The Lemon Index
201420161st generation
Better than average · most complaints: brakes
45 owner complaints, first 3 years 26–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2015 Subaru Crosstrek 392015 Kia Soul 662015 Jeep Renegade 428
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2015 Buick Encore
- Steering rack / power steering9 complaintsmostly at 30,000–71,000 miles (48,000–114,000 km)
- Turbocharger9 complaints
Specific parts named in the 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Buick Encore (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,000 and 21,000 miles (1,600–34,000 km) (the middle half of the 39 complaints, of all 45 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 17V437000 (airbags), 16V651000 (airbags) and 15V162000 (equipment) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Buick sent dealers 1461 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Power Steering Noise or Fluid Leak from Power Steering Pump, Gear or High Pressure Hose During…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Buick's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 45 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 21K miles (2K to 34K km) on the car (39 of all 45 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
On 5/25/18, abs failed when brakes applied at around 30 mph leading to a rear end crash on wet rainy road at a roundabout at jacaranda boulevard and east venice avenue, venice, fl.
2015 Buick Encore owner · NHTSA complaint 11100704
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 7.7M views · 2013–2022 Buick Encore
- Infotainment, battery & electrical321K views
Buick Encore Key Fob Battery Replacement (2017 - 2022)FobBattery · 239K views · 5 videos - Oil changes & service208K views
How to Change Oil on 2018-2021 Buick EncoreDaniel Fliman · 139K views · 5 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door196K views
2012-2018 Buick Encore cabin air filter replacementTruckNerd · 87K views · 6 videos - Cooling system157K views
Buick Encore Thermostat Change 2013 - 2016G Mans World · 65K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors156K views
2017 Buick Encore “Shakes, Sputters & RPM Surges” P0131, P0137, P0171, P2270 DTC FIXv8pontiacvent · 38K views · 7 videos - Brakes & ABS90K views
2015 Buick Encore Rear Brake Pad ChangePilot View Productions · 33K views · 3 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils82K views
2017-2019 BUICK ENCORE 1.4L Turbo - Bad Spark Plugs & Coil PacksPro Tips Plus · 40K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter81K views
The Fast and Easy Way To Service The Transmission On A 2015 Buick Encore with a Ecotec 1.4Hot Rod Dave · 81K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Buick Encore SUV 2013-2022 1st Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 109K views
Should you buy a used 2013-2016 Buick Encore/Chevy Trax? The honest truth you need to hear.Another Lap · 36K views
Review of My 2019 Buick Encore, Reliability & RecallsWitchauto · 31K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2015 is the same generation.
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 1461 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Power Steering Noise or Fluid Leak from Power Steering Pump, Gear or High Pressure Hose During…
- OnStar Module Battery Drain
- Tsb contains an owner's notification letter
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test.
- Equipment · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles have tire placards that do not provide the rim size information for the front or rear wheels.
Show all 4 recalls
- Steering · recall issued 2015
The steering column assembly housing may contact the power steering printed circuit board causing the circuit board to wear.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Encore SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Buick Encore SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,150–$2,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl.
Every Buick Encore year. 2015 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 7 Buick Encore years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2015 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-encore/?y=2015" title="Buick Encore reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/buick-encore/2015/">Lemon Index</a> (2015 Buick Encore reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2015 Buick Encore reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 68; 100 is average, lower is better). The Buick Encore year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2020.
What are the most common 2015 Buick Encore problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (22%), electrical (20%) and steering (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2015 Buick Encore have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Buick Encore get?
26 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2015 Buick Encore safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2015 Buick Encore problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,000 and 21,000 miles (1,600–34,000 km) (the middle half of the 39 complaints, of all 45 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2015 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2015 Buick Encore have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2015 Buick Encore cost in fuel a year?
About $2,150 to $2,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2015 Buick Encore have?
1.4L 4-cyl.
What Buick Encore year is better than the 2015?
Nearby, the 2018 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2020 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works