Last updated: 2026-10-10

2021 Buick Envision Reliability Report
The 2021 Buick Envision rates good for reliability, but owners report fuel pump stalling with no warning and a transmission that slips out of gear.
Recalls
2
Complaints
23
Complaint Rate
5per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$573
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,300–$2,400
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
First year of the second generation and the weakest of nine scored Envision years, with fuel pump stalling reports and two recalls.
Top Issues to Watch
- POWER TRAIN (5)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)
- TIRES (2)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2021 is the first model year of the Second generation (2021).
- First-year models may have unresolved issues from the new design.
- Redesigned for the 2021 model year.
- Refreshed in 2024.
- 2nd generation Envision (US).
What this means for buyers
First-year models carry more risk — early production issues are common. Consider waiting for the second year if reliability is a priority.
Compare 2021 pricing and recall counts against 2022+ before deciding.
2021: Second generation (2021) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2024: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2021 Buick Envision?
Reliability is good, and this year sits above average among 2021 SUVs. Inside the Envision lineup it is the weakest of nine scored years, though. It is the first year of the second generation. The 2020 model rates better, with fewer complaints and no recalls, while the 2022 rates about the same. Crash protection is strong at 5 of 5 federal stars.
Stalling is the problem to take seriously. Owners describe the engine shutting off while driving, including on the highway, with no warning light and no restart. Dealers traced it to the fuel pump control module. The electronic shifter will not go into neutral with the engine off, so the car cannot be pushed out of traffic. Some owners also report the transmission dropping out of gear at low speeds with no codes set. One tire blew out at 6389 miles with no pressure warning. Two recalls cover exterior lighting, air bags, and the electrical system.
Ask for fuel pump repair records and proof that both recalls were completed. Ask about tire replacement history. A 2020 is worth pricing as well.
Compared to the 2022 Buick Envision, which scored 1 points higher. See also the 2020 Buick Envision for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Low recall count
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −POWER TRAIN: Transmission slips out of gear while accelerating (5 complaints)
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Stalling from a failed fuel pump or fuel pump control module is the most... (5 complaints)
Compare 2021 Buick Envision With

