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2016 Buick Encore maintenance schedule

The 2016 Encore is part of the Gamma II generation (2014-2022), sold as an SUV. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2016 Encore needs, and when

Manufacturer rows link to Buick's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide. Rows marked Unverified have no source Carlyle could confirm and are shown for completeness.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter (LUV, LE2)

Standard interval

7,500 mi / 1 yearIndependent
Engine air filter (LUV, LE2)

Inspect 15,000

45,000 mi / 4 yearsIndependent
Cabin air filter (LUV, LE2)

Inspect at 15,000

22,500 mi / 2 yearsIndependent
Tire rotation (LUV, LE2)

Align with oil change

7,500 mi / 1 yearIndependent
Brake fluid (LUV, LE2)

Flush system

45,000 mi / 3 yearsIndependent
Engine coolant (LUV, LE2)

Dex-Cool

150,000 mi / 5 yearsIndependent
Transmission fluid (LUV, LE2)

Severe interval

45,000 miIndependent
Spark plugs (LUV, LE2)

Required early on 1.4L Turbo

60,000 miIndependent
Serpentine belt (LUV, LE2)

Inspect 45,000

150,000 mi / 10 yearsIndependent
Differential and transfer case fluid (LUV, LE2)

AWD only

45,000 miIndependent
PCV valve (LUV, LE2)

High failure rate, integrated in cam cover

97,500 miUnverified
12V battery (LUV, LE2)

Test annually

Inspect, replace as neededIndependent

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
dexos1 Gen 3, 4.2 qt
Coolant
Dex-Cool (Orange)
Transmission fluid
Dexron VI

Powertrains in this generation

  • 1.4L 4-cyl (LUV), 138 hp, 6-speed automatic, FWD/AWD
  • 1.4L 4-cyl (LE2), 153 hp, 6-speed automatic, FWD/AWD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2016 Encore owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

P0299 Turbo Underboost

high severity

50,000-100,000 mi · $450-$4,000 to fix

Loss of power, CEL, hissing

Source: au7o.io

Water pump failure

high severity

40,000-80,000 mi

Overheating, coolant loss (240-250F)

Source: au7o.io

PCV manifold failure

medium severity

60,000-100,000 mi

Rough idle, whistling sound, oil consumption

Source: au7o.io

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA recalls for the 2016 Buick Encore

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Buick dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Seat belts

NHTSA 17V437000

July 2017

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.

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.

Seat belts

NHTSA 16V651000

September 2016

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.

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.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$466

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other Encore model years

Gamma II (2014-2022)

201420152016201720182019202020212022

Shopping new? The Buick Encore guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-18. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running an Encore for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2016 Encore earns before you buy it.

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