2021 Buick ENCORE GX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
44,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 52 complaints (28.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 17.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 13.5% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 15 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Equipment | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Engine: 15; Power Train: 11; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Service Brakes: 7; Unknown Or Other: 6; Electrical System: 4; Equipment: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 38 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 15 |
2021: 6; 2022: 4; 2023: 2; 2024: 11; 2025: 14; 2026: 15
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11420627 · 2021-06-11 (June 11, 2021)
The brake system failed upon pulling into a parking space. Had it happened a few, short moments before, there would have been a high probability of a crash. The vehicle was taken to Hardy Buick GMC Chevrolet. Upon reading the codes, I was told that the vehicle needs a new master cylinder. (It has only 672 miles on it and I've owned it less than 3 weeks.) Numerous lights came on, including: Brakes, ABS, Traction Control, Engine, as well as 2 others. A message came up on the screen that said, "Brake System Failure, 62 MPH Top Speed." There were …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11420749 · 2021-06-13 (June 13, 2021)
This week I leased a white buick encore gx fwd in the preferred model. After driving off the lot I noticed the brakes are very hard to press down and I can’t stop the vehicle over short distances. This seems dangerous and my dealership says nothing is wrong with the car but I can tell something is wrong with the brakes and this isn’t how new brakes are supposed to feel. After googling the symptoms it seems to be a problem with the brake booster.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420749 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11559624 · 2023-12-11 (December 11, 2023)
I bought my vehicle the later part of 2021 and the transmission and engine no longer work and need to be replaced. When I first purchased the vehicle the battery completely died in less than 6 months. Numerous repairs and now the warranty won't work since I am over 60000 miles even though I have not met the expiration date on my warranty. They want to charge me between 8000-12000 for repairs.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11559624 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11615896 · 2024-09-23 (September 23, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while shifting to park(P) and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message to shift to park(P) was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact removed the key from the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to turn off. The battery had to be disconnected to turn off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed tha…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11615896 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11435680 · 2021-10-06 (October 6, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while at a stop sign, the RPM was fluctuating from 0 to 3,000 RPM. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact mentioned the failure recurred multiple times with the vehicle being unable to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the emergency jack needed to be repaired under recall. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The ve…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11435680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11485494 · 2022-09-20 (September 20, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated with the “Engine Power Reduced message displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and the vehicle failed to exceed 25 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that the loss of power had become a recurring failure and occurred at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who diagnosed that the intercooler on the turbo needed to be replaced. …
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11485494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431435 · 2021-09-01 (September 1, 2021)
Driving at 5:10pm on aug 31, 2021 first my power steering warning comes on my dash. Then my brake light comes on in red. I was just starting to move w traffic and I turned down a side street. No brakes or steering I did slow down enough to put in park. Only 4000 miles on vehicle. Called on star They called tow truck took to dealership where I got the encore
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11732027 · 2026-04-18 (April 18, 2026)
My vehicle suddenly stalled and completely shut off while I was driving. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms to alert me there was any engine issues. I was definitely put in danger as I was driving at rush hour in a 6 lane busy US 1 Federal Highway. The vehicle was stalled, without any power, in the middle lane with cars and trucks swerving around me at the last minute. I called 911 immediately and they dispatched cruisers to help push my vehicle across 4 lanes of traffic. This meant having to block 4 lanes of moving traffic. It w…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11732027 at NHTSA ↗