How serious is the oil consumption issue on the 1.4T Ecotec?

Very serious. GM issued multiple TSBs for the LUV 1.4T engine's oil consumption problem, involving piston ring replacement on affected units. Some engines consume a quart of oil every 2,000-3,000 miles under normal driving. The fix requires engine disassembly and costs $2,000-3,500. Before purchasing any Encore, check the oil level on the dipstick in person (don't trust a just-changed sticker) and ask the seller to demonstrate the current level. Low oil with a recent change date means it's burning oil.

Is the AWD version worth it over FWD?

The AWD Encore uses a rear coupling that sends torque to the rear when the front wheels slip. It adds weight, reduces fuel economy, and the coupling adds another maintenance interval (fluid change every 45,000 miles). For buyers in mild-winter states, the AWD Encore isn't worth the premium. In states where winter traction is a genuine need, the AWD system is useful, but four good winter tires on a FWD Encore will outperform all-season tires on an AWD Encore in most conditions.

What's a fair mileage target for a used Encore?

Under 60,000 miles is the safest range given the oil consumption history. Above 60,000, require receipts showing regular oil changes and evidence that oil level was monitored between changes. The 1.4T engine that has been properly maintained and never run low on oil can reach 150,000 miles. One that has run consistently low can fail the bearings by 90,000. The maintenance records are not optional diligence on this vehicle.

Buick Encore: What to Look For Before You Buy

The Encore was Buick's entry into the subcompact luxury SUV segment before that segment existed, which gave it several years of low competition and strong sales. Discontinued after 2022 (replaced by the Encore GX), used Encores are plentiful and affordable, but the 1.4L turbocharged Ecotec engine powering all of them has a documented oil consumption problem that is the single most important thing to evaluate before purchase. A well-maintained Encore can reach 150,000 miles; one with neglected oil levels can destroy its engine by 80,000.

What to Look For in Photos

Paint and Body

The Encore's small footprint and urban market positioning mean parking lot contact damage is nearly universal. Look specifically at the front and rear corners of all four bumpers, where the plastic fascia takes door-edge and shopping cart contact. The chrome window surround trim, a Buick signature, can delaminate at the lower edge where it meets the door seal, particularly on northern examples exposed to road salt and freeze-thaw cycling. Roof panel clear coat integrity matters on 2013-2016 examples, as GM's clear coat from that era had documented durability issues in high-UV environments.

Tires

The Encore runs 215/55R17 on most trims. Those tires are affordable to replace, running $100-150 each, but the front-heavy FWD powertrain wears the front tires at roughly twice the rate of the rears. An Encore with good rear tires and worn fronts has simply been driven normally; check whether they've been rotated on schedule (every 6,000-7,500 miles). Skipped rotations aren't a mechanical issue but suggest maintenance habits that may extend to oil changes, which matters on a car with an oil consumption problem.

Interior

The Encore interior is small, which means high-contact wear surfaces are everywhere. The driver's seat bolster shows wear quickly, often within 40,000 miles on examples used for urban commuting where entry-exit frequency is high. The center stack and infotainment screen on 2013-2016 models uses resistive-touch technology that becomes unresponsive with screen protector films; look for films or excessive fingerprint buildup on the screen as a usage indicator. The cargo area carpet in the Encore loads at bumper height, so the load lip carpet shows drag marks from boxes and bags on almost every example.

What Dr. Vin Checks on an Encore

Dr.Vin evaluates the Encore's corner bumper contact damage that's nearly universal on urban-market examples, checks chrome trim delamination at the window surround lower edge, and assesses driver's seat bolster wear as a mileage and use intensity indicator. Cargo area load lip wear is assessed as part of the overall condition scoring.

How It Compares

Used Encores compete most directly with the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona in the used subcompact SUV market. The HR-V offers Honda's reliability record and better long-term ownership confidence without the oil consumption concern. The Kona is sportier in character, available with a turbocharged engine, and has a stronger warranty transfer history. The Encore's advantage is the Buick interior feel and quieter cabin, genuine differentiators at equivalent mileage and price.