Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Buick Encore GX problems

Owners filed 70 complaints about the 2020 Buick Encore GX with NHTSA between Oct 2020 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (19).

Complaints
70
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes19
  2. Power train18
  3. Electrical system16
  4. Engine14
  5. Vehicle speed control6
  6. Steering4
  7. Fuel/propulsion system3
  8. Air bags3
  9. Engine and engine cooling2
  10. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  11. Forward collision avoidance2
  12. Back over prevention1
  13. Structure1
  14. Lane departure1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20209
20219
20228
20234
202415
202515
202610

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

19 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“I was traveling to school when my breaks didn’t work I tried them twice and I crashed into another vehicle. And the month or march I took it into to Buick for break issues and they said everything was fine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 25, 2025Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11656817

Power train

18 reports
“While reversing, the vehicle suddenly jumped/jerked unexpectedly. Another vehicle was parked close behind me, and I was afraid my vehicle was going to jump into it because the movement was sudden and difficult to control. On another occasion, while traveling approximately 20 mph through a longer curve, the vehicle suddenly jumped/jerked again and I was concerned I could lose control of the vehicle or strike another vehicle. The vehicle has also intermittently shuddered/jumped during normal driving and acceleration. At times the engine RPM increases without the vehicle accelerating normally. The problem is intermittent and may stop and then happen again. This makes the vehicle’s acceleration and movement unpredictable, which I believe creates a collision risk when reversing, entering traffic, traveling through curves, or accelerating around other vehicles. An authorized Buick/GM dealership inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the CVT transmission as needing replacement at a cost of approximately 4,700. The dealership told me there were no transmission diagnostic trouble codes and no transmission warning lights despite the symptoms and their diagnosis. I am…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2026Power trainODI 11762916

Electrical system

16 reports
“While driving my 2020 Buick Encore GX, the vehicle experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of acceleration, immediately dropping into 'Reduced Engine power' limp mode in active traffic, but no other car was Infront or behind my car. A diagnostic scan revealed Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P2138, which triggered the computer's safety override system to cut engine throttle. The official dealer repair invoice confirms a manufacturing and assembly defect covered under GM Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) #07-06-04-019G. The technician located water intrusion Panel/Body Harness Connector X112. The root cause was an improperly seated weather seal from the factory, which allowed moisture to short-circuit the accelerator pedal sensor voltage lines. The shop had to reposition the factory seal and apply dielectric grease to the terminals to correct the defect, for which I was charged out of pocket. This manufacturing defect caused a sudden, unpredictable loss of vehicle power on public roads, creating a severe rear-end collision hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11767180

Engine

14 reports
“There was no service engine warning light on my dashboard. Pending codes in the pictures below popped up on my diagnostics tool less than 24 hours after buying the vehicle from an Audi Dealer. The engine went into limp mode as you can see from the picture below that shows Engine Power is Reduced. After researching these error codes, I was made aware that this is a common issue on this vehicle ad is should be a recall as it states the engine failure is a very serious issue, especially if it occurs while driving. This could cause fatal accidents.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11764192

Vehicle speed control

6 reports1 crash
“I was at a stop light and the light turned green, I preceded to press the accelerator, I was just starting to move forward and the, peddle seemed to take over with my assistance went all the way down and began speeding up. I tried breaking and the car just kept going and not wanting to slow down and kept gaining speed, I had to put car in neutral and turn engine off. Same day, same trip about 4 miles down the road, I began to slow down (35mph) due to a turning vehicle and when I was clear to accelerate once again, it happened again, again, I tried the breaks, and the car kept fighting the break and kept gaining speed, once again I had to put the car in neutral and turn off the engine, the speeds reached 65 mph. before I was able to place in neutral and turn off the engine. No warning lights, car ran normally until those terrifying moments, no check engine lights on before or after the above experiences. My husband and I's safety was put at risk due to the road's travelers and Deadmans curves and cross sections, it put us at risk with a higher chance of crashing into a vehicle or accelerating before being able to make a turn safely. As soon as I made it home, I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 26, 2025Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, EngineODI 11645021

Steering

4 reports1 crash
“My vehicle is undrivable. Multiple times per trip the check engine light comes on and I see multiple messages come on the driver information center. These are: Service ESC Reduced Power Service Adaptive Steering System The codes that come up are: P0089 for low fuel pressure P00C6 This results in an immediate speed reduction nearly causing multiple collisions with people following me on the highway. As a result I have been using a code reader to clear the codes so i can continue driving. I refuse to drive on busy highways so I am always forced to drive back roads. This needs to be figured out ASAP!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2024Steering, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11631056
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.