The 2022 Buick Envision is an SUV built by GM for family travel. The automaker claims that the model is “designed to inspire every drive.” However, customers are sounding the alarm that their Envisions have a defective electrical system, malfunctioning engine, and acceleration-brake problems.
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Contents
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| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
| Electrical System | |
| Air Bags | |
| Power Train | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | |
| Electrical System:adas:driver Monitoring:software | |
| Equipment:electrical:infotainment | |
| Exterior Lighting | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking |
There aren’t a lot of complaints to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) about the 2022 Buick Envision, but there are some owners who are frustrated. Engine, electrical systems, and airbags present the most common problems in complaints, but there are also some other issues.
Of course, it isn’t only the NHTSA that gets to hear about problems. A fair number of vehicle owners voice their frustrations on forums and platforms like Edmunds. Let’s take a look.
The electrical system is supposed to provide support for starting the vehicle, running the high-tech in-cabin equipment, and for keeping the lights running, but this system is clearly defective in some vehicles.
One NHTSA complaint from an Illinois owner describes how the 2022 Buick Envision started running on its own. It was parked in the garage while he was working in the yard with the vehicle fob in his pocket. He noticed that the SUV was running when he walked into the garage.
So, he “sat in the driver’s seat, put his seatbelt on, depressed the brake pedal, pushed the turn off button and the vehicle turned off.” He then tried unsuccessfully to start the vehicle with the fob alone. The idea was to determine whether the fob alone could start the vehicle, but it didn’t work.
He states, “the fob alone could not start the vehicle as the vehicle was designed to only start when he got in the driver seat, locked the driver’s door, put his seatbelt on, and pushed the start button while in possession of the fob.” He also attempted to start the vehicle with the fob several more times to determine whether the fob could start the vehicle, but he was not successful.
Buick also knows how bad this system is. Service Bulletin #21NA279 states that the starter might need to be replaced because of a serious rattling noise. This is a situation that should never occur, yet GM is okay with shipping out vehicles that don’t operate as they should. Without the ability to start the car, owners are dead in the water. It’s impossible to have any sort of “inspiring drive” if it won’t start in the first place.
The motor is having just as many issues, if not more, underneath the hood of the 2022 Buick Envision.
Another NHTSA complaint from an owner in Georgia states, “The issue is the AutoStop feature and the transmission. When driving, it appears that the gears are not shifting correctly; also, while driving, the RPM has reached a high level of 5 multiple times, which is now a cause for concern. My minor son and I were driving today, and an 18-wheeler started veering into our lane. When I sped up to move over to the next lane, the vehicle hesitated, the engine revved up, and the vehicle started moving slowly.”
Three months later, the same Georgia owner complained to the NHTSA again. The 6-month-old vehicle still had a delay when shifting the gears, resulting in a loss of power, and the infotainment screen had frozen after a software update. “Additionally, when the vehicle is turned off, there is a loud noise (knocking) coming from the front of the vehicle. Also, while driving there has been a burning smell.”
According to the complaint, General Motors couldn’t duplicate the issues, but eventually offered a settlement of repair costs. The owner was planning to submit a lemon law warranty claim.
Again, Buick isn’t naïve about what’s happening with the Envision. Service Bulletin #19NA104 talks about vapor and steam coming out of the front grille because of problems. There’s no way to spin this problem to look good. No one is going to believe that the Envision is the hot SUV to drive, so hot it is steaming. Instead, customers are wise enough to know that there’s a major problem occurring with the engine.
Some of the issues owners are complaining about include the airbags, brakes, no-hands liftgate, and very small air vents in the rear of the SUV.
An airbag-related complaint to the NHTSA from an owner in Kentucky states that the Service Safety Restraint System and airbag light come on and off multiple times every day. But neither Onstar nor the dealer can recreate the issue or find a code to stop it from happening. “It is very distracting when driving and warning bells are sounding” because “messages are popping up that take my eyes off the road.”
There are several complaints on the Edmunds website. A user talks about an acceleration-braking problem. “I’ve had (my) Buick Envision Essence (for) 8 days. I went on a 7.5-hour trip (and) when passing, the gas stuck. RPM was at 5 while pushing (the) brake. It still wouldn’t slow down. I needed to push neutral and again while coming back from my trip, it is winter. Thank God there wasn’t ice cause I’m sure I’d be in a huge accident.”
Other Edmunds comments have relatively minor complaints. For instance, one user states that the Envision no longer has air con controls for passengers traveling in the rear seat. Also, “the air vents back there are small and the output is not very strong.”
Another critical comment brings up several issues:
All these issues add to the general frustration of 2022 Buick Envision owners.
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.
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Brian Jones spent more than 30 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.
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Numerous times my driver and passenger windows rolled down on its own. One time that it happened, someone stole belongings out of my vehicle. I have a 2022 Buick Envision Avenir.
I had just finished washing and drying my 2022 Buick Envision, when I returned to the vehicle after cleaning up the front driver and passenger windows were down. I did have the fob in my hand, but my car is not equipped for this function.
I have a 2022 Buick envision preferred. So far the only issue is that the audio component keeps bliping out occasionally. It does not have navigation and I have to rely on Bluetooth with my phone. When I try to use navigation on my phone that is mirrored to the car, it keeps going off and I have to pull over and reprogram it. Dealer tells me it can’t be fixed. When I got the car, the salesman at the dealership told me navigation chip could be added after purchase for around $500.00. After purchase I was told by the maintenance depth that adding navigation is not possible. I contacted the CEO of General MOTORS VIA CERTIFIED LETTER who declined to respond in any way. All I can say is Goodbye GM.
I was vacuuming in my house with the key fob in my pocket. Wen I went to empty the dust bin into trash in garage, my car was running!. I went inside the car and shut it off and then called my dealer. He told me 1. I should not have the fob in my pocket and, 2. I somehow did a remote start. He said the car would shut itself off at about 10 minutes. This is a 2021 Buick Envision with 8,000 miles on it. Dealer indicated it was MY mistake having the key on my person.