BuickEncore2013Overview/buick/encore/2013/base/

2013 Buick Encore

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Encore.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2013 Buick Encore SUV features a 4.2‑quart oil capacity and 5W‑30 viscosity, and it achieves EPA‑rated fuel economy of 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined with an automatic S6 transmission. It recorded 52 total owner complaints, with engine‑related issues topping the list and six recall actions, placing the 2013 model among the lower‑complaint years of the 2013‑2022 period — especially when contrasted with the 123 complaints in 2015 and the eight reported by 2022. This early reliability profile indicates a relatively stable foundation before later variations in owner feedback.

Model year202220212020201920182017201620152013

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy25/33/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 525 CCA battery, OE oil filter 55593191. 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 47 · 525 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter55593191 alt 25195777
Engine air filter95021102
Spark plug12681656
Battery88866291
Front wiper blades42765840 alt 42765836
Serpentine belt55595700
Thermostat55565619 alt 25200455
Cabin air filter13271190

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 weight3254 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 60.6 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 33 / 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.

9.3–10.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.30 sec — 2013 Premium
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2013Premium 1.4L Turbo I-49.30 sec17.10 sec138 hpFWD
2013Premium 1.4L Turbo I-410.00 sec17.60 sec138 hpAWD
2013Premium 1.4L Turbo I-410.10 sec17.70 sec138 hpAWD
2016Sport Touring 1.4L Turbo I-49.20 sec17.00 sec138 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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 11.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.2-6.3
Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts6 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts6.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.028 in
Spark Plug Torque18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant CapacityR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.5 oz
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-94
RPM43-58 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11
Engine Compression174

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle118 ft-lbs / 74 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.055 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.023 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.023 in / 0.472 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111 ft. lbs., step 2: 45 degrees, step 3: 45111 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the 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) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
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.

In 2013, the Buick Encore received 52 complaints, 6 recalls, and 1 investigation, with 1,627 TSBS reports—slightly higher complaints than the 2014 model but lower than the 2015 spike of 123 complaints. The recall count peaked in 2013 and fell to 4 in 2014, 4 again in 2015, then dropped to 2 in 2016 and 2017, and none thereafter, indicating a recall trend that peaked early in the generation. The 2013 year sits at the start of the decline in complaints, with subsequent years showing a gradual decrease to 8 complaints by 2022. Engine, electrical system, and air bag issues were the top complaint areas in 2013, while crash and fire complaints were low (4 and 0, respectively). Given the higher complaint and recall numbers for 2013 relative to later years, a 2013 Encore may carry more risk, so a buyer should proceed with caution and seek a vehicle with a clean recall history.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1627
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
52
Owner complaints
4 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 52 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine12
Electrical System5
Air Bags4
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine3
Seat Belts3
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System2
Power Train2
Unknown Or Other2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V502000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 05/07/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact…

14V298000Air BagsReported 06/06/2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured April 10, 2013, to May 8, 2013, and Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured December 30, 2012, to March 1, 2013. In the… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1627 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…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G2025-11-20Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

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 2013 Encore take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 ONLY USE ENGINE OIL MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION., per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Encore have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Encore get?

EPA figures are 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined mpg.