45 of the
325 complaints filed about the Buick Encore GX
are about the other systems —
14% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2020.
I was driving in heavy traffic when I got a reduced power message. There was no where for me to go to get out of the traffic. This is the second time I've had this issue. I have already replaced the entire turbo several months ago. I took it to the dealer then. They attempted to fix it with just replacing part of it. It didn't fix. The cost to fix it at the dealer was more than I could afford so I took it to a different shop. All together it cost around $2000. Now it's happening again!!
NHTSA complaint #11755084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is not a new issue and has happened multiple times since the purchase of this vehicle. Multiple times while driving my 2024 Buick Encore GX, the entire instrument panel intermittently goes completely blank/black. All critical information disappears, including the speedometer, fuel gauge, warning lights, and other indicators. The display does not recover on its own and only returns after I fully restart the vehicle. This creates a serious safety hazard especially at night. Without the speedometer or warning lights, I cannot accurately monitor my speed or receive important vehicle alerts, which increases the risk of a crash due to distraction and lack of critical information. The problem is intermittent and can occur at any time day or night which can become very dangerous. Although I was told my specific VIN does not fall under the formal safety recall (NHTSA 23V744000 / GM A232424320) for the same blank-instrument-panel condition, the symptoms are identical. Similar complaints from other 2024 Encore GX owners describe the exact same issue (blank dash that only recovers after a restart). After being told by the local dealer that nothing can be done about it unless I pay for an expensive diagnostic, which is beyond infuriating, I request that that dealer, certified mechanic, or Buick perform a full diagnostic, install any available software updates for the Virtual Cockpit Unit (VCU) or related systems, and resolve this SAFETY-RELATED defect under warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11754747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have a 2022 Buick Encore GX with 34,200 miles and I put my car in park but the dashboard said Shift to Park. I tried several times to put it in park but it wouldn't recognize it was in park. The car also wouldn't cut off. I reversed and went forward and back several times trying to put it in park, but it wouldn't see it was in park. I called the dealership and they said jam the gear shifter really hard forward and it would recognize it until they could see the car. The only appointments they had were 2 weeks away. I can't use my car for 2 weeks. That isn't right. It shouldn't have done this at 34,200 miles! Also if the computer doesn't think it's in park then it could roll and hit and injure a child, another car, people etc. GM/Chevorolet shouldn't build cars with known problems. This is a serious Safety issue. The car isn't safe.
NHTSA complaint #11743014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Answer: I only have 34,200 miles on my 2022 Buick Encore GX and when I put my car in park, I get a warning message on the dashboard telling me "Shift to Park" but I am already in park and my car won't shut off. Why at 34,000 miles? 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Answer: What if the car thinks it isn't in Park and starts rolling hitting a child, another car, or building? 3.Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Answer: Yes, and it is a known issue with the make and model car I have a 2022 Buick Encore GX but no Recall has been made. This is dangerous and needs to be a recall. 4. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Answer: A "Shift to Park" message comes up on dashboard even though in the bottom right corner it has a P that it is in park. The computer doesn't recognize it's in park.
NHTSA complaint #11742093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2020 Buick Encore GX which has only $30,600 had the "Shift to Park" message appear on the dashboard screen and my car was not turning off properly. I read online that it is a widespread known issue: however, I had to pay $630.14 to fix the GM well know widespread issue so I can turn off my vehicle. This should be covered FREE of charge by GM as they are aware of the issue affecting the 2020 Buick Encore GX.
NHTSA complaint #11731062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
nStar remote diagnostic system returned five false-negative results across two confirmed mechanical failures. January 2, 2026: two diagnostics at 5:50 PM and 5:53 PM returned "No Error Code Found" while the transmission was actively failing. At 8:39 PM, the system identified P0700 and P2714 (Transmission System Failure, "Service within 1 day"). March 14, 2026: two diagnostics at 11:14 AM and 11:17 AM returned "No Error Code Found" while the vehicle could not exceed 20 mph on a highway. OnStar agent instructed a permanently disabled driver with a [XXX] passenger to continue driving during the first failure. GM issued a September 2025 TSB for "Loss of OnStar Connectivity" affecting all makes. FTC entered a 20-year consent order against GM/OnStar in January 2026. The Muhammad v. General Motors class action (E.D. Mich.) documents identical OnStar false negatives before engine seizures on the 6.2L platform. OnStar's diagnostic system appears unable to detect powertrain failures in sealed components across multiple engine platforms. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11728489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sealed transmission found "bone dry" at approximately 13,000 miles. No consumer-accessible dipstick. Complete transmission failure January 2, 2026. Second complete powertrain failure March 14, 2026, nine days after first repair completed. Symptoms on second failure (loss of power, hollow tumbling sound) consistent with engine bearing/connecting rod failure matching Cook et al. v. General Motors (Case No. 1:26-cv-00229, D. Del.) covering 1.2L/1.3L turbo engines. Dealer diagnosed "battery issue" on second failure and provided indefinite loaner. Vehicle purchased June 2025. Two failures within 9 months and 13,000 miles on a sealed powertrain system the consumer cannot inspect.
