2020 Buick ENCORE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
24,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 19 complaints (36.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 21.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 15.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 10.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
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 | 7 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Engine: 7; Electrical System: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Power Train: 4; Unknown Or Other: 3; Service Brakes: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 13 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 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 4; 2024: 3; 2025: 4; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 11353102 · 2020-09-04 (September 4, 2020)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL. IT ACTED AS IT WAS ACCELERATING AND THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL QUIT AND I LOST SPEED. I REGAINED SPEED AND THEN IT LURCHED AGAIN; THE CRUISE CONTROL AGAIN WENT OFF. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENGINE STARTED TO THROTTLE UP AND ACCELERATE, I HAD TO BRAKE HARDER TO COME TO A FULL STOP.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11353102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11367020 · 2020-10-29 (October 29, 2020)
PURCHASED NEW BUICK ENCORE 2020 ON 05/22/2000. PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS HONDA CIVIC. ENCORE NEVER SEEMED TO HAVE ENOUGH POWER & WOULD DOWNSHIFT. ON 10/19/20 THERE WAS AN ISSUE ACTION REQUESTED) DETECTED BY BUICK BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THEN ON 10/28/2020, WE WERE DIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SEEMED TO LOOSE POWER & AN 18 WHEELER ALMOST HIT US. ENCORE HAS 5,302 MILES ON IT. 10/28/20 3:41 P.M. MESSAGE FROM BUICK DX. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IS NOT PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. AN ISSUE HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM WHICH MONITORS A…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,240 miles reported. Look up ODI 11367020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11441607 · 2021-11-24 (November 24, 2021)
Tire suddenly developed a large bubble after about 18,000 miles of driving from new. Tire came new from manufacturer of my 2020 Buick Encore. I didn't hot any thing with this tire that could have contributed to the bublle. I think its a manufacturing defect
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441607 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11457922 · 2022-03-22 (March 22, 2022)
The horn goes off automatically when the car is started. The fuse must be pulled out to stop it. Dash radio and phone not working properly. Cruise control not working.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11457922 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11463543 · 2022-05-05 (May 5, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the "Trunk Open" light was illuminated and the trunk raised up. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence and attempted to close the trunk. The contact had to push the trunk release button several times for the trunk to lock securely. The contact had taken not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11463543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11541919 · 2023-08-31 (August 31, 2023)
I was told there was a recall on my engine. My check engine light is on. My car doesn't speed up pass 75. When I try to speed up I can feel the gears change.and the car jerks
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11541919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11544897 · 2023-09-16 (September 16, 2023)
I have to constantly jump start my vehicle. Took it to the dealers and they stated there is nothing wrong with the battery.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11544897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11551560 · 2023-10-24 (October 24, 2023)
The contact owned a 2020 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle lost power steering and drove straight into a deep ditch. The contact did not recall whether a warning light illuminated. The front driver's side and passenger's side air bags exploded while deploying and propelled fragments that burned the skin near the contact left breast, hit the contact's shoulder and right wrist. The contact's wrist was bleeding. Additionally, there was powder smoke coming out of the…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11551560 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.
20V537000 · Seats:Critical Fasteners | Seats
Reported: 2020-09-03 (September 3, 2020)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.
Consequence: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202304380.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V668000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2020-10-29 (October 29, 2020)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
NHTSA campaign record ↗