Last updated: 2026-10-10
2021 Buick Encore GX Reliability Report
The 2021 Buick Encore GX has good reliability and a 5-star crash rating, but owners report turbo power loss and a false Shift to Park warning.
Recalls
2
Complaints
50
Complaint Rate
6.9per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
N/A
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Sits mid-pack among Encore GX years, with fewer complaints than the 2020, and turbo power loss and false Shift to Park reports leading.
Top Issues to Watch
- ENGINE (11)
- POWER TRAIN (10)
- SERVICE BRAKES (7)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2021 is year 2 of the First generation (2020-present).
- Redesigned for the 2020 model year.
- A refresh arrives in 2024.
- 1st generation Encore GX (US).
What this means for buyers
Year 2 is typically a safer pick than the first model year — early issues are more likely to be identified, but the platform is still new.
If you're comparing prices, check 2020 (redesign year) vs 2021+ pricing and recalls.
2020: First generation (2020-present) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2021: This Model Year
2021 is year 2 of the First generation (2020-present).
2024: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2021 Buick Encore GX?
Good overall. Owner complaints and federal records place this year above average among 2021 SUVs and in the middle of the seven Encore GX model years. It earns 5 of 5 stars in federal crash tests. The 2020 rates worse, and the 2022 rates about the same.
Power loss is the main worry. Owners report the check engine light, limp mode, and codes pointing to turbo underboost, and some saw the turbo fail more than once. A false "Shift to Park" message is the most common power train fault, mostly between 57,000 and 61,000 miles. Brake complaints describe a very stiff pedal and warning lights, some within the first few thousand miles. Federal records list two recalls, in the equipment and service brakes areas.
Ask for records of any turbo or brake repairs and confirm both recalls were completed. Check that the shifter warning does not stay on after parking.
Compared to the 2022 Buick Encore GX, which scored the same. See also the 2020 Buick Encore GX for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Low recall count
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −ENGINE: Sudden loss of power leads these reports (11 complaints)
- −POWER TRAIN: False "Shift to Park" message is the most common fault (10 complaints)
Compare 2021 Buick Encore GX With
2021 Buick Encore
Reliability: 80/100
2021 Toyota C-HR
Reliability: 77/100
2021 Mazda CX-30
Reliability: 60/100
2021 Honda HR-V
Reliability: 86/100
2021 Hyundai Kona
Reliability: 63/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ENGINE (11)
- POWER TRAIN (10)
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2021 Buick Encore GX carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
6.9
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 16.7
Safety Incidents
2
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2021 Buick Encore GX Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Buick Encore GX. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
EQUIPMENT
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.
Consequence
A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
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.
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
Consequence
If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
Buying a used 2021 Buick Encore GX? Check its history first
Engine problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Buick Encore GX, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2021 Buick Encore GX NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 18.5%
Safety Technologies
Buick Encore GXRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Buick Encore GX.
Shift into Park and shut off several times; walk away if a "Shift to Park" message or chime appears.
Accelerate hard onto a highway and watch for a check engine light or "Engine Power Reduced" message.
Scan for stored codes, especially turbo underboost and transmission solenoid codes.
Press the brake pedal parked and while driving; reject a very hard pedal, delayed stops, or brake or ABS warnings.
Ask for records of turbo, intercooler, or coolant control valve repairs and whether the problem came back.
Smell the transmission fluid for a burnt odor and feel for slipping or jerking on the test drive.
Confirm a replacement emergency jack is actually in the car.
Run a title check, since one owner reports GM denied special coverage on a branded-title car.
2021 Buick Encore GX Common Problems by Component
50 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ENGINE
11 complaintsSudden loss of power leads these reports. The check engine light comes on, the car drops into reduced power or limp mode, and codes point to turbo underboost. Some owners report the turbo failing more than once. Others describe stalling in traffic with no warning, RPM swinging at a stop, or overheating tied to a faulty coolant control valve. Parts sometimes sit on backorder for weeks. An evap leak detection pump failure appears at 78,871 miles. Losing power on highways and merges creates a real crash risk.
POWER TRAIN
10 complaintsA false "Shift to Park" message is the most common fault. The car is already in Park, but the warning and chime stay on, and the vehicle may refuse to shut off or start. Owners jiggle the shifter, restart the car repeatedly, or disconnect the battery. Most of these reports fall between 57,000 and 61,000 miles, and dealers often cannot find the cause. Other reports describe transmission slipping and lost forward gear around 66,828 miles. Losing propulsion while driving is a serious crash risk.
