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2020 Buick Encore

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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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: 6 of 19 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 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

3 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2026
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

I took my 2020 Buick Encore to an independent auto repair shop to have a brake inspection after I had contacted GM multiple times about the loss of acceleration, check engine light and stabilitrak light would come on with brake pedal stiffness and then almost needing to push it to the floor to stop. When I took it to the indepen…

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I took my 2020 Buick Encore to an independent auto repair shop to have a brake inspection after I had contacted GM multiple times about the loss of acceleration, check engine light and stabilitrak light would come on with brake pedal stiffness and then almost needing to push it to the floor to stop. When I took it to the independent auto repair shop for the brake inspection they informed me of a PO161 code recall so I contacted my local recall service center, only to get a phone call from one of their salesman to come in and see about getting a new car. I've had other issues with this car since buying it in September of 2022 but now it's a serious safety situation and all they can either say is it doesn't match my vin so I'll have to pay out of pocket or go in debt for a new one. I don't know what to do at this point I feel at a loss.

NHTSA ODI #11734263

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

On 4/24/25 I noticed a pungent odor (like rotten eggs). The odor is worse today. I did research and it appears there may be a problem and or leak with the catalytic converter. The emissions are making me and my kids feel sick, nauseous, headache, irritated eyes, etc.

NHTSA ODI #11656756

5,240 miles · Oct 29, 2020
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

PURCHASED NEW BUICK ENCORE 2020 ON 05/22/2000. PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS HONDA CIVIC. ENCORE NEVER SEEMED TO HAVE ENOUGH POWER & WOULD DOWNSHIFT. ON 10/19/20 THERE WAS AN ISSUE ACTION REQUESTED) DETECTED BY BUICK BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THEN ON 10/28/2020, WE WERE DIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SEEMED TO LOOSE POWER & AN 18 WHEELER ALMO…

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PURCHASED NEW BUICK ENCORE 2020 ON 05/22/2000. PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS HONDA CIVIC. ENCORE NEVER SEEMED TO HAVE ENOUGH POWER & WOULD DOWNSHIFT. ON 10/19/20 THERE WAS AN ISSUE ACTION REQUESTED) DETECTED BY BUICK BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THEN ON 10/28/2020, WE WERE DIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SEEMED TO LOOSE POWER & AN 18 WHEELER ALMOST HIT US. ENCORE HAS 5,302 MILES ON IT. 10/28/20 3:41 P.M. MESSAGE FROM BUICK DX. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IS NOT PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. AN ISSUE HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM WHICH MONITORS AND CONTROLS AIR INTAKE TO THE ENGINE. WE WERE TRAVELING FROM MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS & ALMOST DID NOT MAKE IT HOME. THE VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS & IS AT THE DEALER NOW. I AM SEVERELY DISABLED & ILL AND BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS OUT OF TOWN. IT HAS CLEARLY HAD A PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. I WILL NOT PICK UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP NO MATTER HOW THEY TRY TO FIX IT AT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN LOOSING POWER. WE WERE ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11367020

Official recalls

2

20V668000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 29, 2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

20V537000 · Seats; Seats:critical Fasteners

Sep 3, 2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202304380.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats:critical Fasteners

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.

Consequence: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202304380.

Seats

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.

Consequence: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202304380.

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.