The auto-stop doesn’t always work when idling at stop signs or stoplights. When I release the brake pedal the engine stalls and fails to restart out of “Auto-Stop”. The dashboard goes completely blank. I then have to shift into park and restart the engine. This is a serious safety concern I have taken the vehicle to the dealership twice and they indicate they do not know how to fix the issue.
Buick Encore GX stalling problems
11 of the 243 owner complaints about the Buick Encore GX describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 2020 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 2020
By model year
- 20262
- 20251
- 20231
- 20222
- 20212
- 20203
Often reported together
What owners say
I am reporting a recurring safety issue involving unexpected stalling and loss of propulsion in a 2022 Buick Encore GX. In February 2026, the dealership replaced the vehicle's transmission with a rebuilt transmission. Since then, the vehicle has continued to experience sporadic stalling and drivability failures over the past eight months. It has been brought to the dealership at least six times since February for inspection and repair. Despite these efforts, the problem continues. Most recently, on October 20, 2026, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled while my husband was driving in downtown Boston. It had to be towed to an impound facility and, after retrieval, was towed to the dealership, where it currently remains available for inspection. There were no symptoms and no warning lights prior to the incident outside of the months of similar sporadic incidents. The vehicle has spent more than 25 business days at the dealership since February. Despite the rebuilt transmission replacement and repeated repair attempts, the stalling issue remains unresolved. It goes without saying that unexpected stalling and loss of propulsion pose a serious safety risk, particularly in congested city traffic and on busy roadways. Sudden loss of power can leave the vehicle stranded in traffic, prevent safe maneuvering, and increase the risk of a collision. The dealership has repeatedly inspected and attempted to repair the vehicle, including replacing the transmission, but the problem continues. I have also submitted a complaint with GMC. I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether this recurring failure represents a safety-related defect affecting this vehicle or other vehicles of the same make and model.
When the vehicle engages auto-off at a stoplight, the engine stalls when trying to reengage. The engine also struggles to engage from a manual start, sometimes needing to try starting the engine three or four times before it will turn on. Two Buick dealerships inspected the vehicle and confirmed GM has an open investigation on the issue and that there is currently no fix. They recommended disabling the auto-off in the meantime. There is no temporary fix for the manual ignition issue.
My vehicle suddenly stalled and completely shut off while I was driving. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms to alert me there was any engine issues. I was definitely put in danger as I was driving at rush hour in a 6 lane busy US 1 Federal Highway. The vehicle was stalled, without any power, in the middle lane with cars and trucks swerving around me at the last minute. I called 911 immediately and they dispatched cruisers to help push my vehicle across 4 lanes of traffic. This meant having to block 4 lanes of moving traffic. It was a long 10 minutes of waiting as angry drivers were leaning on their horns in frustration. AAA flatbed towed my vehicle to a near mechanic's shop, but it was after hours and had to be left there until morning. The mechanic inspected the problem and confirmed the issue was a fuel module and fuel pump failure. How does this happen without any alerts to the driver? How can you prepare a driver of such a serious engine failure putting that driver and other surrounding drivers at such a serious risk? This should be a safety recall and fixed by the dealer without charge to the driver. That is, if the driver is still alive.
I am writing to formally report a serious mechanical failure involving my vehicle and to request further review and assistance. While operating my vehicle, it unexpectedly stalled in the middle of an intersection, creating a significant safety hazard. At the time of the incident, the check engine light illuminated and the RPMs surged to a range between 6 and 8. I was able to safely move the vehicle to the side of the road, place it in park, and have it towed to a dealership for inspection. Following their evaluation, I was informed that the transmission requires replacement. I have since become aware of a recall related to transmission issues; however, I was advised by a Buick representative that my VIN is not included in the recall. Given that my vehicle is experiencing the same or a substantially similar failure, this determination raises concerns and warrants further review. I have consistently adhered to all recommended maintenance schedules and have taken proper care of my vehicle. Based on the circumstances, I respectfully request a thorough reassessment of my case, including reconsideration for coverage or assistance with the necessary repairs. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response.
