Last updated: 2026-10-10
2019 Buick Envision Reliability Report
The 2019 Buick Envision has good reliability and no recalls, but some owners report a sudden loss of braking after a Service Brake Assist warning.
Recalls
0
Complaints
23
Complaint Rate
6.9per 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
Rates well above other 2019 SUVs with no recalls, though brake assist warnings and fast original tire wear are the main owner complaints.
Top Issues to Watch
- SERVICE BRAKES (6)
- SUSPENSION (3)
- TIRES (3)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2019 received a 2019 facelift update for the First generation (2014).
- Changes: Revised rear styling; Tail lights redesign; Stop/start calibration; New seating design; Transmission upgrade to 9-speed automatic.
- Year 4 in this generation (2016–2020).
- 1st generation Envision (US).
What this means for buyers
Refresh years bring updates but can also introduce new issues. Check early recall data before buying.
2016: First generation (2014) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2019: This Model Year (Refresh)
2019 received a 2019 facelift update for the First generation (2014).
Should You Buy the 2019 Buick Envision?
Good is the verdict. Owner complaints for this year run well below the 2019 SUV norm, and it ranks among the stronger of the nine Envision years we score. The 2018 and 2020 models rate about the same, so neither neighbor clearly beats it. Federal recall records show no recalls, and the federal crash-test rating is 5 of 5 stars.
The brakes are the serious issue. Owners describe a "Service Brake Assist" warning, then a very firm pedal, little braking, or a pedal that sinks to the floor. The warning comes and goes, so dealers often find no fault. One case was a failed brake vacuum pump. A few owners also report severe shuddering above 35 to 40 mph, and original tires worn to 4/32 inch at roughly 25,000 to 30,000 miles.
Ask for brake service records and any warning history before you buy. Check tread depth on the tires. If the car has shuddered, ask whether the hydraulic mounts were replaced, since one shop fixed it that way under bulletin 22-NA-211.
Compared to the 2020 Buick Envision, which scored the same. See also the 2018 Buick Envision for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +No recalls issued
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −SERVICE BRAKES: Braking power drops suddenly after a "Service Brake Assist" warning appears (6 complaints)
- −SUSPENSION: Severe shuddering hits at highway speed or above 35 to 40 mph (3 complaints)
Compare 2019 Buick Envision With
2019 Chevrolet Equinox
Reliability: 71/100
2019 Honda CR-V
Reliability: 69/100
2019 Ford Escape
Reliability: 69/100
2019 Toyota RAV4
Reliability: 66/100
2019 Mazda CX-5
Reliability: 75/100
Common Problem Categories
Other
HIGH RISK- SERVICE BRAKES (6)
- SUSPENSION (3)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2019 Buick Envision — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
6.9
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 21.2
Safety Incidents
2
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 2019 Buick Envision? Check its history first
Service brakes problems lead owner complaints about the 2019 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
2019 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 / 25–29 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 2019 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 9-spd | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,400 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2019 Buick Envision.
Watch the dash for a Service Brake Assist warning, and ask for records of any brake vacuum pump repair.
Look under the car for oil leaks and check the oil level before the test drive.
Brake firmly from moderate speed in a safe area and note any hard or sinking pedal.
Drive above 40 mph over patched pavement and feel for a severe shudder that stops only when you stop.
Ask whether service bulletin 22-NA-211 mount work has been done.
Measure tread depth on all four tires, especially if they are the original Michelins.
Listen for an engine whine and test for sluggish acceleration, and ask for turbo service records.
At highway speed, feel for vague or unstable steering, and confirm the shifter engages park properly.
2019 Buick Envision Common Problems by Component
23 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
SERVICE BRAKES
6 complaintsBraking power drops suddenly after a "Service Brake Assist" warning appears. Drivers describe a very firm pedal, little or no braking, or a pedal that sinks to the floor, sometimes followed by the malfunction indicator lamp. The warning can come and go, and dealers often cannot find a fault unless it stays on. One diagnosed case was a failed brake vacuum pump. Another report describes the SUV stopping abruptly on its own at about 30,000 miles. Every pattern here carries crash risk.
