Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 80/100 (EXCELLENT)

2022 Buick Encore Reliability Report

The 2022 Buick Encore has excellent reliability and no recalls, but a few owners report sudden power loss that dealers struggled to fix.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

5.7per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$466

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,000–$2,300

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity70/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity76/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Buy

Final year of the first generation, with excellent reliability, no recalls, and a small cluster of sudden power loss complaints.

Top Issues to Watch

POWER TRAIN (2)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)
FUEL SYSTEM (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Final Year

2022 is the last model year of the First generation (2013).

Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
5 years after the last refresh (2017).
1st generation Encore (US).

What this means for buyers

Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.

2013: First generation (2013) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2017: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2022: This Model Year

2022 is the last model year of the First generation (2013).

Should You Buy the 2022 Buick Encore?

Reliability here is excellent, and well above average among 2022 SUVs. Among the five scored Encore years, this one lands in the middle. The 2021 model rates about the same. Federal recall records show no recalls, the federal crash-test rating is 5 of 5 stars, and independent repair-cost data puts yearly repair costs level with the class.

Owners filed 8 complaints, and the main pattern is the power train. The SUV loses power suddenly, the check engine light comes on, and an EMC code is stored. Drivers describe a lunge forward, then what feels like limp mode. Some also report fuel use far above normal and a strong oil-burning smell. Hills become hard to manage, and near misses in traffic are mentioned. Repeat dealer visits did not fix it, and owners describe disputes over warranty or emissions coverage. One complaint involved a crash and one involved injuries.

Ask for service records showing any power loss or check engine light repair, and confirm the problem was actually resolved. The 2021 model is a close alternative, with 9 complaints and no recalls.

See also the 2021 Buick Encore for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Strong reliability score
+Infrequent unscheduled repairs
+Low major repair risk (12%)
+No recalls issued
+Below-average complaint rate for SUV

Cons

−POWER TRAIN: Sudden power loss is the main complaint (2 complaints)

Compare 2022 Buick Encore With

2022 Buick Encore GX

Reliability: 74/100

Good

2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Reliability: 68/100

Good

2022 Chevrolet Trax

Reliability: 81/100

Excellent

2022 Hyundai Kona

Reliability: 64/100

Good

2022 Toyota C-HR

Reliability: 80/100

Excellent

Common Problem Categories

Other

HIGH RISK

POWER TRAIN (2)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2022 Buick Encore — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

5.7

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 13.5

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2022 Buick Encore? Check its history first

Power train problems lead owner complaints about the 2022 Buick Encore, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2022 Buick Encore NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 19.8%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Buick EncoreRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$466

vs $466 avg for subcompact SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.1

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

12%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Encore

$466

Category Avg

$466

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

Buick Encore Resale Value

The Buick Encore is estimated to retain about 55.4% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.

This benchmark covers the Buick Encore model overall and is not specific to the 2022 model year.

Value Retained: 55.4%
Depreciation: 44.6%
Listings Analyzed: 187

Listings observed in May 2021. This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.

Explore Buick Encore depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

26–30 MPG

Running cost: $2,450–$2,750/yr

Fuel + repair

23–29 city / 29–32 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2022 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Encore GX FWD 1.2L 3-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	29	31	30	$2,000
Encore GX FWD 1.3L 3-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	29	32	30	$2,000
Encore FWD 1.4L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	24	32	27	$2,200
Encore GX AWD 1.3L 3-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic 9-spd	26	29	27	$2,200
Encore AWD 1.4L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	23	30	26	$2,300

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2022 Buick Encore.

Scan for stored trouble codes before buying, especially an EMC code, P1467, or P146b.
Test drive with stop-and-go starts on a steep hill and watch for sudden power loss, lurching, or limp mode.
Smell for an oil-burning odor in the cabin during and after a long test drive.
Ask for service records and look for repeat dealer visits for power loss or a check engine light.
Check the engine bay, cabin air filter, and under the seats for mouse droppings or nesting material.

