2025 Buick Encore GX

While driving my 2025 Buick Encore GX Avenir, I experienced a sudden, catastrophic electronic and mechanical failure. Without warning, the brake pedal became extremely stiff, requiring massive physical effort to slow the vehicle down. Simultaneously, the dashboard displayed warning lights indicating that both the StabiliTrak system and the Power Steering system were disabled, causing a sudden loss of steering assist.The vehicle was towed via Buick Roadside Assistance to Ewing Buick in [XXX]. This simultaneous failure of braking, steering, and stability control represents an extreme safety hazard. The vehicle is currently at Ewing Buick, who is the dealership that sold me the vehicle in October 2024. The failure was accompanied by the warning lights on the dashboard at the same time of brake failure. I am a liver transplant and I bought this car so that I would have a safe vehicle I am now concerned because of possible blunt trauma to my abdomen if I have an accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11759400

Incident

Aug 24, 2026

The contact owned a 2025 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the GPS failed to operate properly. Additionally, the air conditioning system was inoperable. The contact stated that while driving in the heat, the contact to briefly became unconscious. Due to the failure, OnStar was contacted to providing GPS assistance. After arriving to the destination, the navigation system started operating as designed. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with engine under-boost failure, loss in communication with the telematics communication interface control module, an open ethernet bus, an auxiliary heater command low voltage, lost communication with the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module, and loss of communication with the direction camera control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

NHTSA ID

11751200

Incident

Jul 7, 2026

Mileage

20,000 mi

Sealed transmission found "bone dry" at approximately 13,000 miles. No consumer-accessible dipstick. Complete transmission failure January 2, 2026. Second complete powertrain failure March 14, 2026, nine days after first repair completed. Symptoms on second failure (loss of power, hollow tumbling sound) consistent with engine bearing/connecting rod failure matching Cook et al. v. General Motors (Case No. 1:26-cv-00229, D. Del.) covering 1.2L/1.3L turbo engines. Dealer diagnosed "battery issue" on second failure and provided indefinite loaner. Vehicle purchased June 2025. Two failures within 9 months and 13,000 miles on a sealed powertrain system the consumer cannot inspect.

NHTSA ID

11728490

Incident

Jan 2, 2026

nStar remote diagnostic system returned five false-negative results across two confirmed mechanical failures. January 2, 2026: two diagnostics at 5:50 PM and 5:53 PM returned "No Error Code Found" while the transmission was actively failing. At 8:39 PM, the system identified P0700 and P2714 (Transmission System Failure, "Service within 1 day"). March 14, 2026: two diagnostics at 11:14 AM and 11:17 AM returned "No Error Code Found" while the vehicle could not exceed 20 mph on a highway. OnStar agent instructed a permanently disabled driver with a [XXX] passenger to continue driving during the first failure. GM issued a September 2025 TSB for "Loss of OnStar Connectivity" affecting all makes. FTC entered a 20-year consent order against GM/OnStar in January 2026. The Muhammad v. General Motors class action (E.D. Mich.) documents identical OnStar false negatives before engine seizures on the 6.2L platform. OnStar's diagnostic system appears unable to detect powertrain failures in sealed components across multiple engine platforms. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11728489

Incident

Jan 2, 2026

Second complete powertrain failure on March 14, 2026 at 13,993 miles, nine days after first repair (complete transmission replacement for bone-dry sealed transmission). Symptoms: sudden loss of power on highway (unable to exceed 20 mph with accelerator fully depressed), hollow sound, noise described as "like a rock tumbling around inside." OnStar diagnostics returned "No Error Code Found" twice (11:14 AM and 11:17 AM) during active failure. Dealer (Loveland Buick GMC) diagnosed "battery issue" but provided indefinite loaner with no return date. Symptoms are consistent with engine bearing or connecting rod failure matching Cook et al. v. General Motors (Case No. 1:26-cv-00229, D. Del., filed March 4, 2026) covering 1.2L/1.3L turbo engines in the Buick Encore platform. Complaint alleges GM knew about defect "since 2022, if not earlier" and instructed dealers to tell consumers vehicles are "operating normally." First failure involved sealed transmission running with zero fluid. Skipped oil change after transmission repair (documented in GM Executive Resolution emails) may have allowed metal contamination to damage engine components. Requesting investigation into whether dealer's "battery" diagnosis was accurate or whether actual diagnostic codes indicate engine failure consistent with Cook v. GM class pattern.

NHTSA ID

11728488

Incident

Mar 14, 2026

My 2025 Buick Encore GX has experienced an ongoing failure of the rear backup camera system. The issue began intermittently in February 2026, and earlier this month (March) it has progressively worsened. The camera now does not function at all. When shifting into reverse, the display often shows a black screen with a “camera unavailable” warning message. On some occasions, the camera briefly functions but displays severe distortion, including abnormal colors, flickering, and warning symbols overlaid on the image. The issue continues to occur intermittently and unpredictably. This failure creates a safety concern because the backup camera is a required safety feature intended to assist with rear visibility while reversing. The malfunction reduces visibility and increases the risk of not seeing objects, vehicles, or pedestrians behind the vehicle. The problem has not yet been inspected by the dealership due to limited appointment availability. I have documented the issue with photos and video showing the malfunction, including distortion and loss of image. Approximately 8 weeks after purchasing this vehicle in March 2025 (5/3/25) the Digital Instrument Cluster (driver information center) and infotainment display went completely black while driving, leaving no visible speed, fuel level, or other critical vehicle information visible to the driver. This raises concern about the reliability of the vehicle’s electronic systems, particularly as the backup camera— another critical safety feature— is now also malfunctioning. This issue has progressed from intermittent to consistent failure.

NHTSA ID

11726538

Incident

Feb 10, 2026

Component: Parking Assist / Driver Assistance Sensors / Object Detection Incident Description: While operating my Buick Encore GX, I executed a controlled, low-speed right turn and struck a stationary structural column within the vehicle’s path. The column was a fixed, solid object located in close proximity to the vehicle—precisely within the range the vehicle’s parking assist and object detection systems are intended to detect. No audible or visual warning was provided at any time prior to impact. According to the owner’s handbook, these systems are designed to detect nearby obstacles and provide alerts during low-speed maneuvers, including turning and parking. The conditions of this incident fall directly within those operating parameters. The system’s failure to detect and warn of a clearly present obstacle constitutes a safety defect. Safety Risk: The driver assistance system failed to perform as represented, creating a heightened risk of collisions with stationary objects in low-speed maneuvers. Drivers relying on these systems cannot reasonably expect alerts to avoid collisions in confined spaces such as parking structures or tight turns.

NHTSA ID

11726256

Incident

Feb 24, 2026

In my car there is an electrical issue with the radio. Sometimes when I’m backing up and using the camera the lane assistance doesn’t work properly which can cause someone to back into things if they are using it. Also another issue it has is when I’m driving the entire radio and dashboard flicks and the screen goes out which is dangerous when driving because now I’m not sure what my speed level is checking gas levels if your on phone calls it isn’t consistent. I think this is a major safety issue not sure if it’s electrical but the dashboard and screen goes out together randomly and it affects reverse driving and just driving in general.

NHTSA ID

11724685

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

This PI is to instruct dealer on diagnostic procedures that need to be completed prior to replacing a radio or IPC display

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.

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 the technicians a diagnostic tip if a technician loses communication with the image processor #2 and how to restore communication

This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues