Is the Honda HR-V more reliable than the Buick Encore GX?

Yes, the HR-V has a clear edge. Its standing is excellent and the Encore GX is rated good. Independent repair-cost data shows the HR-V needs few unscheduled shop visits, and only 5% of repairs are major. The Encore GX has no repair-cost data to compare.

Which has more recalls, the HR-V or the Encore GX?

The HR-V has far more. Federal recall records show 27 recalls across 9 model years for the HR-V, against 6 across 7 model years for the Encore GX. A high count is not the same as poor reliability, but it means more dealer visits for fixes.

Which has more owner complaints?

The HR-V has more, both in total and per car sold. Owners filed 1309 complaints at 11.3 per 10,000 sold, against 210 and 6.4 for the Encore GX. HR-V complaints lean toward cracked glass and instrument cluster faults. The Encore GX leans toward shifter warnings.

What is the "Shift to Park" problem on the Encore GX?

It is a false warning that appears after the shifter is in Park. The engine or accessory mode stays on, chimes sound, the horn honks, and doors may not lock. Reports cluster between 24,000 and 34,200 miles. Dealers blamed the shifter and connector, and owners reported backordered parts.

Which model years should I avoid?

On the HR-V, avoid 2023 and 2019, the weakest years. On the Encore GX, avoid 2020 and 2021. The newest years of both models rate well, but they have had less time to collect complaints, so do not read that as proof of better reliability.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Buick Encore GX vs Honda HR-V: Reliability Compared

Buick Encore GX

Good

More Reliable

Honda HR-V

Excellent

The Honda HR-V beats the Buick Encore GX on reliability by a clear margin. Repair data shows few shop visits and rare major repairs. Owners do file more complaints per car sold on the HR-V, mostly about cracked glass and instrument cluster faults, but the repair record decides it.

How Do the Buick Encore GX and Honda HR-V Generations Compare?

Most used HR-Vs you will see belong to the second generation, which covered the 2016 through 2022 model years and got a mid-cycle refresh for 2019. The third generation began with the 2023 model year, and that first year ranks among the weakest. The Encore GX has had a single generation so far, starting in 2020, with a refresh for 2024. Its two weakest years, 2020 and 2021, are the earliest cars. Used buyers can look at 2022 onward, including the refreshed 2024 and newer models.

Verdict

The Honda HR-V is more reliable than the Buick Encore GX, scoring 83/100 vs 76/100.

A clear edge goes to the Honda HR-V, which stands at excellent against good for the Buick Encore GX. Independent repair-cost data shows the HR-V rarely needs unscheduled shop visits, and only 5% of repairs are major. The Encore GX has no repair-cost data to set beside that. The HR-V does draw more owner complaints per car sold and carries far more recalls. Still, the repair record is the stronger evidence of what ownership will cost you.

Key Differences

1Buick Encore GX has 21 fewer total recalls
2Honda HR-V scores 7 points higher in reliability
3Buick Encore GX has 4.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Buick Encore GX

—

1Honda HR-V

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Buick Encore GX vs Honda HR-V: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Encore GX vs Honda HR-V at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Encore GX	Honda HR-V
Reliability Score	76/100	83/100
Years Tracked	7	9
Total Recalls	6	27
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.4	11.3
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	1	6

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Encore GX and Honda HR-V?

Glass and electronics dominate the HR-V list: windshields that crack with no clear impact, rear liftgate glass that breaks while parked, and an instrument cluster that flickers or goes dark in damp weather. Steering is the serious area, with 13 crash-linked complaints that include stalls and no-starts. The Encore GX problems differ. A false "Shift to Park" warning leaves the engine on and the horn honking, and turbocharger or check engine faults cut power in traffic. Its 2 crash-linked reports involve a stiff brake pedal and delayed stops.

Buick Encore GX vs Honda HR-V common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Encore GX	Honda HR-V
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.9Very Low	2.2Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.2Low	1.5Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	2.2Low
POWER TRAIN	1.4Low	0.4Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	1.2Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.6Very Low	0.3Very Low
ENGINE	0.7Very Low	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.7Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.7Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.4Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.2Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.2Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	—None
EQUIPMENT	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Buick Encore GX vs Honda HR-V Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Encore GX vs Honda HR-V year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Encore GX	Honda HR-V	Edge
2026	82/1000R / 1C	100/1000R / 5C	Honda HR-V
2025	79/1000R / 14C	88/1001R / 26C	Honda HR-V
2024	77/1001R / 27C	83/1004R / 94C	Honda HR-V
2023	79/1000R / 23C	73/1003R / 673C	Buick Encore GX
2022	74/1001R / 29C	83/1003R / 62C	Honda HR-V
2021	74/1002R / 50C	86/1003R / 52C	Honda HR-V
2020	70/1002R / 66C	80/1004R / 71C	Honda HR-V

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Buick Encore GX scored 79/100 and the 2021 Honda HR-V scored 86/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Buick Encore GX vs the Honda HR-V?

Pick the HR-V if you want the lowest expected shop time and cost. Repair data shows few unscheduled visits and rare major repairs. Target 2018 to 2022 models other than 2019, which ranks among the weakest, and skip 2023, which does too. The 2025 and 2026 years rate well, but they have had little time to collect complaints, so treat that as early. Check the windshield and rear glass, and make sure the instrument cluster works on a cold, damp morning. Pick the Encore GX if you want fewer complaints per car sold and can live without repair-cost data. Avoid 2020 and 2021, the weakest years. On a test drive, shift into Park and confirm no false warning appears and the doors lock. Ask whether the brakes have ever shown warning lights or a stiff pedal, since several failures appeared within the first few thousand miles.

Buick Encore GX vs Honda HR-V: Common Questions

Is the Honda HR-V more reliable than the Buick Encore GX?: Yes, the HR-V has a clear edge. Its standing is excellent and the Encore GX is rated good. Independent repair-cost data shows the HR-V needs few unscheduled shop visits, and only 5% of repairs are major. The Encore GX has no repair-cost data to compare.
Which has more recalls, the HR-V or the Encore GX?: The HR-V has far more. Federal recall records show 27 recalls across 9 model years for the HR-V, against 6 across 7 model years for the Encore GX. A high count is not the same as poor reliability, but it means more dealer visits for fixes.
Which has more owner complaints?: The HR-V has more, both in total and per car sold. Owners filed 1309 complaints at 11.3 per 10,000 sold, against 210 and 6.4 for the Encore GX. HR-V complaints lean toward cracked glass and instrument cluster faults. The Encore GX leans toward shifter warnings.
What is the "Shift to Park" problem on the Encore GX?: It is a false warning that appears after the shifter is in Park. The engine or accessory mode stays on, chimes sound, the horn honks, and doors may not lock. Reports cluster between 24,000 and 34,200 miles. Dealers blamed the shifter and connector, and owners reported backordered parts.
Which model years should I avoid?: On the HR-V, avoid 2023 and 2019, the weakest years. On the Encore GX, avoid 2020 and 2021. The newest years of both models rate well, but they have had less time to collect complaints, so do not read that as proof of better reliability.

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Decided between Buick Encore GX and Honda HR-V? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How we score the Buick Encore GX and Honda HR-V

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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