Problems · NHTSA complaints

2023 Buick Encore GX problems

Owners filed 28 complaints about the 2023 Buick Encore GX with NHTSA between Nov 2022 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (6).

Complaints
28
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
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. Engine6
  2. Steering5
  3. Electrical system5
  4. Service brakes5
  5. Fuel/propulsion system4
  6. Power train3
  7. Exterior lighting3
  8. Suspension2
  9. Structure2
  10. Forward collision avoidance2
  11. Vehicle speed control2
  12. Lane departure1
  13. Seat belts1
  14. Wheels1

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 9, 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
20221
20239
20243
20253
202612

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

Engine

6 reports
“Engine power reduced all of a sudden on a highway. Turbo went out at less than 45k miles. Turbo was replaced by GM and was told this will occur every 2 years by the dealership. Very unsafe especially driving at highway speeds.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026EngineODI 11766115

Steering

5 reports
“Stabiltrack software jerking my car in a left curve. Took to dealership who seem to find nothing wrong. Reached out to GM with no response or action. Feels extremely dangerous in a left curve unless traction control and Stabilitrack is turned off.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026Steering, Suspension, Lane departureODI 11766109

Electrical system

5 reports
“I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2023 Buick Encore GX that repeatedly shuts off while driving and doesn’t restart when auto stop is on, it leaves me stranded in traffic. The vehicle has been in the shop multiple times since February 13, and the issue has not been resolved. A service advisor has stated he is not comfortable putting me back in the vehicle and wants to help get me out of this car. I am requesting escalation, a case number, and immediate resolution. After having the oil changed in February, the check engine light came on soon after. Car had left me stranded prior to the battery being replaced. After 4 times in the same shop, they say a bad ground connection may now be the problem, however they also said they recharged the battery the visit prior.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11725113

Service brakes

5 reports
“Brakes squeaking, squealing and screeching. Replaced once at approximately 8k miles. Dealership ground down rotors twice, brakes replaced once. Tires are worn in the center. AWD GX, steering seems off and unstable. Brake pedal sounds and feels like a faulty spring inside. Pedal gets stuck when switching from gas to brake. Bounces back with spring feel and noise. At times it feels like I can’t control the brake when traveling at a low rated of speed and having to suddenly stop. Then while stopped on an incline the brake feels as if it releases while still depressing the brake jolting forward. Nearly forcing into intersection. Having to leave larger distances between vehicles in front to prevent vehicle from forcibly trying to rear end another vehicle. Clunking noise when turning left at a low rate of speed with minimal acceleration, such as in and out of a driveway, parking lot or after coming to a stop at an intersection. Mostly heard only turn left. Steering wheel vibrates at high rate of speed. Intermittent rattling noise heard from front center/passenger side. Ratting noise occurs after driving a while 25-30 minutes. Screw fell out of vehicle after being…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2023Steering, Wheels, Service brakesODI 11552372

Fuel/propulsion system

4 reports
“Engine light. Codes, P146B, P0114, C2B00 @ 64000 miles and the emission purge pump has failed, ECU, purge solenoid. I see an extended warranty has gone out for the same year Envision. As this is the same P/N for this brand and same problems, (I.E. 2020-2022 Encore extended warranty) will this be covered anytime in the future?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11768557

Power train

3 reports
“When starting from a traffic light after the green light, the car made mechanical noises and would not accelerate above approximately 25 mph. It seemed obvious at the time that the transmission had failed, which was later confirmed after being towed to the dealership. There were no warning lamps or messages displayed; however, during the previous days, there were a few instances when the transmission "shifted" hard (this seemed odd considering it is a CVT transmission).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2026Power trainODI 11717276
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

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