2024 Buick Encore GX

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 remedy

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 customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A232424320.

General Motors, LLC · up to 60,154 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

25,000 miles

The contact owns a 2024 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact received a phone call and the infotainment screen and the display for the weather and climate control system below the infotainment screen darkened and then became inoperative. The buttons below and around the center console remained operable; however, the contact was unable to see what functions were being selected or controlled because the display was dark. The infotainment screen was also inoperative, preventing the contact from viewing the functions that were controlled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that an audio software update …

NHTSA complaint 11756503, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

This is not a new issue and has happened multiple times since the purchase of this vehicle. Multiple times while driving my 2024 Buick Encore GX, the entire instrument panel intermittently goes completely blank/black. All critical information disappears, including the speedometer, fuel gauge, warning lights, and other indicators. The display does not recover on its own and only returns after I fully restart the vehicle. This creates a serious safety hazard especially at night. Without the speedometer or warning lights, I cannot accurately monitor my speed or receive important vehicle alerts, which increases the risk of a crash due to distraction and lack of critical information. The problem …

NHTSA complaint 11754747, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

54,000 miles

The contact owns a 2024 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH and attempting to stop the vehicle, the instrument panel displayed a blank screen. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the electrical system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V744000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.

NHTSA complaint 11750802. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

When driving on the freeway 60 mph, the car jerked and locked up, no warning lights, speedometer was rising and dropping rapidly, car slowly dropped speed. Had to pull on the side of the road, when car was put to parked, neutral, or drive it went backwards until it wasn’t able to move at all. Car was towed to the GM Chevrolet in my area where it was fixed previously for transmission module issue. After inspection it was found by a mechanic that it was a transmission failure. Thankfully, we didn’t get into an accident but it was a close call.

NHTSA complaint 11750191. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

34,500 miles

The contact owns a 2024 Buick Encore GX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH on the interstate, the vehicle was shuddering abnormally while accelerating, and the transmission failed to properly shift into gear. The contact was concerned about safety while driving the vehicle at highway speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated, or messages displayed prior to the failure. After the most recent failure, the vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was …

NHTSA complaint 11747164, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

55,300 miles

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 repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. In addition, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under an unknown recall or warranty program. The failure mileage was approximately 55,300.

NHTSA complaint 11739230. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.