2020-2025 Buick Encore GX Reliability: 230 Complaints, 4 Recalls

Reliability Score

8.7 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar subcompact SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Counted together with the Buick Encore. The maker reports the two models' production to NHTSA as one figure.

Owners filed 345 powertrain complaints. A typical subcompact SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 774.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall345 complaints against about 774 for similar vehicles

8.7

Last three years182 complaints against about 343 for similar vehicles

8.4

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced28 complaints against about 173 for similar vehicles

9.6

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating34 complaints against about 90 for similar vehicles

8.9

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20138.2
20148.8
20158.8
20168.6
20178.9
20188.8
20199.0
20208.6
20218.3
20228.0

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

L3T - SIDI, VVT, ALUM

1.3L 3-cyl Turbo

147 complaints 26.2 per year Gasoline

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

46

transmission

38

engine

24

brakes

22

other

18

L1H - DI, VVT, ALUM, CSS PRIME

1.2L 3-cyl Turbo

72 complaints 18.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

23

brakes

15

electrical

14

transmission

11

other

11

Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

LIH - E0-15, DI, L3, VVT, ALUM, CSS PRIME

1.2L 3-cyl Turbo

5 complaints 1.5 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

2

fuel system

1

other

1

steering

1

safety systems

1

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Trailblazer (2021-2025)

Buick Encore GX Unidentified Engine

5 complaints 1.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

3

transmission

2

fuel system

1

electrical

1

LBP

1.2L 3-cyl Turbo

1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems

1

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Trax (2024-2025)CHEVROLET Trailblazer (2021-2025)BUICK Envista (2024-2025)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Buick Encore GX, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical System: 61 owner complaints

Engine: 52 owner complaints

Transmission: 51 owner complaints

Brakes: 37 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 23 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX

On a used 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (61), the engine (52) and the transmission and drivetrain (51). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 61 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX about the electrical system.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 52 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX about the engine, all engines combined.
Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 51 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 37 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX about the brakes.
Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX about the airbags and driver-assist systems.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX

Recalls (4)

26V539000Aug 20, 2026serious

Back Over Prevention

General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2024-2025 Buick Envista, 2024-2026 Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.

23V744000Nov 6, 2023serious

Electrical System

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.

21V440000Jun 10, 2021serious

Equipment

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.

20V588000Sep 24, 2020serious

Service Brakes

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.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (17.9% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (18.5% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (17.9% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (18.5% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (17.9% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (18.5% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (17.9% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (18.5% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (17.9% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 5/5

Frontal Crash

5/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (18.5% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 4/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (17.9% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Overall ★★★★★ 4/5

Frontal Crash

4/5

Side Crash

5/5

Rollover

4/5 (18.5% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: Standard LDW: Standard

Alternatives in Compact SUV

6 engines / 1,695 complaints

3 engines / 217 complaints

3 engines / 153 complaints

3 engines / 1,278 complaints

4 engines / 114 complaints

3 engines / 21 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX complaints?

Owners have filed 230 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the engine and the transmission.

Is the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 230 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX have?

NHTSA has 230 owner complaints on file for the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Buick Encore GX?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the engine and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Encore GX?

The 2025 Buick Encore GX received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (17.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 230 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.