*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Service brakes
While driving my 2025 Buick Encore GX Avenir, I experienced a sudden, catastrophic electronic and mechanical failure. Without warning, the brake pedal became extremely stiff, requiring massive physical effort to slow the vehicle down. Simultaneously, the dashboard displayed warning lights indicating that both the StabiliTrak system and the Power Steering system were disabled, causing a sudden loss of steering assist.The vehicle was towed via Buick Roadside Assistance to Ewing Buick in [XXX]. This simultaneous failure of braking, steering, and stability control represents an extreme safety hazard. The vehicle is currently at Ewing Buick, who is the dealership that sold me the vehicle in…
Aug 24, 2026Electrical system
The contact owned a 2025 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the GPS failed to operate properly. Additionally, the air conditioning system was inoperable. The contact stated that while driving in the heat, the contact to briefly became unconscious. Due to the failure, OnStar was contacted to providing GPS assistance. After arriving to the destination, the navigation system started operating as designed. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with engine under-boost failure, loss in communication with the telematics communication interface control module, an open ethernet bus, an auxiliary heater command low voltage, lost communication…
Jul 7, 2026 · 20,000 milesPower train
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.
Jan 2, 2026Electrical system
nStar remote diagnostic system returned five false-negative results across two confirmed mechanical failures. January 2, 2026: two diagnostics at 5:50 PM and 5:53 PM returned "No Error Code Found" while the transmission was actively failing. At 8:39 PM, the system identified P0700 and P2714 (Transmission System Failure, "Service within 1 day"). March 14, 2026: two diagnostics at 11:14 AM and 11:17 AM returned "No Error Code Found" while the vehicle could not exceed 20 mph on a highway. OnStar agent instructed a permanently disabled driver with a [XXX] passenger to continue driving during the first failure. GM issued a September 2025 TSB for "Loss of OnStar Connectivity" affecting all makes.…
Jan 2, 2026Engine
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…
Mar 14, 2026Electrical system
My 2025 Buick Encore GX has experienced an ongoing failure of the rear backup camera system. The issue began intermittently in February 2026, and earlier this month (March) it has progressively worsened. The camera now does not function at all. When shifting into reverse, the display often shows a black screen with a âcamera unavailableâ warning message. On some occasions, the camera briefly functions but displays severe distortion, including abnormal colors, flickering, and warning symbols overlaid on the image. The issue continues to occur intermittently and unpredictably. This failure creates a safety concern because the backup camera is a required safety feature intended to assist…
Feb 10, 2026Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking
Component: Parking Assist / Driver Assistance Sensors / Object Detection Incident Description: While operating my Buick Encore GX, I executed a controlled, low-speed right turn and struck a stationary structural column within the vehicleâs path. The column was a fixed, solid object located in close proximity to the vehicleâprecisely within the range the vehicleâs parking assist and object detection systems are intended to detect. No audible or visual warning was provided at any time prior to impact. According to the ownerâs handbook, these systems are designed to detect nearby obstacles and provide alerts during low-speed maneuvers, including turning and parking. The conditions of…
Feb 24, 2026Electrical system
In my car there is an electrical issue with the radio. Sometimes when Iâm backing up and using the camera the lane assistance doesnât work properly which can cause someone to back into things if they are using it. Also another issue it has is when Iâm driving the entire radio and dashboard flicks and the screen goes out which is dangerous when driving because now Iâm not sure what my speed level is checking gas levels if your on phone calls it isnât consistent. I think this is a major safety issue not sure if itâs electrical but the dashboard and screen goes out together randomly and it affects reverse driving and just driving in general.
Oct 1, 2025
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.