Buyer Research

2017 Buick Encore — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $11,000–$16,000. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.

Kestrel Take

A quiet, comfortable subcompact luxury-ish crossover with a surprisingly plush ride for its size. The 1.4L turbo is the engine, and it carries GM's small-turbo watch-items: coolant leaks, PCV/valve-cover, and turbo wear. Slow but refined and easy to park. A comfortable city SUV if the cooling system and PCV check out.

What we checked

Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-25

NHTSA holds 89 owner complaints for the 2017 Buick Encore, and 2 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. 47% of them are about one thing — the engine. That much concentration is a genuine pattern rather than background noise, and it is the first thing to check on any example you look at.

2 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Looked at and set aside: airbags (13) — 13 airbag complaints on file, almost always a recall matter rather than a repair bill; have a dealer check this VIN for open airbag campaigns and confirm any were performed.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2017 Buick Encore

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents. How we decide that.

1.4L turbo coolant leaksMedium

Leaks from the water outlet, thermostat housing, and hoses are common; check coolant level and for a sweet smell.

Repair cost (estimate): $200-$700

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (42).

Slow accelerationLow

The 1.4T is leisurely. Character.

Repair cost: Not yet priced

Source: not yet checked against public records.

6T40 automatic transmission shudder or harsh shiftsMedium

The 6-speed automatic behind the 1.4L turbo can develop a shudder or vibration under light acceleration around 20–40 mph, plus delayed or harsh 2-6 shifts; GM technical bulletins point to debris in the valve body or a worn torque converter clutch as the cause. A fluid and filter service with the correct GM-spec fluid sometimes clears it up, but a shudder that persists usually means a torque converter or valve body replacement.

Repair cost (estimate): $300–$1,800

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (9).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Low/leaking coolant
✗Rough idle with a whistle (PCV)
✗Turbo whine
✗Overheating history

Good Signs

✓Steady coolant, no leaks
✓Documented oil service
✓Recent PCV/valve cover done

Other Buick Encore years

2016 Buick Encore

$8,000–$12,000