Buick Encore GX Best and Worst Years (2020–2025)
Avoid the 2020 and 2021 Buick Encore GX: 2020 has a complaint index of 100 with brakes as the top issue at a median 1,487 miles, and 2021 has an 80 index led by engine problems at 45,000 miles. 2022 and 2025 rank Best with the lowest indices (0 and 20).
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 6
- 2020–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 227
- Recall campaigns
- 4
- Crashes reported
- 7
- Fires reported
- 1
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Encore GX Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Buick Encore GX problems and recalls by year
Encore GX years to avoid: what went wrong
2020 Buick Encore GX Index 100 · 69 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2020 Encore GX ranks worst of all years, with a complaint index of 100 and 69 total complaints. Brakes are the top problem area, at 30% share, with a median failure mileage of only 1,487 miles, and some brake complaints show failures well under 1,000 miles. Transmission and powertrain issues follow at 26% share with a 24,000-mile median. Two recalls apply: one for the emergency jack fracturing and one for electronic brake boost module sensor contamination. Owners report brake pedals traveling to the floor and steering that failed to respond during turns, in some cases leading to crashes.
2020 brakes problems →2020 transmission & powertrain problems →2020 engine problems →
2021 Buick Encore GX Index 80 · 53 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2021 Encore GX ranks second worst, with a complaint index of 80 and 53 total complaints. Engine problems dominate, making up 38% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 45,000, and transmission/powertrain issues add another 21% at a 57,500-mile median. The same two recalls that affect the 2020 model year also apply here: the emergency jack fracture recall and the electronic brake boost module recall. Owners report brake system failures shortly after purchase, including a master cylinder replacement at very low mileage, and a suspension failure that caused the steering to shift on its own.
Most common Buick Encore GX problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System61 (27%)
- Engine55 (24%)
- Other51 (22%)
- Transmission & Powertrain51 (22%)
- Brakes37 (16%)
- Fuel System20 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras14 (6%)
- Steering12 (5%)
- Structure & Body7 (3%)
- Airbags5 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Buick Encore GX years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2020 and 2021 as the years to avoid, with complaint indices of 100 and 80 respectively. 2020 is led by brake problems at a median 1,487 miles, and 2021 is led by engine problems at 45,000 miles.
- What is the best year for the Buick Encore GX?
- 2022 and 2025 are rated Best, with complaint indices of 0 and 20, the lowest among all six model years covered.
- Are there recalls on the 2020 and 2021 Buick Encore GX?
- Yes. Both model years have two recalls: one for an emergency jack that can fracture, and one for electronic brake boost module sensor contamination, campaign 20V588000.
- What are the most common problems across all Encore GX years?
- Across 2020-2025, electrical system issues account for 27% of the 227 total complaints, followed by engine at 24% and transmission/powertrain at 22%.
- Is the 2023 Buick Encore GX good or bad?
- 2023 is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 60, ranking third worst, with electrical system issues as the top problem area at a median 18,000 miles.