BuickEncore GX2021Overview/buick/encore-gx/2021/base/

2021 Buick Encore GX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Encore GX.

Transmission Automatic 9-spd

The 2021 Buick Encore GX lands early in the model's 20202025 complaint record, running a 9-speed automatic and EPA ratings of 26/29/28 mpg, with maintenance calling for 5W-30 oil at a 4.2-quart fill. For this model year, owners filed 50 complaints and two recalls were issued, with engine-related reports leading the list. That complaint volume falls short of the 2020 high of 65 but remains far above the 2025 low of 13, so the 2021 model sits closer to the trouble-prone front end of the run than to the quieter later years.

Model year2026202520242023202220212020

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/29/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 760 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 760 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size225/55R18 98HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter25206377 alt 12727115
Engine air filter42712666
Spark plug12683541 alt 12688094
Battery88864541
Front wiper blades42709499 alt 42709497
Serpentine belt55512900 alt 12687927
Thermostat55487536 alt 12666900
Cabin air filter13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 9-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length171.3 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height64.2 in
Wheelbase102.4 in
Curb weight3256 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 29 / 28 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDot 4
Brake Fluid Capacity1.387 pt
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Engine Coolant Capacity7.3 qt
Engine CoolantG012 A86 Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity6.7 qt
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Cylinder Head StepsInternal Hex Bolts
Cylinder Head StepsM10 Bolts
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)6.6 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)27.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.025-.029 in
Spark Plug Torque12.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.32 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity3.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance760 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 27.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 30.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: NS, Rear: 74.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.5
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.059 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: .315
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .913; Rear: .323
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .0024; Rear: .0002
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0008; Rear: .0016

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60°15 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°18 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 70°11 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75°11 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 25°15 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30°22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Buick Encore GX recorded 50 complaints and 2 recalls, which is a slight improvement over the 65 complaints and 2 recalls seen in 2020 but higher than the 29 complaints and 1 recall in 2022. Complaints continued to decline through 2023 (23), rose modestly to 26 in 2024, and fell to 13 in 2025, while recalls dropped to zero in 2023 and 2025 after a single recall in 2022 and 2024. This shows a clear downward trend in both complaints and recalls beginning after the 2021 model year. The most frequently reported problem areas for 2021 were Engine (8), Power Train (6), Unknown Or Other (5), and Service Brakes (5), with 2 crash‑related complaints and no fire complaints. Overall, the 2021 model sits at the higher end of the complaint spectrum before the improvement seen in later years, suggesting it is a reasonable purchase but that later model years may offer fewer reported issues.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
667
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
50
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 50 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine8
Power Train6
Unknown Or Other5
Service Brakes5
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System3
Power Train,Electrical System2
Equipment2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V588000Service BrakesReported 24/09/2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service…

21V440000Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift:StandReported 10/06/2021

General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while… Remedy: Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 667 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5966F2026-06-23Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIP6032C2026-06-03Unknown Or OtherPIP6032B provides diagnostic direction for dealers when encountering transmission leaks
PIC6423A2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherPi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection…
PIC6551B2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless…
PIP6029A2026-04-21Unknown Or OtherThis PI instructs dealers to install foam around the shifter cable to stop rattling

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Encore GX. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Encore GX take?

4.2 qt of Dexos1 Gen 2 5W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Encore GX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Encore GX get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 29 highway / 28 combined mpg.