Buick Encore GX Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Buick Encore GX model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (53) and the 2020 the most (70).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
4 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 27–30 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
15 | 1 | Electrical system | 5★ | 27–30 |
| 2023 | 28 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 27–30 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
31 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | 27–30 |
| 2022 | 32 | 1 | Power train | 5★ | 27–30 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
53 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 28–31 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
70 | 2 | Service brakes | 4★ | 28–31 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Buick Encore GX years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2020 Buick Encore GX: 70 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 21 (30%); Power train 18 (26%); Electrical system 16 (23%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 1,487 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Buick Encore GX: 53 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 15 (28%); Power train 11 (21%); Service brakes 8 (15%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 45,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Buick Encore GX years with the fewest complaints
2021 Buick Encore GX: 53 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 15 (28%); Power train 11 (21%); Service brakes 8 (15%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 45,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Buick Encore GX: 70 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 21 (30%); Power train 18 (26%); Electrical system 16 (23%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 1,487 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Buick Encore GX owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 53 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 45,000 |
| 2020 | 70 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1,487 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Buick Encore GX recalls
- Rearview Camera May Display Distorted or Blank Image (2024–2026 model years; 306,511 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2026; 26V539000)
- Emergency Jack can Fracture While in Use (2020–2022 model years; 135,400 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2021; 21V440000)
- Blank Instrument Panel Display (2024 model year; 60,154 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2023; 23V744000)
- Sensor Contamination in Electronic Brake Boost (2020–2021 model years; 3,677 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2020; 20V588000)
All 4 Buick Encore GX recall campaigns · Buick Encore GX problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Buick Encore GX years FAQ
Which Buick Encore GX year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (53). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Buick Encore GX years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2020 and 2021 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Buick Encore GX problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (61 of 233 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Buick Encore GX have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering the Buick Encore GX. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Buick Encore GX recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.