AI Damage2018 Buick Envision: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Buick Envision filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 567 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 15
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 567
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 27% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 27% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 20% of all complaints
- 6 Backover prevention 7% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (27% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 104.
- Engine: 4 complaints (27% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 58.
- Steering: 4 complaints (27% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Suspension: 3 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
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
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 15 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 | 104 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 58 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 13 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 21 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 198 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 80 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 59 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 37 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 25 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
When Brake pedal pushed all the way at end it barely stops vehicle. Almost caused accident. Safety seriously issue.
My service brake warning came up on my dash and service engine light came on. I had to practically stand up and press as hard as I could to get it to slow down enough to not rear end the person in front of me.
UNKNOWN- when driving onto a rough road my front end will shake violently, even the steering wheel shakes. Sometimes it will go on for about 1 minute + or -
I have a coolant leak into my engine. It is barely 7 years old. This should NOT be an issue in a vehicle this age with this many miles. I have seen that this has become a known issue with the 2018 Buick Envision and it should be a recall. I have had to refill my coolant reservoir 3 times since my oil change.
All of the alert features failed, including the forward collision warning, parking collision warning, lane keeping assistance, etc. The component was inspected by the GMC dealer's shop the vehicle was purchased through, along with another GMC certified shop.
Every time the car auto stops and turns back on the steering locks. So when the car starts you can’t turn the wheel. Also, while driving the car will lock and radio will shut off/ turn on. This happens like 1 to 2x a week. It is available for inspection.
While 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.
My Buick Envision started to occasionally create notable vibration in the front and traveling into the steering column. I brought the car to a [dealer] dealership in Amite, LA(4/13/21) it was there for 3 days. The problem couldn't be duplicated.
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 1,349 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 36% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Envision has 23 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 15, 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.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
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 567 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 2018 Buick Envision?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, steering. Total complaints: 15. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (20%), vibration (20%), overheating, coolant loss (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Buick Envision?
NHTSA lists 567 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 2018 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 2018 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.