turbo had a catastrophic failure pushing oil into the engine, and the catalytic converter causing extensive damage to both. The description from the first mechanic shop, I took it to descripted it as the turbo exploded, spewing oil everywhere. Buick knows the turbo engine is faulty and they issued a 'special' warranty, howeve...

ODI #11606053
Engine
06/20/2024

The turbo on my 2016 Buick Encore hasn't been working right for about a year. My engine light has been on consistently everyday for about 8 months. I've taken it to the dealer to get it repaired, and there is a bulletin - Reference Number A212338300 - but for some reason my VIN doesn't meet the requirement of the turbo replacement - even though the bulletin is for a turbo replacement. Why is my tu...

ODI #11595507
Engine And Engine Cooling
05/24/2024

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Encore. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she observed oil leaking from underneath the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the oil cooler pipe. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Service ...

ODI #11590633
Engine
05/19/2024

03/09/2024 overheated, replace thermostat and housing, refilled coolant 3/16/2024 overheated, refilled coolant 3/18/2024 towed to dealership. leaking oil, losing coolant $3280.00 repairs 4/1/2024 water pump 4/6/2024 Turbo coolant feedline Safety concern, I commute via I-95. Overheating could cause a multi vehicle collision Temperature gauge quickly drops to overheat.

ODI #11589545

Showing 20 of 77 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Buick Encore

Has the 2016 BUICK ENCORE been recalled?

Yes, the 2016 BUICK ENCORE has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.

How many complaints does the 2016 BUICK ENCORE have?

The 2016 BUICK ENCORE has 77 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 6 involved crashes. 14 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2016 BUICK ENCORE?

The 2016 BUICK ENCORE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 BUICK ENCORE?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 BUICK ENCORE involve engine (20 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (5 complaints), steering (3 complaints). Other affected components include power train,engine, engine,fuel/propulsion system, unknown or other.

How many crash reports does the 2016 BUICK ENCORE have?

There are 6 crash reports associated with the 2016 BUICK ENCORE out of 77 total complaints (7.8% of complaints involved crashes).

How many fire reports does the 2016 BUICK ENCORE have?

There are 1 fire reports for the 2016 BUICK ENCORE out of 77 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 BUICK ENCORE?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 BUICK ENCORE.

How many injuries are reported for the 2016 BUICK ENCORE?

14 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 BUICK ENCORE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.

Should I buy a 2016 BUICK ENCORE?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 BUICK ENCORE is acceptable with caveats. It has 77 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2016 BUICK ENCORE?

The components with the most failures on the 2016 BUICK ENCORE are: 1. ENGINE (20 complaints), 2. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (5 complaints), 3. STEERING (3 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (3 complaints), 5. ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (3 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 20 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2016 BUICK ENCORE?

Be aware of potential power steering and turbocharger issues, and check for recalls related to airbags and engine problems. The 2016 BUICK ENCORE has 77 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).

How reliable is the 2016 BUICK ENCORE?

The 2016 BUICK ENCORE receives a reliability score of 6/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 77 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 7 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbags and Engine and Fuel/Propulsion System.

What are the known issues with the 2016 BUICK ENCORE?

Known issues with the 2016 BUICK ENCORE include: Airbags, Engine and Fuel/Propulsion System, Power Train, Steering. These are based on patterns found across 77 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.

What are the most common issues with the 2016 Buick Encore?

Common issues include power steering failure, turbocharger problems, and airbag malfunctions.

Are there any recalls for the 2016 Buick Encore?

Yes, there are recalls for airbag and engine/fuel propulsion system issues.

How can I check if my 2016 Buick Encore is affected by these recalls?

Check with your local dealership or visit the NHTSA website for recall information.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be aware of potential power steering and turbocharger issues, and check for recalls related to airbags and engine problems.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Buick Encore

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Buick Encore. The data includes 77 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 6 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 14 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Buick Encore an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.

Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13