2021 Buick Encore Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 38,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 27 mpgcombined, 1.4L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Buick Encore (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2021 Buick Encore. The part named most often is engine, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and brakes (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 38,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 537 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 47 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 48 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine3 33%
- Brakes2 22%
- Air bags1 11%
- Electrical system1 11%
- Other or unknown1 11%
Example complaints
Engine: “I have continuously had my check engine light pop on. I have took it in twice for them fix the issue which is the purge sensor. It did not fix the issue because the light just pops back on. This has caused issues with me passing emissions and has been an headache shortly street I obtained the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11698861, filed 2025-11Transmission and drivetrain: “Turbo Charger failed while passing a semi-trailer truck causing a severe lack of power and almost causing a head on collision with on-coming traffic. I had 3 passengers at the time. The problem has been confirmed by a independent service center and I am getting a second opinion from a dealer on 2/3. The check engine light did come on when it happened. There were no symptoms prior to failure. I have since researched the problem and found that Turbo Charger failure is the #1 issue with this make and year.”
NHTSA complaint #11639039, filed 2025-01Brakes: “Intermittent Service Brake Assist Light with very hard brake pedal and almost no breaks backing up. Have had it to several shops who said it was a turbo booster issue so scheduled service with Patriot GMC Boyertown Pa. Also intermittently has little to no power causing driving hazard suddenly especially uphill. Seems to mostly happen during rainy days.”
NHTSA complaint #11740366, filed 2026-05Air bags: “Nothing air bags deployed was leaving a parking lot started went to drive off !! Bang 2000 bounds of pressure in my face! My whole body!! It was a rental !! Look into this vechicail !hair burnt! Fried wire smell still on my burnt jacket!! Look into this with great concern as iam reaching out with shock and awe about this whole situation that accured** there is video of accurance in parking lot * think the owner is going to try to cover up what ever he can , saying that for reason's of my own! Please someone's job to investagte right ! Black box data speed which 2 miles a hour was speed .. …”
NHTSA complaint #11557296, filed 2023-11Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,000 and 38,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Buick Encore. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encore · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 17.9% risk |
| Encore · SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 19.8% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2021 Buick Encore version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encore AWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 24 | 29 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Encore AWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 23 | 30 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Encore FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 25 | 30 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Encore FWD | 1.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,500 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2021 Buick Encore in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 537 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11036392Aug 20, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11034769Jun 23, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an OTA event and how to reset/clear the message.
- 11032764May 11, 2026Other or unknown. Pi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection issue
- 11032763May 11, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030532Mar 21, 2026Other or unknown. Improvements to OnStar functionality.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
Other model years of the Buick Encore
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 26,630 | 0 | 5 | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 9 | 38,000 | 0 | 5 | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 19 | 24,500 | 2 | 5 | 27 | — | Rising |
| 2019 | 88 | 32,000 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 59 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 74 | 19,667 | 0 | 5 | 30 | 31 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 90 | 41,000 | 2 | 5 | 30 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2016 | 80 | 32,251 | 2 | 5 | 30 | 43 · Typical | Rising |
| 2015 | 124 | 33,200 | 4 | 5 | 28 | 78 · More | Stable |
| 2014 | 60 | 50,000 | 4 | 4–5 | 28 | 36 · Typical | Stable |
| 2013 | 52 | 21,693 | 6 | 4–5 | 28 | 65 · More | Rising |
All Buick Encore model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Buick Encore have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2021 Buick Encore as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 Buick Encore is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.
Has the 2021 Buick Encore been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2021 Buick Encore do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Buick Encore 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Buick Encore get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Buick Encore (Encore FWD, 1.4L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 25 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Buick Encore reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 38,000 miles and the middle half falls between 38,000 and 38,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.