Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Buick Encore GX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while attempting to stop, the brake pedal was depressed and it traveled to the floorboard causing the brakes to fail to stop the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact residence however, the brakes failed again. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was unaware if a diagnostic test was performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse on several occasions, the brake was depressed and there was an abnormal foghorn sound coming from the driver's side rear wheel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was taken to the residence where the rear driver's side wheel was removed. The caliper was removed, and the contact became aware that piston inside the caliper had fractured in half. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
The contact's fianc owns a 2020 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated while driving approximately 2 MPH, the vehicle was unable to stop while the brake pedal was depressed and the parking brake was activated. Additionally, the vehicle made grinding sounds while the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the dealer reprogrammed the brake system; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,600.
I was traveling to school when my breaks didn't work I tried them twice and I crashed into another vehicle. And the month or march I took it into to Buick for break issues and they said everything was fine.
I was at a stop light and the light turned green, I preceded to press the accelerator, I was just starting to move forward and the, peddle seemed to take over with my assistance went all the way down and began speeding up. I tried breaking and the car just kept going and not wanting to slow down and kept gaining speed, I had to put car in neutral and turn engine off. Same day, same trip about 4 miles down the road, I began to slow down (35mph) due to a turning vehicle and when I was clear to accelerate once again, it happened again, again, I tried the breaks, and the car kept fighting the break and kept gaining speed, once again I had to put the car in neutral and turn off the engine, the speeds reached 65 mph. before I was able to place in neutral and turn off the engine. …
This is a new issue. Upon exiting my car last night. My car would not shift into park. Everytime I cycled the engine and shift to different gears then park. The car stated it need to be shifted into park still. Without it being in park The car could possibly roll down the hill. Also without it being able to be shifted into park. It continued to flash and keep lights and warning sign on. If not being able to shift into park. I could not leave my car until it recognized the car was in park. The car battery would have drained.
Dealership, fixed brakes due to previous recall. Brakes continue to squeal and grind with every stop. Was informed by dealership that they can do no further repair because it is considered a noise and not a safety issue. Grinding brakes are a safety issue!!!
2/3/2021 I was driving with my daughter today. She was driving and we were approaching a left hand turn at an intersection. We had a green light and I could see that her foot was on the brake. She started the turn with her foot still on the brake. The vehicle accelerated while her foot was on the brake and the steering wasn't responding. We hit a telephone pole. This vehicle was purchased less than 2 weeks ago and has less than 115 miles on it. This is a major safety issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated while making a u-turn, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the brake system failure warning light was illuminated. The contact engaged the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact pulled over and parked at a nearby parking lot. The contact received a notification text of NHTSA campaign number: 20V588000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact felt unsafe driving the vehicle. The vehicle was left in the parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer ed morse sawgrass Buick GMC located at 14351 w sunrise blvd, sunrise, fl 33323, [phone], where it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH she received an alert that the stabil trak system and the anti lock brake system were malfunctioning. The lights said do not travel over 62 MPH. The contact felt the brakes going all the way to floor and not braking properly. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot and shutoff then restart the vehicle. The warning lights did not reappear so the contact continued on the road. When contact got on the road, the indicators went off again and she pulled over off the road into a parking lot. The contact did same process of shutting off and restarting and was able to finally arrive at her home. The contact called the dealer southtowne motors 695 bullsboro dr, newnan, ga 30265 [phone]. The dealer said they could not set an appointment right away and had no loaners for the contact. …
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020.
Brake complaints in other Encore GX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2020 Buick Encore GX?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 Buick Encore GX, 30% of the model year's 70 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › caliper (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 Buick Encore GX brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-588 (service brakes, Sep 24, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2020 Buick Encore GX brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 1,000 miles, and 86% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.