2018 Buick Envision problems
The Buick Envision is a compact crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors and marketed under the Buick brand since 2014. It is exclusively manufactured in China by the SAIC-GM joint venture, supplying the Chinese and North American markets.
Concept
The Envision was first introduced in 2011 as a design concept. It was a small crossover with two large scissor doors opening upward. The concept was a plug-in hybrid with advanced technology such as a solar roof and head-up display. The waterfall grille made it to the production version of the Envision.
First generation (2014)
The Envision was first introduced in China in August 2014, also known by its Chinese name, “Ang Ke Wei” (昂科威). It went on sale in China on October 20.
The Envision debuted in the U.S. at the North American International Auto Show on January 11, 2016, sharing the segment with a second generation GMC Terrain and the Chevrolet Equinox. It went on sale in the United States in the summer of 2016, making it the first Chinese-built GM vehicle to be sold in America. It was initially offered with all-wheel drive, and subsequently with optional front-wheel drive for model year 2017.
The North American version of the Envision features two powertrains: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 197 hp (147 kW) and 192 lb⋅ft (260 N⋅m) torque, and a turbo-charged 2-liter four-cylinder engine SAE certified at 252 hp (188 kW) and 260 lb⋅ft (353 N⋅m) torque. Both were initially paired with a third-generation six-speed transmission. For the 2016 model year, the Envision was only available in Premium I and Premium II trim levels, with the 2.0L turbo engine, seven active safety technologies, and OnStar/Intellilink connectivity. The trim levels expanded to five for the 2017 model year.
In addition to the larger engines offered in North America, Chinese buyers also have the option of a turbocharged 1.5-liter unit.
Trim levels for the first generation Envision were known as the 20T and 28T.
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Common 2018 Buick Envision problems
The 2018 Buick Envision is a midsize crossover SUV that has received some complaints from owners regarding its performance and features. Here are some of the most common problems with the 2018 Buick Envision based on the search results:
- Poor forward visibility: Another common complaint about the 2018 Buick Envision is the poor forward visibility. The Envision's thick A-pillars and small rear window can make it difficult to see other vehicles or obstacles on the road, which can be a safety concern. This issue is particularly noticeable when changing lanes or merging onto highways.
- Heating and air conditioning issues: Some owners of the 2018 Buick Envision have reported issues with the heating and air conditioning system. These problems can range from the system not blowing hot or cold air to the system not working at all. In some cases, the issue may be due to a faulty blower motor or a malfunctioning thermostat.
- Powertrain issues: The 2018 Buick Envision has received some complaints about powertrain issues, including problems with the transmission and engine. Some owners have reported issues with the transmission shifting roughly or not shifting at all. In some cases, the issue may be due to a faulty transmission control module or a malfunctioning solenoid. The Envision's engine has also been reported to have issues, including coolant hose ruptures and fuel sensor failures.
- Steering system issues: Some owners of the 2018 Buick Envision have reported issues with the steering system, including the steering locking up while driving. This issue can be particularly dangerous, as it can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. In some cases, the issue may be due to a faulty steering column lock or a malfunctioning steering angle sensor.
- Suspension issues: The 2018 Buick Envision has also received some complaints about suspension issues, including vibrations while driving. These vibrations can be particularly noticeable in the steering wheel and can be caused by a variety of issues, including worn-out suspension components or unbalanced tires.
Overall, while the 2018 Buick Envision has received some complaints from owners, it is still considered a reliable vehicle with few recalls to date. However, potential buyers should be aware of these common issues and consider them when making their purchase decision.
How many miles will a 2018 Buick Envision last?
Buicks and Longevity
In fact, they generally last 200,000 miles, or about 13 years, which placed them third overall (and first among luxury brands) in J.D. Power's 2020 vehicle dependability survey.
Does Buick Envision have transmission problems?
If you don't routinely and consistently change your fluids at least every 30,000 miles or so, you may find that your Buick Envision transmission will swiftly slip.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Buick Encore?
The most frequently reported problem with the 2018 Buick Encore is also a serious safety concern. Multiple owners have reported through the NHTSA that while driving at speeds of about 45 miles an hour and then applying the brakes, the engine would attempt to accelerate.
Is Buick Envision a reliable vehicle?
