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Buick Encore GX VIN Number Check

Decode a Buick Encore GX VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefixKL4

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Buick Encore GX

About the Buick Encore GX

Buick has sold the Encore GX in the US since the 2020 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recall campaigns and 232 owner complaints. The 2020 has the most complaints of any model year (70). EPA rates it at 27–31 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2020–2026
EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
NHTSA recall campaigns4
Owner complaints232 at NHTSA
Buick Encore GX photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Buick Encore GX at a glance

One generation in the data, 2020–2026: 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 232 owner complaints.

1 / 1
Encore GX
2020–2026Small Sport Utility Vehicle
Buick Encore GX (2020–2026)

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

20202025
2020–2026

Buick Encore GX

EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
EPA combined mpg27–31
NHTSA recalls4

Engines (EPA)

  • 1.2 L 3-cyl (turbo) · 2020–2026
  • 1.3 L 3-cyl (turbo) · 2020–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, FWD
  • CVT (2020–2026), automatic (2020–2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (61)Engine and cooling (55)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (51)

Mentions in 232 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Encore GXKL4MMDSL?LB······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2020 Buick Encore GX Select, built in Bupyeong, South Korea
Check an Encore GX VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Encore GX model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 4 campaigns on file for Encore GX model years 2020–2026, and the 2020, 2021 and 2024 show up in the most (2 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2024
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Buick Encore GX owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2020 and 2021 hold 123 of the 232 complaints, or 53%. Tap any bar or generation.

232NHTSA complaints, 2020–2026
8mention a crash
1mention a fire
10injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearEncore GX: 232 complaints · most for the 2020 (70)

Top complaint areas · Encore GX

Mentions in 232 complaints, 2020–2026.

Electrical system61
Engine and cooling55
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)51
Brakes35
Fuel system19
Steering13
Crashes 8Fires 1Injuries 10

2020–2026

NHTSA data summary

The 2020 is the outlier. On its own it has 70 of the ’s 232 complaints (30%), more than any other Encore GX model year. By area, nothing stands out. Electrical system leads with 61, with engine and cooling (55) and the powertrain (51) close behind.

What Encore GX owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2020–present (1st generation)

Owner data is thin, with fewer than 70 NHTSA complaints in any year and only a handful of CarComplaints reports. The most common NHTSA complaint on the 2020 and 2022 is a Shift to Park message that appears when the shifter is already in Park, and 2020 owners also mention brake concerns. CarComplaints owners describe the same Shift to Park message on the 2021 and radio problems on the 2020. Recalls cover a brake boost sensor connection on some 2020–2021 models that may interrupt power brake assist. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the brake boost recall on 2020 and 2021 models.
  • Ask whether the shifter or its park switch has been repaired.
  • On the drive, shift into Park and turn the engine off several times to confirm it shuts down cleanly, and test the radio and phone connection.
Sources (3) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2020 Buick Encore GX
  2. CarComplaints.com, 2021 Buick Encore GX problems
  3. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2022 Buick Encore GX

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Encore GX complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Encore GX version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

232complaints, 2020–2026
8mention a crash
1mention a fire
10injuries reported
Most complaints: 2020 (70), 2021 (53), 2022 (32)
70’2053’2132’22’25

2020 · 70 complaints

Crashes 5 · fires 0 · injuries 3

Service brakes21
Unknown or other19
Power train18
Electrical system16
Engine14

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Encore GX CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 21 Encore GX versions for model years 2020–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 288 g/mi (2021). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Encore GX2020–2026

27–31 mpg · CO₂ 288–339 g/mi

2025
30combined MPG
297CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,250EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: FWD · Auto (variable gear ratios), 3 cyl, 1.2 L, Turbo — 30 MPG · 297 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
250300350400450202020252020 · Gas: 2882021 · Gas: 2882022 · Gas: 2962023 · Gas: 2962024 · Gas: 2972025 · Gas: 2972026 · Gas: 297
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Encore GX vs Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Kia Seltos

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2020–2026. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the Encore GX, against 5 for the Chevrolet Trailblazer and 4 for the Kia Seltos. Pick a range to compare.

Buick Encore GX

Model years 2020–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
4
NHTSA owner complaints
232
EPA combined mpg
27–31
Engines (EPA)
3-cyl 1.2, 1.3 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 61
  2. Engine and cooling 55
  3. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 51

Chevrolet Trailblazer

Model years 2020–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
5
NHTSA owner complaints
438
EPA combined mpg
27–31
Engines (EPA)
3-cyl 1.2, 1.3 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 113
  2. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 99
  3. Engine and cooling 89

Kia Seltos

Model years 2020–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
4
NHTSA owner complaints
553
EPA combined mpg
25–31
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 350
  2. Electrical system 91
  3. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 88

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Buick Encore GX VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an Encore GX

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Grey Buick Encore GX (first generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Encore GX subcompact crossover carries its VIN at the lower driver's windshield, on the door jamb sticker, and on a B-pillar label. Manufactured in Korea for the US market, the VIN will confirm the KL4 or similar assembly prefix.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Buick Encore GX VIN questions

Which Buick Encore GX model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2020 leads with 70, ahead of the 2021 (53) and 2022 (32). Those first two alone make up 53% of the 232 Encore GX complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Buick Encore GX had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 4 vehicle campaigns for model years 2020–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

What fuel economy does the Buick Encore GX get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2020–2026 Encore GX at 27–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Buick Encore GX compare with the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Kia Seltos on recalls?

For 2020–2026 models the Encore GX has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Chevrolet Trailblazer has 5, the Kia Seltos 4. Complaints run 232, 438 and 553 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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