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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Buick Encore2013–2023

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🏅 LUXURY
Buick Encore
2013–2023
B
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
2.3/yr · seg. median 0.0
Safety
Low
0 inj.
✓No open federal investigations
16
Recalls
0
Complaints
2019
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Avoid 2015
11
Years Analyzed
16
Total Recalls
0
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Buick Encore

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK7yr old
2019
Strong Buy · 82/100
Reliability81/100
Value window83/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#2 PICK6yr old
2020
Strong Buy · 79/100
Reliability74/100
Value window87/100
Recalls2
Complaints0
#3 PICK9yr old
2017
Good Buy · 73/100
Reliability74/100
Value window70/100
Recalls2
Complaints0

Buick Encore Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2015

4 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2014

3 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2013

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Buick Encore — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
202300——
81
78
80
Excellent
202200——
81
85
82
Excellent
202100——
81
88
83
Excellent
202020——
74
87
79
Caution
201910——
81
83
82
Good
201800——
81
77
80
Excellent
201720——
74
70
73
Caution
201620——
74
63
70
Caution
201540——
57
56
57
Avoid
201430——
65
50
60
Avoid
201320——
74
45
64
Caution

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the Encore compares — best year within each era shown.

2018–Present

Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 83).

Best: 2021
2021 · 832019 · 822022 · 822018 · 802023 · 802020 · 79

2013–2017

Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 73).

Best: 2017
2017 · 732016 · 702013 · 642014 · 602015 · 57

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Encore to buy?+

The 2019 Buick Encore scores highest on our Buyer Score (82/100) — combining a reliability score of 81/100 with a value score of 83/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which Encore years have the most problems?+

The 2015, 2014, 2013 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2015 Encore leads with 4 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common Encore problems?+

See the complaint chart on this page for a breakdown by component.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Buick Encore.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar luxury vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every Encore year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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