Had accident, where I was hit from the front driver side, after that impact I was struck in the rear, which totaled the car. Me and a passage was tossed around like rag dolls. The seat belt on the passage side did not hold in place causing her head to strike the windshield twice, no airbags deployed from side front back none which would of kept her and I from being tossed around, this…
2016 Buick Encore airbags problems
severe 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
5crashes
14injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 7 airbags complaints filed for the 2016 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
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The airbags is displaying OFF despite who is sitting on it. It's been going on for about a year since start of COVID and it isn't turning ON. Also, the backup camera is not working properly and suddenly displaying very dark and not showing up properly.
The vehicle was driving down a city street at approximately 35 - 40 MPH. There was a glancing side impact to the drivers door, and all airbag curtains deployed. Causing bruising, burns, sprain, and a concussion. The impact to the vehicle was minimal. The airbag module had been flashed already. The new modules are on back-order and may be several months/indefinite before it can be repaired.
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 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 airbags problem on the 2016 Buick Encore?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 31,549 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2016/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.