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2020 Buick Encore

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
5 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
D
Safety Signal
63 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical4
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA87
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA31 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2020 Buick Encore is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Encore GX FWD, is EPA-rated at 31 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 87 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Encore GX FWDGasFWD1.3L 3-cyl turbo303231$2,000
Encore GX AWDGasAWD1.3L 3-cyl turbo262928$2,250
Encore GX FWDGasFWD1.2L 3-cyl turbo263028$2,250
Encore FWDGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo253027$2,300
Encore AWDGasAWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo242926$2,400

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42403, 42404, 42441, 41518, 41520.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2020 Buick Encore is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
●moderate

Equipment

A212335470
135,400 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskA fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A212335470.
NHTSA campaign 21V440000reported Jun 10, 2021General Motors, LLC
!critical

Power Train

N202313440
194,105 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.RiskMissing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.FixGM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
NHTSA campaign 20V668000reported Oct 29, 2020General Motors LLC
▲high

Service Brakes

A202307260
3,677 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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 interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system.RiskIf communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixGM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202307260.
NHTSA campaign 20V588000reported Sep 24, 2020General Motors LLC
▲high

Seats

A202304380
105 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.RiskIf an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.FixGM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202304380.
NHTSA campaign 20V537000reported Sep 3, 2020General Motors LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
87complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2020: 11 · 2021: 10 · 2022: 10 · 2023: 8 · 2024: 18 · 2025: 19 · 2026: 11

Most-cited components

Power Train22
Unspecified21
Engine19
Electrical System19
Service Brakes19
Vehicle Speed Control8

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal and accelerator pedal became extremely hot to the touch. The contact became aware that the silver heat shield was missing. Additionally, the contact stated that there was electrical activity or electrici…”Jun 25, 2026 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA owner report
“I took my 2020 Buick Encore to an independent auto repair shop to have a brake inspection after I had contacted GM multiple times about the loss of acceleration, check engine light and stabilitrak light would come on with brake pedal stiffness and then almost needing to push it to the floor to stop. When I took it to t…”Apr 28, 2026 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“Defective "TURBO CHARGER" at 38,091 miles. The defective worn-out or damaged turbocharger was removed from the engine and a new one was installed at a cost of $1816.00. This part should not wear out at 38,000 miles. My mechanic informed me that this is common in the Buick Encore vehicles to experience a defective "TURB…”Feb 25, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆20%
SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆18%
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆18%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Encore model years

A

2026 Buick Encore

0 recalls · 4 complaints

A

2025 Buick Encore

0 recalls · 15 complaints

A

2024 Buick Encore

1 recalls · 31 complaints

A

2023 Buick Encore

0 recalls · 25 complaints

A

2022 Buick Encore

1 recalls · 40 complaints

B

2021 Buick Encore

2 recalls · 61 complaints

C

2019 Buick Encore

2 recalls · 84 complaints

A

2018 Buick Encore

0 recalls · 74 complaints

B

2017 Buick Encore

2 recalls · 89 complaints

B

2016 Buick Encore

2 recalls · 79 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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