EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT:STAND
2021 Buick Encore GX
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 53 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Buick Encore GX, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 672 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 2021 | 2 | 2 |
| Aug 2021 | 2 | 4 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 5 |
| Oct 2021 | 1 | 6 |
| Mar 2022 | 2 | 8 |
| Sep 2022 | 2 | 10 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 11 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 12 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 13 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 14 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 15 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 16 |
| Aug 2024 | 2 | 18 |
| Sep 2024 | 2 | 20 |
| Oct 2024 | 2 | 22 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 | 23 |
| Jan 2025 | 2 | 25 |
| Mar 2025 | 1 | 26 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 27 |
| Jun 2025 | 2 | 29 |
| Jul 2025 | 2 | 31 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 32 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 | 33 |
| Oct 2025 | 2 | 35 |
| Nov 2025 | 1 | 36 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 37 |
| Jan 2026 | 4 | 41 |
| Mar 2026 | 2 | 43 |
| Apr 2026 | 2 | 45 |
| May 2026 | 2 | 47 |
| Jun 2026 | 2 | 49 |
| Jul 2026 | 1 | 50 |
| Aug 2026 | 2 | 52 |
| Sep 2026 | 1 | 53 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine1930.6%
- Powertrain (other)1117.7%
- Brakes812.9%
- Fuel system711.3%
- Driver assistance58.1%
- Electrical46.5%
- Other / unspecified23.2%
- Visibility11.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSERVICE BRAKES
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the radio display screen was blank. While reversing, the rear-view camera briefly displayed an image before going blank. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 87,402.
- NHTSA ID
- 11765233
- Incident
- Sep 1, 2026
- Mileage
- 87,402 mi
Vehicle does not recognize it is in Park even when the shifter is placed in that position. As a result, the vehicle cannot be turned off. GM has issued a technical service bulletin for this issue, but has not yet performed a recall.
- NHTSA ID
- 11760794
- Incident
- May 1, 2026
The Frontview camera or its software is the issue. It allows the car to drift outside of the lane on both sides of the car before warning and or pulling you back over but then it just pulls you to the other line and lets you cross it back and forth if you let it and every time crossing the line. Extremely dangerous if you don't know that it's not functioning correctly. Also her adaptive cruise control doesn't work and I know for a fact it uses the same camera to work to be able to tell when a vehicle is ahead of you which her car does show the symbol for when a car is ahead of you but it doesn't slow down her cruise control leaving a gap between the 2 cars so again if you didn't pay attention you could smash right into the car ahead of you. I took it to one Buick dealer and they said there was nothing they could do but after research I learned it can easily be reprogrammed with the right obd2 computer and either driving it to recalibrate or doing a static calibration in a shop. I do know that there are service bulletins slightly related to this.
- NHTSA ID
- 11760679
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2026
While driving check engine suddenly illuminated following by a "warning reduced engine power" message. Car began driving sluggish and driving over 35mph caused serious trembling. After multiple diagnosis with several engine codes pointing to issues with ECM, and mass air flow sensor, and the wiring affliated . I took the vehicle to the GMC dealership to get vehicle serviced and was told the wiring had broken and melted which caused the check engine to come on and the vehicle to drive the way it did. The cause was the zip tie being tied too tight as stated in GMs own bulletin number 22-NA-008. This should be a bulletin it should be a recall!
- NHTSA ID
- 11749150
- Incident
- Jul 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firm while depressed, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and several unknown diagnostic trouble codes were retrieved. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, but the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V588000 (Service Brakes); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. 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 81,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11747114
- Incident
- Jun 26, 2026
- Mileage
- 81,000 mi
Due to defective LIN BUS 2 failure to read mass air flow sensor, vehicle suddenly goes into limp mode. This speed control issue is documented in GM Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) #22-NA-008 and PIP5934, 2022.
- NHTSA ID
- 11742772
- Incident
- Jun 3, 2026
A 2021 Buick Encore GX with 66,828 miles experienced sudden transmission failure while driving. The vehicle lost forward gear engagement and began slipping, creating an immediate safety risk to the driver and other motorists due to unexpected loss of vehicle propulsion and control. The vehicle was diagnosed by an authorized GM dealership. Diagnostic codes P2714 (Transmission Control Solenoid Valve 4 Stuck Off) and P0700 (Transmission Control Module Request) were confirmed. The transmission fluid was found to have a burnt odor indicating severe internal damage. The check engine light was the first warning symptom, followed by slipping and loss of forward gear. General Motors previously issued Technical Service Bulletin 24-NA-009 in March 2024 specifically identifying DTC P2714 on the 2021 Buick Encore GX as a known internal defect affecting model years 2020 through 2024. This bulletin confirms GM was aware of this defect prior to this vehicle's failure. Despite issuing this bulletin, GM has not issued a recall, leaving owners of affected vehicles responsible for repairs caused by a known manufacturer defect.
- NHTSA ID
- 11735946
- Incident
- May 1, 2026
The 1.3L turbo caused metal fragments to get into my engine which in return caused the transmission to fail. My 2021 Buick encore gx has been in the shop since early February 2026 at Garber Buick in Fort Pierce Florida. The first diagnosis was solenoids needed to be replaced, after the solenoids were replaced they told me the engine needed to be replaced, once the engine was put in Garber Buick told me the transmission now needed to be replaced. GM motors have been involved I have case number and a case manager who has informed me that not only do they want me to pay 5,600 dollars after the first quote for the engine was 9,800 but they brought that price down to 5,600 they now since its the transmission want me to pay another 6,000 even though the car is only 2021 and the turbo caused all of this to happen. I have done some more research and GM has multiple lawsuits against them for turbo and transmission failures where GM told dealers to downplay issues.
- NHTSA ID
- 11735353
- Incident
- Feb 10, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
This Preliminary Information provides the dealer information of the location of the rear seat child anchors.
ENGINE
Special Coverage. Certain 2021 model year Buick Encore GX and Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles, equipped with a 1.2L engine, may have a condition that could cause the turbocharger to fail. If this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) will illuminate, and a diagnostic trouble code will set. Additionally, a message may be displayed indicating the vehicle’s available engine power is reduced. This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 15 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after November 6, 2024, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to November 6, 2024, must be submitted to the Service Contract provider. Vehicle owners or lessees who paid for repairs referenced in this Special Coverage (“Customers”) are eligible for reimbursement of their reasonable and customary expenses in accordance with the procedures specified below. The conditional right to reimbursement is provided by GM solely in the interest of customer satisfaction and is personal to Customers. Customers may not assign and GM does not consent to any assignment of any Customer’s right to submit reimbursement claims, or to receive reimbursement, or any other rights granted by this Special Coverage to any third party, including but not limited to service contract providers, and this Special Coverage is not intended to and does not confer any third party beneficiary, subrogation or contribution rights, or any other rights to reimbursement, against GM, whether in law, equity or otherwise, on any third parties. Dealers are to replace the turbocharger as necessary. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.
This Preliminary Information provides a diagnostic tip for diagnosing an issue with Cruise Control, Adaptive Cruise and Lane Keep Assist Turns Off or Inoperative.
This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the direction needed when encountering an issue with switching between adaptive cruise control and regular cruise control or an issue with automatic high beam feature after the front camera was replaced.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.