Is the Buick Encore GX more reliable than the Mitsubishi Outlander?

Not clearly. The two are effectively tied, and both stand in good standing. The Encore GX has fewer recalls and fewer complaints per car sold. The Outlander has the more serious complaints, including airbags that did not deploy in crashes. Neither earns a firm edge overall.

Which has more recalls, the Encore GX or the Outlander?

The Outlander has more. Federal recall records show 24 across eight model years for the Outlander, against 6 across seven model years for the Encore GX. Check any specific car's VIN for open recalls before buying either one.

Which costs less to repair, the Encore GX or the Outlander?

The data cannot say. Independent repair-cost figures exist only for the Outlander: about $519 a year, 0.3 unscheduled shop visits a year, and an 11% chance a repair is major. No matching figures are available for the Encore GX, so a fair comparison is not possible.

What is the main problem with the Buick Encore GX?

The shifter is the most common one. Owners report a false "Shift to Park" warning, with the car staying on, chiming, and honking. Doors may not lock. Reports cluster between 24,000 and 34,200 miles, and some owners waited weeks for backordered parts.

Are Mitsubishi Outlander airbags a concern?

Yes, they are the most serious pattern. Of 32 airbag complaints, 17 are crash-linked. Reports include airbags that did not deploy in a frontal crash and a 30 mph T-bone, plus seat belts that failed to lock. Have any used Outlander's airbag system and recall status checked.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Buick Encore GX vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Reliability Compared

Buick Encore GX

Good

Mitsubishi Outlander

Good

Reliability is effectively tied between the Buick Encore GX and Mitsubishi Outlander. The Outlander has more recalls and complaints. Its airbag failures in crashes are the most serious issue, while the Encore GX mostly struggles with a false shifter warning and brake complaints.

How Do the Buick Encore GX and Mitsubishi Outlander Generations Compare?

A single generation covers every Encore GX a shopper will see. It began in 2020, ran through 2023 as the original design, and received a refresh for 2024. Because 2020 and 2021 are the weakest years, most buyers will do better with 2022 or later. The Outlander spans two generations in this comparison. The third generation covered 2014 through 2024, with facelifts in 2016 and 2019. The fourth generation arrived for 2022 and ran through 2023, with a facelift for 2024. The 2022 model, the first of the new design, is among the weakest years. The 2018 model, from the third generation, is also weak.

Verdict

The Buick Encore GX and Mitsubishi Outlander are evenly matched with a reliability score of 76/100.

Effectively tied is the call. Both models stand in good standing, and neither earns a clear edge overall. The split is in the detail. The Outlander has far more recalls, 24 across eight model years against 6 across seven for the Encore GX, and roughly twice the owner complaints per car sold. Its airbag reports are the most alarming in either set. The Encore GX has its own faults, including a false shifter warning and brake complaints, but fewer of them. That keeps the overall standings level.

Key Differences

1Buick Encore GX has 18 fewer total recalls
2Buick Encore GX has 6.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Buick Encore GX has a 1-star higher safety rating

Category Scoreboard

3Buick Encore GX

—

0Mitsubishi Outlander

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Buick Encore GX vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Encore GX vs Mitsubishi Outlander at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Encore GX	Mitsubishi Outlander
Reliability Score	76/100	76/100
Years Tracked	7	8
Total Recalls	6	24
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.4	13.1
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2	4

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Encore GX and Mitsubishi Outlander?

Shifter trouble dominates the Encore GX list. A false "Shift to Park" warning leaves the car running, chiming and honking, and owners worry about rollaway. Turbocharger failures and sudden power loss show up too. Its crash-linked area is the service brakes, with very stiff pedals and delayed stops. The Outlander's problems are more physical. A tailgate strut rod flew off and injured an owner. Airbags failed to deploy in serious crashes, and 17 of its airbag complaints are crash-linked. Electrical and power train complaints also carry crash links, which the Encore GX's do not. An engine-bay fire and a loose-feeling rear end round out the list.

Buick Encore GX vs Mitsubishi Outlander common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Encore GX	Mitsubishi Outlander
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.2Low	2.1Low
STRUCTURE	—None	2.6Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.9Very Low	1.3Low
POWER TRAIN	1.4Low	0.6Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	1.1Low
ENGINE	0.7Very Low	0.3Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.6Very Low	0.4Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.5Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.3Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.2Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.2Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.2Very Low
EQUIPMENT	0.1Very Low	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—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 Mitsubishi Outlander Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Encore GX vs Mitsubishi Outlander year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Encore GX	Mitsubishi Outlander	Edge
2025	79/1000R / 14C	82/1000R / 13C	Mitsubishi Outlander
2024	77/1001R / 27C	79/1001R / 22C	Mitsubishi Outlander
2023	79/1000R / 23C	77/1002R / 40C	Buick Encore GX
2022	74/1001R / 29C	62/1007R / 209C	Buick Encore GX
2021	74/1002R / 50C	84/1000R / 0C	Mitsubishi Outlander
2020	70/1002R / 66C	76/1003R / 30C	Mitsubishi Outlander

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Buick Encore GX scored 79/100 and the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander scored 84/100 — 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 Mitsubishi Outlander?

Pick the Encore GX if you want fewer recalls and fewer complaints per car sold. Ask whether the shifter was repaired, because false Park warning reports cluster between 24,000 and 34,200 miles. Target 2023, one of its strongest years. Skip 2020 and 2021, the weakest. Test the brake pedal on a drive, since stiff pedals appeared within the first few thousand miles in some cars. Pick the Outlander if you need midsize room and want published repair-cost figures: about $519 a year and 0.3 unscheduled shop visits. Know what you are accepting. It has the heavier recall history, and its airbag complaints include failures to deploy in crashes. Look for a 2021, its strongest year with a full record. Avoid 2022 and 2018, the weakest. Confirm every recall is done before you buy, and check the power tailgate, rear suspension, and dashboard warning lights.

Buick Encore GX vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Common Questions

Is the Buick Encore GX more reliable than the Mitsubishi Outlander?: Not clearly. The two are effectively tied, and both stand in good standing. The Encore GX has fewer recalls and fewer complaints per car sold. The Outlander has the more serious complaints, including airbags that did not deploy in crashes. Neither earns a firm edge overall.
Which has more recalls, the Encore GX or the Outlander?: The Outlander has more. Federal recall records show 24 across eight model years for the Outlander, against 6 across seven model years for the Encore GX. Check any specific car's VIN for open recalls before buying either one.
Which costs less to repair, the Encore GX or the Outlander?: The data cannot say. Independent repair-cost figures exist only for the Outlander: about $519 a year, 0.3 unscheduled shop visits a year, and an 11% chance a repair is major. No matching figures are available for the Encore GX, so a fair comparison is not possible.
What is the main problem with the Buick Encore GX?: The shifter is the most common one. Owners report a false "Shift to Park" warning, with the car staying on, chiming, and honking. Doors may not lock. Reports cluster between 24,000 and 34,200 miles, and some owners waited weeks for backordered parts.
Are Mitsubishi Outlander airbags a concern?: Yes, they are the most serious pattern. Of 32 airbag complaints, 17 are crash-linked. Reports include airbags that did not deploy in a frontal crash and a 30 mph T-bone, plus seat belts that failed to lock. Have any used Outlander's airbag system and recall status checked.

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Decided between Buick Encore GX and Mitsubishi Outlander? 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 Mitsubishi Outlander

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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