Head-to-head reliability
Buick Enclave vs Buick Encore
How the Buick Enclave and Buick Encore compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Buick Enclave vs Buick Encore: The Enclave averages 45.2 complaints per year and has 14 recalls, while the Encore averages 60.1 complaints and 25 recalls. The Enclave's top issue is air bag failure; the Encore's is engine problems. Both have safety-related complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Enclave or Buick Encore more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Enclave
The Buick Enclave is a large three-row SUV that has averaged about 45 complaints per year over the past decade, with 14 recalls. The most common owner complaints involve air bags failing to deploy in crashes, brake assist failures, and engine stalling or hesitation. While it has fewer complaints per year than the Encore, the air bag and brake issues are serious safety concerns that buyers should investigate.
Buick Encore
The Buick Encore is a subcompact SUV that has averaged about 60 complaints per year over the past decade, with 25 recalls. Owners frequently report engine problems such as reduced power and check engine lights, along with electrical glitches and turbo failures. It also has a higher number of crash-related complaints and injuries compared to the Enclave.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Enclave | Buick Encore |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 452 Better | 601 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 14 Better | 25 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 24 Better | 52 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 45.2 Better | 60.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 20 Better | 76 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Buick Enclave
- 01AIR BAGS153
- 02SERVICE BRAKES60
- 03ENGINE60
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM58
- 05POWER TRAIN53
Owners report air bags failing to deploy in front and rear impacts, even when seatbelts also fail to lock. This is a critical safety issue that could increase injury risk in a crash.
Complaints include sudden brake failure with warning lights like 'Brake Assist Failure' and 'Service ESC', as well as grinding noises. These issues can compromise stopping ability and require immediate attention.
Owners describe engine stalling or losing power at highway speeds, sometimes with inability to shift out of park. The auto stop-start feature can also cause hesitation when accelerating from a stop.
Reports include headlights and brake lights failing due to electrical faults, and a tailgate that randomly opens on its own, even while driving. These glitches can be distracting and pose safety risks.
“The contact owned a 2025 Buick Enclave. While the contact’s daughter was driving through an intersection on a green light at an undisclosed speed, a truck crashed into the front driver’s side of the vehicle. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The con…”
“Motor vehicle accident 12/9/2023 in which I was struck from behind by fast moving vehicle, and forced into vehicle directly in front of my vehicle. No driver airbag deployment, nor did my seatbelt lock, as verified by responding officer.”
Buick Encore
- 01ENGINE223
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM88
- 03POWER TRAIN77
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER74
- 05AIR BAGS70
Frequent complaints of check engine lights, reduced engine power, and inability to accelerate. Some owners have had multiple sensors replaced, and turbo failures are also reported.
Owners report emission control and fuel evaporator codes, as well as air bags deploying unexpectedly with a loud bang and burning smell. These electrical issues can be costly and frightening.
Complaints include insufficient power, downshifting, and turbo failure requiring replacement. These problems can affect drivability and lead to expensive repairs.
Some owners report loss of acceleration, check engine and stabilitrak lights, and brake pedal stiffness. These symptoms can be hard to diagnose and may indicate multiple system faults.
“EARLY THIS YEAR WE START HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON THEN THE REDUCE POWER TO ENGINE COMING ON, SO WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WE BOUGHT IF FROM. SO FIRST WE HAD TO HAVE THREE SENSORS CHANGED, WE DID THAT AND AFTER THAT WAS DON…”
“LATELY I'M HAVING A ISSUE WITH THIS CAR, FIRST MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ON AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN I CAN BE AT A LIGHT OR DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE WARNING COMES ACROSS MY DISPLAY SCREEN, I CAN'T ACCELERATE SO I HAV…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Buick Enclave — 14 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
The risk: Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
The risk: Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th…
The risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increa…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267,…
Buick Encore — 25 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor…
The risk: If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4…
The defect: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use.
The risk: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may con…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.
The risk: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th…
The risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increa…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267,…
Buyer analysis
Buick Enclave or Buick Encore: which should you buy?
The Buick Enclave has fewer complaints per year (45.2 vs. 60.1) and fewer recalls (14 vs. 25) than the Buick Encore. However, the Enclave's complaints include serious air bag and brake failures, while the Encore's are more often engine and electrical issues. In practice, the Enclave may have fewer overall problems, but the ones it has can be more safety-critical.
Key differences
- The Enclave has fewer complaints per year (45.2) than the Encore (60.1), but the Enclave's top complaint is air bags failing to deploy, a critical safety concern.
- The Encore's most common complaint is engine problems, including reduced power and turbo failures, which can lead to costly repairs.
- The Encore has more than double the crash-related complaints (52 vs. 24) and triple the injuries (76 vs. 20) compared to the Enclave.
- The Enclave has 14 recalls, while the Encore has 25, including recalls for brakes, seats, and power train issues.
- Check for any history of air bag deployment issues or warning lights; have a mechanic verify the air bag system and seatbelt operation.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for grinding, warning lights, or failure; scan for stored codes related to brake assist or ESC.
- Listen for turbo whine or loss of power; check for check engine light codes related to turbo or emissions.
- Inspect electrical systems for random warning lights, especially air bag and stabilitrak; test all lights and accessories.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially air bag and brake recalls.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, focusing on the specific problem areas: air bags and brakes for the Enclave, engine and turbo for the Encore.
- Test drive at various speeds, including highway, to feel for hesitation, stalling, or transmission issues.
- Scan the vehicle's computer for stored trouble codes, even if no warning lights are on.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and any repairs related to the reported problem areas.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Buick Enclave | Buick Encore |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 13 | 8 |
| 2021 | 26 | 9 |
| 2020 | 59 | 19 |
| 2019 | 42 | 86 |
| 2018 | 65 | 74 |
| 2017 | 179 | 89 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Buick Enclave or Buick Encore in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Enclave vs Buick Encore
- Buick Enclave total complaints
- 452
- Buick Encore total complaints
- 601
- Buick Enclave total recalls
- 14
- Buick Encore total recalls
- 25
- Buick Enclave avg complaints/year
- 45.2
- Buick Encore avg complaints/year
- 60.1
- More reliable overall
- Buick Enclave
- Buick Enclave top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Buick Encore top complaint area
- ENGINE