This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Buick Encore powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Buick Encore have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Encore | 9 |
| 2015 Encore | 8 |
| 2016 Encore | 10 |
| 2017 Encore | 8 |
| 2018 Encore (this page) | 10 |
| 2019 Encore | 9 |
| 2020 Encore | 4 |
| 2021 Encore | 3 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 10 powertrain complaints filed for the 2018 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 9 model years of Buick Encore we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 10.
No new NHTSA powertrain 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 powertrain 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 bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30, 6T35, 6T40, 6T45, and 6T50 Transmissions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Turbocharger trouble dominates these complaints. One owner had the turbo fail twice in 4 months; a shop finally traced the second failure to a lubrication line not flowing oil properly to the turbo, raising questions about why that wasn't caught during the first replacement. Another owner reported four turbo failures in under a year. Multiple owners describe loss of power, hesitation on acceleration, and inability to climb hills—situations that put them on highways crawling below speed limit.
Power loss pairs with P0171 fuel-lean codes that recur even after service attempts. One owner's vehicle shook while parked, yet the dealer wouldn't diagnose without an active check engine light. Another experienced a sudden stall at 55 mph with front-end shudder and loss of steering control; an unknown module replacement didn't fix it.
Less common but alarming: one vehicle shifted into neutral at 35 mph with all doors unlocking at once, and another rolled away while parked at 5,200 miles. A third owner reported the vehicle hesitating to accelerate from a stop in first gear with a "Stabilizer" message. Service Bulletin #N212338400 is referenced but details sparse. Dealers have repeatedly failed to pinpoint causes or execute lasting repairs.
Same Buick Encore powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Turbocharger failure and recurring breakdown
Turbocharger fails prematurely; some owners report multiple failures within short timeframes. One owner had the turbo replaced twice within 4 months, with the second failure traced to insufficient lubrication in the return/supply line. Another owner reported four turbo failures in less than a year.
When: As early as 800 miles; recurring within months of replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Engine light illuminated; Loss of power and hesitation during acceleration; Vehicle unable to accelerate on hills or at highway speeds; Whirring noise when engine shut off
Codes mentioned: P0171 (fuel system lean condition)
Repairs/costs cited: Turbocharger replacement; one owner noted shop identified lubrication line issue but did not address it during initial replacement. Service Bulletin #N212338400 referenced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty covered one replacement; manufacturer aware but no systematic fix identified. Dealers unable to resolve underlying P0171 issues.
Rough idle and lack of power with P0171 code
Vehicle exhibits rough idle and persistent power loss, with check engine light triggering P0171 (fuel system lean) code. Issue recurs intermittently; dealer unable to repair without active check engine light present.
When: Starting December 2018, recurring through service attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle; Lack of power during driving; Vehicle shaking while in park; Check engine light (P0171); Stabilitrak light illuminated
Codes mentioned: P0171
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repair documented; dealer deferred service when check engine light was absent
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM dealers unable to fix turbo and P0171 issues
Loss of motive power and stalling at highway speed
Vehicle stalls suddenly at highway speed; front end shakes and shudders, steering wheel becomes difficult to control. An unknown module was replaced but failure persisted.
When: 7,132 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front-end shake and shudder; Steering wheel stiffening; Loss of motive power; Engine stall; Check engine light illuminated; Vehicle failed to restart
Repairs/costs cited: Unknown module replaced; failure did not resolve
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware
Inadvertent shift to neutral and door unlock at low speed
Vehicle shifted into neutral without driver input while operating at 35 mph and during hill driving; all door latches unlocked simultaneously without warning. Two different dealerships unable to duplicate issue, though owner reports failure persisted.
When: ~800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended shift to neutral; All door latches unlocking without warning; No warning light prior to occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanics unable to duplicate and repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not informed
Service AWD warning light and unresolved transmission issue
Service AWD warning light illuminates and remains on. Vehicle taken to dealer multiple times but not resolved on first attempt. Separate complaint reports transmission malfunction in first gear with hesitation on acceleration and 'Stabilizer' message display.
When: 85,000 miles (AWD issue); 147,000 miles (transmission issue)
Symptoms owners cite: Service AWD warning light; Transmission hesitation from stationary in first gear; Stabilizer message displayed
Repairs/costs cited: AWD issue eventually repaired after multiple dealer visits; transmission malfunction cause undetermined
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no assistance offered for transmission malfunction
Vehicle rolls away while parked
Parked, unoccupied vehicle rolls away and collides with another vehicle. Police report filed; no injuries.
When: 5,200 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls away while parked unoccupied
Repairs/costs cited: Awaiting diagnosis and repair at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware
Stabilitrak warning and stalling
Stabilitrak warning light illuminates and vehicle stalls out.
Symptoms owners cite: Stabilitrak warning light; Engine stall
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
8/14-car was lacking power, service manager was able to duplicate issue on road test . 8/24-car service for rough idle and lack of power, service stabilitrak light on and check engine light on with an error code of p0171. In september, car started to shake while in park but no check engine light, dealer advise unable to do any repairs unless check engine light on. 11/27- check engine light…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2018 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 powertrain problem on the 2018 Buick Encore?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 62,055 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2018/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.