NHTSA complaint #11728490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shifter to park message showing on dash and Vehicle will not stop beeping and drains the battery and you can not lock the car. This is a know problem with Buick Encore 2023 and Buick has not recalled it and did not cover the cost of the repair, which cost me $659.68 plus tax.
NHTSA complaint #11727335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Component: Federal Safety Certification Label (49 CFR Part 567). Available for inspection. Summary: Vehicle was manufactured and sold brand new without the mandatory Federal Safety Certification Label. The omission was discovered during a professional trade-in inspection when the representative showed me where the label was supposed to be, but was missing from the car. The vehicle is currently non-compliant with federal safety standards, rendering it unmarketable. Confirmation: The manufacturing omission was confirmed by a review of historical authorized dealership service records. Photographs taken of the door jamb during routine service prove the label was never present. Symptoms/Warnings: There were no warning lamps or symptoms. I was never informed of this non-compliance by the manufacturer or authorized service centers during routine maintenance. Manufacturer Response: The manufacturer was contacted immediately via phone, email, customer service chat, and in-person to rectify the omission. However, the manufacturer failed to provide a resolution within the window of a time-sensitive trade-in valuation and tax credit package, causing the offer to expire. In subsequent communications, the manufacturer refused to remedy the non-compliance without charge, demanding payment for the label and labor in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 30120. The vehicle remains unmarketable and unused.
NHTSA complaint #11712632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The bolts connecting sections of the exhaust system broke off at 18 months. The bolts are not separate pieces. they are part of one side of the exhaust so you have to replace an entire section the the exhaust
NHTSA complaint #11707485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2021 Buick Encore with 25000 miles. Warning message “SHIFT TO PARK” while vehicle is in park. Dealership says shifter and knob need replaced at an out of pocket cost to me of nearly one thousand dollars. GM has already settled claims for this problem with Chevrolet owners.
NHTSA complaint #11698770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On the morning of 11/01/2025, the vehicle was in volved in a fire. The cause of the fire is uncertain so the insurance company is investigating it and asked I report it to the NHTSA.
NHTSA complaint #11698548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a recurring issue with my 2020 Buick Encore GX (VIN: [XXX] ) related to the “Shift to Park” defect, which is documented in GM’s Technical Service Bulletin 23-NA-119. My vehicle intermittently fails to recognize when it is in park, preventing me from turning off the engine and causing safety and usability concerns. Despite following GM’s recommended steps and scheduling an appointment through Buick Customer Care, I was charged $195 for a diagnostic fee and quoted $495 to replace the shifter assembly. The dealership confirmed the issue matched the bulletin, yet refused to offer goodwill coverage or reimbursement. This expense is a significant hardship. I am still making payments on this vehicle, which is barely five years old. I previously owned a Honda for 20 years without encountering issues like this. Unfortunately, this is not the first time I’ve faced a manufacturer-documented defect with no support. My previous vehicle, a Mitsubishi Outlander, suffered from a known transmission issue that was later part of a class action lawsuit. Despite experiencing the same symptoms, my VIN was excluded. The cost of repair outweighed the value of the vehicle, and I ultimately had to walk away from it as a total loss—leaving me without a car. I am deeply disappointed to now face a similar situation with Buick. I chose this vehicle expecting reliability and support, and I’ve done everything asked of me to address this issue responsibly. I believe GM should be held accountable for this known defect and the financial burden it places on consumers. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11695563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When I put the car in park and go to turn off the car, I'm getting a "Shift to Park" error when the car is already in park. This error will not allow the car to shut off. I have to shift it back out of gear and then back to park several times before it will recognize that it's in park and allow me to turn off the car.
NHTSA complaint #11686346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shift To Park appears on screen after vehicle is in park. Vehicle will continue running. By jiggling gear shift or putting car in another gear and then back in park the message disappears and car shuts off engine.
NHTSA complaint #11686439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Getting a shift to park error when placing the gear in park. It’s not recognizing the car is already in park and I have to make several attempts until it finally goes away each time.
NHTSA complaint #11685063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Once a day sometimes twice, when I have pulled into a parking spot and put the car into Park, a bell alarm sounds and a message shows up to put the car into Park. Since I already put it into Park I then jiggle the stick shift lightly and the bell alarms stops and message disappears. This started within last 6 months.
NHTSA complaint #11675695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.