Luxury SUVs continue to impress drivers, but the 2018 Buick Envision is supposed to be a real gem. The automaker claims that the newest lineup is “thoughtfully designed,” but clearly some things have been overlooked. This model suffers from faulty steering, a defective suspension and a glitchy electrical system.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2019 2022
Contents
The harassing company pays our fees.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Steering | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Engine | |
| Suspension | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Fuel/propulsion System |
Keeping control of a vehicle is priority number one. However, customers are struggling with the steering system on the Envision.
Here’s one example from an NHTSA complaint. “Loss of power steering for about five minutes until stopped at red light, turned off the engine and turned it back on, it was working. However, just drove 2 minutes to employment parking lot. Not enough time to see if it [is] malfunctioning. Will notice driving back home.”
One possible cause for this problem could be due to a power steering leak. That’s precisely what Service Bulletin #PI0671A talks about. It turns out that the Envision is suffering from a power steering fluid leak at the reservoir. Where is the thoughtful design to this system? Down the drain.
Another system affecting how the Envision rides is the suspension. Yet, there are just as many complaints about these parts.
One NHTSA review states, “The contact owns a 2018 Buick Envision. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated when driving at 36 to 40 mph and caused the steering wheel to vibrate. The contact stated that when the speed was increased to 41 mph, the vibration stopped. The vehicle was taken to [dealer]. The dealer was able to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that there was not a fix for the vibrating failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 400.”
It’s pretty upsetting to have a new vehicle with only 400 miles and find out that there is a problem that the automaker won’t resolve, especially when you consider the price paid for the Envision. GM isn’t even trying to help technicians solve the problem. Service Bulletin #PIT5214D talks about this being an ongoing issue that doesn’t seem to have a fix. Instead of coming up with a “thoughtful design” to resolve the situation, GM has simply thrown its hands up in the air.
One final look at the Envision shows some major defects with the electrical system. Whether it is simply for convenience or integral to the way this SUV runs, the electrical system continues to disappoint.
Here is one Edmunds review to consider. “One disappointment I have is the Apple Car Play system is very inconsistent in the way that it operates. It takes a long time to load some of the applications. When you turn them off, they don’t stay off, and when you want to launch them, they either don’t launch or it takes an inordinate amount of time to launch. This is not Buick’s fault, but any technology they install should check out perfectly.”
The company goes on to discuss even larger electrical system concerns, with nearly 100 communications on the subject alone. Service Bulletin #PIT5745 says that the memory seat module can wake the low speed LAN bus, which can eventually lead to an unintended battery draw. Imagine owners going out to their SUV in the morning for a drive to work only to find out that the battery is dead. Will GM “thoughtfully design” a rental car or a ride so that owner isn’t late? It’s doubtful.
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Buick pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Aug 29, 2022 |
| State | OR |
| Description | 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. I had no warning signs or dash lights before this happened. Once I turned my car off and then back on, the service brake assist light came on, followed by the engine light. Had any cars been in front of me to stop, I surely would not have been able to stop with what little brakes I had left. My brake assist vacuum pump was removed, and inside there were many pieces of the part in there. This part is available for inspection. Again, had this happened in traffic or with anybody stopped in front of me, this would have had a completely different outcome. I had to have my vehicle towed 70 miles for repair. When the part was removed, there were no visible signs of any of the seals leaking. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jun 19, 2022 |
| State | MD |
| Description | On june 4, 2022 the radio bar showed a line in the middle of it and the volume of it would not increase. I could not hear anything. I tried everything even going into systems on the radio. Later that day it corrected itself and went back to normal. On june 18, 2022 the front passenger side window I put down approximately 1-1 1/4†and drove for maybe a half mile then decided to put it back up, it won't move. I tried from both the drivers door control and passenger door, nothing. I looked in the manual and did what it stated to do, nothing, I got home turned off the car waited, turned the car back on and tried again, nothing. I called the dealership where I purchased the car and to my disappointment no service on saturday. I have less than 35000 miles on this car no reason why I should be having issues. |
| Category | Engine, Steering, Suspension |
| Date | Nov 20, 2021 |
| State | LA |
| Description | My buick envision started to occasionally create notable vibration in the front and traveling into the steering column. I brought the car to a gmc buick dealership in amite, la(4/13/21) it was there for 3 days. The problem couldn't be duplicated. Next the car was brought to royal buick, baton rouge, la(10/26-11/6/21. Having trouble controlling the car on each occurs. |
| Category | Steering |
| Date | Oct 21, 2021 |
| State | MA |
| Description | While we were merging onto the highway, the steering wheel locked! I was going 50 mph and I couldn't move the steering wheel left or right. We almost got into an accident, but I pulled my hardest on the wheel and was able to pull over. I shut off the car and turned it back on and it was ok, but under the wrong circumstances, this could've ended up real bad. Are there similar complaints on this vehicle? |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Oct 11, 2021 |
| State | CA |
| Description | We bought our used buick envision essence in feb 2021 from scott robinson honda, torrance, ca with 6,489 miles and 3 month warranty. The night we drove it off the lot the floor behind the driver's seat was wet and we thought it was from the prep (including shampooing the carpet) they said they had to do before we drove it off the lot at 9:00 p. M. The next day found that the matts in front were saturated in gasoline so threw them away. Since then whenever it rains floor becomes soaked each time. This causes windows to always be fogged up because of constant moisture in vehicle creating dangerous very poor visibilty and mildew we have to breath in causing breathing problems. We took the vehicle to our regular auto repair, encinitas foreign auto who checked the moon roof, door windows, windshild and ac system and after hundreds of dollars still don't know where wet floors are coming from. Should not be happening with less than 7,000 miles on it. Buick is now feeling and smelling damp all the time and fogging up windows making it difficult to see. We feel the manufacturer needs to correct this defect on our vehicle as soon as possible. Thank you. |
| Category | Engine, Fuel/propulsion System |
| Date | Nov 14, 2020 |
| State | NV |
| Description | There have been 2 separate incidents of the coolant hose rupturing due to thermostat failure and fuel sensor was bad causing not being able to to fill tank. Dealer said not under warranty took to separate shop when in fact it was under warranty so then took to dealer they do not want to extend warranty on motor for possible damage to the motor. Overheated twice while driving |
| Category | Steering |
| Date | Jun 14, 2020 |
| State | TN |
| Description | Loss of power steering for @ 5 minutes until stopped at red light, turned off the engine and turned it back on, it was working. However, just drove 2 minutes to employment parking lot. Not enough time to see if it malfunctioning, will notice driving back home. |
| Category | Suspension |
| Date | Jan 21, 2020 |
| State | RI |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2018 buick envision. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated when driving at 36 to 40 mph and caused the steering wheel to vibrate. The contact stated that when the speed was increased to 41 mph, the vibration stopped. The vehicle was taken to paul masse buick gmc south (2909 tower hill road, saunderstown, ri 02874, phone (401) 515-3737). The dealer was able to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that there was not a fix for the vibrating failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 400. |
Who are we? We are Lemberg Law, a Consumer Law Firm
Lemberg Law is a consumer law firm helping victims of bad manufacturing and run-arounds from auto companies. Lemberg Law has an A+ rating from the BBB. Call our Helpline today! There is no charge unless we win.
Share your story
Does this ring a bell? Have you had a bad experience too? Sound off and share your experience with other visitors in the comment box below.
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
See more posts from Brian Jones