Buick · Encore GX · 2020
2
Recalls
64
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2020 Buick Encore GX has 2 recalls and 64 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: service brakes (9 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
18.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use.
Remedy Status
Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A212335470.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system.
Remedy Status
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202307260.
I am writing to formally report a serious mechanical failure involving my vehicle and to request further review and assistance. While operating my vehicle, it unexpectedly stalled in the middle of an intersection, creating a significant safety hazard. At the time of the incident, the check engine light illuminated and the RPMs surged to a range between 6 and 8. I was able to safely move the vehicle to the side of the road, place it in park, and have it towed to a dealership for inspection. Following their evaluation, I was informed that the transmission requires replacement. I have since become aware of a recall related to transmission issues; however, I was advised by a Buick representative that my VIN is not included in the recall. Given that my vehicle is experiencing the same or a substantially similar failure, this determination raises concerns and warrants further review. I have consistently adhered to all recommended maintenance schedules and have taken proper care of my vehicle. Based on the circumstances, I respectfully request a thorough reassessment of my case, including reconsideration for coverage or assistance with the necessary repairs. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response.
My 2020 Buick Encore GX which has only 30,600 had the "Shift to Park" message appear on the dashboard screen and my car was not turning off properly. I read online that it is a widespread known issue: however, I had to pay 630.14 to fix the GM well know widespread issue so I can turn off my vehicle. This should be covered FREE of charge by GM as they are aware of the issue affecting the 2020 Buick Encore GX.
My 2020 Buick Encore GX is showing a message with accompanying ding ding sounds "Shift to Park" after I put my car in park. This malfunction will not allow the car to be locked. I see there are many complaints and lawsuits that GM has not attended to. How do we get GM to initiate a recall on something they are and were well aware of.
2020 Buick Encore GX; pulling out of a service station, my check engine light illuminated, and message on cluster stated: Engine Power Reduced. I loss throttle response for accelerating. Accelerator pedal was pushed to the floor and no acceleration. Vehicle entered limp mode. Drove 15 miles from service station to my home, in limp mode, unable to accelerate. Called a technician mechanic who check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes; DTC P0299 Turbocharge/Supercharge "A" Under boost condition; is Confirmed, Pending, and Permanent code. Loss of power to Power Train, unable to accelerate.
SHIFT INTO PARK WARNING WHEN CAR IS IN PARK
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a recurring issue with my 2020 Buick Encore GX (VIN: [XXX] ) related to the “Shift to Park” defect, which is documented in GM’s Technical Service Bulletin 23-NA-119. My vehicle intermittently fails to recognize when it is in park, preventing me from turning off the engine and causing safety and usability concerns. Despite following GM’s recommended steps and scheduling an appointment through Buick Customer Care, I was charged $195 for a diagnostic fee and quoted $495 to replace the shifter assembly. The dealership confirmed the issue matched the bulletin, yet refused to offer goodwill coverage or reimbursement. This expense is a significant hardship. I am still making payments on this vehicle, which is barely five years old. I previously owned a Honda for 20 years without encountering issues like this. Unfortunately, this is not the first time I’ve faced a manufacturer-documented defect with no support. My previous vehicle, a Mitsubishi Outlander, suffered from a known transmission issue that was later part of a class action lawsuit. Despite experiencing the same symptoms, my VIN was excluded. The cost of repair outweighed the value of the vehicle, and I ultimately had to walk away from it as a total loss—leaving me without a car. I am deeply disappointed to now face a similar situation with Buick. I chose this vehicle expecting reliability and support, and I’ve done everything asked of me to address this issue responsibly. I believe GM should be held accountable for this known defect and the financial burden it places on consumers. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to shake with abnormal sounds coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the turbocharger had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 51,220.
Powder Train When parking the car in garage, placed vehicle in park, then turned vehicle off, received a message on dash "SHIP TO PARK". The car was in park. Even thought the engine was off, it would now allow radio or lights to shut off util message goes off. Some times several minutes for it to go out. Taken it to the GM dealer ship was told shifter assembly needs replaced. I have learned their currently is a a class action suit for this issue at this time. My car was under warranty for 5 years and was still under the warranty when this happened to me. I don't feel I should have to pay $491.00 out of my pocket.
When I put the car in park and go to turn off the car, I'm getting a "Shift to Park" error when the car is already in park. This error will not allow the car to shut off. I have to shift it back out of gear and then back to park several times before it will recognize that it's in park and allow me to turn off the car.
Getting a shift to park error when placing the gear in park. It’s not recognizing the car is already in park and I have to make several attempts until it finally goes away each time.
