2023 Buick Envision: What to check before buying

Unintended acceleration and transmission trouble dominate these reports. Engine RPMs climb when the driver lifts off the gas and brakes, sometimes staying high at a stop until the car goes into Park. A sudden lunge forward while parking is also reported, as early as 760 miles. Separately, the transmission jolts from a stop, slips out of gear, and triggers a check engine light, with one rebuild delayed 5 months because parts were unavailable. Surging while stopping or parking carries a clear crash risk.

Total electrical shutdown while driving is the most serious pattern. The engine quits, the dashboard goes black, and the hazard lights stop working, with no warning beforehand. That leaves the driver in traffic without power steering or brake assist. Loose battery cables and wiring harnesses were found, and moving them restored power. Another complaint covers a park assist sensor that was never installed and is still unavailable from the dealer. A third filing gives no details.

The brake pedal sinks toward the floor or stops slowing the car. Sometimes there is no warning first. Other times ABS, brake, traction control, stability control, and forward collision warnings all light up at once. Drivers describe pumping the pedal hard or shifting to neutral to coast to a stop. A related report ties a sudden loss of motive power near 40 mph to a failed ABS control module, with the car stuck at the dealer waiting for the part. These failures show up on low-mileage cars and carry a serious crash risk.

The fuel pump control module fails and the engine loses power on the road. Reports include losing power and acceleration at about 60 mph, with a check engine light and the transmission dropping into neutral. Another describes the engine quitting with no warning lights and a tow to the dealer. In both cases the dealer called for a new module. The failures came early, between 3,130 and 7,600 miles. Losing power at highway speed is a real crash risk.

Side blind zone alert and rear cross traffic alert are missing on some cars because of the chip shortage. Nothing broke. The original window sticker shows a $350 credit for the deleted features. Used-car buyers say they found out only after purchase, by pulling up the sticker. Owners who were promised the features later report long waits, nine months in one case. These complaints describe missing equipment and a delayed retrofit, not a part failing.

Power steering cuts out while the brakes also stop responding, usually with a cluster of warning lights including ABS, transmission, check engine, collision, and steering. Drivers describe pressing the brake pedal to the floor at low speed to stop, and a dealer traced one case to a failed brake module. Another report links a drained battery to brakes locking up and widespread electrical faults. Losing steering and braking together, even at parking-lot speeds, is a loss-of-control risk.

Park assist does not work because the part was left out during the semiconductor shortage. Buyers were told at sale that a no-cost retrofit would follow once parts arrived. Owners report never being contacted, and Buick has directed them to file with NHTSA so the car shows as an open case in GM's warranty system. The second filing contains only a tracking number. This is a part shortage and retrofit delay, not a component breaking.