BuickEncore2019Overview/buick/encore/2019/base/

2019 Buick Encore

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Encore.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2019 Buick Encore is an SUV that pairs an automatic (S6) transmission with EPA ratings of 26/31/28 mpg and requires 4.25 quarts of 5W-30 engine oil. Across the 2013–2022 complaint history, this model year’s 80 owner complaints and two recalls place it well below the 2015 peak of 123 grievances yet far above the 2022 low of 8, with engine issues representing the top complaint area. That mid-range position means the 2019 Encore avoids the line’s most troubled year but still warrants more attention than the largely quiet 2022 endpoint.

Model year202220212020201920182017201620152014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.25 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/31/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI With Start Stop AGM VRLA battery required: 48; Without Start Stop: 47. · With Start Stop AGM VRLA battery required: 700; Without Start Stop: 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12699847. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI With Start Stop AGM VRLA battery required: 48; Without Start Stop: 47. · With Start Stop AGM VRLA battery required: 700; Without Start Stop: 525 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215/55R18 94HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12699847 alt 55593191
Engine air filter95021102
Spark plug12683541 alt 12681656
Battery88864541 alt 88866291
Front wiper blades42765836 alt 42765840
Serpentine belt55587929 alt 55595700
Thermostat12649163 alt 55565619
Cabin air filter13503677

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length168.1 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase100.8 in
Curb weight3358 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 31 / 28 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Encore of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8–10.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2017 Preferred II
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020GX Essence (Sport Touring) 1.3L Turbo I-38.70 sec16.70 sec155 hpFWD
2020GX Essence (Sport Touring) 1.3L Turbo I-39.30 sec17.00 sec155 hpAWD
2020GX Essence (Sport Touring) 1.3L Turbo I-39.30 sec17.00 sec155 hpAWD
2017Preferred II 1.4L Turbo I-47.80 sec16.20 sec138 hpFWD
2017Sport Touring 1.4L Turbo I-48.40 sec16.60 sec138 hpAWD
2017Sport Touring 1.4L Turbo I-48.50 sec16.50 sec138 hpFWD
2017Sport Touring 1.4L Turbo I-48.60 sec16.60 sec138 hpAWD
2017Premium 1.4L Turbo I-410.70 sec17.90 sec138 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.25 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidDEXRON®-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.2-6.3
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Brake Fluid Capacity1.416
Differential Gear Oil75W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.48 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity7.7
Engine Oil5W-30

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8.8 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse New Cylinder Head Bolts.
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse New Cylinder Head Bolts.

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug8.8 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.028 in
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.024-.028 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity0.97-1.04 lbs
Oil TypePSD-1
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-94
RPM43-58 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-94.0
RPM43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11
Engine Compression174
Engine Oil Pressure22.0 at idle psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM55-94 3000 rpm – 3500 rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 30; Rear: 26
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 118; Rear: 74
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.078; Rear: 0.078 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .905; Rear: .393
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .913; Rear: .402
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.001
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1120°-130°
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°15 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 60°37 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 75°18 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 45°18 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180 degrees. Use new bolt.74 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 60 degrees. Use new bolt.111 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2240 degrees240 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
126 ft. lbs., Step 2: Turn 180°.26 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: Turn 240°.22 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs. Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 70°15 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 30° Step 3: 15°26 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 70°15 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 30° Step 3: 15°26 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 180°11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2019 Buick Encore closes out its first generation, and the federal record shows a generation-long arc of declining service bulletins (1,627 in 2013 falling to 666 by 2019) and moderate, fluctuating complaint activity. Complaints peaked at 123 in 2015 and softened over time, with 2019 logging 80—modestly above 2018's 71 but still well below the mid-cycle high, while recalls followed a similar pattern, falling from 6 in 2013 to zero in 2018 before ticking back up to 2 for the target year. The 2019 complaint mix is concentrated in engine issues (11 filings), engine/fuel-propulsion system concerns (7), and air bags (7), with 9 crash-related complaints and no fire reports on file, though the data does not specify the underlying root causes for any of these clusters. The steep drop after 2019 (19, 9, and 8 complaints for 2020–2022) almost certainly reflects both a redesigned Encore on a new platform and the normal reporting lag on newer vehicles, so it should not be over-interpreted as evidence that the 2019 is uniquely problematic. Concrete takeaway: the 2019 is a defensible used buy at the right price, but the 2 open recalls and the engine and air-bag complaint concentrations warrant a pre-purchase inspection and a verified recall-clearance history; the 2018 model offers a marginally cleaner recall profile if you want to play it safer.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
666
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
80
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 80 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine11
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System7
Air Bags7
Unknown Or Other5
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Power Train5
Service Brakes4
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Engine3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V774000Air BagsReported 01/11/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode,"… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service…

20V668000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 29/10/2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 666 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT6425D2026-03-02Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue…
PIT6425C2026-01-16Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Encore. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2019 Encore take?

4.25 qt of 5W-30 Use GM Dexos 1 Oil or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 Encore have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Encore get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 31 highway / 28 combined mpg.