Last updated: 2026-10-10
2018 Buick Envision Reliability Report
The 2018 Buick Envision has good reliability and no recalls, but steering lockups tied to engine stop/start are the main complaint.
Recalls
0
Complaints
13
Complaint Rate
4.3per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$573
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,400–$3,400
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Well above average for 2018 SUVs with no recalls, though owners report steering lockups and front-end shaking.
Top Issues to Watch
- STEERING (4)
- SUSPENSION (2)
- ENGINE (2)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2018 is year 3 of the First generation (2014).
- Redesigned for the 2016 model year.
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- A refresh arrives in 2019.
- 1st generation Envision (US).
What this means for buyers
Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.
2016: First generation (2014) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2018: This Model Year
2018 is year 3 of the First generation (2014).
2019: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2018 Buick Envision?
Good reliability puts this year well above most other 2018 SUVs and among the stronger of nine scored Envision years. Owners filed 13 complaints, and federal recall records list none. The 2019 rates about the same but has 23 complaints.
Steering is the main worry. Four owners describe the wheel locking or losing power assist, sometimes at highway speed. Some tie it to the automatic engine stop/start, saying the wheel will not turn after a restart. Restarting the car usually brings steering back. Front-end shaking through the wheel is reported too, and in one case the manufacturer said no fix exists. Other reports cover coolant loss with no outside leak, a head gasket blamed at 81,824 miles, and sensors failing one after another from about 85,000 miles.
Ask for repair records covering steering, coolant and sensors. On a test drive, check for shaking between 36 and 40 mph and for how the steering behaves after the engine restarts at a stop. A 2019 is a fair alternative.
Compared to the 2019 Buick Envision, which scored the same.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +No recalls issued
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −STEERING: Wheel locks or loses power assist, sometimes at highway speed (4 complaints)
- −SUSPENSION: Front end shakes, and the shaking comes through the steering wheel (2 complaints)
Compare 2018 Buick Envision With
2018 Chevrolet Equinox
Reliability: 69/100
2018 Honda CR-V
Reliability: 65/100
2018 Ford Escape
Reliability: 60/100
2018 Toyota RAV4
Reliability: 76/100
2018 Mazda CX-5
Reliability: 71/100
Common Problem Categories
Other
HIGH RISK- STEERING (4)
- SUSPENSION (2)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2018 Buick Envision — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
4.3
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 27.1
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
Buying a used 2018 Buick Envision? Check its history first
Steering problems lead owner complaints about the 2018 Buick Envision, and 0 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2018 Buick Envision NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.9%
Safety Technologies
Buick EnvisionRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$573
Repair Frequency
0.4
unscheduled repair visits per year
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
22–25 MPG
Running cost: $2,950–$3,950/yr
Fuel + repair
20–22 city / 26–29 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2018 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Envision FWD 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,400 |
| Envision AWD 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 21 | 27 | 24 | $2,500 |
| Envision AWD 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,400 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2018 Buick Envision.
Leave auto stop/start on during the test drive and turn the wheel right after each restart to confirm it moves freely.
Hold a steady 36 to 40 mph on a smooth road and feel for vibration in the steering wheel.
Drive over rough pavement and check for violent front-end shaking that lingers.
Check the coolant reservoir level and ask for records of coolant top-ups, thermostat, hose or head gasket repairs.
Watch the temperature gauge on a long test drive for any sign of overheating.
Press the carpet behind the driver's seat for dampness and sniff for mildew or gasoline.
Confirm the instrument cluster fully lights up and check for airbag, tire sensor or collision-alert warnings.
Run every power window fully up and down, and test radio volume across its full range.
2018 Buick Envision Common Problems by Component
13 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
STEERING
4 complaintsThe wheel locks or loses power assist, sometimes at highway speed. Some reports tie the lockup to the automatic engine stop/start system: after the engine restarts, the wheel will not turn, and the radio may shut off at the same moment. Restarting the car usually brings steering back, but drivers describe nearly crashing and fighting the wheel to pull over. Other reports describe front-end vibration that travels into the steering column and makes the car hard to control. A dealer could not reproduce it.
SUSPENSION
2 complaintsThe front end shakes, and the shaking comes through the steering wheel. On rough roads it can turn violent and last about a minute. A second pattern appears between 36 and 40 mph and stops once the car reaches 41 mph. That vibration was reported at just 400 miles. A dealer duplicated it, but the manufacturer said no fix exists, and the car was not repaired.
ENGINE
2 complaintsCoolant problems lead these reports. The engine loses coolant with no outside leak, and the reservoir needs repeated refills. Owners blame a failing head gasket, reported at 81,824 miles. Other reports describe a thermostat failure that ruptured a coolant hose twice and let the engine overheat while driving. A bad fuel sensor also kept a tank from filling. Warranty disputes come up too: owners say dealers denied coverage and refused to extend engine coverage for possible overheating damage.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 complaintsSensors and modules fail one after another, starting near 85,000 miles. Tire sensors, the front passenger airbag sensor and both rear sensor control modules are named. Linked symptoms include the car braking when it should not and power steering cutting out when pulling away from a stop with auto stop/start on. Replacing the airbag sensor means replacing the whole seat. The instrument cluster can also go completely black with no warning, leaving no speedometer and no collision or lane-keeping alerts.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 complaintsWater gets into the cabin whenever it rains and soaks the floor behind the driver's seat. The constant moisture fogs the windows, cuts visibility, and causes mildew that owners say affects their breathing. Gasoline-soaked front floor mats also turned up after a used purchase. Other reports describe the radio display glitching and losing volume before correcting itself, and a front passenger window that stops partway down and will not close from either switch.
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintWhile 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.
Best & Worst Buick Envision Years
Best Buick Envision Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2020
2019
2018
(Current Model)
Buick Envision Years to Avoid
No Buick Envision years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 74 and 82 across 9 scored model years.
Buick Envision Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 82/100 | Excellent |
| 2026 | 77/100 | Good |
Buick Envision Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2018 Buick Envision reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Buick Envision?
Does the 2018 Buick Envision have steering problems?
Has the 2018 Buick Envision been recalled?
Is the 2018 Buick Envision better than the 2019?
Don’t buy a 2018 Buick Envision without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2018 Buick Envision
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2018 Buick Envision does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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