Brakes are noisy more going in reverse. Dealer ordered updated front brakes on 12/8/2020 and as of 12/23/2020 they have not been received and do not have a date when they will be in. Tried to call gm customer service but they do not answer the phone. Also when the car was in the repair shop they completed recalls #'s a202310450, a202295530 & a202301230. Also I never received any notices on any…
2020 Buick Encore GX brakes problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 12 brakes complaints filed for the 2020 Buick Encore GX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Brakes accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2020 Buick Encore GX has a documented General Motors recall (20V588000) for a contaminated sensor in the electronic brake boost system that can cause complete loss of brake assist. Multiple owners report brake pedal failure at low mileages, with some experiencing crashes; repair parts were unavailable during the complaint period and brake noise issues persist even after recall attempts.
Owners of 2020 Buick Encore GX vehicles report brake system failures affecting both safety-critical assist functions and noise issues. The most serious complaints involve loss of brake assist: pedals travel to the floorboard with minimal stopping power, sometimes while the electronic brake boost system shows active warning lights. These incidents occur at low mileage (starting around 1,200 miles) and have led to at least two reported collisions. One owner reported brake failure during a basic stop at 2 MPH while the parking brake was engaged.
General Motors issued recall 20V588000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) citing contaminated sensor material in the electronic brake boost system that interrupts communication between the sensor and boost module. The remedy requires replacing the electronic brake boost module, but multiple owners report parts remained unavailable for extended periods during their complaint window, leaving vehicles unrepaired and unsafe to drive.
Separate from assist loss, owners report brake noise—squealing and grinding sounds—particularly in reverse. One owner's inspection revealed a fractured caliper piston. Dealers have declined to address noise complaints, classifying them as non-safety issues despite owner concerns about mechanical integrity. Dealership communication delays and lack of loaner vehicles compounded owner frustration.
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal loss of assist / excessive travel to floor
Electronic brake boost system loses assist, causing brake pedal to travel to floorboard with minimal stopping power. Owners report needing extreme pedal force or multiple pumps to slow or stop the vehicle. Some incidents resulted in collisions.
When: Reported from 1,251 miles to 45,000 miles; multiple occurrences within single trips at various speeds (2 MPH to 45 MPH)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels to floorboard; Insufficient braking force despite full pedal depression; Brake system failure warning light illuminated; Pedal must be pumped multiple times to achieve braking; Symptoms recur after vehicle restart or temporary improvement
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 20V588000 - Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers confirm recall parts unavailable at time of complaint. One owner reports dealer reprogrammed brake system without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V588000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and General Motors recall notice describing contaminated sensor connection material in electronic brake boost system. Remedy: Replace electronic brake boost module. Status: Recall incomplete, remedy not yet available as of complaint dates.
Brake noise - squealing and grinding
Brakes produce abnormal squealing or grinding sounds, particularly when reversing or during normal stops. One instance involved fractured caliper piston.
When: Reported at 101,000 miles and during routine braking operations; noisy brakes noted post-recall repair
Symptoms owners cite: Squealing or grinding sounds during braking; Abnormal foghorn sound from driver's side rear wheel; Grinding sound when brake pedal depressed; Noise more prominent when reversing
Repairs/costs cited: Caliper piston fractured in half on driver's side rear wheel. Updated front brake pads were on order (as of December 2020) but not received. Dealership claims noise-only issues cannot be repaired as not classified as safety issue by manufacturer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers cite noise as non-safety classification and decline further repair. Updated brake components were ordered but supply delays prevented installation.
StabiliTrak and ABS warning lights with limp-mode behavior
Electronic stability control and anti-lock brake system warnings appear, accompanied by system restrictions (speed limiters) and temporary brake assist loss. Symptoms sometimes resolve after vehicle restart.
When: 1,487 miles; occurred multiple times during single trip
Symptoms owners cite: StabiliTrak malfunction warning light; Anti-lock brake system malfunction warning light; Speed restriction alert (do not travel over 62 MPH); Brake pedal felt going to floor; Brakes not working properly; Warning lights resolve temporarily after restart, then reappear
Codes mentioned: StabiliTrak system malfunction, Anti-lock brake system malfunction
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Current NHTSA recall 20V588000 on vehicle; manufacturer had not been contacted by dealer and vehicle remained unrepaired at time of complaint.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Dealership, fixed brakes due to previous recall. Brakes continue to squeal and grind with every stop. Was informed by dealership that they can do no further repair because it is considered a noise and not a safety issue. Grinding brakes are a safety issue!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Buick encore. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH she received an alert that the stabil trak system and the anti lock brake system were malfunctioning. The lights said do not travel over 62 MPH. The contact felt the brakes going all the way to floor and not braking properly. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot and shutoff then restart the…
General motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2020 model year Cadillac ct4, ct5 and xt4 vehicles, 2020model year Chevrolet corvette vehicles, 2020 ' 2021 model year Buick encore gx vehicles, and 2021 model year Chevrolet trailblazer vehicles. Material used in a sensor connection in the electronic brake boost system in these vehicles may have been…
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Buick encore gx. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The brake pedal was pumped several times to stop the vehicle. The contact pulled over into a parking spot. The vehicle was towed to schumacher Buick GMC (3031 okeechobee blvd, west palm beach, fl 33409, (561) 935-4239) and the contact was informed that the vehicle was…
Had brakes trouble with your 2020 Buick Encore GX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2020 Buick Encore GX?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 23,116 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Buick/Encore GX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.