Buick Encore gx problems
The Buick Encore GX is a subcompact crossover SUV built by General Motors starting in 2019. Like the smaller Encore and the related Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Encore GX is manufactured by GM Korea. In China, it is manufactured by the SAIC-GM joint venture.
Overview
The Encore GX was revealed alongside the second generation Encore at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. It shares the VSS-F platform with the new Chevrolet Trailblazer crossover SUV. The size of the Encore GX is subcompact-plus, positioned between the subcompact Encore and the compact Envision.
After the discontinuation of the smaller Encore, the Encore GX was the entry-level offering from Buick, until the arrival of the larger but less expensive Envista.
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Buick Encore gx model years
Common Buick Encore gx problems
The Buick Encore GX has been subject to several common problems based on complaints from its owners. One of the most prevalent issues is related to the engine control module (ECM) and the way it handles the P0521 Engine Oil Pressure Sensor Performance trouble code. This issue may cause the engine control module to fail to clear the permanent status of the DTC P0521, which can lead to the check engine light illuminating and the vehicle failing certain Emissions Inspection/Maintenance tests. This problem affects the 2020 to 2023 Buick Encore GX models, and GM has issued a recall to address the issue by reprogramming the ECM in affected units, free of charge to vehicle owners.
Another common problem with the Buick Encore GX is related to the transmission. Owners have reported issues with slow shifting into forward gear, rough shifting, slipping transmission, and leaks. These issues have been reported in both new and used models, with some vehicles requiring multiple trips to the dealership for repairs.
In addition to transmission issues, some owners have reported problems with the steering system. One owner reported that the vehicle would power down with the engine light flashing, which can be dangerous if it were to happen on the freeway. The owner had to resort to obtaining an attorney to rectify the situation, as GM did not address the issue.
Computer issues have also been reported by some owners. One owner reported a repeating problem where the anti-lock brake sensor comes on and the check engine light, which required the car to be in the dealership for three weeks for repairs. The problem recurred one month later, leading the owner to consider looking into the lemon law.
Overall, the Buick Encore GX has been subject to several common problems, including issues with the engine control module, transmission, steering system, and computer system. While some of these issues have been addressed through recalls and repairs, others may require further investigation and attention from GM.
Does the Buick Encore GX have problems?
Owners of the Buick Encore and Encore GX may skip the encore after dealing with performance issues and problems. Since its release, the compact SUV has dealt with some safety issues. Complaints include service brakes, engine problems and a defective fuel system.
What are the most common problems with the Buick Encore?
The Encore is praised for its luxurious feel and longevity. Despite being reliable, the Encore isn't perfect. The most common issues drivers have with the Encore are engine problems, defective airbags and seatbelts, and loss of power.
Is a Buick Encore GX a good car?
Highs Cargo-friendly interior, looks more expensive than it is, low starting price. Lows Cabin's shortfall of ambiance, poky three-cylinder engines, anodyne handling. Verdict With upscale ambitions but too many mainstream compromises, the Encore GX is a crossover at a crossroads.
How many miles will a Buick Encore GX last?
