Is the 2020 Buick ENCORE reliable?

The 2020 Buick ENCORE has 32 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Buick ENCORE?

Top problems: ENGINE (7 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (4 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Buick ENCORE?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Buick ENCORE?

The 2020 Buick ENCORE gets 26 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1846. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2020 Buick ENCORE often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Buick ENCORE: low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Buick ENCORE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Buick ENCORE is approximately $1,487/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Buick ENCORE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Buick ENCORE has 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 105. The most common issue is engine problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: purchased new buick encore 2020 on 05/22/2000. previous vehicle was honda civic. encore never seemed to have enough power & would downshift. on 10/19/20 there was an issue action requested) detected by buick but i was not notified. then on 10/28/2020, we were diving the vehicle when it seemed to lo. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

7 complaints

22%

• PURCHASED NEW BUICK ENCORE 2020 ON 05/22/2000. PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS HONDA CIVIC. ENCORE NEVER SEEMED TO HAVE ENOUGH POWER & WOULD DOWNSHIFT. ON 10/19/20 THERE WAS AN ISSUE ACTION REQUESTED) DETECTED BY BUICK BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THEN ON 10/28/2020, WE WERE DIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SEEMED TO LO
• I was told there was a recall on my engine. My check engine light is on. My car doesn't speed up pass 75. When I try to speed up I can feel the gears change.and the car jerks
• Engine light is on and vehicle is sluggish on hills and keeping up in traffic. Rpms run high if I try. Error code p0299 shows on scanning device- turbo under boost. I have 112,000 miles and need turbo replaced already. this vehicle is very well maintained. I did see a special notice for the GX versi

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“PURCHASED NEW BUICK ENCORE 2020 ON 05/22/2000. PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS HONDA CIVIC. ENCORE NEVER SEEMED TO HAVE ENOUGH POWER & WOULD DOWNSHIFT. ON 10/19/20 THERE WAS AN ISSUE ACTION REQUESTED) DETECTED BY BUICK BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THEN ON 10/28/2020, WE WERE DIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SEEMED TO LO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Buick ENCORE

Based on 11 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 20K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS03/09/2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.

Risk: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202304380.

Low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Buick ENCORE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,847

Per month

$154

Per mile

15.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,656/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Buick ENCORE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,487

Full coverage / month

$124

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk0.90x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1487

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Buick New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Buick. If you're buying a used 2020 ENCORE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Buick dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 32 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: PURCHASED NEW BUICK ENCORE 2020 ON 05/22/2000. PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS HONDA CIVIC. ENCORE NEVER SEEMED TO HAVE ENOUGH POWER & WOULD DOWNSHIFT. ON 10/19/20 THERE WAS AN ISSUE ACTION REQUESTED) DETECTED BY BUICK BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THEN ON 10/28/2020, WE WERE DIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SEEMED TO LO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL. IT ACTED AS IT WAS ACCELERATING AND THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL QUIT AND I LOST SPEED. I REGAINED SPEED AND THEN IT LURCHED AGAIN; THE CRUISE CONTROL AGAIN WENT OFF. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE ENGIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: PURCHASED NEW BUICK ENCORE 2020 ON 05/22/2000. PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS HONDA CIVIC. ENCORE NEVER SEEMED TO HAVE ENOUGH POWER & WOULD DOWNSHIFT. ON 10/19/20 THERE WAS AN ISSUE ACTION REQUESTED) DETECTED BY BUICK BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THEN ON 10/28/2020, WE WERE DIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SEEMED TO LO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: Imthe original owner and purchased the car new 4 years ago. At 89,000 miles, the check engine light came on indicating codes for emission controls not working efficiently. Later additional codes indicated problems with the fuel evaporator. The car started having problems every time I filled up the g
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)