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.
2017 Buick Encore airbags problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
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.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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.