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Which Years Of Used Buick Encores Are Most Reliable?


in Reliability
White Buick Encore

Buick Encore by Kevauto - CC-BY-SA-4.0

The Buick Encore is a subcompact SUV with room for five people. It’s been around since 2012 and is a popular choice from the well-known Buick brand. If you’re interested in this vehicle, it’s a good idea to purchase used to save the most money. You might wonder - what is the most reliable year Buick Encore offers interested customers?

If you want to push your budget as far as it will go without going over, pick a dependable used selection from the available Buick Encore models. However, with a decade of options, it’s easier said than done to land on the right one. That’s where we step in. Read on to learn more about the most reliable year Buick Encore offers and anything else you should know.

Most Reliable Years For The Buick Encore 

Drivers love the Buick Encore because it’s an upscale version of the subcompact SUV, providing a sleek design without taking away from the interior room for cargo and people. Stick with a dependable year if you decide on a used Encore, so we’ve created a list of the best to make the selection process easier.


THE BUICK ENCORE YEARS TO AVOID

Every model and year of Buick will have its pros and cons. This quick review will go over the best Buick Encore years to purchase and the worst Buick Encore years to avoid.


Here are a few of the most reliable choices for the Buick Encore on the market today:

  • 2016 Buick Encore
  • 2017 Buick Encore
  • 2018 Buick Encore
  • 2019 Buick Encore
  • 2020 Buick Encore
  • 2021 Buick Encore

If you’re hunting for the most reliable year Buick Encore offers interested drivers, pick from these six choices.

These years are more recent and prove to be the best for Buick’s iconic Encore. They have the fewest customer complaints, require minimal repairs, and overall have a better reputation than other years on the market.

It’s a good idea to go with the most dependable years if you want to stretch your dollar. However, none of that matters if the Buick Encore isn’t reliable in general. Next, let’s take a look at the reliability of the Encore across all available years.


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Are Buick Encores Generally Reliable?

It’s ideal to take a look at the reliability across all years in the Buick Encore before buying. It’s tricky to make a valuable investment in a dependable year if they’re all below average.

The Buick Encore does a decent job in reliability. According to withclutch.com, the Encore scores 57.15 which makes it reliable. This number is just .15 over the average for other vehicles on the site.

It’s also ideal to take a look at a secondary source when examining reliability. According to repairpal.com, the Encore scores ⅘, placing it in 5th out of 7 subcompact SUVs in the category. It’s right in the middle of the pack.

The annual repair cost for the Buick Encore is $466, the same as the average for other subcompact SUV options. If there is a need for a repair, there is a 12% chance it will be severe, compared to a 9% average for similar cars.

Those driving the Buick Encore report taking it to the shop for unexpected repairs an average of .1 times a year, less than the .2 average for other subcompact SUV options. Although there are areas where the Encore lacks, it’s overall an excellent choice in reliability. 

Which Buick Encore Years Are The Least Reliable?

If you want to purchase the right car for your budget, it’s critical to get the most dependable option, not the least. We’ve put together a list of the least reliable years for the Buick Encore to make it easier to narrow down your options.

Here are the least reliable choices for the Buick Encore on the market today:

  • 2013 Buick Encore
  • 2014 Buick Encore
  • 2015 Buick Encore

If you’re looking for the most reliable year Buick Encore offers drivers, steer clear of these choices at all costs.

Many issues surfaced during these years, costing drivers time, money, and energy. A few of the most common included engine troubles, issues with the airbags and seatbelts, and faults in the braking system.

These years had significantly more customer complaints than the others. However, some general troubles appear across the board for the Encore, in good and bad years alike.


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What Are The Most Common Issues With A Buick Encore?

One of the smartest things you can do before buying a car is to check out the common troubles that appear in the system. As with any vehicle, there are issues each model tends to have that come up across good and bad years alike.

According to carparts.com, here are the most common troubles in the Encore:

  • Engine issues
  • Airbag and seatbelt faults
  • Power loss
  • Brake problems

If these appear while you’re behind the wheel, it’s time for a trip to the repair shop.

Most drivers will only see these troubles every once in a while. If you have the worst years for the Encore, they will come up more often.

We’ve discussed many things relating to the dependability of the Encore. Now, it’s time for one final question - is the Buick Encore worth it?

What Reddit Says About the Best Year of the Buick Encore:

The diminutive Buick Encore aims to pack luxury into a compact crossover package. Reliability, however, is another matter. To get the scoop on its long-term durability, we’ve combed Reddit for firsthand accounts from Encore owners. Do these mini-Buicks stand the test of time? Let’s find out.

Someone’s wife gave a glowing review of the Encore:

Comment
byu/W0mb0comb0 from discussion
inBuick

A short ownership with a good experience:

Comment
byu/W0mb0comb0 from discussion
inBuick

Another good experience, but would prefer the RAV4 when given the chance:

Comment
byu/NecroCowboy from discussion
inBuickEncore

Here’s a higher mileage Encore:

Comment
byu/NecroCowboy from discussion
inBuickEncore

Overall, while many folks have positive opinions about the Buick Encore, it’s not most people’s first option in terms of reliability.


8 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING A USED CAR

So you’re in the market for a used vehicle?  We’ve gone ahead and prepped some essential questions to ask when buying a used car.


Is The Buick Encore Worth It?

The Buick Encore is an excellent choice for those seeking a used car that is worth the investment. It’s sturdy, dependable, and offers plenty of top-notch used selections. You should be able to find a reliable Encore that works for your life.

If you go with the Buick Encore, pick the most reliable years. They will provide the most bang for your buck at the end of the day.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Buick Encore is an excellent choice. It has quality reliability and just enough room to fit friends, cargo, and fantastic features for the road. It’s an excellent car and the best years will provide high value.

We hope this information is valuable in your car hunt! It’s tricky to land on the right choices with so many options, so our knowledge should help clear things up so you can pick the right Encore for your needs.



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