Most common 2021 Buick Encore problems
Share of the 9 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Buick Encore complaints by model year
Best Encore years: 2021, 2022, 2020. Years to avoid: 2015, 2019, 2017. Compare all years →
What 2021 Buick Encore owners say
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.
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.
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!!!
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.
2021 Buick Encore engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3L 3-cyl turbo | CVT | FWD | 30 / 32 / 31 |
| 1.2L 3-cyl turbo | CVT | FWD | 28 / 31 / 29 |
| 1.3L 3-cyl turbo | 9-speed automatic | AWD | 26 / 29 / 28 |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 25 / 30 / 27 |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 24 / 29 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Buick Encore a good car?
Based on 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Encore rates better than average: 74% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Encore at the same age. It is one of the best Encore years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Buick Encore?
The engine & cooling — 3 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (3) and brakes (2).
How many recalls does the 2021 Buick Encore have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2021 Buick Encore. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Buick Encore?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021, 2022 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2015, 2019 and 2017. See the full Buick Encore years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 Buick Encore problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 38,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.