Generally, though, the Buick Envision is a reliable compact SUV; any issues you encounter should not be life-threatening or severe (though they may require significant maintenance work). According to iseecars.com, the Buick Envision is the 14th most reliable luxury and small compact SUV overall.
Does Buick Envision have transmission problems?
If you don't routinely and consistently change your fluids at least every 30,000 miles or so, you may find that your Buick Envision transmission will swiftly slip.
How many miles will a 2018 Buick Envision last?
Buicks and Longevity
In fact, they generally last 200,000 miles, or about 13 years, which placed them third overall (and first among luxury brands) in J.D. Power's 2020 vehicle dependability survey.
Is the Buick Envision a reliable vehicle?
Generally, though, the Buick Envision is a reliable compact SUV; any issues you encounter should not be life-threatening or severe (though they may require significant maintenance work). According to iseecars.com, the Buick Envision is the 14th most reliable luxury and small compact SUV overall.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Buick Encore?
The most frequently reported problem with the 2018 Buick Encore is also a serious safety concern. Multiple owners have reported through the NHTSA that while driving at speeds of about 45 miles an hour and then applying the brakes, the engine would attempt to accelerate.
2018 Buick Envision car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Buick Envision problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Steering problems
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Suspension problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Buick Envision vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2018 Buick Envision complaints
The NHTSA has received 10 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Buick Envision.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-30
- VIN: LRBFX3SX3JD
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The Instrument Panel Cluster failed and is completely gone black. Due to the failure, there is no speedometer, or other safety notifications being delivered to the driver. The lack of knowing your current speed, the speed cruise control is set at, along with zero safety notifications is a huge safety issue for the driver and passengers, other vehicles on the road and pedestrians, etc. All of the alert features failed, including the forward collision warning, parking collision warning, lane keeping assistance, etc. The component was inspected by the GMC dealer's shop the vehicle was purchased through, along with another GMC certified shop. There were zero warning lamps, message or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. After reading numerous on-line Buick/GMC forums, it appears this same issue has been prolonged and on-going across multiple Buick years, makes and models.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-12
- VIN: LRBFX1SA3JD
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Every time the car auto stops and turns back on the steering locks. So when the car starts you can’t turn the wheel. Also, while driving the car will lock and radio will shut off/ turn on. This happens like 1 to 2x a week. It is available for inspection. It could be very dangerous for me and others for needing to turning into places or even turning down the road. It hasn’t been confirmed or inspected, yet. There is only one warning lamp that flashes on for a split second, it’s no t/c. It just started flashing 3/26/23 not prior to incidents.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-20
- VIN: LRBFX3SX8JD
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: While driving my vehicle at 55mph on a country road, I went to brake, and then realized that I had no brakes. I had to coast to a near stop and put everything I had into pushing the little bit of brake pedal clearance left to the floor to come to a complete stop. I had NO warning signs or dash lights before this happened. Once I turned my car off and then back on, the service brake assist light came on, followed by the engine light. Had any cars been in front of me to stop, I surely would not have been able to stop with what little brakes I had left. My brake assist vacuum pump was removed, and inside there were many pieces of the part in there. This part is available for inspection. Again, had this happened in traffic or with anybody stopped in front of me, this would have had a completely different outcome. I had to have my vehicle towed 70 miles for repair. When the part was removed, there were no visible signs of any of the seals leaking.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-18
- VIN: LRBFX3SX6JD
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: On June 4, 2022 the radio bar showed a line in the middle of it and the volume of it would not increase. I could not hear anything. I tried everything even going into systems on the radio. Later that day it corrected itself and went back to normal. On June 18, 2022 the front passenger side window I put down approximately 1-1 1/4” and drove for maybe a half mile then decided to put it back up, it won’t move. I tried from both the drivers door control and passenger door, nothing. I looked in the manual and did what it stated to do, nothing, I got home turned off the car waited, turned the car back on and tried again, nothing. I called the dealership where I purchased the car and to my disappointment no service on Saturday. I have less than 35000 miles on this car no reason why I should be having issues.
