2020 Buick Encore GX Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2020 Buick Encore GX most often describe a "Shift to Park" message that appears when the vehicle is already in park, at times preventing shutdown, and brake complaints in which the pedal travels to the floor without stopping the car. Many of the brake reports arrived in the vehicle's first few thousand miles, and engine reports center on reduced-power limp mode tied to turbocharger under-boost. Transmission and shifter-related complaints tend to appear later, often past 20,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   "Shift to Park" message when already in park

   • 20 complaints (29%)
   • median 34,643 mi at 5.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners report a "Shift to Park" notice appearing even though the gear selector is in park, which on some vehicles keeps the engine or accessories from shutting off until the message clears. Several describe cycling the shifter in and out of park repeatedly to make it register. Complaints say dealers diagnosed the shifter assembly or shifter control and quoted several hundred dollars for replacement. Often reported from around 24,000 to 35,000 miles, though some complaints do not state mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the engine running, shift into park and confirm the message clears and the vehicle shuts off normally. Ask whether the shifter control or harness has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought this vehicle in 2024, I have been having issues one after another with it, I have taken it to the dealer and all they keep doing if fixing the problem and couple of months it happens again. I am really worried about my safety if I keep driving the vehicle. One problem from the battery to the shift sensor. Thank you”

   NHTSA complaint #11616982, filed 2024-09

   “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, filed 2025-09
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes to the floor / weak brake assist

   • 19 complaints (27%)
   • median 1,251 mi at 1.2 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2025

   Complaints describe the brake pedal traveling to the floor with little or no braking, sometimes with the steering feeling locked or a brake system warning light on. Several owners mention being told the vehicle was covered by the electronic brake boost sensor recall but that parts were not yet available. Others report grinding or squealing noises and dealers declining further repair because the noise was not treated as a safety concern. Mostly reported in the first few thousand miles, with some at higher mileage.

   Recall 20V588000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 20V588000 was completed and whether the electronic brake boost sensor connection was replaced. Test the pedal feel at low speed and listen for grinding or squealing in reverse.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving up to an intersection I applied my foot to the brake pedal. Upon doing so the pedal did not move as if it was locked in place. I applied more pressure as I was coming up to the intersection and then the steering wheel locked in place as if the car was off. The brake pedal went completely to the floor with no brakes being applied. I quickly began pumping the brakes which started to slow me down but not before driving right through the intersection. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11384896, filed 2020-12, 973 miles

   “I was traveling to school when my breaks didn’t work I tried them twice and I crashed into another vehicle. And the month or march I took it into to Buick for break issues and they said everything was fine.”

   NHTSA complaint #11656817, filed 2025-04
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine power reduced / turbo underboost limp mode

   • 9 complaints (13%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on followed by an "Engine Power Reduced" message and an immediate loss of throttle response, leaving the vehicle in limp mode. Complaints mention codes including P0299 (turbo underboost), P2138, P0089 and P00C6, and dealers have replaced turbochargers, in some cases more than once, with the symptom returning. A special coverage program for the 1.2L engine's turbocharger appears among the service information. Reported at widely varying mileage, from near-new vehicles to around 60,000 miles, often during acceleration or highway driving.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the full repair history on the turbocharger and whether the 1.2L engine special coverage was used. Scan for stored or pending codes and take a test drive that includes a highway pull.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on the interstate on June 7, 2023 heading to work doing the speed limit of 60 MPH and all of a sudden the check engine light came on and a message stated Engine Power Reduced and the engine literally dropped engine power immediately and thankfully there was nobody right behind me and I was able to get off the interstate to a safe place. I called the Buick GMC dealership where I purchased the vehicle and they said to bring it in. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11528407, filed 2023-06

   “I was driving on the interstate on June 7, 2023 heading to work doing the speed limit of 60 MPH and all of a sudden the check engine light came on and a message stated Engine Power Reduced and the engine literally dropped engine power immediately and thankfully there was nobody right behind me and I was able to get off the interstate to a safe place. I called the Buick GMC dealership where I purchased the vehicle and they said to bring it in. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11528408, filed 2023-06
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Delayed engagement or transmission leak

   • 16 complaints (23%)
   • median 38 mi at 1.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Some owners describe the vehicle failing to accelerate as expected, lurching while shifting, or the transmission not engaging with the engine. Complaints mention valve replacement followed by a full transmission replacement, and one owner reports a second replacement being recommended. Others note fluid leaks that required dealer diagnosis. Generally reported at higher mileage, commonly in the tens of thousands of miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check for transmission fluid leaks or residue underneath and ask for any transmission repair records. Drive from a stop and in reverse to feel for hesitation or harsh engagement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am submitting this complaint regarding several serious mechanical and electrical issues with my 2020 Buick Encore GX that raise significant concerns about the vehicle's reliability and safety. Most concerning, I was recently informed by the dealership that my vehicle requires another transmission replacement, despite having the transmission replaced in 2024. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11752226, filed 2026-07

   “I am writing to formally report a serious mechanical failure involving my vehicle and to request further review and assistance. While operating my vehicle, it unexpectedly stalled in the middle of an intersection, creating a significant safety hazard. At the time of the incident, the check engine light illuminated and the RPMs surged to a range between 6 and 8. I was able to safely move the vehicle to the side of the road, place it in park, and have it towed to a dealership for inspection. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11726783, filed 2026-03
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Electrical and battery drain faults

   • 8 complaints (11%)
   • median 100 mi at 1.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners report warning messages and multiple dash alerts, dead batteries on low-mileage vehicles, and accessories such as cruise control or lane keeping that stop working after repairs. Dealers have described software anomalies and replaced control modules in some cases. Reported across a wide range, from vehicles with very few miles to those past 30,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that the battery holds charge after sitting, and confirm driver-assist features such as cruise control and lane keeping work on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle has a software anamoly according the the dealer that has my ses light on and my pre-collision alters seem to not be working since this occurred. The ses light came on 4/9/21 and was taken to the dealer. I picked the vehicle up about 6 pm 4/12/21 and the light was on still and noticed immediately that the pre-collision warning did not work when another vehicle cut me off and stopped short in front of me. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11407881, filed 2021-04, 4,372 miles

   “When I purchased this vehicle I noticed squeaking of brakes and problems eccentrically with wipers and back gate light open close light, reported to texian dealer and nothing was done, car of course in motion and moving. Later after complain of problems texan dealer responded to deaf ears, I told them I did not want this vehicle and they would do nothing and never did. I went to another dealer(demontrond Buick) and bk customer service listened to the issues and put new brakes in car, it stills squeaks but not as much as before. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11388744, filed 2021-01, 100 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection scan for stored codes and check the turbocharger and transmission repair history, since those repairs are the costliest in the complaints. Confirm recall 20V588000 is complete and verify that the park position registers correctly before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.