AI Damage2021 Buick Encore: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Buick Encore filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 537 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 537
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 33% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 22% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 11% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 48.
- Engine: 3 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 47.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 115.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.2 L · petrol · turbo · 3 cyl
- 1.3 L · petrol · turbo · 3 cyl
- 1.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- automatic, 9-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 48 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 47 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 13 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 115 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 153 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 96 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 12 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Intermittent Service Brake Assist Light with very hard brake pedal and almost no breaks backing up. Have had it to several shops who said it was a turbo booster issue so scheduled service with Patriot GMC Boyertown Pa. Also intermittently has little to no power causing driving hazard suddenly especially uphill.
I have continuously had my check engine light pop on. I have took it in twice for them fix the issue which is the purge sensor. It did not fix the issue because the light just pops back on. This has caused issues with me passing emissions and has been an headache shortly street I obtained the vehicle.
The contact had to slam on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the Hill Assist message was displayed. The brake pedal was pumped several times before the brake pedal released. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the brake sensor needed to be replaced.
Took to the dealership. They stated my flex pipe had melted and the o2 sensors are stuck in the pipe need replacement as well. They have to replace flex pipe and everything leading to the 2nd o2 sensor. They stated there was no damage or tampering to the flex pipe.
The check engine light did come on when it happened. There were no symptoms prior to failure. I have since researched the problem and found that Turbo Charger failure is the #1 issue with this make and year.
Nothing air bags deployed was leaving a parking lot started went to drive off !! Bang 2000 bounds of pressure in my face! My whole body!! It was a rental !! Look into this vechicail !hair burnt! Fried wire smell still on my burnt jacket!!
Changed upstream O2 sensor, changed wastegate solenoid, turbo seems to be working fine, no noises, but losing power going up hills at highway speeds. Seriously unhappy and no recalls on this vehicle but it has the same turbo as other vehicles that has had recalls!!! I think this should be a recall!!!
6/21/22 Temp gauge rose to 3/4 mark, AC shut off, car really hot under hood, loss of power, car threw crankshaft position sensor code which we replaced. Had the temp gauge do it few more times from 6/21/22 to 8/13/22 when temp gauge did the same thing and car really hot under hood, smoke from tailpipe and loss of…
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,524 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 27% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Encore has 34 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 9, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an…
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an OTA event and how to reset/clear the message.
- Pi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection issue
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- Improvements to OnStar functionality
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic module with no DTC'ss
- Improvements to OnStar functionality
During the update process, your radio may stay on up to 5 minutes after you exit the vehicle. This is expected behavior when an update package is onboard the vehicle. Do not service your vehicle during installation.
- This PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered…
This PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered vehicles and advises of warranty direction.
NHTSA lists 537 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Buick Encore?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, service brakes. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: loss of power / limp mode (22%), warning lights, check engine (22%), A/C or heater (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Buick Encore?
NHTSA lists 537 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Buick Encore from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.