CARFOCALvehicle research
Research CarsCompareRankingsArticles
  1. Home›
  2. Manufacturers›
  3. Buick›
  4. Envision›
  5. 2018›
  6. Complaints

2018 Buick Envision Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 2026
Daniel Wilson
2018 Buick Envision Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2018 Buick Envision has 20 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve steering and suspension.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

8.5/ 10

Based on 20 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

STEERING

4 20%

SUSPENSION

3 15%

ENGINE

3 15%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 15%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 10%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is STEERING, accounting for 20% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 10 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

Subscribe to Recall Alerts

Get notified when a new recall or important ownership update lands for the 2018 Buick Envision.

Free alerts based on U.S. recall data. Unsubscribe anytime.

Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2018 Buick Envision

The 2018 Buick Envision has 20 owner complaints in this dataset. STEERING is the most common complaint category, representing about 20% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2018 Buick Envision are STEERING (4), SUSPENSION (3), ENGINE (3).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 16 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2018 Buick Envision?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2017 Envision complaints2019 Envision complaints2020 Envision complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 10 of 10 systems

STEERING

4 Reports20% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

6/14/2020

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?

10/21/2021

2 more complaints are available in this category.

SUSPENSION

3 Reports15% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

1/21/2020

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.

11/20/2021

1 more complaint is available in this category.

ENGINE

3 Reports15% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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

11/14/2020

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.

11/20/2021

1 more complaint is available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 Reports15% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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. It could be very dangerous for me and others for needing to turning into places or even turning down the road. It hasn’t been confirmed or inspected, yet. There is only one warning lamp that flashes on for a split second, it’s no t/c. It just started flashing 3/26/23 not prior to incidents.

3/28/2023

The Instrument Panel Cluster failed and is completely gone black. Due to the failure, there is no speedometer, or other safety notifications being delivered to the driver. The lack of knowing your current speed, the speed cruise control is set at, along with zero safety notifications is a huge safety issue for the driver and passengers, other vehicles on the road and pedestrians, etc. 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. There were zero warning lamps, message or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. After reading numerous on-line Buick/GMC forums, it appears this same issue has been prolonged and on-going across multiple Buick years, makes and models.

2/27/2024

1 more complaint is available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

10/11/2021

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.

6/19/2022

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 Report5% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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

11/14/2020

SERVICE BRAKES

1 Report5% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

8/29/2022

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 Report5% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The Instrument Panel Cluster failed and is completely gone black. Due to the failure, there is no speedometer, or other safety notifications being delivered to the driver. The lack of knowing your current speed, the speed cruise control is set at, along with zero safety notifications is a huge safety issue for the driver and passengers, other vehicles on the road and pedestrians, etc. 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. There were zero warning lamps, message or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. After reading numerous on-line Buick/GMC forums, it appears this same issue has been prolonged and on-going across multiple Buick years, makes and models.

2/27/2024

AIR BAGS

1 Report5% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Multiple Electrical parts became faulty starting with 3 tire sensors, then the front passenger airbag sensor, immediately followed by both rear sensor control modules. Milage at onset was approx 85000. Brought to dealer for dx due to my vehicle applying breaks when it shouldn’t, when auto start/stop was still on, the vehicle powersteering would stop working intermittently when going from a stopped position in drive to accelerating. Dealership ran diagnostics and determined the air bag control module is faulty and requires replacement of the entire seat to replace the sensor, as well as both rear sensors need to be replaced . This vehicle has been in no accidents. I had a second opinion completed with the same diagnosis. Now today- my OnStar system began blinking red and forcefully called OnStar twice. I spent over a half hour on the phone while they tried to reset the system and the car wasn’t responding as they would expect it to. There is something VERY wrong with the electronics of this vehicle, I dont feel safe in it . Please advise

4/3/2025

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

1 Report5% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Multiple Electrical parts became faulty starting with 3 tire sensors, then the front passenger airbag sensor, immediately followed by both rear sensor control modules. Milage at onset was approx 85000. Brought to dealer for dx due to my vehicle applying breaks when it shouldn’t, when auto start/stop was still on, the vehicle powersteering would stop working intermittently when going from a stopped position in drive to accelerating. Dealership ran diagnostics and determined the air bag control module is faulty and requires replacement of the entire seat to replace the sensor, as well as both rear sensors need to be replaced . This vehicle has been in no accidents. I had a second opinion completed with the same diagnosis. Now today- my OnStar system began blinking red and forcefully called OnStar twice. I spent over a half hour on the phone while they tried to reset the system and the car wasn’t responding as they would expect it to. There is something VERY wrong with the electronics of this vehicle, I dont feel safe in it . Please advise

4/3/2025

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2018 Buick Envision?

The most reported complaint category for the 2018 Buick Envision is STEERING, with 4 owner reports. That is about 20% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include STEERING, SUSPENSION, ENGINE.

Are complaints about the 2018 Buick Envision a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 16 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2018 Buick Envision?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2018 Buick Envision severe?

16 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Buick Envision: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
20
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

We may earn a commission via links on this page.

In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

Start here

Buyer guideMaintenance guideRecall report

Get recall and ownership alerts for the 2018 Buick Envision

Get our free model-year alerts and ownership updates.

Sign Up

We may earn a commission if you buy parts through our links. Learn more.

Carfocal

Automotive Research

Real data on vehicle reliability, safety, and ownership costs.

  • Used Car Research
  • Reliability Rankings
  • Buying Guides

  • Data Sources & Methodology
  • Editorial Standards
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Terms of Service

© 2026 Carfocal · All Rights Reserved