150,000 and 200,000 miles
If the engine is well-maintained, it can last between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. Assuming you drive an average of 15,000 miles each year, you should expect your Buick Encore to last around 13 years.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Buick Encore gx years
We have researched Buick problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Buick Encore gx cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Buick Encore gx model years:
- Buick Encore gx 2020
- Buick Encore gx 2021
- Buick Encore gx 2022
- Buick Encore gx 2023
- Buick Encore gx 2024
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Buick Encore gx model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Buick Encore gx years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Buick Encore gx car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Buick Encore gx , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Service brakes problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Power train problems
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Buick Encore gx vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Encore gx model years
A total of 5 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Encore gx model years
There were a total of 5 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 94 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Buick Encore gx . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Buick Encore gx vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Buick Encore gx 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-03
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-19
- VIN: KL4MMCSL3NB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Get shift to park worning when in part. Lights stay on and worning signal sounds. Have to keep fooling with shifter to stop. GM seems not willing to do anything with this problem and parts to fix are on back order with no time for availability. Repair is around $560.00. From what I can find out , this has been an on going problem with GM autos. Please help
Buick Encore gx 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-19
- VIN: KL4MMBS26LB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: Since the repair, the original claim no. 11619901. the checked off stuff no longer works. This lapse has occurred around sep. 20 to present day
Buick Encore gx 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-22
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-15
- VIN: KL4MMBS26LB
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The dealership replaced in the “fish body electric system “ to make the shift to park “flag not appear It is available for your inspection. Please check facebook and a list of problems with the vehicle are listed The vehicle was in the driveway not affecting any one. The problem was reviewed by the selling dealer and referred to another dealer to fix. Other than the flag appearing where the speed of the vehicle when on the road. Only the dealership saw the part and inspected it No warning lights The repair was made by Ed Rinke in Centerline,
Buick Encore gx 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-10
- VIN: KL4MMBS21MB
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The check engine light will come on with engine power reduced, code reads turbo under boost, The car will stay in limp mode and make it difficult to get out of traffic there is no warning before the car completely loses power and goes into limp mode!!
Buick Encore gx 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-08
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-10
- VIN: KL4MMBS26LB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The vehicle will flash a message “Shift to park” when the car is already parked. This is a known issue across multiple GM brands including Chevy and Buick. The dealer diagnosed the issue and said that it needed a new shifter and wiring harness. Parts and labor for the repair are going to be $700.
Buick Encore gx 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-08
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-09
- VIN: KL4MMESL2NB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Place car in park, turn off car. On your screen in front of you it shows “shift to park” and the radio does not shut off. It continues to chime and the radio and chime does not shut off. Dealership states it is the shifter and the connector that is a problem. Shifter is on backorder for undetermined time.
Buick Encore gx 2024
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-16
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-07
- VIN: KL4AMCSL0RB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: All door locks wont activate both from door switches and key fob. Alarm is malfunction. Doors wont lock when moving. My car has been at the dealers for three weeks they have not been able to fix it.
Buick Encore gx 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-29
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-03
- VIN: KL4MMGSL2NB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2022 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was shifted into reverse, the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into neutral(N) and then shifted into drive (D). The vehicle was then parked at the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,150.
Buick Encore gx 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-03
- VIN: KL4MMGSL3NB
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Shift to park warning on dash board. Electronics malfunction with doors not locking, warning buzzer and lights blinking.
Buick Encore gx 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-02
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-02
- VIN: KL4MMESL3MB
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I went off the road after my check engine light came on and my vehicle decided to jerk and wouldn’t go over 66 miles. It happened randomly
Buick Encore gx 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-28
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-28
- VIN: KL4MMDSL2LB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I bought this vehicle in 2024, I have been having issues one after another with it, I have taken it to the dealer and all they keep doing if fixing the problem and couple of months it happens again. I am really worried about my safety if I keep driving the vehicle. One problem from the battery to the shift sensor. Thank you
Buick Encore gx 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-25
- VIN: KL4MMBS26LB
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer on several occasions, and several repairs were performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the turbo was replaced twice; however, the failure returned after the repairs. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer for a month and the dealer determined that the mechanical outline was incorrect, and that the turbo had been installed incorrectly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact expressed concern that the failure might occur again, and was fearful of driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Buick Encore gx 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-23
- VIN: KL4MMDSL1MB
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while shifting to park(P) and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message to shift to park(P) was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact removed the key from the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to turn off. The battery had to be disconnected to turn off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 61,000.
