This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Buick Encore engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Buick Encore have filed 16 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 66,790 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Encore (this page) | 16 |
| 2014 Encore | 18 |
| 2015 Encore | 14 |
| 2016 Encore | 26 |
| 2017 Encore | 30 |
When does it fail?
Of the 16 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Buick Encore, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 31% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 8 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Buick Encore engine cluster shows a dominant complaint: intermittent "Reduced Engine Power" warnings paired with check engine lights that cycle on and off over weeks or months. Owners restart repeatedly (sometimes four times) to restore function; the problem returns days or weeks later despite throttle body sensor replacement, catalytic converter swap, purge solenoid work, and EVAP flow repairs. No single fix holds.
Cold weather aggravates a separate failure mode: on sub-freezing days, vehicles develop burning smell, black tailpipe smoke, engine sputter, and complete stall—then work fine once warmed. Diagnostics show nothing in the warm garage, and GM's replacement parts are identical to the failed ones, suggesting engineers identified symptoms but not root cause.
Turbo issues hit at low mileage: low boost codes appear around 67,000–89,000 miles; one owner faced failure twice in three months with six-week parts backlogs. A single turbo replacement runs over $3,000.
Isolated reports include stalling while shifting or idling, overheating with suspected blown head gasket at 89,000 miles, abnormal engine clicking at 98,700 miles requiring piston replacement, and simultaneous camshaft, crankshaft, and misfire sensor faults at 67,000 miles. Multiple owners cite dealer inability or unwillingness to diagnose, and a GM engineer's dispatch to assess "others having the same problem" confirms the company knew of a pattern.
Same Buick Encore engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Check Engine Light & Reduced Engine Power (Intermittent)
Check engine light and reduced engine power warning come on intermittently, sometimes multiple times in succession. Owners report having to restart the vehicle repeatedly (up to 4 times) to resolve the issue. The problem recurs over weeks or months despite repairs. One owner encountered this simultaneously at highway speed while merging onto Highway 57 in Chicago and again on the Dan Ryan Expressway, creating a safety hazard.
When: 2016–2018, various mileages reported from 47,000 to 98,700 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates, sometimes flashing; Reduced engine power warning on dashboard; Unable to accelerate normally; vehicle coasts; Engine sputters or surges; Vehicle stalls briefly until restarted; Problem resolves temporarily after multiple restart cycles; Occurs more frequently in cold weather but not limited to it
Codes mentioned: Generic check engine code (not specified in narratives), Throttle body sensor fault, Camshaft sensor code, Crankshaft sensor code, Cylinder 2 misfire, Turbo underboost code
Repairs/costs cited: Three sensors replaced; catalytic converter replaced; throttle body sensor and air intake parts replaced by GM engineer; purge solenoid and EVAP flow replaced; throttle body cleaned and adjusted ($545 paid by one owner); throttle collar replaced. Repairs temporary; problem recurs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships unable to reliably diagnose; replacement parts identical to failed ones; GM engineer dispatched in cold-climate cases; manufacturer not notified per owner claim; no recall issued as of complaint date
Cold-Weather Engine Failure (Stalling & Black Smoke)
On extremely cold days (−30°F reported), engine develops burning smell, sputters, produces black smoke from tailpipe, and stalls without warning. Problem appears more common in colder climates. After towing and sitting in warm garage overnight, diagnostics show nothing and problem cannot be recreated. Issue recurs on subsequent cold days. GM dispatched an engineer to assess multiple affected vehicles, suggesting awareness of a pattern.
When: January, bitterly cold days; vehicle described as new at time of first incident
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell (oil-burning odor); Engine sputtering; Black smoke from tailpipe; Complete engine stall; Problem disappears when vehicle warmed; cannot recreate in warm garage
Codes mentioned: None found during diagnostics (problem non-reproducible in warm conditions)
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body sensor replaced; air intake parts replaced by GM engineer. Owner notes replacement parts are identical to failed ones, suggesting temporary patch rather than permanent fix.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM engineer dispatched from Minneapolis to assess vehicle and others with same issue; owner reports problem documented on Buick forums; no permanent design fix identified
Turbocharger Failure (Low Boost / Complete Failure)
Turbo boost pressure drops below specification, illuminating check engine light with low turbo boost code. One owner reported turbo failure twice within three months. Repair cost quoted at over $3,000. Another owner experienced multiple sensor codes and turbo underboost simultaneously.
