The Most Common 2017 Buick Encore Problems
Failed airbag deployment, engine stalls, and going into limp mode are a few of the most commonly-reported issues with the 2017 Buick Encore.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The 2017
Buick Encore
has a list of documented issues, the most dangerous being a software glitch that rendered the vehicle’s airbags inoperative, creating serious potential danger for the occupants. This issue was the basis for two recalls for the 2017 Encore.- The 2017 Buick Encore has several documented issues, including a software glitch that could cause the airbags to fail to deploy during a crash, stalling engines, and entering limp mode.
- Despite some engine issues, the 2017 Encore is still considered very reliable by both owners and reporting agencies.
- The 2017 Buick Encore has several documented issues, including a software glitch that could cause the airbags to fail to deploy during a crash, stalling engines, and entering limp mode.
- Despite some engine issues, the 2017 Encore is still considered very reliable by both owners and reporting agencies.
The most common 2017 Buick Encore problems
The three most common problems with the 2017 Buick Encore include:
- A software glitch affecting frontal airbag and seat belt pretensioner deployment: A software bug inside the Encore’s computer would direct the SUV’s airbag system to conduct a diagnostic test instead of deploying, which could pose serious danger in a crash. The issue resulted in General Motors issuing two safety recalls, and a software fix was issued to correct the issue.
- Check engine light and vehicle stalling: Unexplained engine problems caused theCheck Engine warning lightto illuminate, followed by the vehicle suddenly stalling. As reported to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) by Encore owners, the vehicle would stall while being driven between 70 and 80 miles per hour.
- Limp mode: The vehicle suddenly becomes unable to accelerate or maneuver, even to avoid a collision. As reported to the NHTSA, there were documented instances of the Encore being repaired at the dealership following a bout of limp mode, only to have the problem reoccur anywhere from 24 hours to two weeks later.
Other common issues noted with the 2017 Buick Encore include:
- Poor acceleration due to bad turbochargers
- Excessive smoke
- Unexpected fires starting near the front of the vehicle
- Windshield wipers failing to work
- Electrical system complaints
2017 Buick Encore reliability
Despite the issues outlined above, the Buick Encore is considered a very reliable subcompact SUV. While there were more than 40 complaints recorded by the NHTSA, that’s out of the thousands of Encores that remain safely on the road.
The Encore’s high reliability ratings speak for themselves:
- RepairPal: 4/5 reliability rating
- JD Power: 87/100
The 2017 model year Encore averages $511 per year in annual maintenance and auto repair, which is slightly below average.
Bottom line: Despite some issues, the 2017 Buick Encore is still considered a solid and reliable vehicle.
MORE:
Are Buicks good cars?
“This was the coolest insurance company I’ve seen so far. They saved me $1200 and their Ux is stellar. GoJerry!” —Carla W.
Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Get ahead of my car maintenance
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
4.7
We value your privacy
