2021 Buick Encore Gx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (10) · Engine (9) · Service Brakes (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Buick Encore Gx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift:stand 2021-06-10 · campaign 21V440000 · 135,400 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes 2020-09-24 · campaign 20V588000 · 3,677 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (676)
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 2026-09-04 · PIT5995B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information provides the dealer information of the location of the rear seat child anchors.
Engine 2026-09-01 · N242450640-02 · Warranty Program/Extension
special coverage. certain 2021 model year buick encore gx and chevrolet trailblazer vehicles, equipped with a 1.2l engine, may have a condition that could cause the turbocharger to fail. if this condition occurs, the malfunction indicator lamp (check engine light) will illuminate, and a diagnostic
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-28 · PIT6196A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information provides a diagnostic tip for diagnosing an issue with cruise control, adaptive cruise and lane keep assist turns off or inoperative.
Showing the 6 most recent of 676 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-18 · Back Over Prevention · 87,402 mi“the contact owns a 2021 buick encore. the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the radio display screen was blank. while reversing, the rear-view camera briefly displayed an image before going blank. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure by phone. the failure mileage was approximately 87,402.…”
2026-08-30 · Power Train“vehicle does not recognize it is in park even when the shifter is placed in that position. as a result, the vehicle cannot be turned off. gm has issued a technical service bulletin for this issue, but has not yet performed a recall. …”
2026-08-29 · Lane Departure: Warning“the frontview camera or its software is the issue. it allows the car to drift outside of the lane on both sides of the car before warning and or pulling you back over but then it just pulls you to the other line and lets you cross it back and forth if you let it and every time crossing the line. extremely dangerous if you don't know that it's not…”
2026-07-08 · Engine“while driving check engine suddenly illuminated following by a "warning reduced engine power" message. car began driving sluggish and driving over 35mph caused serious trembling. after multiple diagnosis with several engine codes pointing to issues with ecm, and mass air flow sensor, and the wiring affliated . i took the vehicle to the gmc dealer…”
2026-06-29 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 81,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 buick encore gx. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firm while depressed, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and several unknown diagnostic trouble codes were retrieved. the vehicle was then taken to the dealer, bu…”
2026-06-08 · Vehicle Speed Control“due to defective lin bus 2 failure to read mass air flow sensor, vehicle suddenly goes into limp mode. this speed control issue is documented in gm technical service bulletins (tsbs) #22-na-008 and pip5934, 2022.…”
2026-05-05 · Power Train“a 2021 buick encore gx with 66,828 miles experienced sudden transmission failure while driving. the vehicle lost forward gear engagement and began slipping, creating an immediate safety risk to the driver and other motorists due to unexpected loss of vehicle propulsion and control. the vehicle was diagnosed by an authorized gm dealership. diagnost…”
2026-05-03 · Engine“the 1.3l turbo caused metal fragments to get into my engine which in return caused the transmission to fail. my 2021 buick encore gx has been in the shop since early february 2026 at garber buick in fort pierce florida. the first diagnosis was solenoids needed to be replaced, after the solenoids were replaced they told me the engine needed to be re…”
2026-04-23 · Vehicle Speed Control“turbocharger is defective. reduced engine power. engine power reduced shows up on my dashboard. i bought the car brand new at lindsey buick in ohio. this car is too young for this problem. lindsey buick and gm need to stand up to accountability and transparency when it comes to delivering top quality products. my vehicle almost caused a horri…”
2026-04-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my vehicle suddenly stalled and completely shut off while i was driving. no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms to alert me there was any engine issues. i was definitely put in danger as i was driving at rush hour in a 6 lane busy us 1 federal highway. the vehicle was stalled, without any power, in the middle lane with cars and trucks swerv…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.