STEERING,SUSPENSION,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-04-12
- VIN: LRBFX1SA4JD
- Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,ENGINE
- Summary: My Buick Envision started to occasionally create notable vibration in the front and traveling into the steering column. I brought the car to a GMC Buick dealership in Amite, LA(4/13/21) it was there for 3 days. The problem couldn't be duplicated. Next the car was brought to Royal Buick, Baton Rouge, LA(10/26-11/6/21.Having trouble controlling the car on each occurs.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-10-19
- VIN: LRBFX4SX1JD
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: While we were merging onto the highway, the steering wheel locked! I was going 50 MPH and I couldn't move the steering wheel left or right. We almost got into an accident, but I pulled my hardest on the wheel and was able to pull over. I shut off the car and turned it back on and it was OK, but under the wrong circumstances, this could've ended up real bad. Are there similar complaints on this vehicle?
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-02-05
- VIN: LRBFX1SA8JD
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: We bought our used buick envision essence in Feb 2021 from Scott Robinson Honda, Torrance, CA with 6,489 miles and 3 month warranty. The night we drove it off the lot the floor behind the driver's seat was wet and we thought it was from the prep (including shampooing the carpet) they said they had to do before we drove it off the lot at 9:00 p.m. The next day found that the matts in front were saturated in gasoline so threw them away. Since then whenever it rains floor becomes soaked each time. This causes windows to always be fogged up because of constant moisture in vehicle creating dangerous very poor visibilty and mildew we have to breath in causing breathing problems. We took the vehicle to our regular auto repair, Encinitas Foreign Auto who checked the moon roof, door windows, windshild and AC system and after hundreds of dollars still don't know where wet floors are coming from. Should not be happening with less than 7,000 miles on it. Buick is now feeling and smelling damp all the time and fogging up windows making it difficult to see. We feel the manufacturer needs to correct this defect on our vehicle as soon as possible. Thank you.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-10-17
- VIN: LRBFX2SA5JD
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: THERE HAVE BEEN 2 SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF THE COOLANT HOSE RUPTURING DUE TO THERMOSTAT FAILURE AND FUEL SENSOR WAS BAD CAUSING NOT BEING ABLE TO TO FILL TANK. DEALER SAID NOT UNDER WARRANTY TOOK TO SEPARATE SHOP WHEN IN FACT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO THEN TOOK TO DEALER THEY DO NOT WANT TO EXTEND WARRANTY ON MOTOR FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR. OVERHEATED TWICE WHILE DRIVING
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-06-14
- VIN: LRBFX3SX6JD
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: LOSS OF POWER STEERING FOR @ 5 MINUTES UNTIL STOPPED AT RED LIGHT, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND TURNED IT BACK ON, IT WAS WORKING. HOWEVER, JUST DROVE 2 MINUTES TO EMPLOYMENT PARKING LOT. NOT ENOUGH TIME TO SEE IF IT MALFUNCTIONING, WILL NOTICE DRIVING BACK HOME.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-07-01
- VIN: LRBFXBSA1JD
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BUICK ENVISION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN DRIVING AT 36 TO 40 MPH AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE SPEED WAS INCREASED TO 41 MPH, THE VIBRATION STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PAUL MASSE BUICK GMC SOUTH (2909 TOWER HILL ROAD, SAUNDERSTOWN, RI 02874, PHONE (401) 515-3737). THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOT A FIX FOR THE VIBRATING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.
Negative 2018 Buick Envision car reviews
Positive 2018 Buick Envision car reviews
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I absolutely fell in love with this vehicle after renting the standard model for a week on a business trip. It's hard to drive any other midsize SUV after experiencing the Envision's smooth ride and handling. One of the things that sets it apart is that the engine is not directly mounted to the frame, resulting in very little vibration and a quiet ride. We leased the Premium 1 with the Turbo and were impressed with the lineal torque curve and smooth 6-speed transmission. The interior fit and finish is excellent, and we were pleased to get 26 mpg on our first highway trip. If the start-stop feature bothers you, simply shift it into 'L' and click it to 6 to cancel it out. Overall, we are very happy with this selection.
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I have been a Honda owner since 2001, and I recently took a look at the Buick Envision. I was blown away! I absolutely love everything about it, especially the visual views from inside the car. It's important to me to be able to see all around me, and this car has got it covered with its blind spot indicators and backup camera. The premier package, which has even more safety sensors, would be a great addition to this car. Overall, I am really enjoying driving this Buick.
