2020 Buick Encore GX Powertrain (other) Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11745442

Incident

Jun 4, 2026

I am writing to formally report a serious mechanical failure involving my vehicle and to request further review and assistance. While operating my vehicle, it unexpectedly stalled in the middle of an intersection, creating a significant safety hazard. At the time of the incident, the check engine light illuminated and the RPMs surged to a range between 6 and 8. I was able to safely move the vehicle to the side of the road, place it in park, and have it towed to a dealership for inspection. Following their evaluation, I was informed that the transmission requires replacement. I have since become aware of a recall related to transmission issues; however, I was advised by a Buick representative that my VIN is not included in the recall. Given that my vehicle is experiencing the same or a substantially similar failure, this determination raises concerns and warrants further review. I have consistently adhered to all recommended maintenance schedules and have taken proper care of my vehicle. Based on the circumstances, I respectfully request a thorough reassessment of my case, including reconsideration for coverage or assistance with the necessary repairs. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

NHTSA ID

11726783

Incident

Mar 23, 2026

My 2020 Buick Encore GX is showing a message with accompanying ding ding sounds "Shift to Park" after I put my car in park. This malfunction will not allow the car to be locked. I see there are many complaints and lawsuits that GM has not attended to. How do we get GM to initiate a recall on something they are and were well aware of.

NHTSA ID

11719307

Incident

Feb 19, 2026

2020 Buick Encore GX; pulling out of a service station, my check engine light illuminated, and message on cluster stated: Engine Power Reduced. I loss throttle response for accelerating. Accelerator pedal was pushed to the floor and no acceleration. Vehicle entered limp mode. Drove 15 miles from service station to my home, in limp mode, unable to accelerate. Called a technician mechanic who check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes; DTC P0299 Turbocharge/Supercharge "A" Under boost condition; is Confirmed, Pending, and Permanent code. Loss of power to Power Train, unable to accelerate.

NHTSA ID

11718640

Incident

Feb 16, 2026

SHIFT INTO PARK WARNING WHEN CAR IS IN PARK

NHTSA ID

11701517

Incident

Nov 3, 2025

Powder Train When parking the car in garage, placed vehicle in park, then turned vehicle off, received a message on dash "SHIP TO PARK". The car was in park. Even thought the engine was off, it would now allow radio or lights to shut off util message goes off. Some times several minutes for it to go out. Taken it to the GM dealer ship was told shifter assembly needs replaced. I have learned their currently is a a class action suit for this issue at this time. My car was under warranty for 5 years and was still under the warranty when this happened to me. I don't feel I should have to pay $491.00 out of my pocket.

NHTSA ID

11695793

Incident

Sep 15, 2025

Shifter malfunction not allowing transmission to shift to park without multiple attempts. Car lurches at times while attempting to resolve problem.

NHTSA ID

11656627

Incident

Mar 17, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and attempting to turn off the vehicle, the message “Shift to Park" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that an unstated part in the gear shifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,643.

NHTSA ID

11633152

Incident

Oct 15, 2024

Mileage

34,643 mi

For the past several months, my 2020 Buick Encore has been giving me a message to shift to park even though I placed my vehicle to park. This then does not allow my car to shut off, because it believes I am still in drive. I tried making an appointment with the dealership a month ago and their earliest availability was today, 12/10/2024. I took my Buick in, and they wrote me and stated that they figured out the issue and the shifter control would need to be replaced and was not covered under my powertrain warranty. I see this has been an issue on several Buicks and I even found the service notification Buick sent out for this specific issue. This is a definite safety issue since I cannot turn my vehicle off because it does not believe I am actually in park. This needs to be recalled for these vehicles since Buick is aware of the issue. I am getting the shifter control replaced, but due to it being a safety concern, it should be covered by Buick. Instead, this is being told to me that it is a $400 replacement part and not covered under Buick's warranty. I wanted to file a complaint so NHTSA can be aware of this issue.

NHTSA ID

11629850

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

The vehicle will flash a message “Shift to park” when the car is already parked. This is a known issue across multiple GM brands including Chevy and Buick. The dealer diagnosed the issue and said that it needed a new shifter and wiring harness. Parts and labor for the repair are going to be $700.

NHTSA ID

11619189

Incident

Oct 8, 2024

I bought this vehicle in 2024, I have been having issues one after another with it, I have taken it to the dealer and all they keep doing if fixing the problem and couple of months it happens again. I am really worried about my safety if I keep driving the vehicle. One problem from the battery to the shift sensor. Thank you

NHTSA ID

11616982

Incident

Sep 28, 2024

"Shift toPark"message is displayed on the dic shifter control leaver

NHTSA ID

11602047

Incident

Jan 17, 2024

When parking car in garage, placed vehicle in park, then turned vehicle off, received a message on dash " SHIFT TO PARK". The car was in park. Even though the engine was off, it would not allow radio, or lights to shut off until this message goes off. Some times it takes several minutes for message to go out. I have taken to GM dealership, and was told shifter assembly needs replaced ($500). I have learned their currently is a class action suit for this issue at this date.

NHTSA ID

11596386

Incident

Jun 14, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P); however, the “Shift to Park” message was displayed. The contact was unable to turn off the vehicle and drove to the residence. The message was no longer displayed after the contact parked the vehicle at the residence. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The dealer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

NHTSA ID

11588912

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

Mileage

24,000 mi

I have only had the vehicle for a year. On multiple occasions the vehicle feels like it is slipping gears (more often when the autostop feature is turned on). On multiple occasions the vehicle has stalled out and would not do anything when pressing on gas- didn't even rev, did absolutely nothing. These stall outs happened crossing highways, at stop lights, stop signs, etc. There were no warnings prior to the incidences, though the vehicle did through an engine/transmission code afterwards, the code would go away. The first several attempts of taking it to the dealership (last year) as it is still under warranty- it was not checked. i was simply told it was a "glitch" and it was fine. They did not record in their system that i requested it to be checked either apparently. They only recorded that i brought it in for an oil change. They only checked into it this February after my boyfriend told them what it was doing. They kept it and replaced one part in the transmission. The vehicle continued to have the same issues and threw a code withing the first 5 minutes after picking it up. I took it back in- and they said it was doing the issues because of the code it threw. I told them it was doing it again before it threw the code. They said it simply needed a line vacuumed out, and then gave it back to me. It continued to have the same issues and stalled out again causing me to roll backwards onto the highway-into traffic. I took it back again. They kept it, and then told me they'd be replacing the entire transmission, but it is on backorder. Still no time frame when it will be repaired. They then told me i could have my car back and continue to drive it until the transmission comes in?!? I said no- it isn't safe, I just told you what happened and i could have been hurt or killed. I am not driving it, especially when i have my son to drive around as well! I have been without my car for at least a month now. I am paying for a car that i don't even have/can't drive.

NHTSA ID

11461685

Incident

Apr 10, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 BUICK ENCORE GX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AS NEEDED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY LUNGED FORWARD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BELLAVIA CHEVROLET BUICK (199 NJ-17, EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ 07073) THE BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION VALVES WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AFTER RECEIVING APPROVAL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER FOUND 3 PIECES OF RUBBER INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION WHEN IT WAS TAKEN APART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,529.

NHTSA ID

11415408

Incident

Mar 19, 2021

Mileage

9,529 mi