The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 3 of 4 complaints (75%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 15 in 2025 to 4 in 2026.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 4
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,100–$2,300
- Combined MPG
- 27–30
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | vs. 2026 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,100–2,300 | 2,100–2,300 | 2,100–2,300 | 2,100–2,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 27–30 | 27–30 | 27–30 | 27–30 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 26–30 / 28–31 | 26–30 / 28–31 | 26–30 / 28–31 | 26–29 / 28–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 297–333 | 297–339 | 297–327 | 297–330 | |
| Complaints filed | 34 | 15 | 4 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2026 Buick Encore have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Buick Encore get?
EPA rates it 27–30 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Buick Encore?
EPA estimates $2,100–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 3 | 1.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 30 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | $2,100 (low) | 297 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 3 | 1.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 29 mpg | 31 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | $2,100 (low) | 297 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 9-spd | 3 | 1.3L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 26 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 327 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Defect
- General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2024-2025 Buick Envista, 2024-2026 Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
- Consequence
- A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 30, 2026. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A262554900. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on August 20, 2026.