2020-2024 Buick Encore GX 1.2L turbo engine. Problems and durability

In 2020, the new generation of the compact SUV Buick Encore was released in the US. The older first-gen Encore was really outdated and needed a refresh, so the company decided to offer a completely new model to American buyers. You may have expected that Buick would save the wonderful 1.4L Turbo engine from the first-gen vehicle. But no, the engine range is completely different now.

Today, I want to tell you about the 1.2L Turbo 3-cylinder base engine in the new Buick Encore – about its durability, common problems, and some ways to drive it longer than others. While this engine is now under a lot of skepticism from bloggers and authoritative magazines, I want to outline some good features that you will still get with this powerplant.

Here’s what I will tell you today:

• Some key features to know about the 1.2L Turbo engine in the Encore.
• How many miles will the base engine live in the Encore?
• What are the common problems with the 1.2L engine in Buick?
• What should you do to drive it at least a little longer than average?

What will you need to know about the 1.2L engine in the Encore?

I want to start with a quick overview of the engine so that you just knew what I’m talking about today. This is the 3-cylinder turbocharged engine made by General Motors for several important models. It’s now used in the Trailblazer and Trax and is planned to be installed in a dozen of other models.

The engine is codenamed LIH and it belongs to the new E-Turbo series of engines. This series is a good try to prolong the life of internal combustion engines in GM cars. Without downsizing their displacement and installing large turbochargers, these engines would be impossible to fit into the new ecological standards.

So, here’s what you will want to know about the engine:

• this is the 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine with a turbocharger that offers 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque – not that bad, I would say;
• the engine is equipped with the CVT and only comes with the FWD in the Buick Encore due to quite limited power;
• this is the direct injection engine, and this is one of the first sources for the common problem I can register right now;
• this engine has a timing belt that is wet, so it’s lubricated by oil, and this will require frequent oil changes;
• the engine is all-aluminum, of course, which makes it quite light and not that durable – one fatal issue will obviously kill it;
• the engine offers 29 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on highways – I expected it to be more economical on highways.

Well, you shouldn’t expect that the Encore with the 1.2L Turbo engine will actually show 29 MPG in the city. The gas mileage will most likely depend on the driving style. To ensure the best possible gas mileage, you will need to drive carefully which is quite hard given this engine just needs to be revved up to have at least some kind of acceleration.

It’s also interesting that you can’t get the Encore with AWD with the 1.2L engine. GM thinks the engine is too weak for this and only offers AWD for the more powerful version – the 1.3L engine. Also, the 1.2L Turbo engine comes only with the CVT while the AWD version of the 1.3L engine has the more reliable automatic transmission.

How many miles will the 1.2L Encore GX engine last?

Sorry to say that, but 120,000 miles is a very positive estimation of the average lifespan of this engine. It’s small, it has only 3 cylinders, it’s quite powerful for this displacement, so longevity wasn’t the key feature in the mind of GM when they engineered this engine.

I believe many owners will only drive the 1.2L Turbo engine in the Buick Encore GX for about 100,000 miles or even less. It badly needs perfect maintenance and careful driving but these factors are not among the average habits of Buick Encore GX owners.

The durability of the CVT is also questionable. While we don’t have a lot of reports right now, we shouldn’t hope this is a durable transmission. The CVT in the Encore GX will last on average about 100,000 miles without problems and then it will require some repairs or even replacement. Replacing the transmission doesn’t make much sense because at this mileage the engine will be at the final stages of its life.

So, is the Encore GX a car for 100,000 miles? Unfortunately, yes. But the good news is that you can buy the new engine at a decent price and prolong the life of the Buick for another 100K miles. The expected price in the dealership is about $4K but you will likely be able to find it a little cheaper.

What are the common problems with the LIH engine in the Encore GX?

Every engine has some common issues. Even though this one was presented in 2020 only and I shouldn’t know a lot about its problems, I already know quite many things that may go wrong with the 1.2L Turbo in your new Buick.

Here are the problems you should pay attention to:

1. Minor problems and peculiarities

This engine vibrates heavily and this is quite unexpected in the Buick SUV. You will feel this vibration on the steering wheel and basically on all parts of the interior when the car idles. Also, this is not the quietest GM engine – it makes quite a lot of noise and you can’t do anything with that.

The engine has some common glitches with the Start-Stop system, so the majority of owners prefer to turn it off. But this leads to slightly worse gas mileage. So, the key advantage of this engine is lost because of one of its common glitches.

2. The complicated timing belt system

I recommend replacing the timing belt at about 60,000 miles. But this process is not that easy. Also, to ensure that the belt will live 60K miles, you will have to regularly change the oil even more often than the manufacturer suggests.

Actually, GM says you can change the belt every 150,000 miles. Guys, this engine is not going to live that long! This is the ridiculous marketing claim that is more harmful than some of the common problems with the 1.2L engine. So, never wait that long before you change the belt along with the tensioner and the pulleys.

3. Intake valves get some carbon buildup

After about 50,000 miles, you will have to pay for valve cleaning. The engine will start losing power, burning more gas, and glitching in all other ways. It means that you have to look at the valves and see if they are clogged with carbon buildup.

This is the direct injection engine which means fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber. It won’t go through the valves and won’t clean them. Some products of combustion settle on valves and then harden to form a hard-to-wash buildup.

4. EVAP system issues

I won’t tell you a lot about this. Just know that owners report a lot about the EVAP system and it needs your attention. You will see several possible codes, check engine light, and will probably have to replace several valves and other parts in the EVAP system. It’s not that expensive, but it will make you go to the dealership once more.

5. Cold weather issues

I know that some 1.2L Turbo engine in the Encore GX has this problem with the freezing intercoolers. When it’s cold outside, the intercooler may be covered with ice and just stop working. This is a problem for owners in northern regions of the country and it hasn’t been reported vastly yet. But we should wait till these engines get over 60,000 miles on them and we’ll see if this is the common issue. For now, several cases were registered.

How can you prolong the life of GM’s 1.2L Turbo?

It’s extremely important to know what you should do with this engine to let it live longer. 3-cylinder engines usually don’t have great longevity, but very often, this is because they aren’t treated properly.

I suppose you can drive this engine past 150,000 miles if you just follow these simple rules:

• let the engine idle for 1-2 minutes before you start driving – this will help the oil go through all the tiny passages in the head and the turbocharger;
• change oil about every 10,000 miles even though the manufacturer may recommend longer intervals;
• change the timing belt kit every 60,000 miles or once the engine shows any signs of problems with the belt;
• don’t ignore any error messages and warning lights – it’s extremely important for the long and happy life of the engine;
• drive carefully – this engine has a good torque and it feels quite sporty, but it’s made for calm and careful driving.

Abusive driving is one of the main reasons why I’m so pessimistic about the lifespan of the 1.2L Turbo engine. People in the US love driving actively and even aggressively. If this describes how you drive, the Encore GX with the 1.2L Turbo engine and the CVT is not for you.

Good care and careful driving are two important factors that will allow you to drive this vehicle much longer than its average lifespan without any serious problems and expensive repairs.