Buick Encore gx 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-02
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-19
- VIN: KL4MMDS2XNB
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Shift To Park displays in instrument panel when car is in Park. From my research this has been happening on GM cars since 2018, why is there no recall on this issue? People pay to get this replaced and then it happens again because GM has a "potential" fix, they are not even sure which part is causing the issue. Please help, I cannot afford to get this fixed and of course this happened right after the bumper-to-bumper warranty expired. Tech not sure if it would be covered under the Power train warranty, but mostly likely not since GM really does not know what part is causing the issue, so I'm sure they will say its anything but the Powertrain! NHTSA should be protecting consumers, this is a very old issue, and GM is still selling vehicles with this issue! Force them to do a recall, it's only fair to the consumers.
Buick Encore gx 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-24
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-11
- VIN: KL4MMDS22MB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns 2021 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and accelerating, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with turbo charger failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Latest 5 recalls Buick Encore gx
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 6 recalls for different components of the Buick Encore gx.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Buick Encore gx 2024
- Report Received Date: 2023-11-06
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Buick Encore GX, Envista, and Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The software in the Virtual Cockpit Unit Module (VCU) may cause the instrument panel display to intermittently go blank at vehicle startup or while driving.
- Consequence: A blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: The VCU software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A232424320.
- Model: Buick Encore gx 2022
- Report Received Date: 2021-06-10
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT:STAND
- Summary: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use.
- Consequence: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A212335470.
- Model: Buick Encore gx 2021
- Report Received Date: 2021-06-10
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT:STAND
- Summary: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use.
- Consequence: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A212335470.
- Model: Buick Encore gx 2020
- Report Received Date: 2021-06-10
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT:STAND
- Summary: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use.
- Consequence: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A212335470.
- Model: Buick Encore gx 2021
- Report Received Date: 2020-09-24
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system.
- Consequence: If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202307260.
Latest negative Buick Encore gx car reviews
Latest positive Buick Encore gx car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2024
You'll love the interior! It's been upgraded with lots of nice features.
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Vehicle year: 2021
I recently purchased a 2021 Encore GX Essence and I must say, it is a fantastic car! I understand that many reviews of this car are positive until they get to the engine, but I have had a completely different experience. Mine is FWD and I believe that most reviews are with AWD which may be part of the problem. However, I have experienced instantaneous power with no turbo lag and it is very quiet. My car includes the Advanced Tech Pkg Experience Buick Pkg, Convenience Pkg and it definitely feels like a class above. Although it is higher in price, the amount of tech (self parking anyone?), the quiet interior, very smooth ride and sharp styling make it worth it. I encourage anyone considering this car, and even those not considering it, to drive it. You will be impressed. Just to clarify, the “Model” section below does not include an Essence FWD 1.3L forcing me to select the AWD option.
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Vehicle year: 2020
I purchased my Buick Encore GX in September 2020 with some discounts and a trade-in, and I got it for a great price! At first, I was a bit worried since it was my first time with a compact vehicle, but so far, I really like it. I tend to worry a lot, so I was concerned about the auto-stop feature and what would happen if it didn't crank back up one day, but I'm happy to report that it hasn't been an issue. I'm getting an impressive 32 MPG with mixed city and highway driving, which is fantastic. I've put 9000 miles on it in the year and a half that I've owned it, and I'm pleased to say that I haven't had any major complaints. I did have a minor recall and a sensor replaced, but I'm glad that happened during the warranty period. I recently discovered a way to turn off the auto-stop feature per trip, and it hasn't affected my gas mileage. The car handles well at 75 MPH and accelerates quickly once it's rolling. It's fun to drive, and even though I don't have kids, the back seat down and the cargo area are roomy enough to carry something as long as 8ft, like a rolled carpet. Overall, I'm still not sorry that I bought it!
