FaultScore

FaultScore report

2020 Buick Envision problems

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2020 Buick Envision with NHTSA between 2020 and 2024. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 9 worst.

D

FaultScore 62/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Buick Envision.

How this is worked out

The numbers

19

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries reported

15,150 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

67%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 24 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 24
Against the median year of the Buick Envision. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
36.8% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
67% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2020 compares with every other Buick Envision

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2020 Buick Envision

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 3 15.8%
Airbags 3 15.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 51,455 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 3 15.8%
Other & Unspecified 2 10.5%

Median failure at 5,200 miles

Brakes 2 10.5%
Electrical System 2 10.5%
Equipment & Accessories 1 5.3%

Median failure at 5,200 miles

Seat Belts 1 5.3%

Median failure at 82,910 miles

Wheels 1 5.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 5.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 10,300 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 2 33.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 33.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 33.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Aug 2020 peak 3 Dec 2024

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Springfield, MO 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

I put the car into park and I exited the vehicle because I forgot to push the stop button. So I reached accross the driver's seat and push the stop button. When I did this the car began to roll back as if it was in neutral. I did not touch the shift knob. It shifted into neutral on its on. The front down was open at the time. The car should not have moved if the front door was open. The car ended up rolling down a small hill and ran over me.

NHTSA complaint #11543086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, MO 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

I put the car into park and I exited the vehicle because I forgot to push the stop button. So I reached accross the driver's seat and push the stop button. When I did this the car began to roll back as if it was in neutral. I did not touch the shift knob. It shifted into neutral on its on. The front down was open at the time. The car should not have moved if the front door was open. The car ended up rolling down a small hill and ran over me.

NHTSA complaint #11543086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, MO 1 injured

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I put the car into park and I exited the vehicle because I forgot to push the stop button. So I reached accross the driver's seat and push the stop button. When I did this the car began to roll back as if it was in neutral. I did not touch the shift knob. It shifted into neutral on its on. The front down was open at the time. The car should not have moved if the front door was open. The car ended up rolling down a small hill and ran over me.

NHTSA complaint #11543086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,300 miles Raleigh, NC Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

The contact owns a 2020 Buick Envision. The contact stated when pulled into a recycling center, the vehicle unattended accelerated, and crashed into a cement wall. The failure occurred within seconds. The contact did not recall any warning lights on the instrument panel. The air bags did not deploy. There were minor injuries to the left-hand upper thumb. The contact also stated his head hit the steering wheel and the right side of the face was swollen, and below the right knee was bruised. There was a medical report from the Orthopedics clinic. There was no police report. The vehicle had damage to the front driver side quarter panel, the entire hood was lifted; however, the left front of the hood was higher up. The other damages were the bumper, lighting system, the front windshield cracked and shattered, and the rear windshield wiper was damaged due to the impact of the crash. The vehicle was drivable. The vehicle has not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,300.

NHTSA complaint #11460695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles New Albany, OH Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2020 Buick Envision. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph when the contact was struck by a semi-trailer which resulted in the side air bag not deploying. A police report was taken the contact sustained broken ribs on the left side and sought medical treatment. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and then towed to an insurance lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told no evidence of the airbags not deploying properly.

NHTSA complaint #11439414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Dayton, OH

POWER TRAIN

I was driving and came to a stop at a light and all the sudden in my car just shut off. It took me a minute to try to turn it back on while cars behind me honking their horn. I’m assuming it has something to do with the electric due to the start stop button. I don’t have official incident report because I was able to get my car turned back on. I looked it up on the Internet and several people are having this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11630026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayton, OH

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was driving and came to a stop at a light and all the sudden in my car just shut off. It took me a minute to try to turn it back on while cars behind me honking their horn. I’m assuming it has something to do with the electric due to the start stop button. I don’t have official incident report because I was able to get my car turned back on. I looked it up on the Internet and several people are having this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11630026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Demossville, KY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

