This page covers 3 recalls, 60 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2014 Buick Encore.
25–28 mpg combined
8.4–9.4 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
The 2013 to 2014 Buick Encore received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. The Encore earned five stars in frontal crash, side crash, and side pole crash tests. It received four stars in rollover testing. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a vehicle redesign occurs, so this rating covers the entire 2013 to 2014 range.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2014 Buick Encore, engine and electrical issues generate the most owner complaints. On the engine side, owners frequently report coolant leaks and coolant system failures, often requiring repeated shop visits and extensive disassembly to address. Oil leaks are also mentioned, with some owners describing a burning oil smell from oil dripping onto hot components. The check engine light coming on repeatedly, sometimes returning after a repair, is another common thread, with oxygen sensor replacements appearing in multiple accounts. On the electrical side, owners describe the instrument cluster going dark while driving, inoperative taillights, and various warning lights illuminating unexpectedly. The fuel and propulsion system rounds out the top complaints, though at lower volume. The coolant leak pattern stands out as the most consistent recurring issue, with owners noting the problem persists across multiple repair attempts.
60
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2014 Buick Encore has 3 recalls, the most serious being a restraint system defect where the front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may fail to fire in a crash, leaving the driver and front passenger without full protection at the moment they need it most.
This same underlying issue was filed in two separate regulatory actions, but both describe the same failure: an electrical fault can prevent the pretensioners from tightening the seatbelts and the airbags from deploying during a collision severe enough to require them. Because pretensioners pull the belt tight against the body in the first fractions of a second of a crash, a failure means the occupant can move forward into the airbag zone before the bag deploys, or continue moving if the bag also fails. The third recall is a compliance matter involving the VIN printed on the front dashboard: the characters are smaller than required by Canadian safety standards, which could make the number harder to read for identification purposes.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control software may not have received a complete update from a previous recall. Under certain driving conditions, this software may run a diagnostic test that disables frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners during a crash.
What the fix does
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will update the air bag control software. If your vehicle previously deployed air bags, the control module will be replaced instead. Repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Under certain driving conditions, the air bag control module's software may run a self-test that disables the front air bags and seat belt pretensioners, preventing them from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control module software. If your air bags have previously deployed, the module will be replaced. Repairs are free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vehicle identification number printed on the front dashboard cover has characters that are too small to meet Canadian safety standards.
What the fix does
No repair is needed. This issue does not affect vehicle safety.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
