The 2013 Buick Encore has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 183,683 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 70 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet…
Consequence
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
SEAT BELTS14V4880002014-08-0848,114 affected
Defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to March 1, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to May 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock in a…
Consequence
If the seat belts do not remain locked in the retracted position when under load, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front the driver's and the passenger's lap belt pretensioners, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. GM sent interim notifications on October 7, 2014 and will send a second notification when remedy parts are available. The recall began on November…
SEATS14V4460002014-07-23124,007 affected
Defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles…
Consequence
A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and…
EQUIPMENT14V4170002014-07-022,990 affected
Defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet…
Consequence
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number…
AIR BAGS14V2980002014-06-0661 affected
Defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured April 10, 2013, to May 8, 2013, and Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured December 30, 2012, to March 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, an improper weld on the passenger side front air bag inflator may result in the air…
Consequence
If the air bag does not to deploy in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the front passenger.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick) or 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14211.
STEERING13V1050002013-03-28144 affected
Defect
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured between December 9, 2012 and December 28, 2012, and equipped with a heated steering wheel. The steering wheel fastener may not have been properly installed. This could cause the steering wheel to come loose or separate from the…
Consequence
If the steering wheel separates from the steering column while driving, the ability to steer could be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and make any necessary repairs on the steering wheel. These services will be provided at no charge to the customer. The safety recall began on May 21, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is General Motors campaign number 13098.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
21
POWER TRAIN
7
2crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6
1crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
AIR BAGS
5
2crashes2injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4
SEAT BELTS
3
TIRES
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
Total complaints70
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“My car had problems with overheating. I check my oil and coolant levels. My car show check engine light so I took it to mechanics to get check. The invoice states possible blown head gaskets. I research online similar complaints with other buick encore 2013. I just this car march 2023 has about…”
“The check engine light came and took the car to o'reillys and was informed it had low turbo boost code took car to the dealership and they indeed confirmed that was the issue and that it would be over $3000.00 to fix!!! I bought this car 4 months ago and this seems to be an issue with a few other…”
“The check engine light came and took the car to o'reillys and was informed it had low turbo boost code took car to the dealership and they indeed confirmed that was the issue and that it would be over $3000.00 to fix!!! I bought this car 4 months ago and this seems to be an issue with a few other…”
“The turbo charger is underboost and can explode the engine with oil flying everywhere”
“Turbo went out twice within 3 months. Also I waited for 6 weeks on a back ordered part. So much service work... Problem after problem this car is a lemon. The paint literally fell off the mirrors within the first year.”
“Check engine light came on was determined cadillac converter needs to be replaced only has 89105 miles on it”
“Check engine light came on and then started flashing while in motion. The traction light came on and off repeatedly. The engine had reduced power and at times would only go 30-35mph even with pedal mashed all the way. I took the vehicle to o'reilly's and they checked the codes which show camshaft…”
“Check engine light came on and then started flashing while in motion. The traction light came on and off repeatedly. The engine had reduced power and at times would only go 30-35mph even with pedal mashed all the way. I took the vehicle to o'reilly's and they checked the codes which show camshaft…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2013 Buick Encore as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.