AI Damage2016 Buick Envision: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Buick Envision filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 743 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 19
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 743
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 21% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 21% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 16% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 11% of all complaints
- 6 Electronic stability control 11% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 159.
- Engine: 4 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 74.
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
- Suspension: 3 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 19 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 159 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 74 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 15 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 19 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 52 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 22 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 293 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 85 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 39 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The lane assists and cruise control does not work and the GM dealership here in Southern Pines, NC can't fix it. They are sending the car back on the street with a 19-year-old girl behind the wheel of a car with electrical issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.
Upon acceleration experienced delay and hesitation Hesitation in acceleration causing safety issue when entering traffic’s and passing other vehicles Full transmission replacement was needed and completed
GM is out of control . I have a front passenger control arm assembly in the shop for 2 months. No update on service part because they have changed the part number as the 2016 is unsafe. I need my service part or a new car .
Unsafe driving condition. Control arm assembly front passenger. Car in the dealer for a month. GM has no service parts and refuses to give update on availability. Dealer states unsafe to drive and I have seen multiple complaints for this issue.
Who ever reads this I hope you get your vehicle checked or switch out your brake lines with another brand don't use AC Delco at all. Cheap [XXX] parts. First time my vehicle had only 50000 miles I will stick to ford vehicle their parts lasted on my car for almost 200000 thousand miles and my brake lines or clippers…
No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V922000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic), but the VIN was not included.
During the night the sunroof opened with no contact from anyone and it rained that night and flooded the inside of the car. We did research on the issue and this has happened to many Buick owners. I put the car under shelter and got out as much water as I could. The sunroof would not operate to close it.
Buick Envision 2016 Mileage - 58315 One owner The car has had three events over the last year where it would not start. After the car is driven for awhile and after it's parked and turned off, it will not start.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,274 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 39% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Envision has 23 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 19, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
- This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000…
This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
NHTSA lists 743 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Buick Envision?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, service brakes. Total complaints: 19. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (21%), infotainment or screen glitches (16%), won't start (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Buick Envision?
NHTSA lists 743 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Buick Envision from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.