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 ↗Missing Bolts on Start/Stop Accumulator
- 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.
Front Seat Rear Attachment Bolts May Be Missing
- 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.
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.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 19 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 36.8% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 21.1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 21.1% |
| Power train | 4 | 21.1% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 15.8% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 15.8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 15.8% |
| Air bags | 1 | 5.3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering | 1 | 5.3% |
How 2020 compares with other Encore years
Best and worst Encore years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 52 | 6 |
| 2014 | 60 | 4 |
| 2015 | 124 | 4 |
| 2016 | 80 | 2 |
| 2017 | 89 | 2 |
| 2018 | 74 | 0 |
| 2019 | 86 | 2 |
| 2020 | 19 | 2 |
| 2021 | 9 | 0 |
| 2022 | 8 | 0 |
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

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2020 Buick Encore suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,500
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 329 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
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
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 30 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 1.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 29 / 26 | $2,600 | 344 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

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.
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
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.