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Vehicle year: 2024
This is a great little SUV! We were looking for a vehicle that could be serviced locally, so we traded in our Subaru Outback. We did lots of research on vehicles before purchasing, including checking out IIHS safety ratings, NHTSA, Motorweek, Car & Driver, and of course, Edmunds. We were pleased with most of what we saw about the 2023 Encore and made our purchase. We’ve owned the car for almost a month, and so far, we are pleased. The Essence model we bought is very well-appointed with leather seats, a sunroof, and a power liftgate. The cabin is quiet, and we have had no issues with acceleration. This vehicle even seems to have better acceleration - even on the highway - than our Outback did! The seats could be a bit more cushioned, which would probably make them more comfortable, but they also aren’t the worst we’ve ever sat on. The A/C was quick to cool the car down, and we hope the heat works equally as well this winter. A couple of things I think could have been designed better are the placement of the steering wheel controls and the Driver’s Information Center. It could just be operator error with my navigating the Driver Information Center, but I don’t find it as user-friendly as it probably could be. The steering wheel audio controls, although not horrible, could have probably been better. We are pretty well pleased with our little Buick and are not regretting our purchase thus far!
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Vehicle year: 2021
I've driven just about every vehicle in the GM lineup and I absolutely love this one! It offers great value for all the tech and features it has. It's also really fun to drive thanks to the peppy engine and smooth ride that Buick is known for. The sport touring package also gives the GX some extra pizazz. Overall, I really love this vehicle!
Are you having problems with your Buick Encore gx?
Presley Ondricka 2025-03-21
Vehicle year: 2022
I really enjoyed my brand new 2021 Buick Encore GX ST with the 1.3 turbo! I was pleasantly surprised by its performance and effortless speed capability. Despite the unfortunate brake system failure that occurred before I even made my first payment, I still think it's a great car. The vehicle is roomier than it appears and has lots of unexpected features. Although my car was not included in the recall for a faulty brake system, I would advise everyone to be safe and give themselves plenty of stopping room while driving. Happy driving!
Nelson Nikolaus 2025-03-09
Vehicle year: 2020
The engine and transmission experienced issues on the very first day of purchase, despite the car having only 20 miles on it. Although the dealership was unable to identify the problem, I am confident that it was an isolated incident and not indicative of the car's overall quality. It is possible that a recall may be issued for this particular model, but I remain optimistic about its performance in the long run.
Ludwig Herman 2025-03-05
Vehicle year: 2021
We have owned this vehicle for 12 weeks and have not had the use of it for 3 weeks, going into the 4th. The car is at the dealership for the 4th time on the same issue. This time the dealership found a pinhole leak in the exhaust system which caused an other part to fail 3 times but Buick does not have any parts to fix the issue and they are not responding to the dealership. I would have thought Buick would have been stockpiling parts to fix this issue since we are 8 months into 2021. Since we purchased the vehicle we have not had the use of it 25%, going on 33% of the time.
Trenton Reichel 2025-02-20
Vehicle year: 2020
I really like the look and ride of the vehicle, but I must admit that the 3-cylinder engine takes some getting used to. There seems to be quite a bit of vibration at slower speeds.
Sim Miller 2025-02-03
Vehicle year: 2023
I have leased a Buick Encore Preferred or Touring for the last 4 times in a row because I absolutely love it. The size, height, and storage options are perfect for me, and I feel safe and secure while driving it. Recently, I decided to try the new Buick Encore GX, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The storage options that I loved in the previous model were missing, and the car felt lower to the ground, which was uncomfortable for me. Additionally, the quality and handling of the GX did not compare to the Buick Encore. The steering felt loose, and the car drove 'wobbly,' making me feel every bump on the road. I also noticed a significant difference in the glare on the windshield compared to the previous model. Overall, I was disappointed with the Buick Encore GX and decided to stick with the Buick Encore that I know and love.I think the glare might be caused by that. The regular Encore doesn't have the same issue. Another problem I noticed while driving is the loud engine shutdown at stop lights. My previous Encore did this too, but it was much quieter. The seats are just okay and not as nice as the seats in my previous Encores. In my opinion, if Buick is going to replace the popular Buick Encore with the Encore GX, they should improve it or at least make it of similar quality as the previous model. After all, people buy/lease Buick for the luxury and safety, right? I hope my review is taken into consideration when making improvements to the GX. If the model is not improved by the time my current lease is up, I may have to consider other options. Thank you for your attention.