Buick Encore GX Transmission Problems

Transmission complaints by model year

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  650%
• 25k–50k
  325%
• 50k–75k
  325%
• 75k–100k
  00%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  00%

What owners report

Second complete powertrain failure on March 14, 2026 at 13,993 miles, nine days after first repair (complete transmission replacement for bone-dry sealed transmission). Symptoms: sudden loss of power on highway (unable to exceed 20 mph with accelerator fully depressed), hollow sound, noise described as "like a rock tumbling around inside." OnStar diagnostics returned "No Error Code Found" twice (11:14 AM and 11:17 AM) during active failure. Dealer (Loveland Buick GMC) diagnosed "battery issue" but provided indefinite loaner with no return date. Symptoms are consistent with engine bearing or connecting rod failure matching Cook et al. v. General Motors (Case No. 1:26-cv-00229, D. Del., filed March 4, 2026) covering 1.2L/1.3L turbo engines in the Buick Encore platform. …

Sealed transmission found "bone dry" at approximately 13,000 miles. No consumer-accessible dipstick. Complete transmission failure January 2, 2026. Second complete powertrain failure March 14, 2026, nine days after first repair completed. Symptoms on second failure (loss of power, hollow tumbling sound) consistent with engine bearing/connecting rod failure matching Cook et al. v. General Motors (Case No. 1:26-cv-00229, D. Del.) covering 1.2L/1.3L turbo engines. Dealer diagnosed "battery issue" on second failure and provided indefinite loaner. Vehicle purchased June 2025. Two failures within 9 months and 13,000 miles on a sealed powertrain system the consumer cannot inspect.

The contact owns a 2024 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that upon shifting the vehicle into drive, the vehicle failed to move, prompting the contact to turn off the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to immediately restart. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to start. Later, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly began to decelerate independently before returning to normal functionality. The contact also stated that previously, while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel went blank, failing to display any information. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2024 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH on the interstate, the vehicle was shuddering abnormally while accelerating, and the transmission failed to properly shift into gear. The contact was concerned about safety while driving the vehicle at highway speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated, or messages displayed prior to the failure. After the most recent failure, the vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,500.

The shifter assembly failed. When shifting to Park, a "Shift to Park" message appears on the driver information center. Although the shift lever is in the Park position, it is not recognized, and the car cannot be turned off or locked. The selling dealership inspected and confirmed the failure, which first appeared at about 21,000 miles (2023 model). The solution was to replace the shifter assembly (car is out of warranty by less than one month), at a cost of $562.10. Invoice breakdown: 1) Labor = 350.00, 2) Parts = 169.50, 3) Sales Tax = 42.60 It is interesting to note that the Labor rate of 350.00 is almost certainly a "flat rate", as the time to complete the repair was only about 30 minutes.

When starting from a traffic light after the green light, the car made mechanical noises and would not accelerate above approximately 25 mph. It seemed obvious at the time that the transmission had failed, which was later confirmed after being towed to the dealership. There were no warning lamps or messages displayed; however, during the previous days, there were a few instances when the transmission "shifted" hard (this seemed odd considering it is a CVT transmission).

The contact owns a 2022 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while shifting to park, the message "Shift to Park" remained on the instrument panel. The door locks failed to unlock automatically causing the contact to have to unlock the door manually. The following day the vehicle failed to start immediately. The contact stated that several attempts were made to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the gear shifter was not responding as needed. Additionally, the vehicle was idling rough. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin: 23/NA/119 with NHTSA ID Number: 11009103 (Power Train) and referred the contact to the dealer. …

The contact owns a 2022 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter was shifted into park(P); however, the "Shift to Park" message was displayed. The contact shifted the gear shifter back and forth between drive(D) and reverse (R) and then shifted into park(P) before the proper gear was recognized; however, on several occasions, the vehicle intermittently failed to turn off when the "Shift to Park" message was displayed, and the contact left the vehicle running until the vehicle shut off by itself. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the gearbox needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 30.