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2017 Buick Encore Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2017 Buick Encore carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering frontal. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Turbocharger failure under GM Special Coverage N232395330.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Campaign #16V651000 · Aug 9, 2016

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Campaign #17V437000 · Oct 7, 2017

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Buick Encore.

Reported to NHTSA

Turbocharger failure under GM Special Coverage N232395330

ENGINE

19 NHTSA complaints · 2021-09 → 2026-07

“Turbo has cracked like multiple other encores covered under a recall N232395330 id like to know why my car is not covered but the others are??”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11608481
“Turbo failure on car caused lack of power to the vehicle when accelerating”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11433628
“There is a problem with the 2017 Buick Encore turbocharger. From speaking with the auto shop I took it to for a check they have seen many Buick Encore’s with the same turbocharger problems. He spoke to me about it prior to me dropping off the vehicle and then confirming the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11743618

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield wiper motor failure

VISIBILITY/WIPER

5 NHTSA complaints · 2018-08 → 2026-01

“I WAS HEADING TO WORK AND NEEDED TO USE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHEN THEY SIMPLY WOULD NOT TURN ON - NO SOUND FROM THE MOTOR OR ANYTHING. FOR MANY DAYS THIS HAS NOT WORKED, NOW GOING OVER A WEEK. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS THAT ANYTHING COULD BE WRONG EITHER. I NEED MY WIPERS! THE NEAREST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11350975
“WHEN YOU WOULD START THE CAR THE WIPERS WOULD START BY THEMSELVES...NOW THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY..I DONT KNOW IF THERE'S WARRANTY ON THE CAR OR NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11268754
“THE WIPER BLADES FAILED TO WORK DURING A WET HEAVY SNOW FALL. THE WIPERS REMOVED THE SNOW VERY WELL ON THE UP STROKE BUT ON THE DOWN STROKE THE WIPERS PACKED THE SNOW ON THE COWLING UNTIL IT GOT TO A POINT THAT THE WIPERS COULD NOT COMPLETE THE CYCLE AND THEY WOULD STOP WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11115529

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt latch and retractor failure

SEAT BELTS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-03 → 2025-07

“REAR SEATBELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. ALL INSTRUMENTS STOPPED WORKING MOMENTARILY WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11184418
“The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side seat belt failed to work as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The front driver’s side seat belt also failed to work as intended. The contact had to push the front seat all the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675097
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2017 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK SECURELY INTO THE BUCKLE. THE SEAT BELT WAS CLEANED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11320528

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Vehicle rollback while stopped or in Park

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2018-01 → 2024-10

“I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN I AM STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON AN INCLINE, THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES ROLL BACKWARDS WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR WHEN CHANGING MY FOOT TO THE GAS PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD ONCE THE LIGHT CHANGES. THE MORE THE INCLINE; THE WORSE THE PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11209909
“I WAS DROPPING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL. I WAS IN LINE OF DROP OFF. I STOPPED MY CAR PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND REMOVED MY FOOT FROM BRAKE. SUDDENLY I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS MOVING JUST LIKE IN THE SPEED OF NEUTAL. I PUSHED THE BRAKES HARD BECAUSE MY CAR WAS ABOUT TO HIT THE CAR INFRONT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11065351

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in frontal or rear crash

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2018-09 → 2025-07

“Was rear ended by a suspect fleeing police, he hit me about 100 mph, pushed my car into the rear of the car in front of me. Air bags did not deploy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11419457
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11269561

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment fire

ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-04 → 2023-07

“MY 2017 ENCORE BURST INTO FLAMES. I ARRIVED TO WORK AFTER LUNCH, I PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND I SEE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR. I PAUSED JUST A MOMENT TO SEE IF IT WAS GOING TO STOP BUT IT GOT WORSE VERY FAST. I GRABBED MY PURSE AND JUMPED OUT OF THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11197274
“THIS VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 8,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD ONLY BEEN SERVICED ONE TIME BY THE DEALER (OIL CHANGE IN MAY 2018) THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CONSUMED THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS IN THE DRIVE THROUGH LANE OF A KFC RESTAURANT WHEN THE CAR CAUGHT ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11193318
“The contact owned a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated that the vehicle was at a standstill in a traffic light, she saw smoke exiting from the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated a bystander informed the vehicle was on”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11532298

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

CVT Fluid (Encore GX / Envista FWD)

Every 45,000 mi

FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

39 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

12

complaints mentioning a crash

4

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2017 Buick Encore reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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