10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,830 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2015 Buick Encore steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2015 Buick Encore:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2015 Buick Encore Owner Comments

problem #18

Apr 112023

Encore

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist and became firm. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V146000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Yorktown, VA, USA

problem #17

Jul 202022

Encore

  • miles
The car stopped having power steering and went into limp mode while I was turning into a school and then stalled.

- Collinsville, MS, USA

problem #16

May 202022

Encore

  • miles
while driving, the check engine light came on, traction assist light and then the car lost power steering. Very scary.

- Monticello, IN, USA

problem #15

Dec 292021

Encore

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Have had the car in the Buick dealership numerous times to get these things fixed. Each time was told it was fixed and I paid for parts and labor. 1. Engine Light keeps coming on. 2. traction light keeps coming on. 3. Power steering goes out 4. Press on gas and have to floor it in order to just crawl to a place to stop. 5 Hard jumps after stopping at a light Have had this in to Tasca Buick and each time they say they fixed it - then it happens less then 2 weeks later. Have told them this car is going to kill someone with the steering going out while driving. I have a 2015 beautiful Buick Encore in the drive that I cannot drive. I am 77 years old and can't just walk. I don't know what to do. I have tried taking it in to have it fixed and it keeps doing the same things. It is definitely available for inspection. This has happened numerous times since I have had the car. Not just on one date - numerous dates

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #14

Dec 162021

Encore

  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the steering wheel was locked. Additionally, a burning odor was detected, and the tachometer was inoperable while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

problem #13

Apr 252021

Encore

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 BUICK ENCORE. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was placed in reverse the vehicle felt as if the tires were dragging. When the steering wheel was being turned in any direction, the vehicle would show signs of hesitation before turning. The contact stated that the failures were related to TSB number: 10161933 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 10139246 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND STEERING), 18NA049. The contact had taken the vehicle to the local dealer who stated that the rear differential had failed and the failure was caused by the issues mentioned in the TSB-€™s mentioned above. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Punta Gord, FL, USA

problem #12

Aug 312020

Encore

  • 51,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while his daughter was pulling out of a parking space, the power steering failed. The vehicle was restarted and regained normal power steering functionality. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle independently shifted in reverse. The contact shifted the vehicle to park and the vehicle then returned to normal operation. The contact stated the instrument panel flashed with random messages, some in different languages. The vehicle has failed to start due to the battery power being to low despite the battery being new when placed in the vehicle. The contact stated that the battery was replaced twice but failed within a couple of weeks after installation. The contact took the vehicle to denooyer Chevrolet (5800 stadium dr, kalamazoo, mi 49009; (269) 389-0733) who was unable to retrieve a fault code. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.

- Paw Paw, MI, USA

problem #11

Jul 242020

Encore

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed, the vehicle loss power steering assist and stalled with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's sister's residence. The contact called casey Chevrolet located at 11700 jefferson ave, newport news, va 23606, and was notified of NHTSA campaign number: 15V146000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Newport News, VT, USA

problem #10

Apr 012020

Encore

  • 67,000 miles
When I turn the steering wheel, you are able to hear a creaking sound that is very pronounced. This just started all suddenly. This happens when turning the steering wheel to the left as well as the right.

- East St Louis, IL, USA

problem #9

Dec 102019

Encore

  • 103,888 miles
While driving mostly on highway after approximately 30-40 minutes the stabilitrak light begins to flash on and off, then it goes solid, then the power steering light comes on, then the service power steering display lights up and the power steering completely goes out. When this happens reverse no longer works. On 12/10/19 I had to have car towed to wilkins Buick, they kept it for 2 days, noted that they did see multiple detects for loss of communication w/power steering control module and said the battery cable was loose, charged me $440.60. On 1/10/20 lost power steering again, we unhooked the battery, rehooked it which cleared the lights and was able to get home, parked car for the weekend. On 1/13/20 while driving on highway to work, after approx 30 minutes of continuous hwy driving, the stabilitrak light began flashing. I dropped it off at heritage Buick that night. They kept the car from 1/14/20-1/20/20, told me they did see multiple previous codes about loss of communication with power steering the problem did not happen when they drove it and there was nothing they could do. I picked car up on 1/21/20. They did not charge me, gave me no paperwork. On 1/13/20 I did open a complaint with GM, case [xxx] because there had been a closed recall 15168, #15V14600 for same problem with 2015 Encores with build dates beginning 1 month after mine. On 1/31/20 after driving approx 1.5hrs on highway I lost the power steering again, unhooked battery, reset, drove home, parked car for weekend. 2/3/20 after driving 30 minutes on hwy stabilitrak light began flashing, dropped car at heritage Buick. They have had car since then, on 2/6/20 I escalated complaint with GM, on 2/7/20 [xxx] @ GM called w/new case [xxx], have not had any contact from either heritage Buick or GM since. I left a message for heritage earlier today requested update, no response yet. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

