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2024 Buick Encore Gx Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2024 Buick Encore Gx carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering instrument cluster/panel. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Instrument panel and infotainment display blackout.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Campaign #23V744000 · Jun 11, 2023

Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Buick Encore GX, Envista, and Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The software in the Virtual Cockpit Unit Module (VCU) may cause the instrument panel display to intermittently go blank at vehicle startup or while driving.

Risk: A blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: The VCU software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A232424320.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2024 Buick Encore Gx.

Reported to NHTSA

Instrument panel and infotainment display blackout

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2024-03 → 2026-07

“The contact owns a 2024 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH and attempting to stop the vehicle, the instrument panel displayed a blank screen. An independent mechanic was contacted”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11750802
“On [XXX], I was driving on the [XXX] in San Diego, a rather busy freeway, and the instrument panel went black with no interference from me. I could not see speedometer or any other information about the car, like check engine light. I drove the 17 miles home”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11672726
“The Virtual Cockpit Unit on my Buick Encore GX ST 2024 keeps intermittently blackout at vehicle startup and or while driving”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11579563

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power door lock and alarm malfunction

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2024-10 → 2025-11

“door locks don't work. This is the second time in less than a year. Last time it took Buick 28 days to fix. Vehicle wont lock while driving or when parked. No warning. The dealer has had the vehicle since 10-20-25”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11698094
“All door locks wont activate both from door switches and key fob. Alarm is malfunction. Doors wont lock when moving. My car has been at the dealers for three weeks they have not been able to fix it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11618442

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear-view camera and side detection system malfunction

BACK OVER PREVENTION

2 NHTSA complaints · 2023-12 → 2026-04

“The contact owns a 2024 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed a blurry image, and the rear-view camera later displayed a solid red image”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11730354
“I started the Encore and dash flashed.Sevivice side detection system.Now the small lights on mirros dont show any more.It just happend today 12/17/2024”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11560548

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake squeal and grabbing at low speed

SERVICE BRAKES

2 NHTSA complaints · 2025-09 → 2025-10

“Noticed around 7000 miles that the brakes are squealing and grabbing at slow speeds”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11684239
“The brakes squeak constantly and occasionally skid or lock up”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11695260

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and transmission failure while driving

POWER TRAIN

4 NHTSA complaints · 2025-08 → 2026-07

“When driving on the freeway 60 mph, the car jerked and locked up, no warning lights, speedometer was rising and dropping rapidly, car slowly dropped speed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11750191
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11747164
“The issue has happened three times and has been "repaired" three times. While driving, the vehicle starts to shake violently. Then the check engine light comes on and the vehicle shuts off”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11681046

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 14, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 14, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

CVT Fluid (Encore GX / Envista FWD)

Every 45,000 mi

FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

5 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

0

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2024 Buick Encore Gx reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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