Head-to-head reliability

Buick Encore GX vs Toyota Camry

How the Buick Encore GX and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Buick Encore GX213 complaints · 6 recalls Fewer issues per year
Toyota Camry2,128 complaints · 31 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Buick Encore GX averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Buick Encore GX has 213 complaints and 6 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,128 complaints and 31 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryBuick Encore GXToyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined213 Better2,128
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns6 Better31
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints7 Better181
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years30.4 Better212.8
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints10 Better163
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.

What actually goes wrong

The problems owners report

The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.

Buick Encore GX

  1. 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM55
  2. 02POWER TRAIN47
  3. 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER45
  4. 04ENGINE40
  5. 05SERVICE BRAKES36
In owners' words — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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…

My 2025 Buick Encore GX has experienced an ongoing failure of the rear backup camera system. The issue began intermittently in February 2026, and earlier this month (March) it has progressively worsened. The camera now does not function at all. When shifting…

Toyota Camry

  1. 01POWER TRAIN391
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER340
  3. 03ENGINE312
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES290
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM241
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…

My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…

Official recalls

Safety recalls on record

Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.

Buick Encore GX — 6 recalls

Electrical System — Instrument Cluster/Panel
#23V744000Jun 2023

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Buick Encore GX, Envista, and Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The software in the Virtual Cockpit Unit Module (VCU) may cause the instrument panel display to intermittently go blank at vehicle startup or while driving.

The risk: A blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: The VCU software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet custome…

Equipment — Mechanical — Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift — Stand
#21V440000Oct 2021

The defect: 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 in use.

The risk: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: 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 be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may con…

Service Brakes
#20V588000

The defect: 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 brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor…

The risk: If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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 at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4…

Equipment — Mechanical — Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift — Stand
#21V440000Oct 2021

The defect: 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 in use.

The risk: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: 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 be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may con…

Toyota Camry — 31 recalls

Seats
#24V128000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…

The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…

Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
#23V432000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.

The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…

Seats
#24V128000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…

The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification
#23V865000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…

The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…

Year by year

Which model years to avoid

Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.

YearBuick Encore GXToyota Camry
20260116
202514152
20242947
20232462
20223058
202150155
202066268
Years to scrutinize: the 2020 Buick Encore GX drew the most complaints (66); the 2018 Toyota Camry drew the most (732). Inspect these model years especially closely.

Check the actual car

Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.

Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Buick Encore GX or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Buick Encore GX vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
Buick Encore GX vs Toyota Camry
Buick Encore GX total complaints
213
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,128
Buick Encore GX total recalls
6
Toyota Camry total recalls
31
Buick Encore GX avg complaints/year
30.4
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
212.8
More reliable overall
Buick Encore GX
Buick Encore GX top complaint area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN