YearToAvoid

2020 Buick Encore GX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 6 Encore GX years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2020 Buick Encore GX ranks worst of 6 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100 and rank 1 (worst). It logged 69 complaints, 5 crashes, 3 injuries, and 2 recalls, with brakes as the top problem area (21 complaints, 30% share).

Complaints
69
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
5 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
28
26 city / 30 hwy

Top 2020 Buick Encore GX problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes21 (30%)
  2. Other19 (28%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain18 (26%)
  4. Engine16 (23%)
  5. Electrical System15 (22%)
  6. Fuel System4 (6%)
  7. Steering4 (6%)
  8. Airbags3 (4%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (4%)
  10. Structure & Body2 (3%)

What owners report

  • Brake pedal reportedly sinks to the floor and fails to stop the vehicle, sometimes with a brake system warning light on.
  • Owners report the vehicle failing to accelerate or lunging forward unexpectedly when shifting into reverse.
  • Rodents were found to have chewed through wiring near the fuel system, triggering a check engine light and stalling.
  • Airbags reportedly did not deploy during rear-end collisions, resulting in driver injury in at least one case.
  • A parked, low-mileage vehicle experienced a dead battery along with an alert about possible engine, transmission, fuel, and emissions issues.
  • A windshield reportedly cracked on its own while the defroster was running in cold weather.
2020 Buick Encore GX complaints: complaints filed per month9Oct 2020Mar 2021Mar 2022Mar 2023Jul 2024Jan 2025Oct 2025Jun 2026
108 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Dec 2024 (9).

2020 Buick Encore GX recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V440000Jun 10, 2021Other135,400 vehicles

    Equipment:mechanical:accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift:stand

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 20V588000Sep 24, 2020Brakes3,677 vehicles

    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.

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

2020 Buick Encore GX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
26 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
28 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other Encore GX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Avoid10069228
2021Avoid8053229
2022Best032130

All Buick Encore GX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Buick Encore GX reliable?
Among the 6 Buick Encore GX model years with data, 2020 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and ranks worst (rank 1), earning an 'Avoid' verdict relative to other years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Buick Encore GX?
Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 21 of 69 complaints (30% share) and linked to 3 crashes, with a median failure mileage of 1,112 miles.
Does the 2020 Buick Encore GX have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for an emergency jack that can fracture (campaign 21V440000) and one for a brake boost module affected by sensor connection contamination (campaign 20V588000).
How does the 2020 Encore GX compare to later years?
Complaint Index drops in every later year: 80 in 2021, 0 in 2022, 60 in 2023, 40 in 2024, and 20 in 2025, meaning 2020 has more reported problems relative to those years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Buick Encore GX?
EPA rates it at 28 mpg combined (26 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.