Last updated: 2026-10-10
Buick Encore GX Reliability by Year
Buick Encore GX reliability is good for a compact SUV, but early years show a false Shift to Park warning and brake complaints worth checking.
Buick Encore GX Reliability Overview
Standing is good and above average among SUVs, and the 2023 model year is the safest pick, with no recalls and a low complaint rate. The 2020 is the one to skip. The problem that shows up across years is a false "Shift to Park" warning that keeps the car from shutting off or locking, and dealers often quote $500 to $700 to replace the shifter. Sudden electrical shutdowns are the other thing to check.
Current generation: 1st gen (2020–2023), facelifted 2024.
Best & Worst Buick Encore GX Years
Best Buick Encore GX Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2023 has no recalls and a complaint rate of 3.6 per 10,000 sold, against 15.6 for the 2020 and 8.7 for the 2022. Brake failures are not among its top complaint areas, unlike the 2020. It still has shifter and electrical complaints, so test the shifter and ask about stalling before you buy.
Buick Encore GX Years to Avoid
Power train complaints lead. A false "Shift to Park" warning keeps the car from shutting off or locking, and shifter repairs are often quoted at $500 to $700. Brake complaints are the serious part, with pedals sinking to the floor and two crash reports. Some owners also describe a sudden electrical shutdown while driving.
Buick Encore GX Reliability Score Trend
Buick Encore GX reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 79/100 compared to 73/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 82/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Buick Encore GX
0 recalls · 1 complaints
Ranks first of seven scored years with one complaint and no recalls, though its short time on the road limits what that record proves.
2025 Buick Encore GX
0 recalls · 14 complaints
Rates good with no recalls and sits among the stronger Encore GX years, though owners report screen failures and sudden power loss near 13,000 miles.
2024 Buick Encore GX
1 recalls · 27 complaints
Mid-pack among its model years and above average for 2024 SUVs, with one electrical recall and instrument cluster blackouts as the main complaint.
2023 Buick Encore GX
0 recalls · 23 complaints
Final year of the first generation, with good reliability, no recalls, a 5-star crash rating and fewer complaints than 2022 or 2024.
2022 Buick Encore GX
1 recalls · 29 complaints
Rates well against other 2022 SUVs but sits among the weaker Encore GX years, mainly because of a false Shift to Park warning.
2021 Buick Encore GX
2 recalls · 50 complaints
Sits mid-pack among Encore GX years, with fewer complaints than the 2020, and turbo power loss and false Shift to Park reports leading.
2020 Buick Encore GX
2 recalls · 66 complaints
First year of the generation and the weakest of the seven scored years, with 66 complaints led by shifter warnings and brake pedal failures.
Found Your Buick Encore GX? Check Its History
Engine (1) problems come up most in Buick Encore GX owner complaints, and 6 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Buick Encore GX Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Buick Encore GX Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
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Compare Buick Encore GX With Similar SUVs
The Buick Encore GX competes with other compact suvs such as Buick Encore, Toyota C-HR, and Mazda CX-30.
Encore GX vs Buick Encore
5 years tracked · 190 complaints
Encore GX vs Toyota C-HR
5 years tracked · 486 complaints
Encore GX vs Mazda CX-30
7 years tracked · 218 complaints
Encore GX vs Honda HR-V
9 years tracked · 1309 complaints
Encore GX vs Hyundai Kona
9 years tracked · 790 complaints
More Buick Encore GX comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Buick Encore GX?
- The 2023 is the best year to buy. It has no recalls and a low complaint rate, and it has been on the road long enough for its record to mean something. The 2026 looks clean, but with a single complaint it is too new to judge.
- Is the Buick Encore GX reliable?
- Yes, its standing is good and above average among SUVs on the site. The weak spots are the shifter, sudden electrical shutdowns, and power loss from the engine. The 2020 has the worst record, while later years generally show fewer complaints per car sold.
- What are the most common Buick Encore GX problems?
- Power train leads with 47 complaints, mostly a false "Shift to Park" warning. Electrical system follows with 40, including shutdowns while driving. Engine has 22, mainly sudden power loss at highway speed. Service brakes have 19, including pedals that sink to the floor.
- How much does the Buick Encore GX shifter repair cost?
- Dealers usually blame the shifter assembly and quote about $500 to $700. Owners often pay that themselves. The failures in the 2020 reports cluster between 24,000 and 34,643 miles. One 2023 owner reported the same failure around 21,000 miles, just past warranty.
- Why does the Buick Encore GX say Engine Power Reduced?
- Owners report power dropping suddenly at highway speed, with the check engine light on and an engine underboost code. Some got a software update, but the problem came back. One owner reported two turbo replacements. The car can slow sharply with traffic behind it.
How we score the Buick Encore GX
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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