When: 4 months after purchase; 67,000 miles reported in one case; 89,105 miles in catalytic converter-related case
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Low turbo boost code triggered; Possible deceleration or vehicle overheat risk mentioned by owner; Exhaust manifold burn risk noted by owner
Codes mentioned: Low turbo boost code, Turbo underboost code
Repairs/costs cited: Turbo replacement quoted at over $3,000; one owner had turbo replaced twice in three months; six-week backorder on replacement part reported
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership confirmed diagnosis; no recall issued; owner believes recall warranted
Catalytic Converter Failure
Catalytic converter failure triggers check engine light. One owner had catalytic converter replaced in June (early complaint history); another with 89,105 miles required replacement. Problem appears recurrent in the cluster—multiple owners cite converter replacement.
When: June 2016 (first complaint); 89,105 miles (another owner)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates
Codes mentioned: Catalytic converter fault code (not explicitly stated)
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement performed; one owner had converter replaced after three separate recurrences of reduced power warning
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership performed replacement; no recall or TSB mentioned
Engine Stall Without Warning
Vehicle stalls unexpectedly while idling, shifting gears, or during normal operation. One case involved stall while parked in drive after reversing; another while idling in park. Vehicle fails to restart in at least one instance.
When: At 7,776 miles (one case); 47,000 miles (idling stall); early in ownership cycle noted in several
Symptoms owners cite: Unwarned stall while in Drive after shifting from Reverse; Stall while idling in Park; Vehicle fails to restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose in one case; repair history not provided for stall-only cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware in at least one case; no action or diagnosis provided
Piston / Internal Engine Damage (Abnormal Clicking)
Abnormal clicking noise emanates from engine; diagnosis indicates pistons require replacement. Presented as isolated incident but suggests internal mechanical wear or defect.
When: 98,700 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal clicking noise from engine; Check engine warning indicator illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosed piston replacement needed; vehicle not repaired; no cost estimate provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised owner to file NHTSA complaint; no recall or service bulletin mentioned
Multiple Sensor Faults (Camshaft, Crankshaft, Misfire, Traction)
At relatively low mileage (67,000), vehicle developed multiple simultaneous diagnostic codes affecting sensor systems and engine control. Traction light cycled on and off. Engine power severely reduced to 30–35 mph max.
When: 67,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light flashing; Traction light on and off repeatedly; Reduced engine power; Max speed limited to 30–35 mph despite full throttle depression
Codes mentioned: Camshaft sensor code, Crankshaft sensor code, Cylinder 2 misfire, Turbo underboost code, ABS code
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed at O'Reilly Auto Parts; repair history not provided
Engine Overheating & Blown Head Gasket
Vehicle overheated; oil and coolant levels checked by owner. Check engine light illuminated. Mechanic diagnosed possible blown head gasket. Owner researched and found similar complaints from other 2013 Buick Encore owners.
When: March 2023 purchase; 89,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating; Check engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Blown head gasket suspected; repair cost and completion not stated
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
My car had problems with overheating. I check my oil and coolant levels. My car show check engine light so I took it to mechanics to get check. The invoice states possible blown head gaskets. I research online similar complaints with other Buick Encore 2013. I just this car March 2023 has about 89000. I am making payments.
Early this year we start having problems with the check engine light coming on then the reduce power to engine coming on, so we took it back to the dealership we bought if from. So first we had to have three sensors changed, we did that and after that was done it still kept jumping on 4 time before it stopped. Then june of this year it started back we took it back to the dealership then they tell…
There are toxic fumes and an odor emanating from the interior of my 2013 Buick encore. The upholstery seems to be the most likely source. The fumes have been causing a chronic burning sensation in our eyes, nose, throat, and which occasionally results in stomach discomfort and nausea. The fumes and odor intensify on sunny days and when taking extended trips. The issue has been reported to the gm…
Premium trim level has forward collision warning. On at least six occasions beginning november of last year (2013), the forward collision warning has come on with no vehicle in front for hundreds of feet and has disengaged the cruise control, essentially causing the vehicle to coast until the accelerator was manually depressed. Four incidents occurred while traveling on the new jersey turnpike…
Turbo went out twice within 3 months. Also I waited for 6 weeks on a back ordered part. So much service work... Problem after problem this car is a lemon. The paint literally fell off the mirrors within the first year.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Buick encore. While driving approximately 80 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The "reduced engine power" warning indicator illuminated. The failure occurred multiple times. The dealer stated that the throttle collar, which controlled all the fuel that feeds to the engine, was defective. The throttle collar was replaced and the manufacturer was not notified.…
Had engine trouble with your 2013 Buick Encore?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2013 Buick Encore?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 16,500 and 75,450 miles, with the median around 66,790. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,500; a quarter make it past 75,450. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Buick/Encore.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.