Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2020 Buick Encore: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2020 Buick Encore, most recently filed October 2020. Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2020 Buick Encore. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2020 Buick Encore. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V668000 Filed Oct 29, 2020

Missing Bolts on Start/Stop Accumulator

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Consequence
Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
82.4% repairedof 194,105 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V668000
Listed for 2020 Buick Encore. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V537000 Filed Sep 3, 2020

Front Seat Rear Attachment Bolts May Be Missing

Seats
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.
Consequence
If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202304380.
100% repairedof 105 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V537000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (19)

19 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
0involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Buick Encore, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 19.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2020 compares with other Encore years

Best and worst Encore years →
2013201420152016201720182019202020212022
This year (2020)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 19.8%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2020 Buick Encore suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined

27
mpg combined
25
city
30
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,500
CO₂ tailpipe
329 g/mi
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$2,419per year
$202per month
556gallons a year

Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2020 Buick Encore configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive25 / 30 / 27$2,500329
1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive24 / 29 / 26$2,600344

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2020 Encore for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Encore years

Where to next

2020 Buick Encore FAQ

How many recalls does the 2020 Buick Encore have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 20V668000 (power train), 20V537000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2020 Buick Encore problems?

Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (7), Electrical system (4), Fuel/propulsion system (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2020 Buick Encore get?

EPA rates the 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 25 city, 30 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2020 Buick Encore get?

NHTSA rated the 2020 Buick Encore suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (19.8% rollover risk).

How does the 2020 Encore compare with other years?

Among the 2013–2021 Buick Encore model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (9) and the 2015 the most (124). The 2020 drew 19. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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.
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