Head-to-head reliability
Buick Encore vs Buick Lacrosse
How the Buick Encore and Buick Lacrosse compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Buick Encore vs Buick Lacrosse: The Encore averages 33 complaints per year with severe engine/transmission failures, while the Lacrosse averages 88.6 complaints per year with more electrical and steering issues. The Encore has 10 recalls, the Lacrosse 33. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Encore or Buick Lacrosse more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Encore
The Buick Encore is a subcompact SUV that, based on NHTSA data, has a high rate of engine and powertrain failures, with owners reporting sudden loss of power on the highway and transmissions failing shortly after repair. Electrical issues like backup camera failure and false diagnostic codes add to the frustration. With 33 complaints per year and 10 recalls, it's a vehicle that demands careful pre-purchase inspection.
Buick Lacrosse
The Buick Lacrosse is a full-size sedan with a higher complaint rate of 88.6 per year and 33 recalls. Owners frequently report electrical system problems causing acceleration hesitation and warning lights, along with steering and suspension issues like abnormal noises and shuddering. Engine catalyst failures and fuel system recalls are also notable concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Encore | Buick Lacrosse |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 330 Better | 886 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 33 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 33 Better | 51 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 33.0 Better | 88.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 52 | 41 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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 Encore
- 01ENGINE109
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM53
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER52
- 04POWER TRAIN44
- 05SERVICE BRAKES38
Owners report sudden loss of power on the highway, with the vehicle unable to exceed 20 mph, and repeated powertrain failures even after transmission replacement. Some also note lack of power and downshifting.
Problems include a 'Service Charging System' warning that may cause stalling, and a rear backup camera that fails intermittently then completely, leaving the driver without a view when reversing.
Some owners report rodent infestations, with dealerships noting GM should have installed screens. Others describe false-negative diagnostic results from the remote system, failing to detect active transmission failures.
Transmission failures are severe, with one owner needing a complete replacement that failed again nine days later, leaving the car unable to accelerate on the highway.
“Second complete powertrain failure on March 14, 2026 at 13,993 miles, nine days after first repair (complete transmission replacement for bone-dry sealed transmission). Symptoms: sudden loss of power on highway (unable to exceed 20 mph with accelerator fully…”
“PURCHASED NEW BUICK ENCORE 2020 ON 05/22/2000. PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS HONDA CIVIC. ENCORE NEVER SEEMED TO HAVE ENOUGH POWER & WOULD DOWNSHIFT. ON 10/19/20 THERE WAS AN ISSUE ACTION REQUESTED) DETECTED BY BUICK BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THEN ON 10/28/2020, WE WERE…”
Buick Lacrosse
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM230
- 02ENGINE169
- 03STEERING114
- 04SUSPENSION105
- 05POWER TRAIN95
Owners report the car struggling to accelerate after stops, with gear shift lights blinking and warning messages like 'engine power reduced.' The engine fan may also fail to shut off after turning off the vehicle.
Common issues include a check engine light for catalyst system low efficiency (code P0430), and the accelerator pedal failing to respond, with 'engine power reduced' messages.
The 'Steering Advance System Declined' message appears, and dealers often cannot duplicate the failure, leaving owners with an intermittent loss of steering assist.
Abnormal stomping sounds and wheel shuddering are reported, along with increased steering effort, suggesting potential suspension component failures.
“When I get to a stop sign, and a stop light, when trying to accelerate after a complete stop, the car would struggle to accelerate to go forward. Where the shifting gears would start blinking, and the warning lights (engine power reduced, engine light, and th…”
“The contact owns a 2019 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that the engine fan failed to shut off after turning off the vehicle. The failure occurred while the vehicle was idling in a drive-thru with the temperature gauge reading that the engine was in the co…”
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 Encore — 10 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 2020-2022 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…
Buick Lacrosse — 33 recalls
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,…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insu…
The risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrole…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange…
The risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service…
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 Encore or Buick Lacrosse: which should you buy?
The Buick Encore has fewer complaints per year (33 vs 88.6) and fewer recalls (10 vs 33), making it the less problematic choice on paper. However, its engine and transmission failures are more severe, often leaving owners stranded, while the Lacrosse's issues are more electrical and steering-related.
Key differences
- The Encore has severe engine and transmission failures that can cause sudden loss of power on the highway, while the Lacrosse's electrical issues cause hesitation and warning lights.
- The Lacrosse has more steering and suspension complaints, including abnormal noises and shuddering, which the Encore lacks.
- The Encore has rodent infestation complaints and false diagnostic codes, unique to its design.
- The Lacrosse has more recalls (33 vs 10), indicating more widespread safety campaigns.
- Check for any history of transmission replacement or engine power loss, as these are common and can recur.
- Inspect the backup camera operation and look for any 'Service Charging System' warnings.
- Test the acceleration from a stop for hesitation or gear shift blinking, and check for any 'engine power reduced' messages.
- Listen for abnormal stomping sounds from the suspension and test steering for any 'Steering Advance System Declined' messages.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any transmission or engine repairs on the Encore.
- Test drive the Lacrosse at low speeds to check for acceleration hesitation and warning lights.
- Inspect the Encore's backup camera and charging system for proper function.
- Check the Lacrosse's steering and suspension for unusual noises or vibrations.
- Review recall completion status for both vehicles, especially the Lacrosse's multiple recalls.
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 Encore | Buick Lacrosse |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 78 | 6 |
| 2018 | 71 | 12 |
| 2017 | 87 | 34 |
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 Encore or Buick Lacrosse in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Encore vs Buick Lacrosse
- Buick Encore total complaints
- 330
- Buick Lacrosse total complaints
- 886
- Buick Encore total recalls
- 10
- Buick Lacrosse total recalls
- 33
- Buick Encore avg complaints/year
- 33.0
- Buick Lacrosse avg complaints/year
- 88.6
- More reliable overall
- Buick Encore
- Buick Encore top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Buick Lacrosse top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM