Every 2016 Buick Encore recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Air Bags · NHTSA 17V437000
Oct 7, 2017Air Bags:Frontal
- Problem
- 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 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. 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. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- Fix
- 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 August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Full recall details for 17V437000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V651000
Aug 9, 2016Air Bags:Frontal
- Problem
- 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, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- Fix
- 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 October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Full recall details for 16V651000 →
2016 Buick Encore complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Buick Encore, reporting 6 crashes, 1 fires, 14 injuries. Buick has issued at least 1,253 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine41
- Fuel/Propulsion System13
- Power Train12
- Electrical System9
- Unknown Or Other8
- Air Bags7
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (500)
- Electrical System (253)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (184)
- Engine (140)
- Power Train (87)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (82)
Read Buick Encore owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Buick Encore. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“HAD ACCIDENT, WHERE I WAS HIT FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, AFTER THAT IMPACT I WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR, WHICH TOTALED THE CAR. ME AND A PASSAGE WAS TOSSED AROUND LIKE RAG DOLLS.”
2016 BUICK ENCOREDec 23, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11384768
Fire
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE OR AT START UP THE ENGINE SMOKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ODOR OF BURNING ENGINE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF OIL ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED.”
2016 BUICK ENCOREJan 31, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11306290
Injury reportedCrash
“I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET WHEN A CAR GOING OVER 60 MPH HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME THAT WAS WAITING FOR THE SAME LIGHT, WITH SUCH FORCE IT TOOK OUT MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR END AND WAS THEN PUSHED ONTO THE MEDIUM AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.”
2016 BUICK ENCOREJan 3, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11297030
Crash
“YAKATA RECALL. THE AIRBAGS IN MY CAR DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE OTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT AND HIT ME ON THE DRIVER FRONT OF MY CAR. IT CAUSED $11,884 WORTH OF DAMAGE.”
2016 BUICK ENCOREJun 1, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11099223
Injury reportedCrash
“TAMARA RECALL: THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS AND SEATBELT PRETENSIONERS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A CRASH TO BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE. ALL SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE CRASH. I WAS STOPPED BEHIND A VEHICLE AT A RED LIGHT WHEN A DRUNKEN DRIVER SLAMMED INTO MY 2016 BUICK ENCORE.”
2016 BUICK ENCOREMar 15, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11079497
Check your Encore by VIN
Not every 2016 Buick Encore is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Buick dealer.
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