2022 Buick Encore Common Problems by Component

8 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

POWER TRAIN (2)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1)FUEL SYSTEM (1)SEAT BELTS (1)AIR BAGS (1)

POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

Sudden power loss is the main complaint. An EMC code is stored, the check engine light comes on, and the SUV lunges forward before dropping into what feels like limp mode with little or no power. It can happen on short or long trips. Reports also describe fuel use far above normal and a strong oil-burning smell. Stopping and starting on hills becomes hard, and drivers report near misses in traffic. Repeat dealer visits have not fixed the problem, and owners describe disputes over warranty or emissions coverage for the repair.

2 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

Mice get inside the vehicle and leave droppings through the cabin. A dealer technician found several entry points where rodents can get in, and cleanup and repair costs can be heavy even on a low-mileage car. The other reported problem is a check engine light at highway speed with codes P1467 and P146b, which point to the evap purge system. Left unrepaired, this fault lets more fuel vapor escape and can damage the system.

2 complaints total

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

2023-06-20

The contact owns a 2022 Buick Encore. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the GMC mobile app alerted the contact of emissions failures and advised to contact the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the emission pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred 9-months later. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Simms Chevrolet Co (4220 W Vienna Rd, Clio, MI 48420) where it was diagnosed that the emission pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer ordered the part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 30,474.

FUEL SYSTEM (1 complaints)

FUEL SYSTEM

1 complaint

2024-04-21

The contact owns a 2022 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while parked and refueling the vehicle, the contact observed an abnormal gasoline odor. Additionally, when the contact entered the vehicle there was an abnormally strong strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,786.

SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

2023-05-22

Seatbelts on my year old Encore with only 15k are frayed and unraveling, I am having the vehicle in for other unrelated repairs on Friday and will be certain to inform the dealership at that time but feel that this is extremely dangerous and totally unacceptable in a year old vehicle and I feel like I or my passengers could be injured or thrown from the vehicle in the event of an accident, no warning lamps or messages prior to failure.

AIR BAGS (1 complaints)

AIR BAGS

1 complaintSafety-related

2023-04-28Crash reported1 injury

None of my air bags went off in my car and my car was totalled. My insurance company has possession of the car now.

Best & Worst Buick Encore Years

Best Buick Encore Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Excellent

2022

(Current Model)

0Recalls

8Complaints

Excellent

2021

0Recalls

9Complaints

Excellent

2018

0Recalls

72Complaints

Buick Encore Years to Avoid

No Buick Encore years are statistical outliers in our data.

Scores stay between 76 and 80 across 5 scored model years.

See full Buick Encore years-to-avoid analysis

Buick Encore Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Buick Encore reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	80/100	Excellent
2019	76/100	Good
2020	77/100	Good
2021	80/100	Excellent
2022	80/100	Excellent

Buick Encore Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2022(selected)	80/100	0	Excellent	0	8
2021	80/100	+3	Excellent	0	9
2020	77/100	+1	Good	2	19
2019	76/100	-4	Good	2	82
2018	80/100	—	Excellent	0	72

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2022 Buick Encore reliable?

Yes. Its reliability standing is excellent, well above average for 2022 SUVs. Federal records list no recalls, and the crash-test rating is 5 of 5 stars. Owner complaints are few. Among the five scored Encore years it sits in the middle, so it is solid but not the best of the group.

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Buick Encore?

Power train trouble is the main complaint. Owners describe sudden power loss with the check engine light on, a lunge forward, and then limp mode. Some also report high fuel use and a strong oil-burning smell. Hills and stop-and-go driving become difficult, and repeat dealer visits did not fix it.

Does the 2022 Buick Encore have power loss problems?

Some do. Two complaints describe the SUV losing power suddenly, with an EMC code stored and the check engine light lit. It can happen on short or long trips. Drivers report near misses in traffic. Before buying, ask for records showing whether any such repair was completed and held.

Has the 2022 Buick Encore been recalled?

No. Federal recall records show zero recalls for this model year. That does not rule out problems, since owners still filed 8 complaints, mostly about the power train. A clean recall record does mean there is no recall repair to track down before you buy.

Is the 2022 Buick Encore better than the 2021?

Not by much. Both years rate excellent and about the same. The 2021 has 9 complaints and no recalls, against 8 for the 2022. The 2022 is the last year of the first generation, but the data gives no clear reason to favor one over the other.

Don’t buy a 2022 Buick Encore without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2022 Buick Encore

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2022 Buick Encore does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on complaint severity (70/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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