RecallMyCar

2016 Buick Encore Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 2016 Buick Encore, and owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
80
owner complaints to NHTSA
6 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire
26–30
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 2016 Buick Encore

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive and 2 other components

    NHTSA 17V437000 Reported 40,683 vehicles potentially affected General Motors LLC

    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…

    Remedy: 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…

  2. Pretensioner (seat belts) and 2 other components

    NHTSA 16V651000 Reported 3,640,162 vehicles potentially affected General Motors LLC

    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,…

    Remedy: 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…

80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2016 Buick Encore have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA; 6 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 14 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 39,897 miles. Complaints peaked in 2019 with 12 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Sequential powertrain and turbocharger failure on 1.4L Ecotec engine following $5,700 in prior engine repairs. Vehicle experienced sudden loss of motive power. Component is covered under GM Special Co”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 1, 2026 · Engine

“We noticed the paint bubbling on one of her doors on the car and took it to the dealership who took no accountability. Now the car is peeling in the back and we’ve also noticed the same car, same mode”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 31, 2026 · Structure

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2016 Buick Encore (Encore AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined26–30 mpg
City / Highway23–27 / 30–33
FuelRegular
EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engine4 cyl, 1.4 L
TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Compare Buick Encore model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Buick Encore model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2013 Buick Encore652
2014 Buick Encore460
2015 Buick Encore4124
2016 Buick Encore280
2017 Buick Encore289
2018 Buick Encore074
2019 Buick Encore286
2020 Buick Encore219
2021 Buick Encore09
2022 Buick Encore08

Checking a specific 2016 Buick Encore

How do I know if my 2016 Buick Encore has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2016 Buick Encore; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Buick dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 16V651000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Buick models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.