NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 8 complaints against the 2025 Buick Encore GX. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2025 Buick Encore GX complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2025 Buick Encore Gx has generated 16 NHTSA complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your 2025 Buick Encore Gx has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Buick pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2025 Buick Encore Gx include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 2 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “In my car there is an electrical issue with the radio. Sometimes when I’m backing up and using the camera the lane assistance doesn’t work properly which can cause someone to back into things if they are using it. Also another issue it has is when I’m driving the entire radio and dashboard flicks and the screen goes out which is dangerous when driving because now I’m not sure what my speed level is checking gas levels if your on phone calls it isn’t consistent. I think this is a major safety issue not sure if it’s electrical but the dashboard and screen goes out together randomly and it affects reverse driving and just driving in general.” (NHTSA Complaint #11724685)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2025 Buick Encore Gx include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 2 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “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.” (NHTSA Complaint #11723671)
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2025 Buick Encore Gx have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 2 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “When I go 63 miles an hour the car starts chugging and my dealership changed the transmission fluid. I drove it home today and it still chugging. They called me and said they took a 2026 Buick encore and did the same thing but will not help me. They told me it’s a daily occurrence in the vehicle. It shouldn’t be chugging going up hills at 63 miles an hour.” (NHTSA Complaint #11712963)
Fuel and propulsion system defects can cause stalling, fuel leaks, or power loss — all substantial impairments of use and safety. The 2025 Buick Encore Gx has generated 2 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2025 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the gas pump nozzle was difficult to remove from the fuel filler neck when the vehicle was done refueling. The contact stated that there was one fueling station that he avoided due to the spring that was wrapped around the nozzle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was advised that the fuel inlet and port were functional and that there was no defect with the parts. The contact stated that the issue depended on the fueling nozzle. The manufacturer was not informed of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 300.” (NHTSA Complaint #11709394)
Airbag defects are safety-critical and may trigger California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22. The 2025 Buick Encore Gx has 2 NHTSA complaints on record related to airbag warning lights, unexpected deployment, and sensor failures. Owner reports include: “The vehicle has a safety-related defect involving the safety restraint system. A warning message/light appears indicating a malfunction affecting occupant protection. This defect raises concerns regarding proper airbag and restraint operation in the event of a crash. I presented the vehicle for warranty service, but the manufacturer refused to diagnose or repair the safety defect solely because the vehicle was not currently registered. The vehicle is otherwise under warranty. No accident has occurred yet, but continued operation with this defect poses an unreasonable risk to the driver and passengers. The defect has been observed multiple times and remains unresolved. I am reporting this issue to NHTSA to prevent potential injury or death before an accident occurs.” (NHTSA Complaint #11707190)
As of the date of this review, no active recalls have been issued specifically for the 2025 Buick Encore Gx. Recall status can change at any time. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the most current information. The absence of a recall does not mean your vehicle is defect-free — many lemon law claims proceed without a recall on file.
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2025 Buick Encore Gx:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Buick to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Buick must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2025 Buick Encore Gx qualifies as a lemon under California law, Buick may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Buick a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Buick dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Buick pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Buick a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Buick is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2025 Buick Encore Gx has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
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