2020 Buick Encore problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (3) · Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Power Train (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Buick Encore model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2020-10-29 · campaign 20V668000 · 194,105 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Seats:critical Fasteners 2020-09-03 · campaign 20V537000 · 105 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.
Risk: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202304380.
Service bulletins (656)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-26 · GM Update N25-250552 · Over The Air
• improvements to onstar functionality.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Showing the 6 most recent of 656 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-25 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal · 77,213 mi“the contact owns a 2020 buick encore. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal and accelerator pedal became extremely hot to the touch. the contact became aware that the silver heat shield was missing. additionally, the contact stated that there was electrical activity or electricity coming from the area. no wa…”
2026-04-28 · Unknown Or Other“i took my 2020 buick encore to an independent auto repair shop to have a brake inspection after i had contacted gm multiple times about the loss of acceleration, check engine light and stabilitrak light would come on with brake pedal stiffness and then almost needing to push it to the floor to stop. when i took it to the independent auto repair sho…”
2026-02-25 · Fuel/Propulsion System“defective "turbo charger" at 38,091 miles. the defective worn-out or damaged turbocharger was removed from the engine and a new one was installed at a cost of $1816.00. this part should not wear out at 38,000 miles. my mechanic informed me that this is common in the buick encore vehicles to experience a defective "turbo charger" at low vehicle mile…”
2025-10-03 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i've been dealing with a frustrating car issue lately where my vehicle keeps stalling and hesitating during acceleration - whether i'm pulling away from a stop or trying to pick up speed on the road. after getting it checked out, my mechanic determined that the high pressure fuel pump control module is the culprit and needs replacement. the proble…”
2025-05-11 · Engine“i am co-owner of the vehicle. my daughter was driving the suv when the check engine light came on. there was no warning whatsoever, and the turbocharger has gone bad . prior to the light eliminating there was nothing wrong with the suv. i was driving the suv when the check engine light came on. i also own another 2020 buick encore where this also…”
2025-04-25 · Unknown Or Other“on 4/24/25 i noticed a pungent odor (like rotten eggs). the odor is worse today. i did research and it appears there may be a problem and or leak with the catalytic converter. the emissions are making me and my kids feel sick, nauseous, headache, irritated eyes, etc. …”
2025-01-24 · Vehicle Speed Control“unknown issues w/ sensors and wiring lead to turbocharger failure. this led to spontaneous acceleration issues on the highway. less than a year after the warranty covered the replacement of the turbocharger (less than 60k miles on the car) the turbocharger again failed (64k miles on car).…”
2024-05-29 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 60,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 buick encore. the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. the contact was able to veer over to the shoulder and discovered that the sunroof had exploded. the vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was advised to report the failure to the nhtsa …”
2024-05-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System“imthe original owner and purchased the car new 4 years ago. at 89,000 miles, the check engine light came on indicating codes for emission controls not working efficiently. later additional codes indicated problems with the fuel evaporator. the car started having problems every time i filled up the gas tank it would stall, hesitate and have problems…”
2024-04-23 · Power Train“engine light is on and vehicle is sluggish on hills and keeping up in traffic. rpms run high if i try. error code p0299 shows on scanning device- turbo under boost. i have 112,000 miles and need turbo replaced already. this vehicle is very well maintained. i did see a special notice for the gx version of this vehicle. but dealer says my vin does no…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.