According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2021 Buick Encore GX has 8 documented known issues, with 5 rated critical. The most serious are Plastic Coolant Control Valve / Water Pump Assembly Failure Causing Overheating (P3075) ($600-$1,500 repair), Turbocharger Wastegate Actuator Failure Causing "Engine Power Is Reduced" and Underboost (P0299) ($900-$2,400 repair), VT40 CVT Pressure Control Solenoid Failure - Complete Loss of Motive Power (P2714 / P0700) ($4,500-$7,800 repair), Encore GX CVT / 9-Speed Hesitation and Shudder ($0-$3,500 repair) and Electronic Brake Boost Sensor Connection Failure - Loss of Power Assist (Recall 20V588). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $400 to $7,800. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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.
Campaign #21V44000010/06/2021
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
Campaign #20V58800024/09/2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Buick Encore GX, Envista, and Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The software in the Virtual Cockpit Unit Module (VCU) may cause the instrument panel display to intermittently go blank at vehicle startup or while driving.
Campaign #23V744000
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What are the most common Buick Encore GX problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2021 Buick Encore GX has 8 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Plastic Coolant Control Valve / Water Pump Assembly Failure Causing Overheating (P3075), Turbocharger Wastegate Actuator Failure Causing "Engine Power Is Reduced" and Underboost (P0299), VT40 CVT Pressure Control Solenoid Failure - Complete Loss of Motive Power (P2714 / P0700). Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Buick Encore GX reliable?
The 2021 Buick Encore GX has 8 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 5 issues are rated critical: Plastic Coolant Control Valve / Water Pump Assembly Failure Causing Overheating (P3075) and Turbocharger Wastegate Actuator Failure Causing "Engine Power Is Reduced" and Underboost (P0299) and VT40 CVT Pressure Control Solenoid Failure - Complete Loss of Motive Power (P2714 / P0700) and Encore GX CVT / 9-Speed Hesitation and Shudder and Electronic Brake Boost Sensor Connection Failure - Loss of Power Assist (Recall 20V588). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Buick Encore GX problems?
Repair costs for known Buick Encore GX issues range from $0 to $7,800, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Plastic Coolant Control Valve / Water Pump Assembly Failure Causing Overheating (P3075), typically costs $600-$1,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2020-2024 Buick Encore GX Plastic Coolant Control Valve / Water Pump Assembly Failure Causing Overheating (P3075)?
The three-cylinder turbo cooling system uses an electrically actuated multi-port coolant control valve with a plastic housing and rotor that directs flow between the block, heater core, turbo and radiator circuits. The plastic rotor binds or the housing cracks, and the integrated… Repairs typically run $600-$1,500. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
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On the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX LIH 1.2L Turbo I3 with VT40 CVT, separate from the well-known low-speed shudder, the VT40 continuously variable transmission suffers hard failures of the line-pressure control solenoid circuit. When the solenoid sticks off, the belt-and-pulley set loses clamping pressure, the transmission cannot transmit torque, and the vehicle abruptly stops accelerating - owners describe engine RPM climbing with no forward motion, or being unable to exceed 20 mph with the pedal floored, sometimes on a highway. Failures are reported between roughly 40,000 and 83,000 miles, and multiple NHTSA complaints describe a second failure after an earlier transmission replacement. Some units have been found with essentially no fluid in the sealed case at teardown.
Vehicle will not accelerate past ~20 mph with pedal fully depressed
Engine revs but vehicle does not move
Delayed engagement when shifting into Drive or Reverse
Loud whine or mechanical noise from the transaxle
Sudden jerk followed by loss of drive at highway speed
Speedometer rising and falling erratically
How to Fix
Do not clear the code and keep driving; continued operation with low line pressure destroys the belt and pulleys. Retrieve P2714/P0700 and check line pressure and fluid condition. In GM practice this is almost always resolved by transmission replacement or a remanufactured unit rather than a solenoid-only repair, because by the time the code sets the variator surfaces are already damaged. Insist on documentation of the fluid fill and level check on the replacement unit, since dry-at-delivery units have been reported. Verify powertrain warranty coverage (5yr/60,000 mi) before authorizing repair.
On the 2020-2024 Buick Encore GX, the 2020+ Encore GX uses either the VT40 CVT (FWD 1.2L) or the GM 9T50 9-speed (AWD 1.3L). Both have reported issues: CVT hesitates from a stop, jerks on tip-in, and growls. 9-speed has been the subject of multiple TSBs covering harsh shifts, flares, and torque converter shudder.
CVT: software update via dealer (TSB 21-NA-141 and successors). 9-speed: ATF flush + reprogramming if persistent shudder; valve body or torque converter if not resolved. Many fixes were under GM's "PI" (Product Investigation) bulletins — check for active campaigns on your VIN.