I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2023 Buick Encore GX that repeatedly shuts off while driving and doesn’t restart when auto stop is on, it leaves me stranded in traffic. The vehicle has been in the shop multiple times since February 13, and the issue has not been resolved. A service advisor has stated he is not comfortable putting me back in the vehicle and wants to help get me out of this car. I am requesting escalation, a case number, and immediate resolution. After having the oil changed in February, the check engine light came on soon after. Car had left me stranded prior to the battery being replaced. After 4 times in the same shop, they say a bad ground connection may now be the problem, however they also said they recharged the battery the visit prior.
I am reporting a defect involving my **2025 Buick Encore GX AWD manufactured by General Motors. Within two days of purchasing the vehicle, the dashboard displayed the warning message “Service Charging System – Vehicle May Stall.” I contacted the dealership on the third day of ownership and was instructed to bring the vehicle in for service. Since that time the vehicle has required multiple repair visits related to the charging system. Repairs included diagnosis of the electrical charging system, replacement of the alternator, and replacement of wiring harness components related to the charging system. I later learned the alternator had already been replaced prior to my purchase of the vehicle, and it required replacement again after purchase during the repair process. Because the charging system warning appeared almost immediately after purchase, I am concerned the defect may have existed prior to the vehicle being sold. Although the warning message is not currently appearing after the most recent repair, the defect occurred almost immediately after purchase and required repeated service visits. The vehicle still does not appear to operate normally. While driving at a steady highway speed, pressing the accelerator sometimes results in no immediate response. There can be a delay of approximately one to two seconds before the vehicle begins accelerating even when additional pressure is applied to the accelerator pedal. I have also noticed the engine sounds louder than expected while idling. Because the original warning indicated the vehicle may stall and the vehicle continues to demonstrate abnormal acceleration response, I believe this may represent a potential safety concern. I sought resolution with the manufacturer, however the manufacturer has not accepted responsibility for the condition. I am submitting this complaint so the issue is documented in case other owners experience similar charging system or acceleration problems.
The contact owns a 2022 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the power steering and brakes were difficult to operate. The contact coasted to the side of the road and attempted to restart the vehicle. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the message "Battery in Safe Mode" was displayed. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The dealer was able to restart the vehicle however, the dealer was unable to determine what caused the vehicle to stall. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred two more times. The contact had the vehicle towed to a different dealer, and it was diagnosed and determined that the alternator and the 12-Volt battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate immediately and stalled. Additionally, the EPC warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the fuel pump needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I have only had the vehicle for a year. On multiple occasions the vehicle feels like it is slipping gears (more often when the autostop feature is turned on). On multiple occasions the vehicle has stalled out and would not do anything when pressing on gas- didn't even rev, did absolutely nothing. These stall outs happened crossing highways, at stop lights, stop signs, etc. There were no warnings prior to the incidences, though the vehicle did through an engine/transmission code afterwards, the code would go away. The first several attempts of taking it to the dealership (last year) as it is still under warranty- it was not checked. i was simply told it was a "glitch" and it was fine. They did not record in their system that i requested it to be checked either apparently. They only recorded that i brought it in for an oil change. They only checked into it this February after my boyfriend told them what it was doing. They kept it and replaced one part in the transmission. The vehicle continued to have the same issues and threw a code withing the first 5 minutes after picking it up. I took it back in- and they said it was doing the issues because of the code it threw. I told them it was doing it again before it threw the code. They said it simply needed a line vacuumed out, and then gave it back to me. It continued to have the same issues and stalled out again causing me to roll backwards onto the highway-into traffic. I took it back again. They kept it, and then told me they'd be replacing the entire transmission, but it is on backorder. Still no time frame when it will be repaired. They then told me i could have my car back and continue to drive it until the transmission comes in?!? I said no- it isn't safe, I just told you what happened and i could have been hurt or killed. I am not driving it, especially when i have my son to drive around as well! I have been without my car for at least a month now. I am paying for a car that i don't even have/can't drive.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Buick Encore GX stalling
Which Buick Encore GX years have engine stalls while driving problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2020 (3 complaints), 2021 (2 complaints) and 2022 (2 complaints).
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