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Buick · Compact SUV

2016 Buick Encore

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA79
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA30 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Buick Encore is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Encore, is EPA-rated at 30 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 79 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
EncoreGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo273330$2,100
EncoreGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo253328$2,250
Encore AWDGasAWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo263128$2,250
Encore AWDGasAWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo233026$2,400

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 37204, 36490, 37183, 36768.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Buick Encore is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
high

Air Bags

17287
40,683 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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) softwRiskA 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.FixGM 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.
NHTSA campaign 17V437000reported Jul 10, 2017General Motors LLC
high

Air Bags

16007
3,640,162 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskA 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.FixGM 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V651000reported Sep 8, 2016General Motors LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
79complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 14 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 3 · 2017: 7 · 2018: 6 · 2019: 12 · 2020: 9 · 2021: 8 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 6 · 2024: 11 · 2025: 8 · 2026: 6

Most-cited components

Engine40
Fuel/Propulsion System13
Power Train11
Electrical System9
Unspecified8
Air Bags7

What owners describe

“The turbo on my 2016 Buick Encore hasn't been working right for about a year. My engine light has been on consistently everyday for about 8 months. I've taken it to the dealer to get it repaired, and there is a bulletin - Reference Number A212338300 - but for some reason my VIN doesn't meet the requirement of the turbo…”Jun 20, 2024 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2016 Buick Encore. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she observed oil leaking from underneath the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the oil cooler pipe. The vehicle was not repair…”May 24, 2024 · Engine And Engine Cooling · NHTSA owner report
“03/09/2024 overheated, replace thermostat and housing, refilled coolant 3/16/2024 overheated, refilled coolant 3/18/2024 towed to dealership. leaking oil, losing coolant $3280.00 repairs 4/1/2024 water pump 4/6/2024 Turbo coolant feedline Safety concern, I commute via I-95. Overheating could cause a multi vehicle colli…”May 19, 2024 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆20%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Encore model years

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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