On the 2020-2024 Buick Encore GX, the three-cylinder turbo cooling system uses an electrically actuated multi-port coolant control valve with a plastic housing and rotor that directs flow between the block, heater core, turbo and radiator circuits. The plastic rotor binds or the housing cracks, and the integrated water pump module can fail alongside it. Because the ECM cannot achieve commanded coolant flow, it sets a coolant-flow-low fault and the engine overheats, typically after 20-25 minutes of continuous driving. Owners describe an erratic temperature gauge that swings before the overheat warning appears. Because the valve sits in a tight three-cylinder bay, labor is a large share of the bill.
Temperature gauge reads erratically or swings high then normal
Engine overheat / idle engine warning message
Heater blows cold or only warm at idle
Coolant loss with no obvious external puddle
Check engine light
How to Fix
Verify with a scan tool that the coolant control valve is being commanded and is actually moving, and pressure-test the system for the cracked housing. The repair is replacement of the coolant control valve assembly (and the water pump if it is leaking or noisy), followed by a full vacuum-fill and bleed of the cooling system. A partial or air-locked fill will reproduce the overheat symptom, so the vacuum fill is not optional. Do not simply top off coolant and keep driving; sustained overheating on an aluminum three-cylinder head risks head gasket and head damage.
On the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX, the single-scroll turbocharger used on both the 1.2L LIH and 1.3L L3T three-cylinder engines suffers wastegate actuator and internal turbo failures. The electric wastegate actuator loses calibration or the linkage binds from heat cycling and carbon, so the ECM can no longer hold commanded boost. The module sets an underboost fault, drops the vehicle into a reduced-power limp mode, and in the worst cases the turbo center section itself fails. NHTSA complaints on the Encore GX and its platform twin (Chevrolet Trailblazer) repeatedly describe the failure recurring after a first turbo replacement, indicating the replacement part shares the same weakness. Owners commonly report it first appearing under highway load or when merging.
"Engine Power Is Reduced" message on the driver information center
Check engine light with sudden loss of acceleration
Vehicle will not exceed roughly 35 mph in limp mode
Shaking or trembling under load above 35 mph
Whistling or siren-like noise from the engine bay under boost
Repeat failure after a prior turbo replacement
How to Fix
Scan for P0299 and check actual vs. commanded boost with a scan tool before parts are thrown at it. Inspect the charge-air piping and intercooler couplers for split boots and the PCV/oil separator for excessive crankcase pressure, which drives oil into the turbo. If the wastegate actuator is out of calibration, GM's remedy is actuator/turbo assembly replacement and a relearn; a leaking or shaft-play turbo requires the full turbocharger assembly. Address any charge-pipe leak first, since a boost leak throws the same code far more cheaply.
On the 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX, on 2020-2021 Encore GX models, contaminated material in a sensor connection of the electronic brake boost system can interrupt communication between the sensor and the brake boost module, causing a loss of electronic brake assist. Drivers report a hard brake pedal requiring much greater pedal force and longer stopping distances. GM issued recall 20V588 (GM program number A202307262) to replace the electronic brake boost module.
Common Symptoms
Hard or stiff brake pedal requiring extra force
Longer stopping distances
Brake assist / service brake warning light
Reduced or lost power-assisted braking
How to Fix
Covered under NHTSA recall 20V588 (GM A202307262) - the dealer replaces the electronic brake boost module free of charge. Owners with a hard brake pedal or brake-assist warning should verify recall completion via VIN at nhtsa.gov and have the module replaced.
On the 2020-2024 Buick Encore GX, unlike older vacuum-driven purge systems, the GM three-cylinder turbo platform uses an electric EVAP purge pump to draw fuel vapor from the charcoal canister into the intake during boost, when there is no manifold vacuum available. The pump's motor and control circuit fail, and the pump can also stick, which lets raw vapor slug the intake. Owners report the check engine light, gasoline smell in and around the vehicle, and in a subset of cases the engine stalling outright while driving. Failures cluster in the roughly 30,000-65,000 mile range on both the Encore GX and the platform-twin Trailblazer.
Retrieve the exact code before condemning parts, since a loose or cracked fuel cap and canister vent valve faults mimic the symptom. Confirm the purge pump's electrical supply and command state with a scan tool. The real fix is replacement of the electric EVAP purge pump assembly and associated hoses, followed by an EVAP system leak test and a drive cycle to reset readiness monitors. The 8yr/80,000 mile federal emissions warranty often covers this component, so check coverage before paying out of pocket.
