The 2016 Buick Encore with its 1.4L turbo is a compact crossover that suffers from catastrophic engine failures and chronic transmission cooling issues—both expensive, platform-defining problems that overshadow its otherwise decent packaging.
Symptoms: Heavy knocking or rattling from engine bay, especially cold start, Metal shavings in oil, glitter-like appearance on dipstick, Sudden loss of power, white or blue smoke from exhaust, Check engine light with misfire codes or low oil pressure warnings
Fix: This engine grenades itself due to piston ring land failures, spun bearings, or cracked pistons. Oil starvation from turbo oil consumption accelerates it. Complete engine replacement or rebuild required—15-20 labor hours for a salvage engine swap, 25-35 hours for full rebuild with machine work. Most shops recommend remanufactured long-block swap.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks and Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle, often pink or red, Transmission overheating warning on dash, Harsh shifts or slipping, especially when towing or in hot weather, Fluid cross-contamination if cooler inside radiator fails
Fix: The 6T40 transmission cooler lines corrode and leak at fittings, or the cooler itself fails inside the radiator causing fluid mixing. Requires cooler replacement, lines, full fluid flush. If coolant entered trans, complete trans rebuild needed. Cooler/lines alone: 3-4 hours. If trans damaged: 8-12 hours for rebuild or replacement.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 (lines/cooler only), $2,800-4,200 (if trans rebuild required)
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, especially with A/C on, Visible engine/trans movement when revving in park, Metallic banging over bumps from engine bay
Fix: The hydraulic transmission mount collapses or tears, letting the powertrain shift excessively. Common on these transverse FWD setups. Replace mount and inspect engine mounts while you're in there. 1.5-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Turbocharger Oil Consumption and Turbo Seal Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning one quart of oil every 1,000-2,000 miles, Blue smoke on hard acceleration or at startup, Loss of boost pressure, sluggish acceleration, Oil in intercooler or intake piping
Fix: Turbo seals fail, dumping oil into intake. Often compounded by PCV system issues causing crankcase pressure. Turbo replacement required—OEM or quality aftermarket. Remove intake, downpipe, coolant/oil lines. 5-7 hours. Address PCV valve at same time or it'll repeat.
Estimated cost: $1,400-2,200
Timing Belt Tensioner and Water Pump Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Squealing or grinding noise from front of engine, Coolant leak from timing cover area, Engine overheating or temp fluctuations, Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes
Fix: This is a timing BELT engine (not chain). Tensioner seizes or water pump behind timing cover leaks. If belt jumps or breaks, valves meet pistons—engine destroyed. Mandatory replacement at 97,500 miles per GM, but failures happen earlier. Belt kit + water pump + tensioner: 6-8 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $900-1,400
Fuel Injector Failure and Carbon Buildup (Direct Injection)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle, misfires on cold start that clear after warmup, Check engine light with cylinder misfire codes, Poor fuel economy, hesitation on acceleration, Failed emissions testing
Fix: Direct injection means no fuel washing intake valves—carbon accumulates and injectors clog. Walnut-blasting intake valves (3-4 hours) addresses carbon. Failed injectors need replacement individually (~1 hour each) or all four as a set (2.5 hours). Top-tier fuel and catch can help prevent.
Check oil every 500 miles—this engine drinks it. Top off between changes religiously to prevent bearing damage.
Replace timing belt and water pump at 80,000 miles regardless of book interval—don't wait for 97,500.
Use Top Tier fuel exclusively and consider catch can install to minimize carbon buildup.
Inspect transmission cooler lines annually for seepage at fittings—catch leaks early before trans damage occurs.
Budget $500/year for unexpected repairs after 70,000 miles; this platform has chronic issues that stack up.
Hard pass unless under $6,000 with full service records and recent timing belt—the engine failure rate and transmission issues make this a financial gamble most used buyers should avoid.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Group 48 H6 battery; AGM recommended for Start-Stop equipped models
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Every control module on the 2013-2017 Buick Encore — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Mileage programming required; VIN and option configuration needed
Headlamp Control Module (HCM)0.8 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Engine compartment, behind headlamp assemblies (driver or passenger side depending on function)
🔧 Scan tool configuration
⚠️ Auto-leveling calibration if equipped; basic function usually plug-and-play
Rear Vision Camera Module (RVC)0.5 hr R&Rno coding
📍 Integrated into rear liftgate handle assembly
⚠️ Plug-and-play replacement; calibration lines displayed by radio module
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 16V651000
2016-09-08
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Performance
Horsepower
138hp
Torque
148lb-ft
0–60 mph
9.5sec
Quarter mile
17.3sec
Top speed
112mph
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
26mpg
Highway
33mpg
Combined
28mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
Capability & size
Towing capacity
1,000lb
Payload
1,000lb
Curb weight
3,300lb
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Wiper blades
First generation (2013-2022). Standard hook attachment.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2016 Buick Encore 1.4L Turbo I4 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Mechanic · 20+ years.