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Vehicle safety record

2021 Buick Encore Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2021 Buick Encore with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (3) and the transmission & drivetrain (3). Those complaints describe 1 injury. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 2020 has 19 and the 2022 has 8.

NHTSA data checked

AFar fewer problems than a typical Encore year, for its age

#174 most complained-about 2021 vehicle

Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 2021 Buick Encore problems

Share of all 9 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 2021 Buick Encore

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2021 Buick Encore. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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9 complaints about the 2021 Buick Encore

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

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. Seems to mostly happen during rainy days.

Filed Incident Power train · Service brakesNHTSA 11740366
Engine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11698861
Brakes

The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firm while depressed. 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. The dealer and another dealer, Mangino Chevrolet, INC. (4447...

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NY-30, Amsterdam, NY 12010); were made aware of the failure, but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V588000 (Service Brakes); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 11682080
Engine & cooling

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. This should not have happened in this new of a vehicle. This is a dangerous and costly repair that falls on a faulty flex pipe and not covered by the warranty.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11675559
Transmission & drivetrain

Turbo Charger failed while passing a semi-trailer truck causing a severe lack of power and almost causing a head on collision with on-coming traffic. I had 3 passengers at the time. The problem has been confirmed by a independent service center and I am getting a second opinion from a dealer on 2/3. 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.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11639039
Other & unknown

The 2021 Buick Encore was listed by the NHTSA as having a parts recall with the Evaporative Emission Purge Pump, yet when I look up my VIN and talk to the dealer, I'm told the vehicle is not recalled, even though I'm having the exact same issue that was described in the recall. I've been delaying servicing because I was told the part was on back order but now they have it in stock and I'm hoping I don't have to pay for it since my issue is the same one that was listed in the recall.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11594871
Electrical systemAirbags1 injury

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!! Look into this with great concern as iam reaching out with shock and awe about this whole situation that accured** there is video of accurance in parking lot * think the owner is going to try to cover up what ever he can , saying that for reason's of my own! Please...

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someone's job to investagte right ! Black box data speed which 2 miles a hour was speed .. Couldnt see * air bags even came up from the peddles?? Why ?? So cant put the breaks on? Like iwas trapped hurt did not know what was going on .

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 11557296
Transmission & drivetrain

Already had turbo go on this car once back in July 2022. Mechanic replaced turbo with another one (used with 20,000 miles on it) due to the turbo for this car being on backorder. Now my car is throwing P0299 after about 20,000 more miles being put on the used turbo and a P0420 code. Changed rear catalytic. 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!!!

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11505585
Engine & cooling

Had an oil change done 6/13/22. 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 power. Took to repair shop, they want to replace engine, oil lines, turbo and gaskets. Car has 121530 miles on it.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11483354

Buick Encore: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20228010Transmission & drivetrainA
20219000Engine & coolingA
202019210Engine & coolingA
201988292Engine & coolingD
2018750100Engine & coolingC
2017902124Engine & coolingD
All Encore years

2021 Buick Encore vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2021 Buick Encore

Does the 2021 Buick Encore have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2021 Buick Encore right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Buick Encore?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (3), transmission & drivetrain (3), brakes (2).

How many complaints has the 2021 Buick Encore had?

9 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 7, 2022 and the latest on May 27, 2026. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 2021 Buick Encore a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 93 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Buick Encore year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Buick Encore years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2021 Buick Encore has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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