2021 Buick ENCORE GX: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 11427472 · 2021-08-02 (August 2, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore GX. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V440000 (Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the recall but informed the contact that parts were not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429736 · 2021-08-19 (August 19, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V440000 (Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair however, the dealer removed the emergency jack and cleared the recall but failed to provide a replacement jack since parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The conta…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429736 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 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 11455017 · 2022-03-03 (March 3, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a delay in braking before the vehicle was able to come to a complete stop. The contact mentioned that there was sensor that caused the vehicle to brake instantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6,431.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,431 miles reported. Look up ODI 11455017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11456559 · 2022-03-14 (March 14, 2022)
The contact rented a 2021 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated while idled at a stop light, another vehicle driving at approximately 45-50 MPH crashed into the rear of their vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained bruises and thigh injuries. The front passenger sustained a chest rash from when the seat belt retracted. There was a 9-year-old occupant seated at the rear however the seat belt failed to retract causing her to jolt forward almost to the front driver’s side seat. There was no medical attention received for any of…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11456559 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 ↗