Representative model. Photo: Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2013 Buick Encore recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2013 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 6
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 52
Latest campaign: Jul 5, 2016

Recall summary by component6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Electrical system	1	Jul 5, 2016	16V502000
Seat belts	1	Aug 8, 2014	14V488000
Seats	1	Jul 23, 2014	14V446000
Equipment	1	Jul 2, 2014	14V417000
Air bags	1	Jun 6, 2014	14V298000
Steering	1	Mar 28, 2013	13V105000

Safety recalls6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jul 5, 2016Latest campaign


Jul 5, 201616V502000	Electrical system: ignition If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V502000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." Risk If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury. Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491. Campaign NHTSA 16V502000 · Jul 5, 2016
Aug 8, 201414V488000	Seat belts: front If the seat belts do not remain locked in the retracted position when under load, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of… DetailsHide details for campaign 14V488000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to March 1, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to May 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock in a retracted position, allowing the seat belts to extend when pulled upon. Risk If the seat belts do not remain locked in the retracted position when under load, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front the driver's and the passenger's lap belt pretensioners, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. GM sent interim notifications on October 7, 2014 and will send a second notification when remedy parts are available. The recall began on November 20, 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14171. Campaign NHTSA 14V488000 · Aug 8, 2014
Jul 23, 201414V446000	Seats A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V446000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash. Risk A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash. Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340. Campaign NHTSA 14V446000 · Jul 23, 2014
Jul 2, 201414V417000	Equipment: electrical Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V417000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed. Risk Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in. Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257. Campaign NHTSA 14V417000 · Jul 2, 2014
Jun 6, 201414V298000	Air bags If the air bag does not to deploy in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the front passenger. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V298000 What's wrong General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured April 10, 2013, to May 8, 2013, and Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured December 30, 2012, to March 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, an improper weld on the passenger side front air bag inflator may result in the air bag not deploying. Risk If the air bag does not to deploy in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the front passenger. Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick) or 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14211. Campaign NHTSA 14V298000 · Jun 6, 2014
Mar 28, 201313V105000	Steering: steering wheel/handle bar If the steering wheel separates from the steering column while driving, the ability to steer could be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V105000 What's wrong General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured between December 9, 2012 and December 28, 2012, and equipped with a heated steering wheel. The steering wheel fastener may not have been properly installed. This could cause the steering wheel to come loose or separate from the steering column. Risk If the steering wheel separates from the steering column while driving, the ability to steer could be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and make any necessary repairs on the steering wheel. These services will be provided at no charge to the customer. The safety recall began on May 21, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is General Motors campaign number 13098. Campaign NHTSA 13V105000 · Mar 28, 2013

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Buick recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2013 Buick Encore? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component52

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

52Complaints filed

4Involving a crash

0Involving a fire

2Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Injuries
Engine	21	40	0	0
Electrical system	8	15	1	1
Power train	7	13	2	1
Vehicle speed control	6	12	0	0
Air bags	5	10	2	2
Fuel/propulsion system	4	8	0	0
Service brakes	3	6	1	0
Tires	3	6	0	0
Seat belts	3	6	0	0
Unknown or other	2	4	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	2	4	0	0
Seats	2	4	0	0
Equipment	1	2	0	0
Wheels	1	2	0	0
Steering	1	2	0	0

2 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Engine
“My car had problems with overheating. I check my oil and coolant levels. My car show check engine light so I took it to mechanics to get check. The invoice states possible blown head gaskets.”
Filed 12/21/2023 · ODI 11561388
Engine
“The check engine light came and took the car to O'Reillys and was informed it had low turbo boost code took car to the dealership and they indeed confirmed that was the issue and that it would be over $3000.00 to fix!!!”
Filed 07/17/2023 · ODI 11532722
Power train
“The turbo charger is underboost and can explode the engine with oil flying everywhere”
Filed 08/26/2021 · ODI 11430630

Other Buick Encore model years

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2013 Buick Encore recall questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Buick Encore have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2013 Buick Encore. The most recent, 16V502000 (reported July 5, 2016), concerns electrical system. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2013 Buick Encore?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 21 complaints out of 52 filed with NHTSA (40%). Across all complaints, owners reported 4 crashs and 0 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2013 Buick Encore?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Buick recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Buick dealer.

Check a specific Buick by VIN

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Recall summary by component6

Safety recalls6

Electrical system: ignition

Seat belts: front

Seats

Equipment: electrical

Air bags

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar