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Some 2017-2018 Buick Encore Crossovers Need A Turbocharger Replacement

Certain units of the 2017 Buick Encore and 2018 Buick Encore may be equipped with a turbocharger that will fail in operation, causing several potential problems and requiring replacement with a new turbocharger unit to restore correct functioning of the vehicle.

If the turbocharger unit in affected Buick Encore crossovers fails, rough engine operation and partial loss of power may result. The failure will also cause the “Check Engine” indicator to light up and will generate a diagnostic trouble code that can be read with the correct equipment.

Side view of the 2017 Buick Encore.

GM has issued Special Coverage bulletin N232395330 for 2017 and 2018 Buick Encore vehicles, providing 10 years or 120,000 miles of warranty coverage from the date the crossover was put in operation. This special coverage applies only to this specific problem.

Customers who already paid for repairs are conditionally eligible for reimbursement of normal and expected expenses, as detailed in the bulletin. Claims for reimbursement must be submitted through the appropriate service provider, and are solely a customer satisfaction measure GM is providing to affected Buick Encore owners.

Rear three quarters view of the 2017 Buick Encore.

For 2017 and 2018 Buick Encore crossovers not repaired before February 2024, replacement of the defective turbocharger is offered free of charge. This free replacement is available only until the end of the period covered by the Special Coverage described above. The Investigate Vehicle History screen for the affected Encore will be marked under Applicable Warranties if the vehicle is included in the special coverage.

Replacement of the turbocharger will require a new turbocharger assembly as well as an array of seals, gaskets, and clamps. Dealerships should not order the needed parts as shelf stock because supply of the necessary components may be limited. They should only be ordered to replace the part in a known affected vehicle.

The LUV engine.

The specific engine involved is the turbocharged 1.4L I4 LUV gasoline engine, equipped as the base engine in the 2017 and 2018 Encore model years and developing 138 horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 148 pound-feet of torque at 1,850 rpm.

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Comments

  1. I just bought a used 2018 encore 4 cylinder with 38000 miles – how do I know if turbocharger needs to be replaced?

    Reply
    1. Trying to find out how to get mine replaced. GM knows about will not issue a recall. You will notice it when you set cruise control and r
      The car slows down more than 4 miles from set speed then the engine will rev up to 5000 rpm and stay there until it gets 1 mile over the set cruise control speed. Then it constantly drops off speed then does it again. Error code P0299

      Reply
  2. My 2019 Buick Encore had its turbo replaced in January of 2023. I was on the expressway when power was drastically reduced. Luckily there was a Buick dealership at the next exit in Kansas.

    Reply
    1. I found out my 2018 Encore was originally sold in Canada. Therefore GM will not fix the turbo.

      Reply
  3. Very interesting customer information!!!
    Now ask the question whether the sister models are also affected?
    I mean the OPEL Mokka and the Vauxhall and Holden derivatives.
    Are other models with this engine also affected, as it was installed in many models at the time – such as the OPEL Cascada…

    Thank you if GM also helps the former brands and makes a deal with Stellantis so that these customers can be helped!

    Reply
  4. I thought These had a 1.3?

    Reply
  5. @jules rosen The Encore GX which is a different model has the 1.3, not the Encore.

    Reply
    1. Th3 1.3 in the Encore GX is an option. The 1.2 is the standard engine.

      Reply
  6. Is there any indication of mileage at which time the turbo fails?

    Reply
  7. I just paid $5000.00 (for both) my turbo charger and a week later a celluloid, but my Encore is a 2015. To be told this is a known issue was frustrating- why no recalls??

    Reply
    1. 2015 Buick Encore. Had to replace 2 turbo chargers. At about $1500 each. Car has been in shop NUMEROUS times. Lots of issues.

      Reply
  8. GM you need to add more years to this recall.

    Reply
  9. What is the replacement parts customer service number to replace defective turbo chargers???

    Reply
  10. I have 2018 encore with 1.4l Luv motor replaced turbo twice and oil cooler once, oil coolers break also, I never received a letter or phone call from dealer, junk

    Reply
  11. I just called my dealership and they said my vin is not listed although I need a new turbo.

    Reply
  12. I checked with my local dealer. My car is one of the affected vehicles. It currently as 39,000 miles. I was told it would only be replaced if it fails before 2018 or 120,000 miles. I cannot get it replaced without it failing. Does not seem right to me.

    Reply
  13. I just bought a used buick encore 2017 model and I am facing same problem as well. So I need to install Oil cooler which costs me around $1000-$1200.

    Reply
  14. My wife’s 2017 Buick Encore has 45000 miles on it been in the shop multiple times due to turbo issues it has had most of the components related to the turbo replaced coolant lines oil lines seals gaskets sensors etc. I am just guessing it just a matter of time before the turbo fails. How do spell lemon. BUICK ENCORE.

    Reply
  15. What failures were caused by this as a side effect and therefore also covered or reimbursed?

    Reply
  16. Does anyone know how long it takes to get reimbursed? I got my letter last week, filled out the form included with the letter, and then took all the proof to the dealership that did the work as the letter stated.

    Reply
  17. Having just gone through the reimbursement process, I can answer some of the questions asked.

    **Please note that I do not work for GM. I am not an affiliate of GM in any way. My only association with GM is that I own a Buick.**

    This applies only to 2017/2018 Buick Encores. It does not apply to Encores older or newer than 2017/2018, nor does it apply to sister models/similar models. If it is not a 2017/2018 Buick Encore, it is not eligible.

    Your 2017/2018 Buick Encore MUST have less than 120k miles when the turbocharger went out. Anything with more than 120k miles is not eligible.

    If your turbocharger has NOT failed, it is not eligible since not all models were affected and it’s possible yours may not go out, despite being on the recall list. Many vehicles that are on a recall list never experience the fault that is being recalled.

    You will be reimbursed for the turbocharger ONLY. GM will not reimburse you for any other damages or failures not directly related to the turbocharger.

    Once the reimbursement form is filled out and all necessary information is provided to GM (i.e. a receipt for repairs), they will review the claim and get back to you within 14 days. If they find the claim valid, they’ll mail you a check. The time it takes to get the check is completely dependent on the postal delivery service in your area. I received my check 6 days after speaking with the GM customer service department once my claim was reviewed.

    *Again, I am not associated with GM. I’m only answering questions asked that I have the answers to, so I ask that you please don’t reply to me with complaints about the recall since I’m just a Buick Encore owner and have no control over it. If you need more detailed answers, contact GM customer service as I did and they will work with you.*

    Reply
    1. Where can I find the phone number for GM customer service??

      Reply
      1. Just type “GM customer service” into Google and it’ll bring up the number.

        Reply
    2. Did customer service call you, or did you call them? Im taking it that they didn’t accept mine because its been months and I have heard nothing. I was hoping to connect via email with them, because I don’t want to have to deal with them on the phone.

      Reply
      1. I called them. It’s very strange that you haven’t heard anything because they will send you a letter whether your claim has been approved or denied no matter what. The only way to communicate that I know of is by phone, but the CS agent I spoke with was extremely helpful.

        Reply
  18. Is it a recall? My service tech stated that it was just a memo to let them know of a problem with the line coming loose. My car has 52,000 miles and it’s come loose 2x. Lost most power and check engine light came on.

    Reply
  19. I bought a used 2017 Buick Encore for my daughter last July. It had 43,000 miles on it. It was in/out of the shop 3x within a 3 month period. In January the turbocharger went out. The car has been at the Buick dealership since the end of January with the dealership claiming there is a back order on the seals. I have contacted GM, as well as Buick to which they set a claim number. I get a phone call from the rep once a week with the same response “no ETA on the seal”. I rarely get any communication from the dealership unless I initiate it. As of today, still no word when a part will be available or the car will be done. This, to me, is very unacceptable. Not every person can afford to have a car tied up for repairs for months with no compensation. This has been mentally and financially draining experience. This car is definitely a LEMON and I think GM should be assisting with this problem better. Apparently, if they are still manufacturing these vehicles, then there have to be parts someplace.

    Reply
  20. I have a 2017 Encore. It needs a new turbo. Unfortunately they are only covering the American made engines
    The Japanese engine is not covered. Adding insult to injury I need the alternator replaced again. Oh and this is its 2nd engine. The first one failed at less than 1,000 miles.

    Reply
  21. Got a 2018 with 65K. Turbo just failed. It is about 2 weeks over the 5 year, 70,000 mile power train warranty which would have allowed rental car reimbursement. The Turbo is on back order so rental car is getting expensive. The good news is this is covered under the Special 10 year, 120K warranty. It would be nice to have a lead-time on the repair. Any idea how long it normally takes to get the parts and repair?

    Reply
  22. The turbocharger failed on my 2017 Encore. I met the criteria for it to be repaired free of charge , HOWEVER, the part was on backorder for almost 90 days. With that being said, GM would only pay the first 10 days of a car rental and I am stuck with a $4000 rental car bill that they are refusing to pay. It was their junk part, a known problem, and they couldn’t get the part for almost 90 days. Seems pretty sketchy to me.

    Reply
  23. I bought a 2016 Encore 2 years ago from with 100,000 miles on it. It has since been in the shop many times for various issues. At 133,000 the turbo charger needs replaced. Sounds like I should be grateful it lasted this long! Thank God I bought an extended warranty. Total cost : $3500. My part $500 for “1 time use components (pipes).”

    Reply
  24. My dealer won’t replace the turbo even though its throwing the code and running rough. They say i need to fix the manifold plugs exhaust and other stuff BEFORE they will replace the turbo. No other codes are showing. This is bull crap.

    Reply

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