Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, suspension, and engine. The 8 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2018Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/8 checked
2018 Buick Envision: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/1
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2018's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
Worth adding to your 2018 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Buick Envision. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD | 22 mpg |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 24–25 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Buick Envision, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The wheel locks or loses power assist, sometimes at highway speed. Some reports tie the lockup to the automatic engine stop/start system: after the engine restarts, the wheel will not turn, and the radio may shut off at the same moment. Restarting the car usually brings steering back, but drivers describe nearly crashing and fighting the wheel to pull over. Other reports describe front-end vibration that travels into the steering column and makes the car hard to control. A dealer could not reproduce it.
The front end shakes, and the shaking comes through the steering wheel. On rough roads it can turn violent and last about a minute. A second pattern appears between 36 and 40 mph and stops once the car reaches 41 mph. That vibration was reported at just 400 miles. A dealer duplicated it, but the manufacturer said no fix exists, and the car was not repaired.
Coolant problems lead these reports. The engine loses coolant with no outside leak, and the reservoir needs repeated refills. Owners blame a failing head gasket, reported at 81,824 miles. Other reports describe a thermostat failure that ruptured a coolant hose twice and let the engine overheat while driving. A bad fuel sensor also kept a tank from filling. Warranty disputes come up too: owners say dealers denied coverage and refused to extend engine coverage for possible overheating damage.
Sensors and modules fail one after another, starting near 85,000 miles. Tire sensors, the front passenger airbag sensor and both rear sensor control modules are named. Linked symptoms include the car braking when it should not and power steering cutting out when pulling away from a stop with auto stop/start on. Replacing the airbag sensor means replacing the whole seat. The instrument cluster can also go completely black with no warning, leaving no speedometer and no collision or lane-keeping alerts.
Excerpts from complaints Envision owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
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?
Filed with NHTSA, October 2021
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.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2021
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 -
Filed with NHTSA, October 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2018 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 8 Envision years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2018 is the third model year of the Envision's first generation (2016–2020).
Buick updated the Envision for 2019, so a 2018 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2019 (not on a 2018)
Cars shoppers compare with the Buick Envision, with their own 2018 checklists.
2018 owner complaints, side by side