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My Envision is mostly used around town. I drive 2 miles to work and back again. After 5 days it has used a 1/2 tank, which is surprising to me. My previous SUV was a 2015 Acadia that did much better on fuel mileage, but I still love this Buick. It's very quiet on the highway when I make my 150 mile trip to Indianapolis. I highly recommend taking it for a test drive!
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This SUV with Turbo and All Wheel Drive is almost as much fun to drive as my 2015 Regal GS. It handles superbly for a 3000 pound plus SUV. I really appreciate the hands-free tailgate operation, especially when my arms are full of packages or whatever. Additionally, this vehicle is very quiet at highway speeds and the Bose stereo system is outstanding.
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Hi there! I just wanted to share my recent car experience with you. I traded in my Lexus NX and although I loved its performance, I was disappointed to find out that CarPlay was not available with aftermarket radios or in a new Lexus. However, I heard that it's 'coming soon' to at least some models. Luckily, I found that the Buick has CarPlay and it has already saved me money on highway toll charges and helped me find my way to a new development 30 miles from home. The Buick's handling, ride and performance are comparable to the NX and have been terrific. I even drove it from VA to FL for a 45 day vacation and the performance was excellent. The gas mileage on the long stretches was amazing too - I was getting a 540 mile range after a fill-up, which is normally 410-430 city driving. Thanks for listening!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2018 Buick Envision problems:
2018 Buick Envision Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2018 Buick Envision? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
The Most Common 2018 Buick Envision Problems | GetJerry.com
Nov 17, 2022 ... The most common 2018 Buick Envision problems · Poor trunk and storage space · Poor forward visibility · Heating and air conditioning issues.
2018 Buick Envision Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
Get 2018 Buick Envision repair and maintenance costs, common problems, recalls, and more. Find certified Buick mechanics near you.
Rear A/C Blowing Only Hot Air? | Page 4 | Buick Envision Forum
This seems like a common problem. Our Buick is off warranty, of course. To repair it, looks like we are facing a bill of around $3,000.00. Crazy. Could this ...
Other years of Buick Envision
Are you having problems with your 2018 Buick Envision?
Ruben Jerde 2025-08-03
The 2017 Buick Envision has some features that may not be for everyone. However, it's important to note that every driver has different preferences and priorities when it comes to their vehicle. While the auto stop feature may not be ideal for some, it's worth considering the other benefits that the car has to offer. It's also worth noting that the car is made in China, which may be a concern for some buyers. Ultimately, it's up to each individual to decide what features and qualities are most important to them in a car. We hope this review helps you make an informed decision.
Mckenzie Fritsch 2025-05-19
This and this alone is causing me to get out of this otherwise fine vehicle. It's the worst feature ever on a vehicle. Goodbye Buick!!! You missed an opportunity by not making this an option.
Keenan Price 2025-05-09
We purchased the vehicle in late November of 2016 and it looked great. However, since then, we have had to take it in and out of the dealership for various issues, including a noise near the gas tank that has been unsuccessfully addressed three times, and a failed operating system. It's worth noting that it can take 7-10 days to get a part for the car. If given the chance to do it over, we would not choose to buy this car again. For the same amount of money, we would recommend purchasing a Mercedes instead.
Agustin Jakubowski 2025-04-06
The car has experienced several issues such as full dash lights coming on during the rain, buzzing from under the dash in the rain, and the car stopping on auto stop. Despite these issues, the dealers have been unable to fix them as they could not duplicate the problem. Recently, the rear A/C blew hot and the car has been in the shop for three weeks. The front doors, entire dash, steering wheel, console/shift stick had to be removed to replace some evap part. However, I am still concerned about the safety of the car and have refused to accept it back. I have reached out to Buick Corporate, but unfortunately, I am not eligible for a buy-back. I am seeking legal advice from an attorney. It is important to note that this car was manufactured in China.
Raymundo Parker 2025-02-03
I purchased a 2017 Buick Envision for approximately $45,000, with only 11,000 miles on it. However, I have encountered some issues with the car, such as the need to replace the tires for winter. Upon inspection, I was informed that Buick uses lower grade tires on this model, which is a common issue among Envision and Encore owners. Additionally, the AC in the back stopped working after a few months. Unfortunately, obtaining parts for these cars can be a challenge, as they are sourced from China. Despite these challenges, I remain confident in the quality of my Buick and its performance. While there are some areas for improvement, I am overall satisfied with my purchase and would consider buying another Buick in the future.