On the 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX, gM recalled 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX (and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer) vehicles because the supplied emergency scissor jack can fracture while in use if it is not positioned exactly as the owner's manual directs. The jack's load-bearing structure is not tolerant of off-nominal placement on the pinch weld, and a fracture drops the vehicle. This is a genuinely dangerous defect precisely because it only manifests when someone is already beside or under the vehicle changing a tire on the roadside. Many owners never discover the jack is defective because they have never had to use it, so the remedy completion rate on this campaign is low.
Common Symptoms
Jack bends, buckles or cracks while raising the vehicle
Vehicle drops or shifts during a tire change
Visible deformation of the scissor jack screw or arms
How to Fix
Check your VIN against NHTSA recall 21V440000. The dealer replaces the emergency jack free of charge - it is a parts hand-off, not a repair, so it can usually be picked up in a single short visit. Until it is replaced, do not use the original jack: use roadside assistance or a proper floor jack and jack stands. If you do use any jack on this vehicle, place it only on the reinforced pinch-weld jack points identified in the owner's manual, on level ground, with the vehicle in Park and the wheels chocked.
On the 2020-2023 Buick Encore GX, a widely reported defect across 2020-2023 Encore GX vehicles is a false "Shift to Park" message that appears even when the vehicle is already in Park, caused by a faulty park switch inside the shifter assembly with spread or damaged electrical terminals. The fault can keep the vehicle in accessory mode, prevent a clean shutdown, and drain the battery. GM addressed it with TSB 23-NA-119 (also covering Chevrolet Trailblazer and Malibu), and owners have filed class-action litigation seeking a recall.
Common Symptoms
"Shift to Park" message displayed while already in Park
Vehicle won't fully shut off / stays in accessory mode
Dead or drained battery
Intermittent no-start or stalling
How to Fix
Per GM TSB 23-NA-119, the fix is inspecting the park-switch terminals and, if no harness damage is found, replacing the shifter control assembly. Confirm a clean shutdown afterward to prevent parasitic battery drain. Repair may be covered under bumper-to-bumper warranty.
What is the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX Turbocharger Wastegate Actuator Failure Causing "Engine Power Is Reduced" and Underboost (P0299)?
The single-scroll turbocharger used on both the 1.2L LIH and 1.3L L3T three-cylinder engines suffers wastegate actuator and internal turbo failures. The electric wastegate actuator loses calibration or the linkage binds from heat cycling and carbon, so the ECM can no longer hold… Repairs typically run $900-$2,400. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2025 Buick Encore GX VT40 CVT Pressure Control Solenoid Failure - Complete Loss of Motive Power (P2714 / P0700)?
Separate from the well-known low-speed shudder, the VT40 continuously variable transmission suffers hard failures of the line-pressure control solenoid circuit. When the solenoid sticks off, the belt-and-pulley set loses clamping pressure, the transmission cannot transmit torque,… Repairs typically run $4,500-$7,800. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2024 Buick Encore GX Encore GX CVT / 9-Speed Hesitation and Shudder?
The 2020+ Encore GX uses either the VT40 CVT (FWD 1.2L) or the GM 9T50 9-speed (AWD 1.3L). Both have reported issues: CVT hesitates from a stop, jerks on tip-in, and growls. 9-speed has been the subject of multiple TSBs covering harsh shifts, flares, and torque converter shudder. Repairs typically run $0-$3,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX Electronic Brake Boost Sensor Connection Failure - Loss of Power Assist (Recall 20V588)?
On 2020-2021 Encore GX models, contaminated material in a sensor connection of the electronic brake boost system can interrupt communication between the sensor and the brake boost module, causing a loss of electronic brake assist. Drivers report a hard brake pedal requiring much… Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2024 Buick Encore GX Electric EVAP Purge Pump Failure Causing Stalling, Fuel Odor and Emissions Faults?
Unlike older vacuum-driven purge systems, the GM three-cylinder turbo platform uses an electric EVAP purge pump to draw fuel vapor from the charcoal canister into the intake during boost, when there is no manifold vacuum available. The pump's motor and control circuit fail, and t… Repairs typically run $400-$850. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX Emergency Scissor Jack Fractures Under Load - Recall 21V440000?
GM recalled 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX (and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer) vehicles because the supplied emergency scissor jack can fracture while in use if it is not positioned exactly as the owner's manual directs. The jack's load-bearing structure is not tolerant of off-nomin… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2023 Buick Encore GX False "Shift to Park" Warning / Park Switch Failure (TSB 23-NA-119)?
A widely reported defect across 2020-2023 Encore GX vehicles is a false "Shift to Park" message that appears even when the vehicle is already in Park, caused by a faulty park switch inside the shifter assembly with spread or damaged electrical terminals. The fault can keep the ve… Severity: medium.
