2021 Buick Encore GX Reliability
The 2021 Buick Encore GX has 53 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain / transmission. Compared with nearby Encore GX model years (2020–2023), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Encore GX's typical year, while the 2023 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
53
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
2
Complaints citing a crash
0
Complaints citing a fire
2021 Buick Encore GX complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 model year, filed between 2021 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 15 | 28% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 11 | 21% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 15% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 7 | 13% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 8% |
| Engine & cooling | 4 | 8% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 4% |
2021 Buick Encore GX recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2021 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V588000 | Sep 24, 2020 | Service brakes | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an… |
| 21V440000 | Jun 10, 2021 | Equipment — mechanical / accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift / stand | General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use. |
How the 2021 compares with nearby Encore GX years
Verdicts compare these Encore GX model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 70 | 2 | Service brakes | Caution |
| 2021 (this page) | 53 | 2 | Engine | Caution |
| 2022 | 34 | 1 | Powertrain / transmission | Solid |
| 2023 | 28 | 0 | Engine | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
The 2021 Buick Encore GX on the used market
- Median asking price $16,593 at a median 69,998 miles, across 552 live US dealer listings in CarWhere's depreciation study.
What to check on a used 2021 Buick Encore GX
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2021 Buick Encore GX can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2021 Buick Encore GX reliability FAQ
Is the 2021 Buick Encore GX reliable?
The 2021 Buick Encore GX has 53 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain / transmission. Compared with nearby Encore GX model years (2020–2023), it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the Encore GX's typical year, while the 2023 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2021 Buick Encore GX problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Buick Encore GX are engine (15), powertrain / transmission (11), service brakes (8), fuel / propulsion system (7). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2021 Buick Encore GX have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 Buick Encore GX, including 20V588000 (service brakes) and 21V440000 (equipment — mechanical / accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift / stand). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2021 Buick Encore GX compare with the 2020 and 2022 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2020 has 70 complaints and 2 recalls (caution); the 2022 has 34 complaints and 1 recall (solid). The 2021 has 53 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2021 Buick Encore GX?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Buick Encore GX research
Other Buick Encore GX model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2021 Encore GX, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.