Head-to-head reliability
Buick Encore vs FORD F 150
How the Buick Encore and FORD F 150 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 FORD F 150: The Encore averages 60.1 complaints per year with 25 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints and 151 recalls. The F-150 has more power train and electrical complaints, including limp mode and lead frame failures. The Encore has fewer complaints but reports engine and airbag issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Encore or FORD F 150 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 with a relatively low complaint volume: about 60 per year over a decade. Most owner reports center on engine problems, especially check engine lights and reduced power, plus electrical glitches. It's a smaller, less powerful vehicle that can feel underpowered, and some owners report serious issues like airbag deployments and brake stiffness.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate: over 1,100 per year. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Owners frequently describe transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window shattering. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, it's a complex vehicle with many potential failure points.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Encore | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 601 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 52 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 60.1 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 76 Better | 297 |
| 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
- 01ENGINE223
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM88
- 03POWER TRAIN77
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER74
- 05AIR BAGS70
Owners report check engine lights followed by 'reduced power' warnings, often requiring multiple sensor replacements. This can leave you unable to accelerate, which is dangerous in traffic.
Complaints include emission control codes, fuel evaporator problems, and even unexpected airbag deployment with burning smells. These electrical faults can be intermittent and hard to diagnose.
Some owners note insufficient power and downshifting, while others report turbo failures (code P0299) requiring replacement. Turbo issues can be costly and may recur.
There are reports of airbags deploying without a crash, causing burns and injuries. This is a serious safety concern that should be checked in any used Encore.
“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…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe recurring transmission problems: limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. These issues often require expensive repairs and may not be permanently fixed.
Lead frame issues also appear here, along with output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. Electrical gremlins can leave you stranded or in a dangerous situation.
Complaints include rear window defroster shorts leading to the back window shattering outward. This is a surprising and potentially hazardous failure.
While less common than power train issues, engine complaints exist. Some are tied to the same lead frame or sensor problems that affect drivability.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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 — 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,…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Buick Encore or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Buick Encore has far fewer complaints per year (about 60 vs. 1,162 for the F-150), suggesting a lower overall rate of reported problems. However, the F-150 is far more numerous on the road, so raw counts are higher. In practice, the Encore may be less likely to leave you with a major recurring repair, but both have notable safety-related complaints.
Key differences
- The F-150 has about 19 times more complaints per year than the Encore, but it also sells in much higher numbers.
- Power train complaints dominate the F-150 (3,648) and include limp mode and lead frame failures; the Encore's power train complaints (77) often involve turbo failure or lack of power.
- The Encore has 70 airbag complaints, including unexpected deployment; the F-150 has airbag recalls but fewer owner complaints in that area.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls vs. 25 for the Encore, covering issues like seat belts, door latches, and airbag inflators.
- Check for any history of turbo replacement or code P0299, as turbo failures are reported and can recur.
- Test the airbag system and look for any signs of accidental deployment or burning smells, which some owners reported.
- Scan for transmission codes (especially P0722 or lead frame related) and test drive for limp mode or harsh shifting.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for cracks or signs of shattering, a reported issue.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls by VIN on the NHTSA website.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, focusing on transmission (F-150) or turbo/engine (Encore).
- Test drive extensively, including highway speeds, to check for limp mode, reduced power, or unusual shifting.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission, turbo, or electrical repairs.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been performed, particularly airbag and seat belt 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 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 9 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 19 | 44 |
| 2019 | 86 | 52 |
| 2018 | 74 | 79 |
| 2017 | 89 | 59 |
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 FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Encore vs FORD F 150
- Buick Encore total complaints
- 601
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Buick Encore total recalls
- 25
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Buick Encore avg complaints/year
- 60.1
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Buick Encore
- Buick Encore top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN