Last updated: 2026-10-10
2023 Buick Encore GX Reliability Report
The 2023 Buick Encore GX has a good reliability standing, but owners report engine stalls, shifter faults and one serious unintended acceleration crash.
Recalls
0
Complaints
23
Complaint Rate
3.6per 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
Final year of the first generation, with good reliability, no recalls, a 5-star crash rating and fewer complaints than 2022 or 2024.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
- STEERING (4)
- POWER TRAIN (3)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2023 is the last model year of the First generation (2020-present).
- Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
- 1st generation Encore GX (US).
What this means for buyers
Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.
2020: First generation (2020-present) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2023: This Model Year
2023 is the last model year of the First generation (2020-present).
2024: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2023 Buick Encore GX?
Good reliability is the short answer here. Among 2023 SUVs this one stands well above average, and it ranks among the stronger of the seven Encore GX years scored. It is the last year of the first generation. Neighboring 2022 rates worse, and 2024 rates about the same.
Owner complaints are few, and none of them involve a recall, since federal records list none for 2023. The problems that matter are mostly electrical and drivetrain. Some drivers say the engine shuts off while driving and will not always restart. Others report a shifter that stops recognizing Park, with failure around 21,000 miles, and one CVT that failed and left the car towed. The most serious report describes sudden, violent acceleration when shifting from Park into Drive, ending in a crash with 3 injuries.
Ask the seller for shop records covering the shifter, battery and charging system, and the transmission. During a test drive, shift in and out of Park several times and watch for warning messages.
Compared to the 2024 Buick Encore GX, which scored 2 points lower. See also the 2022 Buick Encore GX for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +No recalls issued
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −STEERING: Car bounces side to side and the wheel pulls left or right at various speeds,... (4 complaints)
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Engine shuts off while driving and sometimes won't restart with auto stop on,... (4 complaints)
Compare 2023 Buick Encore GX With
2023 Mazda CX-30
Reliability: 68/100
2023 Hyundai Kona
Reliability: 66/100
2023 Honda HR-V
Reliability: 73/100
2023 Subaru Crosstrek
Reliability: 81/100
2023 Nissan Kicks
Reliability: 80/100
Common Problem Categories
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4)
- STEERING (4)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2023 Buick Encore GX — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
3.6
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 11.3
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
Buying a used 2023 Buick Encore GX? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Buick Encore GX, and 0 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
2023 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 2023 Buick Encore GX.
Open the driver's door and confirm the federal safety certification label is on the door jamb.
Shift into Park and confirm the car shuts off and locks without a "Shift to Park" message.
Idle and drive in heat with the air conditioning on, watching for stalling, high idle, jerking or hesitation.
Pull away from several stops and note hard shifts, mechanical noises or failure to accelerate past low speed.
Drive at night and watch for dimming headlights, lights shutting off or high beams switching on alone.
Connect a phone by USB-C and run maps, watching for a frozen display, distortion or the backup camera popping on.
Drive slowly over speed bumps and through turns, listening for front-end rattle and feeling for pull or ESC warnings.
Close each rear door and check its alignment, seal gaps and paint chips where it meets the front door.
2023 Buick Encore GX Common Problems by Component
23 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 complaintsThe engine shuts off while driving and sometimes won't restart with auto stop on, leaving drivers stranded in traffic. Repeat shop visits, a battery replacement and a suspected bad ground connection have not fixed it in every case. Headlights dim at random or shut off on the highway. In hot weather with the air conditioning on, the car struggles to stay running, sets low-voltage codes and hesitates. The center display freezes, turns on the backup camera while driving forward and loses its USB-C phone connection. Dealers often call these problems normal.
STEERING
4 complaintsThe car bounces side to side and the wheel pulls left or right at various speeds, making it hard to keep straight. Other reports describe rattling through the front end and steering wheel at low speed, over speed bumps and in turns, along with an unstable feel and tires worn in the center. "Service ESC" and "Service Power Steering" warnings can appear together while the brakes feel less responsive. Several of these complaints also mention noisy, hard brakes and the car lurching forward on an incline. One dealer test drive found no fault.
POWER TRAIN
3 complaintsThe shifter stops recognizing Park and shows a "Shift to Park" message even with the lever in Park, so the car cannot be turned off or locked. Replacing the shifter assembly fixed it, with failure reported around 21,000 miles, just past warranty. The CVT transmission has also failed outright. The car made mechanical noises, would not go above about 25 mph and had to be towed, after a few days of hard shifts and no warning lights. Other reports describe high idle, jerking and weak acceleration in heat with the air conditioning running.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaintsThe purge pump can fail with no warning beforehand, leaving a check engine light that stays on. One report puts it at 15,000 miles. Rear doors and the hatch can be misaligned. They open slightly in turns, the weather seal gaps and road noise gets louder, and the rear door edge can hit the driver's door and chip the paint. Another complaint says the federal safety certification label was never on the door jamb, which was discovered at a trade-in inspection and left the car hard to sell.
ENGINE (2 complaints)
ENGINE
2 complaintsSudden, violent acceleration is reported when shifting from Park into Drive with light pedal pressure. No warning light came on. The car hit trees and a concrete object, and 3 occupants were injured, including fractures. That is the most serious crash risk in this vehicle's complaints. A separate report involves a reduced engine power warning. The dealer pointed to a turbo-related fault, and the warning had been on for almost two months while the owner waited for a part to arrive.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 complaintsHigh beams switch on by themselves, and cycling the light switch does not turn them off. That is the only true lighting failure in these complaints. The rest are filed here but describe other problems. In one, the center display goes blank or grainy during navigation and cuts off maps and music. In another, the chrome trim on the dash reflects midday sun into the driver's eyes. With only 2 complaints, no clear pattern emerges.
STRUCTURE (1 complaints)
STRUCTURE
1 complaintThree nuts snapped, which secure the front muffler to the length of the exhaust system. The engine side of the exhaust pipe became disconnected and dragged along road, which occurred while driving the vehicle on a residential road. Steering was not impacted, however the pipe would have eventually come completely free, without driving directly to an auto-body repair shop.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints)
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaintthe evaporative emissions purge pump or an ECM calibration fault code P0521
SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)
SEAT BELTS
1 complaintNo accident just a concern. On my Buick the clasp for the front set belts are buried between the seat and center console. Making the fastening and unfasting very difficult. The further the seat is forward the more difficult it is. I guess my concern is this over sight may hamper the use of them or possibly cause entrapment during a stressful situation. Thankyou, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2023 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately accelerate. On several occasions while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle abruptly accelerated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that the failure only occurred while the air condition was activated. The local dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000.
Best & Worst Buick Encore GX Years
Best Buick Encore GX Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2023
(Current Model)
2024
2022
Buick 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 2023 Buick Encore GX reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Buick Encore GX?
Does the 2023 Buick Encore GX have transmission problems?
Does the 2023 Buick Encore GX have any recalls?
Is the 2023 Buick Encore GX better than the 2022 or 2024?
Don’t buy a 2023 Buick Encore GX without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2023 Buick Encore GX
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Buick Encore GX does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). 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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