2020 Buick Encore
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 24 of 87 complaints (28%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 84 in 2019 to 87 in 2020.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,100–2,300 | 2,250–2,400 | 2,000–2,400 | 2,000–2,400 | 2,100–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 27–30 | 26–28 | 26–31 | 26–31 | 26–30 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 24–27 / 30–33 | 24–26 / 29–31 | 24–30 / 29–32 | 23–30 / 29–32 | 23–29 / 29–32 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 298–335 | 312–344 | 288–344 | 288–344 | 296–342 | |
| Complaints filed | 74 | 84 | 87 | 61 | 40 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Buick Encore have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 Buick Encore?
Brakes: 24 of 87 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Buick Encore get?
EPA rates it 26–31 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Buick Encore?
EPA estimates $2,000–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 25 mpg | 30 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 329 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 24 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 344 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 3 | 1.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 30 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | $2,000 (low) | 288 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 9-spd | 3 | 1.3L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 26 mpg | 29 mpg (low) | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 320 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 3 | 1.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 26 mpg | 30 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 318 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 24 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT:STAND · Campaign 21V440000 · Jun 10, 2021
Defect: General 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.
Consequence: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 20V668000 · Oct 29, 2020
Defect: General 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.
Consequence: Missing 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.
Remedy: GM 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.
SERVICE BRAKES · Campaign 20V588000 · Sep 25, 2020
Defect: General 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.
Consequence: If 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.
Remedy: GM 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.
SEATS; SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS · Campaign 20V537000 · Sep 3, 2020
Defect: General 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.
Consequence: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy: GM 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.