This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Buick Encore airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Buick Encore have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Encore | 4 |
| 2014 Encore | 5 |
| 2015 Encore | 12 |
| 2016 Encore | 7 |
| 2017 Encore (this page) | 13 |
| 2018 Encore | 10 |
| 2019 Encore | 9 |
9crashes
1fire
27injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 13 airbags complaints filed for the 2017 Buick Encore, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Of the 7 model years of Buick Encore we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 13.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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.
THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ON LOCATING AND RECONNECTING AIRBAG CONNECTORS THAT ARE NOT FULLY SEATED TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED, OR ONE, OR MORE, AIRBAG DTC(S) SET.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe 13 separate incidents involving the 2017 Buick Encore airbag system across multiple failure modes.
Airbag non-deployment in crashes: Nine owners report that frontal and/or side airbags failed to deploy during collisions—ranging from a rear-end at standstill to 77 mph interstate crashes and a 100 mph police pursuit impact. Impact forces were sufficient to cause vehicle totaling, occupant injury, rollover, and in one case a side-impact from an 18-wheeler trailer. No pre-crash warning lights or alerts preceded these failures.
Passenger-side sensor faults: Two owners report the "Air Bag Off" light illuminated on the dashboard despite passengers being seated. One owner's dealer diagnosed a failed front passenger seat presence module at 45,000 miles and recommended replacement; that vehicle was not repaired.
Seatbelt failures accompanying airbag non-deployment: Multiple owners report seatbelts failing to properly restrain occupants during crashes. One owner discovered the driver and passenger seatbelts were installed on opposite sides from their manufacture markings. Another notes the seatbelt pretensioner discharged without the airbag deploying.
Manufacturer response: GM issued case numbers in some instances but provided no corrective action or further assistance in most reported cases. One manufacturer statement claimed seatbelts "operated as designed."
Same Buick Encore airbags reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Frontal airbags failed to deploy in crashes
Multiple owners report that frontal airbags did not deploy during high-speed and moderate-speed collisions with sufficient impact force, despite seatbelts engaging or locking in some cases.
When: During accidents at speeds ranging from ~28 mph to 77 mph and higher; mileage ranges from 29,000 to 87,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment on impact; No warning lights or alerts before crash; Impact forces adequate to cause vehicle damage, occupant injury, and in some cases rollovers
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle diagnosed with failed front passenger seat presence module requiring replacement; other vehicles not repaired or professionally diagnosed before reporting
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted in multiple cases; one case notes seatbelts 'operated as designed'; case numbers issued (923908, others redacted) but no further assistance provided in most instances
Side airbags failed to deploy
Owner reports that side airbags did not deploy during a high-impact side collision with an 18-wheeler, causing injuries to driver and passenger.
When: December 27, 2022 on Altamont Pass at 65 mph; involved side impact from drifting semi-truck trailer
Symptoms owners cite: No side or front airbag deployment during side-impact collision with trailer; Occupants sustained front-of-body, back, and spine injuries
Passenger airbag showing 'Air Bag Off' warning with seat occupied
Owner reports recurring condition where passenger-side airbag warning displays 'Air Bag Off' while a passenger is seated and seatbelt unbuckled, preventing proper seatbelt chime reminder.
When: Approximately 45,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag 'Off' message displayed with passenger present; Seatbelt chime reminder failed to engage; Recurring failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed failed front passenger-side seat presence module requiring replacement; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; referred to dealer; related to campaigns 17V437000 and 16V651000 per owner
Airbag warning indicator illuminated on dashboard
Owner reports persistent illumination of passenger-side airbag 'Off' light on dash, with both driver and passenger airbags showing 'Off' status despite no evident occupancy sensor issue.
When: Lit for approximately one month at time of report
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag light continuously illuminated; Driver and passenger airbags both showing 'Off'
Seatbelt pretensioner failure and misinstallation
Owner reports that driver-side seatbelt collapsed during braking in a crash, failed to restrain occupant, and was installed on wrong side of vehicle (marked 'R' installed as driver-side, 'L' as passenger). Pretensioner discharged without airbag deployment.
When: Less than 2 miles after vehicle was leased; crash impact at low speed
Symptoms owners cite: Seatbelt pretensioner failed—belt collapsed during impact; Seatbelts installed on opposite sides from manufacture markings; Airbag sensor discharged gas but airbag did not deploy; Occupants struck steering wheel and sustained injuries
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle repaired after $10K+ damage; airbag later marked as 'fixed' by different dealership; seatbelt installation error identified by GM rep at scene
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM rep inspected vehicle and seatbelts at owner's home; contradictory statements on seatbelt recall status; GM CEO and claims department contacted by owner but refused further assistance
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
We hit 2 deers at 70 MPH it damaged the whole front part of our car . None of the air bags deployed. The 4 way flashers came on the seatbelts locked up yet no airbags. Also this is the first and only time the 4 way flashers worked. The car has been fixed and no 4 way flashers again.
Consumer writes in regard to no airbag deployment after an accident. *as *js *bf the consumer stated the manufacturer was notified and stated the seat belts operated as designed. *js claim number xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ('parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'*jb
I had just leased this car, drove less than 2 miles from home when my brakes failed. I applied brakes to stop, but the car would not stop, it slowed to 14 MPH - kept moving until I slammed into truck approx 3-400' ahead of me, had plenty of room to stop. Pretensioner failed - driver seatbelt collapsed around me while locked in place the second I slammed on brake. Driver seatbelt was on passenger…
Had airbags trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Buick Encore?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 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 13 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 42,000 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/2017/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.