SUSPENSION
3 complaintsSevere shuddering hits at highway speed or above 35 to 40 mph. A patched pothole or other bump often sets it off, but it sometimes happens on smooth pavement. Owners say it feels like the car is falling apart and is harder to steer. It continues until the car slows to a stop, then returns at the next trigger. Dealers have not always recognized the problem. One shop repaired it under service bulletin 22-NA-211 by replacing leaking hydraulic mounts.
TIRES
3 complaintsOriginal Michelin Premier LTX tires wear out fast. Tread falls to 4/32 inch or below at roughly 25,000 to 30,000 miles, which owners link to hydroplaning, a low-speed blowout, and a failed inspection. Complaints focus on coverage. Owners say GM would not apply service bulletin 19-NA-078 to their VIN, dealers would not work with Michelin, and Michelin's 60,000-mile tread warranty does not cover tires that came with a new car.
AIR BAGS (2 complaints)
AIR BAGS
2 complaintsSafety-relatedNeither report describes an air bag failing to work. Both are crash-related filings. One concerns a 2019 Enclave and gives no detail about the problem. The other is about a parts shortage. After a side impact, the owner waited months because GM could not supply a replacement air bag part, which left the car out of service. The main issue in this category is repair delays after a crash, not a defect.
POWER TRAIN (2 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
2 complaintsPower drops and acceleration turns sluggish in one report, along with an engine whine that grows louder over time. That car later stalled and would not restart, and a turbo failure that damaged internal engine parts called for a full rebuild. The second report describes the engine bogging and the car rattling with cruise control set at 35 to 40 mph on a slight climb. Dealers called this normal because the transmission holds its highest gear for fuel economy.
STEERING (2 complaints)
STEERING
2 complaintsUnstable, unresponsive handling at highway speeds appears in one report, which the owner traced to a failed steering gear. That poses a loss-of-control risk. The same owner also had the shifter fail because the powertrain control module could not detect park or neutral. The car could not be driven and had to be towed for a new shifter assembly. A second report is incomplete and only mentions driving over a bump. Two reports are too few to show a clear pattern.
ENGINE (1 complaints)
ENGINE
1 complaintThe turbo failed by reducing speed all a sudden when I was driving on the freeway. Got the problem repaired and not even a month later same thing is happening again.
STRUCTURE (1 complaints)
STRUCTURE
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2019 Buick Envision. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger's side doors made a popping sound while being opened. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an unknown failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaintHVAC CASE DOOR MELTED. GM case #9-10542006159. Repaired 2 years ago under warranty and GM knew there was a problem with the design. The air distribution system is placed to close to the heating coils and it keeps melting. It has failed again and GM will not do anything about it and keeps saying its out of warranty. They did not repair the problem correctly when it was in warranty. They tell me there is not a fix for it and there has not been a recall. I'm afraid the car will catch on fire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaintPaint is pealing from both sides of car strip between drivers side and passenger on both sides.
When Do 2019 Buick Envision Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Buick Envision Years
Best Buick Envision Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2020
2019
(Current Model)
2018
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 2019 Buick Envision reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Buick Envision?
Does the 2019 Buick Envision have brake problems?
Does the 2019 Buick Envision have any recalls?
How much does the 2019 Buick Envision cost to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2019 Buick Envision without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2019 Buick Envision
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2019 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.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Buick Envision.
No spam. Only data updates for this model.
Browse More Buick Models
Buick Enclave
Score: 81/100
Buick Encore
Score: 80/100
Buick Encore GX
Score: 82/100
Buick Envista
Score: 82/100
Buick LaCrosse
Score: 76/100
Buick Regal
Score: 75/100
Browse More 2019 Vehicles
2019 Lexus RX
Score: 82/100
2019 Kia Sedona
Score: 80/100
2019 Nissan Frontier
Score: 80/100
2019 Lexus IS
Score: 79/100
2019 Chevrolet Impala
Score: 79/100
2019 Lexus GX
Score: 78/100
See incorrect data? Report an issue