2020 Buick Encore GX: What to check before buying

Most reports describe a false "Shift to Park" warning. The car is in park, but the dash says it is not, so the engine, radio or lights won't shut off and the car may not lock. Dealers usually blame the shifter assembly and quote about $500 to $700. Owners often pay that themselves, and the failures cluster between 24,000 and 34,643 miles. A smaller group reports stalling in traffic, slipping gears, and Engine Power Reduced limp mode with an underboost code. Some of these cars needed a full transmission replacement, with one quote at $14,000.

The brake pedal sinks to the floor and the car fails to stop, sometimes with brake, ABS and StabiliTrak warnings lit. Two reports involve crashes, and one of those lists an injury. Several owners say the dealer told them parts for a brake recall repair were not yet available, leaving the car undrivable in the meantime. Brake failures appear as early as 3,000 miles. Other reports describe spongy pedals, brake assist that cuts out, grinding or squealing that continues after brake work, and a fractured rear caliper piston.

The most serious pattern is a sudden electrical shutdown while driving. Windows, AC, radio and flashers stop working while the engine and brakes keep running. Other reports repeat the false "Shift to Park" message that blocks shutdown. Owners also describe dead batteries on a nearly new car, erratic wipers and liftgate lights, and a second transmission replacement. In one case, a used-car buyer saw the airbag light come on and then found that every airbag and its wiring harness had been removed.

Power drops suddenly at highway speed. The check engine light comes on, Engine Power Reduced appears, and the car slows sharply with traffic behind it. Dealers read an engine underboost code. Some owners report a software update, and one reports two turbo replacements, but the problem comes back. In another report, the car quit entirely in traffic shortly after a rodent-chewed harness near the fuel system was repaired. That repair cost $850 and was not covered by warranty.

Only one complaint here describes this car: a turbocharger failure. The engine shakes, makes abnormal noises from the engine bay and turns on the check engine light, and the dealer finds a failed turbo that needs replacement at about 51,220 miles. The second filing in this category is about a 2014 Jeep Cherokee and does not apply to this model. Turbo trouble also shows up in the engine and power train complaints as power loss and underboost codes.

The wheel stiffens or seizes at the same moment the brake pedal goes rigid or drops to the floor, often with several warning lights on. One of the four reports involves a crash, where the car sped up with the driver's foot on the brake and the steering did not respond. Other reports describe Service Adaptive Steering and Reduced Power messages along with low fuel pressure codes, causing sudden slowdowns on the highway. Some owners say they were still waiting on parts for a brake recall repair.

Both reports say the airbags failed to deploy when the car was rear-ended. In one, the impact pushed the car into the vehicle ahead, and the driver suffered a head fracture after hitting the steering wheel. The other estimates the striking car's speed at 40 mph. Both filings are crash reports, and together they list two injuries. With only two complaints, the only pattern is that the airbags did not deploy.

The car speeds up on its own, and pressing the brakes does not slow it. In one report, the driver had to shift to neutral and turn off the engine, and the same thing happened again a few miles later on the same trip. The other report involves a car with under 300 miles that kept accelerating and nearly crashed. In both reports, the engine overpowers the brakes.