Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, electrical, and brakes. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 Buick Encore: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2020's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Buick Encore. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2L 3-cyl | FWD | 28 mpg |
| 1.3L 3-cyl | AWD, FWD | 28–31 mpg |
| 1.4L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 26–27 mpg |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Turbocharger failure
38,000–64,000 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Buick Encore, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Turbocharger failure is the main pattern. The car turns sluggish on hills, struggles to keep up with traffic, and revs high, with the check engine light on and an under-boost code stored. Some cars downshift often, jerk through gear changes, or will not accelerate past 75 mph. Turbo replacements are reported below 60k miles and again at 112,000 miles, and one replacement turbo failed again within a year. Sudden power loss on the highway is a crash risk, and one report describes a near miss with a semi truck.
Stalling, hesitation, and hard starting right after a fill-up or when fuel runs very low come with emission and fuel evaporative system codes. Misfires on steep hills are also reported. Other cars need repeated jump starts even after a dealer finds the battery healthy. The horn may sound on its own at startup, and the radio, phone connection, and cruise control can stop working. On the highway, cruise control can surge, cut out, and lurch, and the engine may rev while the driver brakes. That creates a loss-of-control risk.
Weak stopping power is linked to rear rotors that rust and corrode heavily at low mileage, with one case at 18,389 miles. The corroded surface keeps the pads from gripping well. A separate report describes the brake and accelerator pedals getting very hot while driving, a missing heat shield, and signs of electrical activity nearby. No warning lights came on, and the dealer could not find a cause. With only two complaints, no wider pattern is clear, but both affect the car's ability to stop safely.
Turbochargers fail without warning. The check engine light comes on suddenly, and the car had no earlier symptoms. One failure came at 38,091 miles and cost $1816 to replace. An owner of two of these cars reports the same turbo failure in both. These complaints match the turbo pattern under the power train heading, where failures bring sudden power loss in traffic.
Excerpts from complaints Encore owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Engine light is on and vehicle is sluggish on hills and keeping up in traffic. Rpms run high if I try. Error code p0299 shows on scanning device- turbo under boost. I have 112,000 miles and need turbo replaced already. this vehicle is very well maintained. I did see a special notice for the GX version of this vehicle. But dealer says my vin does not qualify
Filed with NHTSA, April 2024
Unknown issues w/ sensors and wiring lead to turbocharger failure. This led to spontaneous acceleration issues on the highway. Less than a year after the warranty covered the replacement of the turbocharger (less than 60k miles on the car) the turbocharger again failed (64k miles on car).
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
The horn goes off automatically when the car is started. The fuse must be pulled out to stop it. Dash radio and phone not working properly. Cruise control not working.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2022
Defective "TURBO CHARGER" at 38,091 miles. The defective worn-out or damaged turbocharger was removed from the engine and a new one was installed at a cost of $1816.00. This part should not wear out at 38,000 miles. My mechanic informed me that this is common in the Buick Encore vehicles to experience a defective "TURBO CHARGER" at low vehicle mileage.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2026
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks third for owner complaints among 5 Encore years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the eighth model year of the Encore's first generation (2013–2022).
It includes the 2017 update.
What changed for 2017
Recall repairs are free at any Buick dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.
Fix: 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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Buick Encore, with their own 2020 checklists.
2020 owner complaints, side by side
