Used Car InformerUsed Car Informer

2013-2020 Buick Encore: 1.4T PCV / intake manifold failure

CHECK IT CLOSE
specific things to inspect and negotiate

What goes wrong

Same 1.4 turbo family as the Cruze: the PCV check valve lives inside the intake manifold, and when it ruptures it can blow out engine seals and cause serious oil leaks. Documented and common.

Federal record for the 2017 Buick Encore, pulled from NHTSA when this page was built:
89 owner complaints on file , most-reported: ENGINE (23) · AIR BAGS (13) · POWER TRAIN (8).
2 safety recalls listed.
Complaint volume tracks how many were sold as well as how they held up , read it as a pattern, not a score. Counts change; confirm live at nhtsa.gov or by running the free check below.
Rough cost: $400-$900 manifold + related seals. Broad estimates , labor rates and parts vary widely by region and shop.

What to do about it

Before you hand over cash: Listen for a whistle or rough idle, and look for fresh oil leaks low on the engine. A replaced manifold with receipts = the toll’s been paid.

Whatever you find, a $100-150 pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is the cheapest money you’ll spend on any used car , including this one.

Run the full free check on this Encore →

Free · no signup · federal recall + complaint data included

← All buyer's guides · Keep Your Car Alive (free DIY guide)

General reference information only , not a mechanical inspection, appraisal, or vehicle history report, and not specific to any individual car. Failure patterns describe documented tendencies across many vehicles; any single car may be better or worse. Cost figures are rough estimates , verify locally. The absence of a warning is not a statement that a car is safe or problem-free. Always verify recalls directly with NHTSA and get a pre-purchase inspection. Not affiliated with any manufacturer, dealer, or reporting service. No affiliate links, no commissions, no ads. © Used Car Informer, operated by MCC LLC · v6.6