Is the Mazda CX-30 more reliable than the Buick Encore GX?

No, the Encore GX has a clear edge. Both have good standing, but the CX-30 has more federal recalls and more crash-linked complaints in its brakes and air bags. Owners report emergency braking that stops the car with nothing ahead and air bags that deploy without a crash.

Which has more recalls, the CX-30 or the Encore GX?

The CX-30 has more. Federal recall records show 10 recalls across its 7 model years, against 6 for the Encore GX. Check any specific car by VIN, because owners describe at least one open recall with no available fix on the CX-30.

What is the most common problem with the Buick Encore GX?

A false "Shift to Park" warning is the leading complaint. After the driver puts the car in Park, the engine or accessory mode stays on, chimes sound, and the horn honks when the driver walks away. Reports cluster between 24,000 and 34,200 miles, and owners describe backordered parts and cars sitting for weeks.

Does the Mazda CX-30 have oil problems?

Some owners report them. Engine complaints are the CX-30's largest group, with low oil warning lights and sometimes real oil loss. One car at 24,000 miles needs a quart every 1,000 to 2,000 miles. No engine damage appears in that group, but you should check the level often.

Which model years should I avoid for each car?

Avoid 2020 and 2021 on both cars, since those are the weakest years for each. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so a short complaint list for 2026 does not prove those cars are better.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Buick Encore GX vs Mazda CX-30: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Buick Encore GX

Good

Mazda CX-30

Good

The Buick Encore GX comes out ahead of the Mazda CX-30 on reliability, with a clear edge. Both rate good, but the CX-30 has more federal recalls and more crash-linked brake and air bag complaints. The Encore GX's main trouble is a false "Shift to Park" warning.

How Do the Buick Encore GX and Mazda CX-30 Generations Compare?

Years after 2024 on the CX-30 fall outside the one US generation in the data, the first (DM), which covers model years 2020 through 2024. Treat 2026 cars with care, since a short complaint list there mostly reflects less time on the road. The Encore GX is also in its first generation, which began in 2020 and runs through 2023, with a refresh for 2024. Most used shoppers will see 2020 to 2023 cars from either brand. Those years have had the most time to collect complaints, so their records are the most complete.

Verdict

The Buick Encore GX is more reliable than the Mazda CX-30, scoring 76/100 vs 67/100.

A clear edge goes to the Encore GX, though both cars hold a good standing. It has fewer federal recalls, and its worst problem, a false "Shift to Park" warning, is mostly a nuisance and a rollaway worry. The CX-30 has more crash-linked trouble in its brakes and air bags, including emergency braking that stops the car with nothing ahead. The Encore GX is not trouble-free, since it has real brake and turbocharger complaints too.

Key Differences

1Buick Encore GX scores 9 points higher in reliability
2Buick Encore GX has 4 fewer total recalls
3Mazda CX-30 has 0.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Buick Encore GX

—

1Mazda CX-30

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Buick Encore GX vs Mazda CX-30: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Encore GX vs Mazda CX-30 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Encore GX	Mazda CX-30
Reliability Score	76/100	67/100
Years Tracked	7	7
Total Recalls	6	10
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.4	5.7
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	7	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Encore GX and Mazda CX-30?

Safety systems acting on their own set the CX-30 apart. Automatic emergency braking has stopped cars with nothing ahead, and air bags have deployed with no crash. Brakes carry 6 crash-linked complaints and air bags 4. Oil warnings, oil loss, and sudden loss of electrical power round out its list. The Encore GX is led by the false "Shift to Park" warning, which leaves the engine on and the horn honking. Its brake complaints, a stiff pedal and delayed stops, include 2 crash-linked reports. Air bags are not among its main problem areas.

Buick Encore GX vs Mazda CX-30 common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Encore GX	Mazda CX-30
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.2Low	0.8Very Low
ENGINE	0.7Very Low	1.2Low
POWER TRAIN	1.4Low	0.3Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.9Very Low	0.7Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.6Very Low	0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.3Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.2Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.2Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
EQUIPMENT	0.1Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
WHEELS	—None	0.1Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.1Very Low

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

How Does Buick Encore GX vs Mazda CX-30 Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Encore GX vs Mazda CX-30 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Encore GX	Mazda CX-30	Edge
2026	82/1000R / 1C	72/1000R / 0C	Buick Encore GX
2025	79/1000R / 14C	68/1001R / 22C	Buick Encore GX
2024	77/1001R / 27C	68/1002R / 23C	Buick Encore GX
2023	79/1000R / 23C	68/1001R / 20C	Buick Encore GX
2022	74/1001R / 29C	67/1001R / 28C	Buick Encore GX
2021	74/1002R / 50C	60/1002R / 94C	Buick Encore GX
2020	70/1002R / 66C	64/1003R / 31C	Buick Encore GX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Buick Encore GX scored 79/100 and the 2024 Mazda CX-30 scored 68/100 — 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 Mazda CX-30?

Pick the Encore GX if you want the safer bet on paper. It has fewer recalls, and its leading complaint is a shifter warning rather than a braking or air bag fault. Reports of that warning cluster between 24,000 and 34,200 miles, so confirm on a test drive that the car shifts into Park cleanly and shuts off normally. Press the brake pedal and watch for a stiff feel or warning lights. Avoid 2020 and 2021, its weakest years. 2023 is one of its stronger years. Pick the CX-30 if you can accept more risk in its electronics and safety systems and will inspect the car closely. Target 2024, one of its strongest years, and avoid 2020 and 2021, its weakest. Ask whether any recall work is still open, since owners describe an open recall with no available fix. Watch the oil level, because owners report low oil warnings and some oil loss. Test for a no-start or dark dashboard, and have a mechanic look for interior water leaks.

Buick Encore GX vs Mazda CX-30: Common Questions

Is the Mazda CX-30 more reliable than the Buick Encore GX?: No, the Encore GX has a clear edge. Both have good standing, but the CX-30 has more federal recalls and more crash-linked complaints in its brakes and air bags. Owners report emergency braking that stops the car with nothing ahead and air bags that deploy without a crash.
Which has more recalls, the CX-30 or the Encore GX?: The CX-30 has more. Federal recall records show 10 recalls across its 7 model years, against 6 for the Encore GX. Check any specific car by VIN, because owners describe at least one open recall with no available fix on the CX-30.
What is the most common problem with the Buick Encore GX?: A false "Shift to Park" warning is the leading complaint. After the driver puts the car in Park, the engine or accessory mode stays on, chimes sound, and the horn honks when the driver walks away. Reports cluster between 24,000 and 34,200 miles, and owners describe backordered parts and cars sitting for weeks.
Does the Mazda CX-30 have oil problems?: Some owners report them. Engine complaints are the CX-30's largest group, with low oil warning lights and sometimes real oil loss. One car at 24,000 miles needs a quart every 1,000 to 2,000 miles. No engine damage appears in that group, but you should check the level often.
Which model years should I avoid for each car?: Avoid 2020 and 2021 on both cars, since those are the weakest years for each. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so a short complaint list for 2026 does not prove those cars are better.

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Decided between Buick Encore GX and Mazda CX-30? 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 Mazda CX-30

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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