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2021 Buick Encore Gx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Buick Encore Gx do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 31.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 14 of 52 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

52 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

This is an ongoing issue that I have brought to the NHTSA's attention before, which resulted in a special coverage program being issued; however, now GM is not willing to assist me with the special coverage program due to a branded title (used vehicle), and the condition is only getting worse. Tonight, on August 16th, my vehicle…

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This is an ongoing issue that I have brought to the NHTSA's attention before, which resulted in a special coverage program being issued; however, now GM is not willing to assist me with the special coverage program due to a branded title (used vehicle), and the condition is only getting worse. Tonight, on August 16th, my vehicle experienced a complete loss of power, including engine functionality and fuel/propulsion systems. This stems from the original complaint I filed last fall (11614068) in relation to the turbocharger. I was advised by GM that they would not service my vehicle multiple times by rude supervisors, as my vehicle did not qualify under the special coverage because it's not a "safety issue:", and that the NHTSA has not issued a safety recall for this issue, when it's a safety issue. This is outrageous, and I URGE the NHTSA to look into the severity of this issue. It's only a matter of time before I am on the highway when my vehicle experiences what it did tonight. A complete loss of power, engine functionality, and the fuel/propulsion systems. I already had a near-death experience while driving on the highway when my engine power was reduced, which caused me to go from 65MPH to 40MPH in seconds on a highway, in the left lane, and I almost got rear-ended by someone going 75MPH. This is a safety issue, and it's not just impacting me. I find it so misleading that GM sent me a legal letter stating they knew there was an issue with the turbocharger and that they would take care of the repairs at no cost to me. The first line on the legal document states, ' Your satisfaction with our product is important to us," unless your car is used and has a branded title. There is nothing on that special coverage notice that explicitly states your title must be clean. I urge the NHTSA to issue a safety recall on the turbocharger so other Americans like me don't have to spend months going back and forth to get a simple repair done, an essential safety repair.

NHTSA ODI #11681121

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2025
Visibility/wiper

About 6 times in the last 3 months when I put the car into reverse and the reverse camera comes on the image is kind of sketchy and in weird colors - definitely not clear then it completely goes black with message at the top saying something about getting the rear camera repaired. It doesn't happen often but I can't use the rear…

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About 6 times in the last 3 months when I put the car into reverse and the reverse camera comes on the image is kind of sketchy and in weird colors - definitely not clear then it completely goes black with message at the top saying something about getting the rear camera repaired. It doesn't happen often but I can't use the rear camera when it does that so it's back to old school when in reverse looking everywhere and in mirrors before moving. It hasn't happened but once so far this month July 2025 but thought you should know.

NHTSA ODI #11675701

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Once a day sometimes twice, when I have pulled into a parking spot and put the car into Park, a bell alarm sounds and a message shows up to put the car into Park. Since I already put it into Park I then jiggle the stick shift lightly and the bell alarms stops and message disappears. This started within last 6 months.

NHTSA ODI #11675695

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2025
Unknown Or Other

Car is put on Park and a warning light comes out saying car is not on park.

NHTSA ODI #11669903

57,000 miles · Jun 9, 2025
Power Train

The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and shifting to park(P), the vehicle failed to immediately shut off. During the failure the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The m…

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The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and shifting to park(P), the vehicle failed to immediately shut off. During the failure the message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #11665822

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2025
Fuel/propulsion System

Turbo charger has gone out 4 times since I purchased it in April 2021. I have been on the interstate driving and suddenly my car slows down and a message that says “engine power reduced” comes up and my check engine light comes on. This is dangerous as I was on the interstate with 18 wheelers and could’ve been rear ended and bad…

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Turbo charger has gone out 4 times since I purchased it in April 2021. I have been on the interstate driving and suddenly my car slows down and a message that says “engine power reduced” comes up and my check engine light comes on. This is dangerous as I was on the interstate with 18 wheelers and could’ve been rear ended and badly hurt or killed. My grandchildren could’ve been in the car with me. When this happens the vehicle slows down considerably and does not accelerate properly. I have to drive in the right lane at a much slower speed putting myself and others in danger. Leachman Buick in Bowling Green, KY has repaired the car twice. Campbell Chevrolet in the same city has repaired it twice and it is currently at this dealership due to the engine power situation occurring again. This has caused me severe inconvenience as I have had to drop my car at the dealership several times in the past few weeks and rearrange my schedule as a rental car has not been provided. Campbell Chevrolet repaired the vehicle a few weeks ago and the check engine light and reduce power message was back on within 6 hours of them initially completing the repair. Two weeks or less it was the waste gate actuator solenoid that was replaced but the engine message and check engine light are back on. I am VERY FRUSTRATED at having to jump through hoops regarding this vehicle. I own the Bluegrass Edition model and it is obvious that something serious is wrong with the car and Buick needs to recall the car IMMEDIATELY. It is either a lemon or something else is causing the turbo charger to repeatedly fail. I have taken the car to TWO different dealerships and neither one of them have been able to rectify the issue long term. The vehicle needs to have a TOTAL diagnostic test on EVERYTHING relating to the engine and power system. PLEASE LOOK INTO HAVING THIS VEHICLE RECALLED AS I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE MY LIFE ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY SLOWING DOWN!!

NHTSA ODI #11658466

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2025
Engine

Vehicle overheating randomly due to faulty Coolant Control Valve. Vehicle goes into reduced power mode and also instructs you to pull over and idle engine. Part is on National backorder for weeks. The issue could cause Vehicle to become inoperable and cause a crash.

NHTSA ODI #11647875

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2025
Service Brakes

brakes are difficult to press (VERY HARD)

NHTSA ODI #11639481

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2025
Seats

Went to install a car seat and the place to hook it to is so far Imbedded into the seat I would have to cut the seat to get to it. I need these car seats attached. I am not cutting the seats.

NHTSA ODI #11636062

76,000 miles · Nov 19, 2024
Air BagsSuspensionCrashInjury

The contact's girlfriend owned a 2021 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving at 20 MPH, an abnormal, snapping sound emitted from the vehicle as the steering wheel independently shifted to the right and crashed into two parked vehicles. The contact stated that the suspension warning light appeared …

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The contact's girlfriend owned a 2021 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving at 20 MPH, an abnormal, snapping sound emitted from the vehicle as the steering wheel independently shifted to the right and crashed into two parked vehicles. The contact stated that the suspension warning light appeared on the instrument panel after the failure and later discovered that the vehicle's suspension had detached. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact's girlfriend was taken to the hospital where she was treated for a laceration on her left forearm which required nine stitches. She also suffered severe bruising to both arms, elbows, and hips. No other injuries were reported. A police report was filed. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V633000 (Suspension). The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard and later to an independent body shop. The insurance company later deemed the vehicle a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; the contact was given a case number and an investigation into the failure has been started. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #11626175

Official recalls

2

21V440000 · Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift:stand

Jun 10, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

20V588000 · Service Brakes

Sep 24, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.