2021 Buick Envision Common Problems & Defect Telemetry
Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 23 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 2 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.
The 2021 Buick Envision receives a 7.2/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 23 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 2 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports with a median failure point at 37,588 miles (IQR: 37,588 – 37,588 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $950 – $3,200 .
5.8 complaints / 10k sold
Verified US federal records
Crash, fire & stall audit
2 Active / Free Remedies
2021 Envision Failure Distribution by Vehicle Subsystem
Top Reported Problem Clusters (7)
Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports
- Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
- Abnormal oil burning / consumption
- Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
- Engine overheating / coolant loss
“got a check engine light on, took to dealer was a code 1098, the part is on back order told that it would not be available until middle of may, this happened to me at the end of march, now am learning that GM issued a recall on that part for their diesel Duramax engine, I thin...”
“When I start at a low speed it's like it does not know which gear to go in. You push on the gas and it does not move much and then launches forward. It has done this since I purchased it in April 2025 used.When in auto stop and the engine starts up with my foot still on the br...”
“Fuel pump and fuel control module failed. Car will not stay running. Currently at GM dealership. Confirmed and repair cost about $500. No warning lights.”
Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports
- Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
- Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration
- Transmission slipping between gears
“When I start at a low speed it's like it does not know which gear to go in. You push on the gas and it does not move much and then launches forward. It has done this since I purchased it in April 2025 used.When in auto stop and the engine starts up with my foot still on the br...”
“11/25/25 DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, THE TRANSMISION WAS IN DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND CONTINUED TO THE FINAL DESTINATION. 3 DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. TRANSMITION WENT FROM DRIVE TO 1 ST GEAR. I STOPPED ...”
“This has happened about 4-5 times now, car has approximately 17.5k miles. While accelerating attempting to reach speed limit, transmission has slipped out of gear and power to wheels is not happening. Have learned to switch into neutral and then drive and transmission will reo...”
Fuel Pump Pressure Loss & Fuel Delivery Defect Reports
- Sudden loss of propulsion power at highway speeds
- Extended engine cranking / failure to restart
- Fuel odor near fuel tank / engine bay
“Fuel pump and fuel control module failed. Car will not stay running. Currently at GM dealership. Confirmed and repair cost about $500. No warning lights.”
“Vehicle engine died in the middle of the road. Would turn over but not start. Seemed like fuel system stopped working”
“The contact owns a 2021 Buick Envision. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the contact heard a popping sound coming from the front end of the vehicle, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the...”
Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports
- Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
- Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
- Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
“Fuel pump and fuel control module failed. Car will not stay running. Currently at GM dealership. Confirmed and repair cost about $500. No warning lights.”
“The contact owns a 2021 Buick Envision. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert malfunctioned. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the side-view mirror illuminated erroneously while dr...”
“I think it may be either fuel propulsion system or it maybe something electrical. I don’t really know. It is available for inspection at this time as it has been at the car dealer repair shop for about a month. My safety is put at risk because about seven or eight out of 10 ti...”
Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports
- Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
- ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
- Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
“The contact owns a 2021 Buick Envision. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed on the freeway, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated around a corner, with the floor mat stuck under the pedal. The driver depressed the brake pedal for an extend...”
“When I start at a low speed it's like it does not know which gear to go in. You push on the gas and it does not move much and then launches forward. It has done this since I purchased it in April 2025 used.When in auto stop and the engine starts up with my foot still on the br...”
Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports
- Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
- Steering wheel pull or highway wander
- Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
“The contact owns a 2021 Buick Envision. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert malfunctioned. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the side-view mirror illuminated erroneously while dr...”
“The contact owns a 2021 Buick Envision. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the contact heard a popping sound coming from the front end of the vehicle, and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the...”
Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports
- SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
- Seat belt retractor lockup
“The contact owns a 2021 Buick Envision. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”
Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (2)
AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2021 Buick Envision
Before purchasing a used 2021 Buick Envision, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:
Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).
Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.
Verify that all 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.
Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.
Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2021 Buick Envision
Is the 2021 Buick Envision a reliable used car?
The 2021 Buick Envision earns a 7.2/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 23 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.
What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2021 Buick Envision?
The leading complaint category is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports, with a median failure point around 37,588 miles (IQR: 37,588 – 37,588 mi).
Are there free recall repairs available for the 2021 Buick Envision?
Yes, the NHTSA records 2 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.