YearToAvoid

2021 Buick Encore GX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#2 most-complained of 6 Encore GX years

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

The 2021 Buick Encore GX has a Complaint Index of 80, ranking 2nd-worst among 6 model years, with a verdict of Avoid. NHTSA lists 53 complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 crashes, with Engine problems making up 38% of complaints at a median 43,000 miles.

Complaints
53
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
28 city / 31 hwy

Top 2021 Buick Encore GX problems

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

  1. Engine20 (38%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain11 (21%)
  3. Brakes8 (15%)
  4. Other8 (15%)
  5. Fuel System7 (13%)
  6. Electrical System4 (8%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (6%)
  8. Lane Departure2 (4%)
  9. Airbags1 (2%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Engine stalls at stops with RPM fluctuating between 0 and 3,000 before shutting off and sometimes failing to restart.
  • Check Engine light appears with an 'Engine Power Reduced' message, limiting the vehicle to under 25 MPH at highway speeds.
  • Brake pedal feels hard to press or shows a delay before the vehicle comes to a complete stop, sometimes with warning lights lit.
  • Power steering and brake warning lights illuminate together while driving, with reduced steering and braking response.
  • Lane Departure warning light on the side mirrors fails to illuminate as designed with no dealer-identified cause.
  • Airbags failed to deploy in a rear-end collision at approximately 45-50 MPH, resulting in occupant injuries.
2021 Buick Encore GX complaints: complaints filed per month7Jun 2021Sep 2022May 2024Nov 2024Jul 2025Dec 2025Jun 2026
69 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Jan 2026 (7).

2021 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.

2021 Buick Encore GX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
28 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,250
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.

2021 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
2023Caution6027030

All Buick Encore GX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Buick Encore GX reliable?
Compared to other Encore GX model years, 2021 ranks 2nd-worst out of 6 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 80 and a verdict of Avoid. NHTSA lists 53 complaints and 2 recalls for this year.
What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Buick Encore GX?
Engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 38% of complaints (20 of 53), with a median failure mileage of 43,000 miles. Transmission and powertrain issues follow at 21% of complaints.
Does the 2021 Buick Encore GX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 Buick Encore GX: one for the emergency jack (campaign 21V440000) and one for an electronic brake boost module due to sensor connection contamination (campaign 20V588000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2021 Encore GX compare to the 2022 model?
The 2022 Buick Encore GX has a Complaint Index of 0 and a verdict of Best, versus 80 and Avoid for 2021. The 2022 model also has fewer complaints, 32 versus 53.
What mileage do 2021 Encore GX brake problems occur at?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 6,431 miles for brake-related complaints on the 2021 Buick Encore GX, indicating early onset.

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.