Last updated: 2026-10-10

Buick Envision

Buick Envision Years to Avoid

9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 77/100

No Envision year falls well below the model's own average, so none is one to avoid. Recalls and complaint rates shift from year to year, with 2021 and 2022 rating lowest. The year to buy is 2020, which has no recalls and one of the lower complaint rates.

Verdict

Avoid
No outlier years
Buy
2020 78/100
Model average
77/100
See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

What Are Common Buick Envision Problems?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

23 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2021, 2025

2022: The instrument cluster goes black or shows a service warning while the car keeps running.

POWER TRAIN

15 complaints

Most reported in 2021, 2023, 2022

2021: The transmission slips out of gear while accelerating.

SERVICE BRAKES

14 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2025, 2023

2019: Braking power drops suddenly after a "Service Brake Assist" warning appears.

ENGINE

10 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2024, 2018

2022: Hesitation and delayed shifting cause a loss of power, sometimes as the driver speeds up to change lanes or pass.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

10 complaints

Most reported in 2023, 2021, 2022

2023: The OnStar telematics module fails, which knocks out GPS, vehicle location, and the blue OnStar button even when the subscription is paid.

STEERING

8 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2023, 2019

2018: The wheel locks or loses power assist, sometimes at highway speed.

Best Buick Envision Year to Buy Instead

78
GoodReliability score: 78 out of 100, rated Good

2020 Buick Envision

The 2020 model year has no recalls and draws 2.9 complaints per 10,000 sold, against 6.9 for 2019 and 6.4 for 2022. The 2021 and 2022 years rate lowest and carry recalls. It has also been on the road long enough for its record to be meaningful. Check the air bag complaints first.

Score: 78/100 (Good)0 recalls10 complaints
View full 2020reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2020 Buick Envision has 0 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Buick Envision Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Buick Envision years should I avoid?
None. No year falls well below the model's own average. The 2021 and 2022 model years rate lowest, so inspect those more closely, and look at electrical, engine, and power train history before you buy.
Which Buick Envision years have transmission problems?
The data does not point to one transmission fault in a specific year. Power train complaints are highest for 2021, with fewer for 2022 and 2023. One owner was told that a transmission holding its highest gear on a slight climb is normal. A 2020 report describes the shifter not needing Park to remove the key.
Is the 2020 Buick Envision a good used car?
Yes, it is the year to favor. It has no recalls and a low complaint rate. The most serious reports are air bags, including a side air bag that did not deploy in a crash. With only a few complaints, no clear pattern shows.
Are the newest Buick Envision years the safest bet?
Not necessarily. The 2025 model year rates excellent, but it has few complaints partly because it has had little time to collect them. The 2026 model has no owner complaints at all and is too new to judge. Both need more time on the road.
Is the second-generation Envision less reliable than the first?
The second generation, 2021 to 2023, holds the two lowest-rated years, 2021 and 2022. Those years carry recalls and more power train and electrical complaints. The 2019 first-generation year also has a high complaint rate, so a clean 2020 is the safer choice.

How we score every Buick Envision model year

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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