Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Buick Encore GX, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes19
- Unknown or other19
- Power train18
- Electrical system16
- Engine14
- Vehicle speed control6
- Steering4
- Air bags3
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Forward collision avoidance2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 20 2020 Encore GX vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 10 people died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2020 Buick Encore GX failed the safety check 0.68% of the time — 42% less often than the average 2020 passenger car (1.18%). Median odometer at inspection: 24,772 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 0 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Buick Encore GX SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | 17.9 % |
| 2020 Buick Encore GX SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | 18.5 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 4 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 8.4–8.5 L/100 km (about 28 mpg US), CO₂ 198–199 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encore GX · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.0 | 7.7 | 8.4 |
| Encore GX AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.0 | 8.0 | 8.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2020 Buick Encore GX.
| 2021365 10 Jun 2021 | Accessories Issue: On certain vehicles, the emergency spare tire jack could break if it is not properly positioned under the vehicle. If this happens, the jack could coll… |
| 2020520 29 Oct 2020 | Powertrain Issue: On certain vehicles, the start-stop accumulator in the transmission may be missing bolts. As a result, transmission fluid could leak and eventually cau… |
| 2020452 24 Sept 2020 | Brakes Issue: On certain vehicles, a sensor in the electronic brake boost system may have a bad connection. Under certain driving conditions, this could cause a loss … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Buick told its dealers about the 2020 Buick Encore GX: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11012013 | This Preliminary information communicates to the dealers diagnostic tips related to MIL on with P219A. |
| 11011996 | This service bulletin provides diagnostic/repair information to correct a customer concern of Cellphone not Charging or USB Receptacle Inoperative. |
| 11011989 | This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid. |
| 11011904 | This service bulletin provides 9th gear operation information to respond to customers that may comment on transmission shift operation. |
| 11011900 | This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue. |
| 11011864 | This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician on possible sources of transmission fluid leaks from the transmission oil filter or cooler line seals . |
| 11011861 | This Preliminary information communicates to Technicians how to repair a rattle noise coming from the shift cable assembly. |
| 11011805 | This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number forreflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses. |
| 11011714 | This technical bulletin provides a procedure a squeal noise heard from the front of the vehicle during light brake pedal application. |
| 11011709 | This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer. |
| 11011367 | This informational bulletin provides a guide on how to diagnose and test for vibrations utilizing the PicoScope. |
| 11011225 | This service bulletin advises the tech that the rotational Clicking Noise Heard After Engine Shut Down may be normal characteristics of the vehicle. |
| 11011205 | This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules. |
| 11011125 | This technical bulletin provides a procedure a squeal noise heard from the front of the vehicle during light brake pedal application. |
| 11011119 | This Preliminary information communicates to dealers GM is working on a solution for outdated Apps |
| 11011117 | This service bulletin provides information on dark spots in the headlamp pattern when the vehicle is pulled up to a wall or garage. |
| 11010901 | This bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for a battery drain utilizing the Picoscope and how to measure the load on the system that may be causing a drain. |
| 11010709 | This technical bulletin provides a procedure a squeal noise heard from the front of the vehicle during light brake pedal application. |
| 11010576 | This service bulletin provides information on All hazmat parts being returned to the Warranty Parts Center (WPC) must be shipped using Central Transport. Hazardous materials should never be sent by air transportation to the WPC. |
| 11010545 | This service bulletin provides information on key code security rules and information on GM keycode look-up applications (U.S). |
| 11010495 | This bulletin provides information on Warranty Administration Required Operating Procedures - 8 Points (U.S. Only). |
| 11010493 | This warranty administration service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period. |
| 11010491 | This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information for GM courtesy transportation and roadside assistance programs. |
| 11010490 | This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption. |
| 11010488 | This Warranty Administration bulletin provides information on the Global Warranty Management (GWM) Warranty Parts Center (WPC) Parts Return Program. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)