2026 Buick Encore
Gas Compact SUV
The 2026 Buick Encore is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Encore GX FWD, is EPA-rated at 30 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year so far (Safety Signal A). Owners have filed 4 complaints, most often about engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encore GX FWD | Gas | FWD | 1.3L 3-cyl turbo | 29 | 31 | 30 | $2,100 |
| Encore GX FWD FFV | Gas | FWD | 1.2L 3-cyl turbo | 30 | 31 | 30 | $2,100 |
| Encore GX AWD | Gas | AWD | 1.3L 3-cyl turbo | 26 | 28 | 27 | $2,300 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
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Recalls (0)
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for the 2026 Buick Encore. New campaigns appear here within a week of NHTSA posting them.
Owner complaints
4 complaints filed
1 involved a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2026: 4
Most-cited components
- Engine — 3
- Electrical System — 1
- Steering — 1
- Vehicle Speed Control — 1
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 18% |
| SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 18% |
| SUV AWD | not rated | ★★★★★ | not rated | ★★★★☆ | 18% |
| SUV FWD | not rated | ★★★★★ | not rated | ★★★★☆ | 18% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.
Other Encore model years
2025 Encore
0 recalls · 15 complaints
A2024 Encore
1 recalls · 31 complaints
A2023 Encore
0 recalls · 25 complaints
A2022 Encore
1 recalls · 40 complaints
B2021 Encore
2 recalls · 61 complaints
D2020 Encore
4 recalls · 87 complaints
C2019 Encore
2 recalls · 84 complaints
A2018 Encore
0 recalls · 74 complaints
B2017 Encore
2 recalls · 89 complaints
B2016 Encore
2 recalls · 79 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 49441, 49440, 49479). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.