SERVICE BRAKES
7 complaintsA hard brake pedal and brake system warnings lead these reports. Owners describe a very stiff pedal, delayed stops, and warning lights for brakes, ABS, and traction control, in one case with a 62 mph top-speed limit. Others report the car stopping abruptly under light pedal pressure, and a passenger suffered a neck injury. Dealer diagnoses name the vacuum module, master cylinder, or brake system control module. Several failures show up within the first few thousand miles. Weak or unpredictable braking raises crash risk.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6 complaintsMost of these reports repeat the false "Shift to Park" warning. The car sits in Park, yet a chime sounds, the message stays up, and the car may not turn off or lock. Constant beeping can drain the battery. Owners jiggle the shifter or restart the car to clear it, sometimes daily. Dealers quote shifter replacement as an out-of-pocket repair, with one bill of $659.68. A separate report describes hesitation and stalling after a warranty fuel pump replacement.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (4 complaints)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4 complaintsTurbocharger failure drives most of these reports. The check engine light comes on, the car jerks or will not accelerate, and an "Engine Power Reduced" message can hold speed to 25 mph. Dealer repairs to the turbo or its intercooler do not always hold, and the failure returns. One turbo failure appears at 45,000 miles. Another report describes the exhaust manifold detaching with loud popping and scraping at 52,590 miles. Sudden power loss at highway speed creates crash risk.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 complaintsReduced engine power and complete loss of propulsion are the symptoms here. Owners describe a check engine light, sluggish driving, and heavy shaking above 35 mph. One dealer traced the fault to wiring melted by an overtightened zip tie and cited a GM service bulletin. Another report ties repeated power loss to the turbocharger and says GM refused special coverage because of a branded title. Losing power while driving raises crash risk.
EQUIPMENT (2 complaints)
EQUIPMENT
2 complaintsNo mechanical failures appear in these reports. Both owners describe a recall notice for the emergency jack with no replacement part available. They say the wait has gone on too long. In one case the dealer removed the jack, cleared the recall, and sent the car home without a replacement. The complaint here is a parts shortage at dealers, not a breakdown on the road.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaintDue to defective LIN BUS 2 failure to read mass air flow sensor, vehicle suddenly goes into limp mode. This speed control issue is documented in GM Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) #22-NA-008 and PIP5934, 2022.
VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints)
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaintAbout 6 times in the last 3 months when I put the car into reverse and the reverse camera comes on the image is kind of sketchy and in weird colors - definitely not clear then it completely goes black with message at the top saying something about getting the rear camera repaired. It doesn't happen often but I can't use the rear camera when it does that so it's back to old school when in reverse looking everywhere and in mirrors before moving. It hasn't happened but once so far this month July 2025 but thought you should know.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints)
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaintTurbo charger has gone out 4 times since I purchased it in April 2021. I have been on the interstate driving and suddenly my car slows down and a message that says “engine power reduced” comes up and my check engine light comes on. This is dangerous as I was on the interstate with 18 wheelers and could’ve been rear ended and badly hurt or killed. My grandchildren could’ve been in the car with me. When this happens the vehicle slows down considerably and does not accelerate properly. I have to drive in the right lane at a much slower speed putting myself and others in danger. Leachman Buick in Bowling Green, KY has repaired the car twice. Campbell Chevrolet in the same city has repaired it twice and it is currently at this dealership due to the engine power situation occurring again. This has caused me severe inconvenience as I have had to drop my car at the dealership several times in the past few weeks and rearrange my schedule as a rental car has not been provided. Campbell Chevrolet repaired the vehicle a few weeks ago and the check engine light and reduce power message was back on within 6 hours of them initially completing the repair. Two weeks or less it was the waste gate actuator solenoid that was replaced but the engine message and check engine light are back on. I am VERY FRUSTRATED at having to jump through hoops regarding this vehicle. I own the Bluegrass Edition model and it is obvious that something serious is wrong with the car and Buick needs to recall the car IMMEDIATELY. It is either a lemon or something else is causing the turbo charger to repeatedly fail. I have taken the car to TWO different dealerships and neither one of them have been able to rectify the issue long term. The vehicle needs to have a TOTAL diagnostic test on EVERYTHING relating to the engine and power system. PLEASE LOOK INTO HAVING THIS VEHICLE RECALLED AS I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE MY LIFE ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY SLOWING DOWN!!
When Do 2021 Buick Encore GX Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Buick Encore GX Years
Best Buick Encore GX Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreBuick Encore GX Years to Avoid
Buick Encore GX Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| 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 |
Buick Encore GX Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2021 Buick Encore GX reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Buick Encore GX?
Does the 2021 Buick Encore GX have Shift to Park problems?
Does the 2021 Buick Encore GX have turbo problems?
Is the 2021 Buick Encore GX better than the 2020 or 2022?
Don’t buy a 2021 Buick Encore GX without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2021 Buick Encore GX
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Buick Encore GX does best on how many systems draw complaints (86/100) and worst on complaint severity (68/100). 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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