2021 Buick Encore GX problems & reliability
52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Buick Encore GX, alongside 2 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Sep 22, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several components.
3 complaints report injuries (4 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles were involved in 15 fatal crashes with 5 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine → | 15 | 29% |
| Power Train → | 11 | 21% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 7 | 13% |
| Service Brakes | 7 | 13% |
| Unknown / Other | 6 | 12% |
| Electrical System | 4 | 8% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 8% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 4% |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 18 reported components →Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Vehicle does not recognize it is in Park even when the shifter is placed in that position. As a result, the vehicle cannot be turned off. GM has issued a technical service bulletin for this issue, but has not yet performed a recall.”
Power Train · filed Aug 30, 2026
“The Frontview camera or its software is the issue. It allows the car to drift outside of the lane on both sides of the car before warning and or pulling you back over but then it just pulls you to the other line and lets you cross it back and forth if you let it and every time crossing the line. Extremely dangerous if…”
Lane Departure · filed Aug 29, 2026
“While driving check engine suddenly illuminated following by a "warning reduced engine power" message. Car began driving sluggish and driving over 35mph caused serious trembling. After multiple diagnosis with several engine codes pointing to issues with ECM, and mass air flow sensor, and the wiring affliated . I took…”
Engine · filed Jul 8, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
674 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Buick Encore GX. The 10 most recent:
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 4, 2026
This Preliminary Information provides the dealer information of the location of the rear seat child anchors.
PIT5995B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 4, 2026
Special Coverage. Certain 2021 model year Buick Encore GX and Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles, equipped with a 1.2L engine, may have a condition that could cause the turbocharger to fail. If this condition occurs, the…
N242450640-02 · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Sep 1, 2026
This Preliminary Information provides a diagnostic tip for diagnosing an issue with Cruise Control, Adaptive Cruise and Lane Keep Assist Turns Off or Inoperative.
PIT6196A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 28, 2026
This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
PIC6551C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 20, 2026
This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the direction needed when encountering an issue with switching between adaptive cruise control and regular cruise control or an issue with automatic high beam…
PIC6548B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 23, 2026
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 21, 2026
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an OTA event and how to reset/clear the message.
PIT5966F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 23, 2026
PIP6032B provides diagnostic direction for dealers when encountering transmission leaks
PIP6032C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 3, 2026
Pi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection issue
PIC6423A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 11, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2021 Buick Encore GX has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2021 Buick Encore GX?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.