Recall 13V105 affects 144 2013 Buick Encore vehicles with an improperly installed steering wheel fastener. Repair is free at any franchised Buick dealer.
Buick is recalling 144 2013 Encore vehicles under recall 13V105 because a heated steering wheel fastener was not properly installed. The steering wheel can loosen or separate from the column while driving, causing loss of steering and increasing crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The steering wheel on the 2013 Buick Encore is bolted to the steering column, the shaft that carries your steering input down to the front wheels. On Encores with a heated steering wheel, that wheel also carries heating hardware, but the safety-critical job is still the same: it has to stay firmly locked to the column every time you turn.
In this recall, the steering wheel fastener is the problem. That fastener holds the wheel in place on the column, and the filing says it was not properly installed on affected Encore SUVs. If the fastener loosens, the steering wheel can move where it should not, come loose, or separate from the column. That leaves the driver without normal control through the steering wheel.
There is no warning sign before failure. The wheel can feel normal until the fastener lets it shift or separate, so the VIN check and dealer repair path matter more than waiting for a symptom.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Buick Encore | steering wheel |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 144 |
Not every 2013 Buick Encore is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the steering wheel separates from the steering column while driving, the driver can lose steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the inspection and repair promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Buick dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Buick Encore is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Buick dealer and ask for the free steering-wheel inspection and fastener repair.
- Bring the recall notice if Buick mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V105 when you call.
- Avoid driving if the steering wheel feels loose or has extra movement, and ask the dealer about towing.
- Schedule the steering-wheel fastener repair that secures the wheel to the steering column.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Buick technician inspects the heated steering wheel and checks the fastener that holds the wheel to the steering column. If the fastener or related steering wheel hardware needs correction, the technician makes the necessary repairs. The dealer repair will be free once available; the NHTSA filing says the safety recall began on May 21, 2013, and parts and labor are provided at no charge.
Timeline
| March 28, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 21, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V105?
Recall 13V105 covers 144 2013 Buick Encore vehicles equipped with a heated steering wheel. The steering wheel fastener was not properly installed, allowing the steering wheel to come loose or separate from the steering column. Buick dealers inspect and repair the steering wheel for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Buick Encore is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Encore is included in recall 13V105. If it is, contact a franchised Buick dealer to schedule the steering wheel inspection and any needed repair. Reference recall number 13V105 and Buick campaign number 13098 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost, and Buick's remedy says dealers will inspect and make any necessary steering wheel repairs at no charge to the customer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is loss of steering control if the steering wheel separates from the steering column while driving. That increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer inspection and repair before relying on the vehicle for normal driving.
What if I bought my Buick Encore used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2013 Encore is included, then call a franchised Buick dealer and reference recall 13V105.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V105000 |
|---|---|
| Buick customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V105 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V105000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →