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Here May Be Why Your Buick Encore GX Displays A Shift To Park Message

If you notice that the Driver Information Center of your 2020 to 2023 Buick Encore GX is displaying the “Shift to Park” message when your crossover is already in Park – and may also fail to start – your vehicle may be experiencing a problem GM has identified, and for which it has a potential fix.

These symptoms, including the “Shift to Park” message and the possible failure to start, may be caused by a malfunctioning part within the shifter assembly, specifically the park switch.

Rear three quarters view of the Buick Encore GX.

If the problems noted occur with your Buick Encore GX, with the failure to start (if present) accompanied by diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B000A – “Park Switch – Shift Lever Position Not Plausible” – the shifter assembly needs to be inspected. The inspection, like the repairs described below, should be carried out by qualified GM technicians.

If the shifter assembly is the root cause of the problems, the terminals of the park switch inside it will be either spread or damaged. The shifter control itself is shown below in an image provided by GM TechLink.

The Buick Encore GX shifter assembly.

Via GM TechLink

Service personnel will replace the entire shifter assembly to fix these problems in affected Buick Encore GX units. To do this, the automatic transmission range selector lever cable is first disconnected from the part. This involves removing the cable bolt and range selector lever cable together. The malfunctioning shifter assembly can then be pulled out.

Installing the new shifter assembly with an intact park switch, the service personnel will hold the assembly into the mounting bracket slot and tighten the bolt and nut securely, as shown in the second image below. This makes sure the shifter doesn’t feel wobbly or loose, and that the assembly doesn’t rattle around.

Installation of the Buick Encore GX shifter assembly.

Via GM TechLink

The mechanic then finishes up by adjusting the range selector lever cable to correct parameters. This should stop the “Shift to Park” message from displaying and, if the Buick Encore GX also suffered from a failure to start, should also enable it to normally start again.

As a reminder, the Buick Encore GX uses the GM VSS-F vehicle set for structure. Production for the North American market takes place at the GM Bupyeong plant in South Korea.

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Comments

  1. Keep up the good work, Mary.

    Reply
    1. Agreed, get out the info quick quick, then offer the repair simply as possible. That’s reliability. This new GM is miles ahead of the old with these responses. Yes indeed keep up the great work Madam Mary!

      Reply
  2. More junk parts! Let’s get a new Supply Chain VP

    Reply
  3. This is a problem on many GM autos, including my 2017 Cadillac ATS. It is the mini switch in the shift mechanism. This cheap part/switch has been the culprit for years – it’s amazing GM keeps sourcing them or retains that design. I was tempted to try to replace the switch (a $4 part), but decided to change the shifter as described in this article ($125 + 3hrs of my time) – such a waste. My guess is the engineers don’t even realize this is a problem. Now, let’s guess where that switch is sourced from…

    Reply
  4. Seems like a reason for the shift by wire design to be used entirely soon, since more expensive models already use it.

    Reply
  5. What part of this is “exceptional by design”?

    Reply
  6. Had the same issue with my 2016 Malibu with less than 30,000 miles. Was told it would cost me $400+ to fix. I contacted GM and they eventually agreed to pay for the fix. Was a known issue with the Malibu.

    Reply
  7. Why is this not a recall issue when so many vehicles are needing to be repaired?? $400+ to fix this issue on a 2019 malibu. Never buying GM again, one issue after another and they don’t stand by their vehicles.

    Reply
  8. 2021 Buick Encore GX with 30,000 miles wouldn’t shut off, kept giving error message to shift to park, even though transmission set in park. It took 20+ minutes to finally get it to turn off! Took it in and was told the shifter needed to be replaced. Long story short, it took $554 dollars to get it replaced! Hope it lasts more than 30,000 miles…

    Reply
    1. I have the same issue happening. Having it replaced on Weds. Less than 28,000 miles on my 2021 Buick Encore GX. This needs to be rectified by GM.

      Reply
  9. Having the shift to park problem with 2020Buick Encore GX. Less then 23,000 miles on it😩if it is a problematic issue with these cars why isn’t there a recall?

    Reply
  10. My dealer says the part is on backorder with no ETA. So frustrating. I’m afraid of getting stranded somewhere because engine won’t shut off.

    Reply
    1. Same issues here, the car couldn’t shut off after many restarts and I dropped it at the dealership service. The part is on backorder.

      Reply
  11. I am having the same issue 2020 Buick Encore GX, now my battery is draining to the point that I cant even get a jump start. This is so frustrating. I see so many vehicles affected. I also agree there should be a recall.

    Reply
  12. Have same problem on 2022 buick encore gx. Guess I will get stuck with Bill if they ever get part. GM YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED

    Reply
  13. PLEASE CONTACT ME ; SO WE CAN START A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST GM FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IN ALL MODELS. NOT JUST MY BUICK ENCORE 2021 WITH ONLY 24000 MILES. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN GENERAL MOTORS. MY DEALER TOLD ME OVER $1000. TO FIX AND ITS ON BACK ORDER. IS THERE A TECHNICAN OUT THERE THAT CAN ADVISE US HOW TO DISCONNECT AND OR BYPASS SWITCH SO WE CAN USE OUR CARS.
    THANK YOU IN ADVANCE
    FOR YOUR HELP
    SAL

    Reply
  14. I purchased a (low mileage) 20/20 Encore GX in January of 2024 from what I thought was a reputable used car dealer who came recommended by many people who don’t know each other. By October of 2024 it has had to be towed three times. If GM is aware of this problem why is it not a recall? A local dealer wants to charge me $950 and cannot tell me when a shifter will be available to install. This is not what I expect of Buick. I don’t know who Mary is but the consensus seems to be that she is not doing a good job. There is no good reason these parts should be this difficult to find. I am spending a fortune in rental cars because I am paying $444 a month for a car I cannot drive. I am beyond furious about this. Does anybody know if there’s a class action suit in progress? Are we really all just kept hostage by Buick?

    Reply
  15. Have same problem with 2022 buick encore gx has 38000miles on it. Got same response from car dealership. It’s my understanding this has been a problem for many years with nothing being done. Doesn’t make me want to buy GM products. Don’t understand why GM doesn’t fix this is issue.

    Reply
  16. I agree with all of the people with Park Shifter issues. I can’t understand why Buick doesn’t take care of its products. Its a known issue. I am without a car and having to borrow others just to do daily business. Buick…this is no way to treat customers. HAVE SOME PRIDE IN YOUR PRODUCTS!

    Reply
  17. I’m having the same problem (shift to park) with my 2022 encore gx with only 9,000 plus miles. The part was on back order since December 5th, 2024 but came in on January 22, 2025. My appointment is for tomorrow, hopefully the problem will get fixed.

    Reply

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