The Lemon Index
20201st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 13,718 in the U.S. in 2022 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 8 complaints in its first 3 years.
8 owner complaints, first 3 years 26–30 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2022 Honda HR-V 412022 Subaru Crosstrek 152022 Hyundai Kona 100
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Buick sent dealers 463 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This Preliminary information communicates a vehicle may come to the dealer with a complaint of…”?
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 8 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 →
In owners' words
None of my air bags went off in my car and my car was totalled. My insurance company has possession of the car now.
2022 Buick Encore owner · NHTSA complaint 11520170
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 2022 is the same generation.
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 463 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This Preliminary information communicates a vehicle may come to the dealer with a complaint of…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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 AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Buick Encore SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Buick Encore GX SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Buick Encore GX SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,000–$2,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.2L 3-cyl, 1.3L 3-cyl, 1.4L 4-cyl.
Every Buick Encore year. 2022 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 2022 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-encore/?y=2022" 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/2022/">Lemon Index</a> (2022 Buick Encore reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2022 Buick Encore reliable?
We can't score it: only 13,718 were sold in the U.S. in 2022 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2022 Buick Encore problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (25%), airbags (12%) and seat belts (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2022 Buick Encore have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2022 Buick Encore get?
26 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2022 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.
Does the 2022 Buick Encore have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2022 Buick Encore cost in fuel a year?
About $2,000 to $2,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2022 Buick Encore have?
1.2L 3-cyl, 1.3L 3-cyl, 1.4L 4-cyl.
What Buick Encore year is better than the 2022?
Nearby, the 2020 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).
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