This engineering information (EI) closure ends the need for gathering further information from technicians in regard to the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated on Driver Information Center (DIC), DTC P0299 Set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2024 Buick Encore GX electrical problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 14 electrical complaints filed for the 2024 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
Of the 4 model years of Buick Encore GX we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 14.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This warranty administration bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on System Reset and Connector Reconnect Labor Code Numbers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This engineering information (EI) is requesting information from technicians to perform the check list provided and contact the engineer listed in regard to the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for a battery drain utilizing the Picoscope and how to measure the load on the system that may be causing a drain.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2024 Buick Encore GX is fielding complaints about a cluster of electrical failures. Most common is the instrument panel going completely black while driving—speedometer, fuel gauge, warning lights all gone—leaving drivers without critical information. This happens on brand-new vehicles around 1,200–1,700 miles with no warning. Some owners' screens come back after restart or sitting; others stay dark until dealer intervention.
The infotainment system and radio screens black out similarly. One owner found the screen recovered after manually triggering a software update, shutting down for an hour, and restarting—suggesting a potential software glitch, but dealers haven't confirmed or fixed it.
Door locks fail completely, responding to neither door switches nor key fobs, leaving vehicles unable to lock while parked or driving. One owner had the same failure twice in under a year; current repairs have stalled three weeks at dealership with no solution.
Headlights and taillights cut out randomly. Fuel gauges read wildly inaccurate—showing 44 miles remaining, then the car shuts down 10–12 miles later as if empty. There's an existing NHTSA recall (23V744000) for electrical issues, but many owners' VINs aren't included despite identical symptoms. Dealers often cannot diagnose the problems, and parts are on backorder for months.
Failure modes owners describe
Instrument Cluster Display Blackout
The instrument panel display goes completely black while driving or at startup, rendering speedometer, fuel gauge, mileage, warning lights, and other vital driver information invisible. Some owners report the failure is intermittent and may resolve after restart or time; others experience persistent blackouts.
When: Between 1,246 and 1,714 miles on new vehicles; one owner reported it starting October 21, 2024. No consistent trigger identified by owners.
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel display completely black; Speedometer not visible; Fuel gauge not visible; Warning lights not visible; Mileage display not visible; No error messages or warning lights preceding failure; Screen may come back after restart or time
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealer waiting on replacement part on back order since October 28, 2024, with expected delivery slipping from months out. One owner's repair was performed under recall 23V744000 but failure persisted. Multiple owners report dealership unable to diagnose or repair the issue after multiple visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 23V744000 (Electrical System) exists but reportedly does not cover all affected VINs. Some owners' vehicles are excluded from the recall despite identical symptoms.
Infotainment System Display Blackout
The infotainment system display and radio screen go black during operation. Unlike the instrument cluster, this sometimes recovers after restart or after accessing the vehicle settings menu to perform software updates.
When: Starting at approximately 1,714 miles on some vehicles; no specific timing given on others.
Symptoms owners cite: Infotainment screen completely black; Radio display black; Screen may recover after restart; Screen may recover after selecting 'Update' or 'Previous Updates' in settings; Screens flicker or blink as if restarting; Screen gets very hot
Repairs/costs cited: One owner managed to restore function by selecting 'Update' twice in infotainment settings, then 'Previous Updates,' then shutting vehicle off for one hour before restart. Another owner reports screen malfunctions with CarPlay.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer was notified via voicemail by at least one owner but repair was not performed. Manufacturer was not officially notified per that narrative.
Door Lock Electrical Failure
All door locks become inoperative, preventing the owner from locking the vehicle using either door switches or key fob. Locks fail both while driving and while parked with no warning.
When: Occurring on vehicles with unknown mileage; one occurrence mentioned 'second time in less than a year' on a 2024 model.
Symptoms owners cite: Door locks will not activate from door switches; Door locks will not activate from key fob; Doors will not lock while driving; Doors will not lock while parked; No warning light or message before failure
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports previous lock failure took Buick 28 days to repair. Current dealer visit has lasted three weeks without resolution on another owner's vehicle.
Alarm System Malfunction
The vehicle alarm system is not functioning correctly in conjunction with door lock failures.
When: Unknown; mentioned alongside door lock failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Alarm malfunction; Alarm not arming when doors lock
Headlight and Taillight Intermittent Failure
Headlights and taillights turn off randomly during operation, creating a safety hazard. Owner characterizes this as increasingly common among Buick owners.
When: Unknown mileage or timing.
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights turn off at random times while driving; Taillights turn off at random times while driving
Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy and Fuel System Indication Failure
The fuel gauge and fuel level indicator display incorrect information, showing 44 miles of fuel remaining when the vehicle actually can only run 10–12 more miles. Vehicle shuts down as if out of fuel despite gauge showing 25–30 miles of range remaining.
When: Unknown; mentioned alongside other electrical glitches.
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge shows incorrect remaining mileage; Vehicle stops as if out of fuel despite gauge showing fuel remaining; Vehicle will not restart until fuel is added, even though gauge indicated sufficient fuel
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to identify cause.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
Screen gets very hot and randomly goes black and malfunctions as well as carplay
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.
The display screen will glitch and completely go black while driving. I have tried turning the car off to hopefully “reset” the issue, and sometimes the entire display will not come on at all. I have taken my car in 4-5 times to my local dealership only to be blown off. Lately my headlights and taillights are going off at random times. The are a huge safety concern and it seems increasingly…
this is a software issue. it’s always cutting in and out turning blank at times/ glitching / disconnecting just a bunch of stuff that gets very annoying and frustrating especially when driving.
The brakes squeak constantly and occasionally skid or lock up. The car will occasionally have all electrical power disconnected so all screens go blank for 2-3 secs (sometimes in succession for 3 times max), the car will continue to run and drive. However, the screens will blink as if starting up each time the car does this. The car will also indicate 44 miles left until tank is empty,…
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.
Same issue that happened a couple years ago in which a recall was issued. My 2024 Buick Encore GX ST screen went blank. I was unable to see my odometer, speed, fuel gauge etc. while operating the vehicle.
Upon starting up my car, the instrument panel (showing speed, mileage, warning lights, fuel level, blinkers, etc) was completely blank. The entire dashboard is displayed via illumination. This lasted about an hour. There is an open recall on this exact issue, but my VIN isn't included in the recall.
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. At my home, I restarted the car several times and the screen was still black. A separate screen with the radio, etc. was still working…
The contact owns a 2024 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the instrument panel displayed a blank screen. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred every 31 seconds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed VCU module. The contact was informed that the VCU module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
Had electrical trouble with your 2024 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 electrical problem on the 2024 Buick Encore GX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 28,507 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2024/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.