2021 Chevrolet Equinox
Reliability: 74/100

2021 Honda CR-V
Reliability: 77/100

2021 Toyota RAV4
Reliability: 73/100

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB
Reliability: 65/100

2021 Nissan Rogue
Reliability: 70/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- POWER TRAIN (5)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2021 Buick Envision carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
5
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 16.7
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.
2021 Buick Envision Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Buick Envision. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence
DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.
Consequence
The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.
Buying a used 2021 Buick Envision? Check its history first
Power train problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Buick Envision, and 2 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
2021 Buick Envision NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 16.9%
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
25–26 MPG
Running cost: $2,850–$2,950/yr
Fuel + repair
22–24 city / 29–31 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 2021 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Envision FWD 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S9) | 24 | 31 | 26 | $2,300 |
| Envision AWD 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S9) | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,400 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Buick Envision.
Accelerate gently through 25 to 35 mph and watch for slipping, sudden drops to neutral, or a delayed lunge.
Let auto stop shut off the engine at a light and feel for lurching or bucking when it restarts.
Ask for service records showing any fuel pump or fuel pump control module diagnosis or replacement.
Start the car several times, cold and warm, and walk away if it ever cranks without firing.
Drive past guard rails and in traffic, and confirm the blind zone mirror lights only for real vehicles.
Switch off the interior lights, drive, and confirm the rear lights stay off and shut off at shutdown.
Inspect all four tires for pitting, delamination, or missing chunks of rubber.
Scan for stored codes and ask whether the check engine light has come on, including for the evap purge pump.
2021 Buick Envision Common Problems by Component
23 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
POWER TRAIN
5 complaintsSafety-relatedThe transmission slips out of gear while accelerating. It drops into neutral or the wrong gear, and power stops reaching the wheels. Reports place it at low speeds, from creeping in traffic to the 25 to 35 mph range. Other symptoms include hesitation from a stop followed by a sudden lunge, and lurching when the engine restarts after auto stop. No codes are set, dealers often cannot recreate the problem, and a fluid flush did not help. One report is flagged as crash-related. A separate complaint describes the engine dying in the road and cranking without starting.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 complaintsStalling from a failed fuel pump or fuel pump control module is the most serious pattern. The engine shuts off while driving, including on the highway, gives no warning light first, and will not restart. One owner reports the repair cost about $500, and another says the manufacturer would not cover it under warranty. Other complaints describe rear interior lights that turn on by themselves while driving and stay on after shutdown. A blind zone alert also lights up for guard rails but misses real vehicles, and dealers could not find the cause.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaintsA check engine light ties most of these reports together. One owner needed a new evap purge pump at 37,588 miles. Another waited weeks for a back-ordered part after a code 1098. A third describes a car that cranks but fails to start most of the time. In that case the dealer could not reliably reproduce the fault and was consulting Buick engineers. Mostly these reports involve dealer delays, part shortages, and faults that are hard to diagnose, not one clearly defined failure.
TIRES (2 complaints)
TIRES
2 complaintsThe original tires fail early. One blew out at 6389 miles with no tire pressure warning and damaged the wheel, fender, and door. The repair estimate came to $5484.66. That tire had been discontinued, so finding a compatible replacement took time and the owner's rental ran out. Another complaint describes all four Continental ProContact 20-inch tires pitting, delaminating, and shedding rubber. Both owners believe the tires were defective.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2 complaints)
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 complaintsThe engine quits in traffic without warning, at speeds such as 45 mph and in the middle lane of a busy freeway. It cranks but will not fire, though sometimes it restarts after a wait. Dealers trace the problem to a bad fuel pump control module. A stall gets more dangerous because the electronic shifter will not go into neutral with the engine off, so the car cannot be pushed out of traffic. In one report, trying to restart the engine also shut off the hazard flashers.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2021 Buick Envision. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed on the freeway, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated around a corner, with the floor mat stuck under the pedal. The driver depressed the brake pedal for an extended time, but the vehicle continued accelerating. The driver pressed the park button, which slowed the vehicle, and the driver was able to pull over safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the owner was informed about a possible recall. The dealer determined the failure was due to a stuck floor mat and sudden unintended acceleration. The front and rear brakes were replaced along with the floor mat. The floor mat was PN: 84734211. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000. The VIN was not available.
AIR BAGS (1 complaints)
AIR BAGS
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2021 Buick Envision. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
VISIBILITY/WIPER (1 complaints)
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaintWhen driving 2021 Buick Envision, the windshield and side windows do not defrost with HVAC set to defrost mode. Service Climate system is displayed on dash. Vehicle was inspected by dealer finding replacement of HVAC case half housing required on 1/22/24 ( a year ago). GM (OEM) has been in contact but has failed to provide a solution after 1 year of trying to obtain a part from their system. This condition results in immediate fogging condition of all windows without warning presenting a visibility safety hazard for the driver and surrounding vehicles. Sorry GM, but a rag to wipe the window is not a good solution. It has been a year with no urgency from GM to remedy the issue. This is deemed a critical function for safety and GM does not take it seriously.
SUSPENSION (1 complaints)
SUSPENSION
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2021 Buick Envision. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the contact heard a popping sound coming from the front end of the vehicle, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the front driver’s and passenger’s side ball joints, and control arms were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred, and the control arms were replaced a second time. Also, while driving the odor of fuel was present inside the cabin of the vehicle and the vehicle hesitated and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel injector and fuel sensor were faulty. The fuel injector and fuel sensor were replaced but the failure persisted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
ENGINE (1 complaints)
ENGINE
1 complaintWhen I push on the accelerator the car hesitates and then surges forward. I took the vehicle to the dealership where they recreated the problem however it was not throwing any codes. After examination they determined that the problem was turbo lag. I was advised to continue driving the car as usual until it throws a code or turbo fails. I believe that the vehicle randomly hesitating could leave you stranded in an intersection with oncoming traffic, and when if surges puts you at risk for a rear end collision. When I asked the service rep what will happen if the turbo fails, she said pull over and call on-star. I'll be traveling through the mountains for the holidays, it worries me that if the turbo fails I could be stuck on the side of the road in winter weather.
Best & Worst Buick Envision Years
Best Buick Envision Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreBuick 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 2021 Buick Envision reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Buick Envision?
Does the 2021 Buick Envision have stalling problems?
Does the 2021 Buick Envision have transmission problems?
Is the 2020 or 2022 Buick Envision better than the 2021?
Don’t buy a 2021 Buick Envision without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2021 Buick Envision
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Buick Envision does best on how many systems draw complaints (81/100) 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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