I am getting a shift to park message on my Buick. I have to shift through heats multiple times to get it to stop.
I was traveling to school when my breaks didn’t work I tried them twice and I crashed into another vehicle. And the month or march I took it into to Buick for break issues and they said everything was fine.
I have started to receive multiple 'Shift to Park' messages when attempting to turn off my vehicle after already being placed in park. To get the car to register that it is indeed in park, I have to re-shift or slam the gear shift into place. I was advised that the issue was with the shifter assembly which prevents the vehicle from recognizing whether or not it is in gear. I had no issues with the vehicle prior to the message and I get my vehicle serviced regularly. This malfunction can lead to battery drain, failure of a vehicle to shut off completely, or difficulty starting it.
Shifter malfunction not allowing transmission to shift to park without multiple attempts. Car lurches at times while attempting to resolve problem.
The gear shift when placed in park and the car ignition turned off would cause an alarm to go off and a message to show up on the dash that the gear shift should be placed in parks (which it was in already). When I contacted the GM in CA dealer and talked to him he advised me it was a common problem and the was a shortage of parts to repair but bring it in because the alarm would where down the battery. After jamming the gear shift in park many times I was able to stop the alarm. Them I drove from CA to NV to the Buick dealer there and told me the same thing that the GM dealer tome about a shortage of parts because of this being a common problem and that he would try and get GM to pay for repairs. When I picked up the car I was advised that although this was a common problem GM was not going to be a recall so I had to pay the $558.40 to repair the gear shift. The recipt shows: "SHIFT CONTROL ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT - found intermittent failure to register shifter position of park - Need to replace shifter assembly "
I was at a stop light and the light turned green, I preceded to press the accelerator, I was just starting to move forward and the, peddle seemed to take over with my assistance went all the way down and began speeding up. I tried breaking and the car just kept going and not wanting to slow down and kept gaining speed, I had to put car in neutral and turn engine off. Same day, same trip about 4 miles down the road, I began to slow down (35mph) due to a turning vehicle and when I was clear to accelerate once again, it happened again, again, I tried the breaks, and the car kept fighting the break and kept gaining speed, once again I had to put the car in neutral and turn off the engine, the speeds reached 65 mph. before I was able to place in neutral and turn off the engine. No warning lights, car ran normally until those terrifying moments, no check engine lights on before or after the above experiences. My husband and I's safety was put at risk due to the road's travelers and Deadmans curves and cross sections, it put us at risk with a higher chance of crashing into a vehicle or accelerating before being able to make a turn safely. As soon as I made it home, I called the Buick service center and delivered the car the following morning to the service technician. It is at the Ross Downing Service Station today.
This is a new issue. Upon exiting my car last night. My car would not shift into park. Everytime I cycled the engine and shift to different gears then park. The car stated it need to be shifted into park still. Without it being in park The car could possibly roll down the hill. Also without it being able to be shifted into park. It continued to flash and keep lights and warning sign on. If not being able to shift into park. I could not leave my car until it recognized the car was in park. The car battery would have drained.
I purchased a car from Carvana , a few days later the airbag light came on , I was instructed by Carvana to call the warranty place and let them no there was a problem. They instructed me to go to Levanders body shop in GrandIsland Ne . The body shop ran a diagnostic and could not find why the light was going off so they removed the passenger knee panel to which they found the wires were taped and the airbags and wire harness were missing , they decided to further check and found ALL the airbags in the car were missing and so were the wire harnesses.This obviously was not stated in the purchase of the car. Had that light not came on I still would not know. I drove it for a week with my child in the car thankgoodness i didnt get an a accident . i have pictures but it wont allow me to upload for some reason
The contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse on several occasions, the brake was depressed and there was an abnormal foghorn sound coming from the driver’s side rear wheel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was taken to the residence where the rear driver’s side wheel was removed. The caliper was removed, and the contact became aware that piston inside the caliper had fractured in half. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
My vehicle is undrivable. Multiple times per trip the check engine light comes on and I see multiple messages come on the driver information center. These are: Service ESC Reduced Power Service Adaptive Steering System The codes that come up are: P0089 for low fuel pressure P00C6 This results in an immediate speed reduction nearly causing multiple collisions with people following me on the highway. As a result I have been using a code reader to clear the codes so i can continue driving. I refuse to drive on busy highways so I am always forced to drive back roads. This needs to be figured out ASAP!
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2020 Buick Encore GX has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 64 owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Buick Encore GX.
The 2020 Buick Encore GX received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2020 Buick Encore GX are service brakes (9 reports), unknown or other (8 reports), power train (8 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2020 Buick Encore GX. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.