Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

25 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
10

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 3 mention an injury.

unintended acceleration 2sudden stalling 1
A recent report: Failure of the evaporative emission purge pump at 34,600 miles. Diagnostic code P146B (pump failure). VIN not included on the affected vehicle list but should be. Failed pump part number is 25204641…
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Failure of the evaporative emission purge pump at 34,600 miles. Diagnostic code P146B (pump failure). VIN not included on the affected vehicle list but should be. Failed pump part number is 25204641 (matches affected pump part numbers).

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11761577 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
5

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 2electrical shorts 2sudden stalling 1
A recent report: I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2023 Buick Encore GX that repeatedly shuts off while driving and doesn’t restart when auto stop is on, it leaves me stranded in traffic. The vehicle has…
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I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2023 Buick Encore GX that repeatedly shuts off while driving and doesn’t restart when auto stop is on, it leaves me stranded in traffic. The vehicle has been in the shop multiple times since February 13, and the issue has not been resolved. A service advisor has stated he is not comfortable putting me back in the vehicle and wants to help get me out of this car. I am requesting escalation, a case number, and immediate resolution. After having the oil changed in February, the check engine light came on soon after. Car had left me stranded prior to the battery being replaced. After 4 times in the same shop, they say a bad ground connection may now be the problem, however they also said they recharged the battery the visit prior.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11725113 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
3

Most reports here involve loss of braking.

loss of braking 2
A recent report: Brakes squeaking, squealing and screeching. Replaced once at approximately 8k miles. Dealership ground down rotors twice, brakes replaced once. Tires are worn in the center. AWD GX, steering seems…
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Brakes squeaking, squealing and screeching. Replaced once at approximately 8k miles. Dealership ground down rotors twice, brakes replaced once. Tires are worn in the center. AWD GX, steering seems off and unstable. Brake pedal sounds and feels like a faulty spring inside. Pedal gets stuck when switching from gas to brake. Bounces back with spring feel and noise. At times it feels like I can’t control the brake when traveling at a low rated of speed and having to suddenly stop. Then while stopped on an incline the brake feels as if it releases while still depressing the brake jolting forward. Nearly forcing into intersection. Having to leave larger distances between vehicles in front to prevent vehicle from forcibly trying to rear end another vehicle. Clunking noise when turning left at a low rate of speed with minimal acceleration, such as in and out of a driveway, parking lot or after coming to a stop at an intersection. Mostly heard only turn left. Steering wheel vibrates at high rate of speed. Intermittent rattling noise heard from front center/passenger side. Ratting noise occurs after driving a while 25-30 minutes. Screw fell out of vehicle after being serviced at a local dealership, took it back with said bolt and they did not put it back. To date I’m unaware of where it belongs. Dealership has oil change tech diagnosing, consistently “functioning as normal” and “can’t duplicate issue”. I do not feel safe driving. Hard to stop and feel in control. I’ve resulted in getting rides from others when possible. 2023 GX AWD is not safe. Manufacture notified.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11552372 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
2

Most reports here involve rollaway.

rollaway 1loss of steering 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2023 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle bounced to the left and the right, and the steering wheel pulled to…
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The contact owns a 2023 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle bounced to the left and the right, and the steering wheel pulled to the left or the right, making it difficult to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, after a test drive, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle operated as intended. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,978.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11717188 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: No accident just a concern. On my Buick the clasp for the front set belts are buried between the seat and center console. Making the fastening and unfasting very difficult. The further the seat is…
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No accident just a concern. On my Buick the clasp for the front set belts are buried between the seat and center console. Making the fastening and unfasting very difficult. The further the seat is forward the more difficult it is. I guess my concern is this over sight may hamper the use of them or possibly cause entrapment during a stressful situation. Thankyou, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11651028 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: Malfunction of rear passenger doors and back trunk/hatch. My safety and the passengers of others is significantly at risk, the doors open slightly when turning, the seal of weather stripping opens…
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Malfunction of rear passenger doors and back trunk/hatch. My safety and the passengers of others is significantly at risk, the doors open slightly when turning, the seal of weather stripping opens and sounds of road noise is louder than if the door windows were open. Upon closing the drivers door and a passenger opening the rear driver side door the metal touched and made a loud metal impact sound. Paint has been removed from both doors in the exact same spot that this occurred. It seems as if the doors installed either have a faulty hinge, wrong doors attached on the rear passenger doors or their is a faulty design or weld. The rear door on the driver side is visibly unaligned to the drivers door and it appears the manufacturer added extra weather stripping to compensate for the incorrect door being installed. While the doors are locked and the vehicle turns or travels over bumps in the road it is very noticeable and I do not feel my passengers are safe. I’ve never had a vehicle separate the door from the frame while driving. This can’t be safe.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11564074 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
3

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 3
A recent report: Three nuts snapped, which secure the front muffler to the length of the exhaust system. The engine side of the exhaust pipe became disconnected and dragged along road, which occurred while driving…
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Three nuts snapped, which secure the front muffler to the length of the exhaust system. The engine side of the exhaust pipe became disconnected and dragged along road, which occurred while driving the vehicle on a residential road. Steering was not impacted, however the pipe would have eventually come completely free, without driving directly to an auto-body repair shop.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11745219 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 25 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2022 and 2026, roughly 7 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.