Reliable Auto DB

2020 Buick Encore GX reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2020 Buick Encore GX has 69 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 9 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Encore GX years here — over the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Stand and Service brakes.

2020 Buick Encore GX
Photo by Mr.choppers, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

69

Per year

9

Recalls

2

Years on the road

7

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Service brakes (19 of 69), then Powertrain (18) and Electrical system (15). Those filings include 5 that report a crash and 2 that report an injury.

Next to 2021

The 2021 Encore GX has 53 complaints, 4 per year. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 Buick Encore GX. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall equipment, mechanical, jack or lift stand, stand 2021-06-10 · NHTSA campaign 21V440000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Service brakes 2020-09-24 · NHTSA campaign 20V588000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (69 total)

Service brakes
19
Powertrain
18
Electrical system
15
Engine
13
Speed control
5
Steering
4
Air bags
3
Fuel and propulsion system
3
Engine and engine cooling
2
Forward collision avoidance
2
Hydraulic brakes
2
Back-over prevention
1
Exterior lighting
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Lane departure
1
Seat belts
1
Seats
1
Structure
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 11 more Show less
Crash-flagged

5

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

2

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

9202092021820224202315202415202592026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "There was no service engine warning light on my dashboard. Pending codes in the pictures below popped up on my diagnostics tool less than 24 hours after buying the vehicle from an Audi Dealer. The engine went into limp…"
    Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2026-09-14
  • "While reversing, the vehicle suddenly jumped/jerked unexpectedly. Another vehicle was parked close behind me, and I was afraid my vehicle was going to jump into it because the movement was sudden and difficult to…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-08
  • "The cluster display shows "shift to park" even while vehicle is stopped, gear shift in park position, and engine is off."
    Powertrain, Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-29
  • "I am submitting this complaint regarding several serious mechanical and electrical issues with my 2020 Buick Encore GX that raise significant concerns about the vehicle's reliability and safety. Most concerning, I was…"
    Electrical system, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-07-22
  • "Transmission would not connect with the engine. La Fontaine dealership in Saint Clair. Said I need a new transmission cost $14,000. It has 59823 miles under the vehicle."
    Powertrain · filed 2026-06-21

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2020 Buick Encore GX SUV AWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2020 Buick Encore GX SUV FWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Specs and fitment

Encore GX, 2020–present
Body styles Crossover
Oil 0W-30 (1.2L turbo and 1.3L turbo; check manual for temperature band) , 4.2 qt capacity
Tire size 225/55R18

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V588000 covers certain 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles (with Chevrolet Corvette, Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, and Chevrolet Trailblazer) where sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may interrupt communication and lose brake-boost assist; dealers replace the electronic brake boost module. Recall 21V440000 covers certain 2020-2022 Encore GX vehicles (with 2021-2022 Trailblazer) whose emergency jack can fracture if not positioned as directed in the owner’s manual; dealers replace the jack. Recall 26V539000 covers certain 2024-2026 Encore GX vehicles (with Envista, Trailblazer, and Trax) whose rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image; dealers inspect and replace the camera as needed. Recall 23V744000 covers certain 2024 Encore GX vehicles (with Envista and Trax) whose Virtual Cockpit Unit software may blank the instrument panel at startup or while driving; dealers or an OTA update revise VCU software.

Compare

Next year 2021 Buick Encore GX See every Buick Encore GX model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Buick Encore GX reliable?

The 2020 Buick Encore GX has 69 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 9 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Encore GX years here — over the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Stand and Service brakes.

What are common problems with a 2020 Buick Encore GX?

The complaints owners file most often name Service brakes (19 of 69), then Powertrain (18) and Electrical system (15). Those filings include 5 that report a crash and 2 that report an injury.

Is the 2020 Buick Encore GX more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2021 Encore GX has 53 complaints, 4 per year. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

Has the 2020 Buick Encore GX been recalled?

The 2020 Buick Encore GX has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Buick Encore GX?

Owners have filed 69 complaints about the 2020 Buick Encore GX with NHTSA.

What oil does a Buick Encore GX take?

0W-30 for the 1.2L and 1.3L turbos (check the manual for temperature band); capacity about 4.2 qt.

Is there a brake assist recall on early Encore GX models?

Recall 20V588000 covers certain 2020-2021 Encore GX vehicles (with Corvette, CT4, CT5, XT4, and Trailblazer) for electronic brake-boost sensor contamination.