2020 Buick ENCORE GX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
1,487 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 68 complaints (27.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 27.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 22.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 11.8% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 7.4% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 19 |
| Power Train | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Service Brakes: 19; Power Train: 18; Unknown Or Other: 18; Electrical System: 15; Engine: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Steering: 4; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 45 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2020: 9; 2021: 9; 2022: 8; 2023: 4; 2024: 15; 2025: 15; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11363178 · 2020-10-07 (October 7, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BUICK ENCORE GX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A U-TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND PARKED AT A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION TEXT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V588000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT UNS…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,251 miles reported. Look up ODI 11363178 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11366653 · 2020-10-27 (October 27, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BUICK ENCORE GX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUMPED SEVERAL TIMES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING SPOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SCHUMACHER BUICK GMC (3031 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409, [phone removed]) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V588000 (SERVICE BRAKES) HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MA…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11366653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11366809 · 2020-10-28 (October 28, 2020)
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN CERTAIN 2020 MODEL YEAR CADILLAC CT4, CT5 AND XT4 VEHICLES, 2020MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET CORVETTE VEHICLES, 2020 ' 2021 MODEL YEAR BUICK ENCORE GX VEHICLES, AND 2021 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES. MATERIAL USED IN A SENSOR CONNECTION IN THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE BOOST SYSTEM IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED DURING THE MATERIAL SUPPLIER'S PRODUCTION PROCESS. CONTAMINATION OF THIS MATERIAL MAY CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11366809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11375090 · 2020-11-17 (November 17, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BUICK ENCORE GX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS AT A STAND STILL AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, WHEN SHE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING HER TO SHOOT FORWARD AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD FRACTURE WHEN SHE WAS IMPACTED AND HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVER DID SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AT A NEAR HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT VEHICLE'S DRIVER DID SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS REPORT. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11375090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11375689 · 2020-11-21 (November 21, 2020)
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 9/25/2020. RECALL NHTSA# 20V588 ISSUED 9/24/2020. I WAS NOT CONTACTED BY DEALERSHIP WHO SOLD VEHICLE UNTIL 9/29/2020. THERE WAS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON VEHICLE. RECALL STATUS: INCOMPLETE REMEDY NOT YET AVALABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 227 miles reported. Look up ODI 11375689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11375906 · 2020-11-23 (November 23, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH SHE RECEIVED AN ALERT THAT THE STABIL TRAK SYSTEM AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE LIGHTS SAID DO NOT TRAVEL OVER 62 MPH. THE CONTACT FELT THE BRAKES GOING ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND NOT BRAKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND SHUTOFF THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT REAPPEAR SO THE CONTACT CONTINUED ON THE ROAD. WHEN CONTACT GOT ON THE ROAD, THE INDICATORS WENT OFF AGAIN AND SHE PULLED…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,487 miles reported. Look up ODI 11375906 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11376326 · 2020-11-25 (November 25, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BUICK ENCORE GX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V588000 (SERVICE BRAKES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL HOWEVER, FAILED TO ENGAGE AS DESIGNED. ADDITIONALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE. THERE WERE S…
Owner-reported narrative. 752 miles reported. Look up ODI 11376326 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11384669 · 2020-12-23 (December 23, 2020)
BRAKES ARE NOISY MORE GOING IN REVERSE. DEALER ORDERED UPDATED FRONT BRAKES ON 12/8/2020 AND AS OF 12/23/2020 THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVED AND DO NOT HAVE A DATE WHEN THEY WILL BE IN. TRIED TO CALL GM CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT THEY DO NOT ANSWER THE PHONE. ALSO WHEN THE CAR WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP THEY COMPLETED RECALLS #'S A202310450, A202295530 & A202301230. ALSO I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICES ON ANY RECALLS FROM BUICK.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,476 miles reported. Look up ODI 11384669 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V588000 · Service Brakes
Reported: 2020-09-24 (September 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V440000 · Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift:Stand
Reported: 2021-06-10 (June 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