problem #8

Jan 222019

Encore

  • 58,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving on the freeway and the power steering suddenly quit, and all the warning lights came on. Car wont get out of low gear and reverse doesn't work

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #7

Sep 092018

Encore

  • 16,000 miles
The stearing joint and bar are totaly rusted out. I live in California. And this car is a 2015 but sold in 2016. The pictures wont up load

- Citrus Heights, CA, USA

problem #6

Jul 132018

Encore

  • miles
While driving and the engine on we experienced loss of power steering. Luckily it occurred as we were pulling away from the driveway, we attempted to re-engine the vehicle to no avail. Eventually the vehicle had to be towed away.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #5

Sep 042017

Encore

  • 12,955 miles
I was driving on a highway at 65mph. On a straight portion of the road the engine light came on, the engine revved up to over 4000 RPM, the power steering locked up, and many other lights came on on the dashboard display. This was a very dangerous situation trying to control the car. I was forced to slow down and when I reached 40mph the power steering came back on. The engine was still running over 4000 RPM. Most of the dashboard display lights went off except for the check engine light. Had to drive under 40 mph until I got home. While this was happening my onstar sent me a notification that there was something wrong with my transmission. The car was then towed to the GM dealer. At the GM dealer they could find nothing wrong.there were no error codes in the cars computer.

- Utica, NY, USA

problem #4

Jun 172017

Encore

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. While driving 45 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to carl black Chevrolet Buick GMC (1110 roberts blvd, kennesaw, ga 30144 (770) 424-2200), but the failure could not be duplicated due to a dead battery. While the vehicle was being towed, the keys were left in the ignition and caused the battery to die. The dealer stated that the vehicle could have automatically reset itself as a result of the dead battery that needed to be recharged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V146000 (steering). The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #3

Oct 012016

Encore

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering while driving various speeds. The contact stated that all the warning indicators illuminated and the gauges fluctuated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a loose ground cable and the vehicle needed to be rewired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure occurred four times: Three when their daughter operated the vehicle and once while the contact operated the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced nhsta campaign number: 15V146000 (steering) as a possible solution; however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Waco, TX, USA

problem #2

Nov 042016

Encore

  • 24,800 miles
Driving on freeway, approx 74 mph in a 75 zone. About 1.5 hours in to a 2.5 hour trip. All systems were functioning and no warning lights were on. Car suddenly lost power on gas pedal, power steering light came on, check engine light came on, all gauges are functioning erratically and then all gauges stopped or went to zero. Light indictating the transmission gear kept changing. But the cars tranny didn't shift or change just the light for the gear indicator wasflashing. Car slowed to approx. 40 mph, with the RPM's racing to approx. 4500/6000. Engine was still running and not over heating or any other lights except check engine and power steering light. Stopped car on shoulder to take inventory of situation, car running and idile RPM's seemed normal chk. Engine and power steering light still on, proceeded to drive again. No leaks or overheating. All gauges came back up/ on. Proceed to drive... car had no acceleration, very little, like the car was still in a higher gear. Speed up very slowly until it reached approx 55-60 mph. But the RPM's were at 5500/6000, felt like the tranny needed to shift but wouldn't. slowed down to approx. 35-40.. to get RPM's in line or more in line. Drove home last hour on side roads and frontage roads with flashers on. Can't drive that slow on a freeway. All of car functional were normals, ac, radio, windows, lights. Just the power steering and check engine light stayed on with no acceleration power or power steering....called dealer Monday morning for a tow into the shop.

- Waco, TX, USA

problem #1

Sep 092015

Encore

  • 2,300 miles
Driving about 45-50 mph and the car suddenly turned off. The steering wheel became stiff and all the electrical power turned off, and the dash board screen was black. I then turn the ignition key off and restarted the car in the middle of the main driving road.

- Marathon, FM, USA

Not what you are looking for?