2021 Buick Encore problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (3) · Service Brakes (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 (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (537)
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 2026-08-20 · PIC6551C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a mec reset for wireless projection issues
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-06-23 · PIT5966F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates an issue with an ota pending message still displayed after an ota event and how to reset/clear the message.
Showing the 6 most recent of 537 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-27 · Service Brakes“intermittent service brake assist light with very hard brake pedal and almost no breaks backing up. have had it to several shops who said it was a turbo booster issue so scheduled service with patriot gmc boyertown pa. also intermittently has little to no power causing driving hazard suddenly especially uphill. seems to mostly happen during rain…”
2025-11-11 · Engine“i have continuously had my check engine light pop on. i have took it in twice for them fix the issue which is the purge sensor. it did not fix the issue because the light just pops back on. this has caused issues with me passing emissions and has been an headache shortly street i obtained the vehicle. …”
2025-08-21 · Service Brakes · 38,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 buick encore. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firm while depressed. the contact had to slam on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. the contact stated that the hill assist message was displayed. the brake pedal was pumped several times before the brake pedal released. the ve…”
2025-07-23 · Engine“took to the dealership. they stated my flex pipe had melted and the o2 sensors are stuck in the pipe need replacement as well. they have to replace flex pipe and everything leading to the 2nd o2 sensor. they stated there was no damage or tampering to the flex pipe. this should not have happened in this new of a vehicle. this is a dangerous and cost…”
2025-01-28 · Power Train“turbo charger failed while passing a semi-trailer truck causing a severe lack of power and almost causing a head on collision with on-coming traffic. i had 3 passengers at the time. the problem has been confirmed by a independent service center and i am getting a second opinion from a dealer on 2/3. the check engine light did come on when it happen…”
2024-06-17 · Unknown Or Other“the 2021 buick encore was listed by the nhtsa as having a parts recall with the evaporative emission purge pump, yet when i look up my vin and talk to the dealer, i’m told the vehicle is not recalled, even though i’m having the exact same issue that was described in the recall. i’ve been delaying servicing because i was told the part was on back or…”
2023-11-28 · Electrical System“nothing air bags deployed was leaving a parking lot started went to drive off !! bang 2000 bounds of pressure in my face! my whole body!! it was a rental !! look into this vechicail !hair burnt! fried wire smell still on my burnt jacket!! look into this with great concern as iam reaching out with shock and awe about this whole situation that a…”
2023-02-04 · Power Train“already had turbo go on this car once back in july 2022. mechanic replaced turbo with another one (used with 20,000 miles on it) due to the turbo for this car being on backorder. now my car is throwing p0299 after about 20,000 more miles being put on the used turbo and a p0420 code. changed rear catalytic. changed upstream o2 sensor, changed wasteg…”
2022-09-07 · Engine“had an oil change done 6/13/22. 6/21/22 temp gauge rose to 3/4 mark, ac shut off, car really hot under hood, loss of power, car threw crankshaft position sensor code which we replaced. had the temp gauge do it few more times from 6/21/22 to 8/13/22 when temp gauge did the same thing and car really hot under hood, smoke from tailpipe and loss of pow…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.