YearToAvoid

2023 Buick Encore GX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#3 most-complained of 6 Encore GX years

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

The 2023 Buick Encore GX has a complaint index of 60, ranking 3rd worst out of 6 model years, and NHTSA gives it a Caution verdict. It has 27 complaints, 0 recalls, and no crashes or fires reported, with Electrical System issues topping the list.

Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30
29 city / 31 hwy

Top 2023 Buick Encore GX problems

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

  1. Electrical System7 (26%)
  2. Engine7 (26%)
  3. Other6 (22%)
  4. Brakes5 (19%)
  5. Steering5 (19%)
  6. Fuel System3 (11%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (11%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain3 (11%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (7%)
  10. Structure & Body2 (7%)

What owners report

  • Brakes reportedly grab unexpectedly when approaching slower traffic, and some owners describe the brake pedal locking up when starting the vehicle.
  • Center touchscreen display goes blank, grainy, or becomes unresponsive, sometimes switching to the backup camera view while driving forward.
  • Error messages for 'Service ESC' and 'Service Power Steering' have appeared alongside reduced brake responsiveness.
  • A front-end rattle through the steering wheel occurs during low-speed driving, turns, or over speed bumps, with owners suspecting a motor mount or suspension part.
  • With air conditioning running, the vehicle reportedly struggles to keep running, idles high, hesitates on acceleration, and in one case pulled a low voltage code at the dealership at 18,000 miles.
  • Headlights have been reported to dim or shut off intermittently, prompting repeated dealership visits.
2023 Buick Encore GX complaints: complaints filed per month10Nov 2022Jul 2023Apr 2024Aug 2025Feb 2026Aug 2026
46 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2023 (10).

2023 Buick Encore GX recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2023 Buick Encore GX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
29 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,150
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.

2023 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
2021Avoid8053229
2022Best032130
2023Caution6027030
2024Good4031230
2025Best2015130

All Buick Encore GX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Buick Encore GX reliable?
NHTSA data shows 27 complaints and 0 recalls for the 2023 Encore GX, with a complaint index of 60, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other model years.
What is the top problem area for the 2023 Buick Encore GX?
Electrical System complaints are tied with Engine complaints as the most reported issue, each making up 26% of total complaints (7 complaints apiece).
Does the 2023 Buick Encore GX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2023 Encore GX, compared to 2 recalls each for the 2020, 2021, and 2024 model years.
How does the 2023 Encore GX compare to other years?
The 2023 model ranks 3rd worst of 6 years tracked, better than the 2020 (complaint index 100, Avoid) and 2021 (complaint index 80, Avoid), but worse than the 2022 (index 0, Best) and 2025 (index 20, Best).
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Buick Encore GX?
EPA rates the 2023 Encore GX at 30 mpg combined (29 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150.

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.