We have two problems what we would call safety issues. First, all the sound in the vehicle was lost which included safety belt warning alarm, turn signal bells, door open alarms, etc. We were told by the dealership that it was a faulty amplifier. Secondly, the sunroof opened by itself, and is locked in the open position which makes the vehicle undrivable due to weather conditions and makes it an easy target for theft. The vehicle was locked and parked in our driveway when we noticed the sunroof was open. We know this occurred on it's own as we had just washed the vehicle and locked the doors. The next day we found the sunroof open and the doors still locked. This is a computer software issue within the vehicle as these issues occurred within a matter of days of each other. The sunroof opening on its own is a safety issue as a unsecure car is a problem, opening during traveling in a storm is a real threat to driving conditions. During our investigations we have found other cases the same as ours.We have reached out to GMC and we were told no recalls have been issued and to file a complaint with NHTSA and our state Attorney General. Our vehicle has been sitting at the dealership since August 5th, waiting on back ordered parts with no anticipated delivery date for those parts. This is not a dealership issue but rather a manufacturer design defect. Buick has not taken any interest or responsibility for this issue as the vehicle was out of warranty recently. This 2020 vehicle only has 55,000 miles. I have a 60-mile roundtrip commute to my job at a local hospital and have been without a vehicle since July 28th. This issue is not due to any neglect on our part and the cost so far is over $3,000. Buick should be responsible for their design and poor engineering as this has the potential to cause an issue if this happens while the vehicle is moving. The safety bells are an added reminder to buckle up and if they are not working it is a safety issue for those in the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11608542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Demossville, KY

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

We have two problems what we would call safety issues. First, all the sound in the vehicle was lost which included safety belt warning alarm, turn signal bells, door open alarms, etc. We were told by the dealership that it was a faulty amplifier. Secondly, the sunroof opened by itself, and is locked in the open position which makes the vehicle undrivable due to weather conditions and makes it an easy target for theft. The vehicle was locked and parked in our driveway when we noticed the sunroof was open. We know this occurred on it's own as we had just washed the vehicle and locked the doors. The next day we found the sunroof open and the doors still locked. This is a computer software issue within the vehicle as these issues occurred within a matter of days of each other. The sunroof opening on its own is a safety issue as a unsecure car is a problem, opening during traveling in a storm is a real threat to driving conditions. During our investigations we have found other cases the same as ours.We have reached out to GMC and we were told no recalls have been issued and to file a complaint with NHTSA and our state Attorney General. Our vehicle has been sitting at the dealership since August 5th, waiting on back ordered parts with no anticipated delivery date for those parts. This is not a dealership issue but rather a manufacturer design defect. Buick has not taken any interest or responsibility for this issue as the vehicle was out of warranty recently. This 2020 vehicle only has 55,000 miles. I have a 60-mile roundtrip commute to my job at a local hospital and have been without a vehicle since July 28th. This issue is not due to any neglect on our part and the cost so far is over $3,000. Buick should be responsible for their design and poor engineering as this has the potential to cause an issue if this happens while the vehicle is moving. The safety bells are an added reminder to buckle up and if they are not working it is a safety issue for those in the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11608542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Demossville, KY

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

We have two problems what we would call safety issues. First, all the sound in the vehicle was lost which included safety belt warning alarm, turn signal bells, door open alarms, etc. We were told by the dealership that it was a faulty amplifier. Secondly, the sunroof opened by itself, and is locked in the open position which makes the vehicle undrivable due to weather conditions and makes it an easy target for theft. The vehicle was locked and parked in our driveway when we noticed the sunroof was open. We know this occurred on it's own as we had just washed the vehicle and locked the doors. The next day we found the sunroof open and the doors still locked. This is a computer software issue within the vehicle as these issues occurred within a matter of days of each other. The sunroof opening on its own is a safety issue as a unsecure car is a problem, opening during traveling in a storm is a real threat to driving conditions. During our investigations we have found other cases the same as ours.We have reached out to GMC and we were told no recalls have been issued and to file a complaint with NHTSA and our state Attorney General. Our vehicle has been sitting at the dealership since August 5th, waiting on back ordered parts with no anticipated delivery date for those parts. This is not a dealership issue but rather a manufacturer design defect. Buick has not taken any interest or responsibility for this issue as the vehicle was out of warranty recently. This 2020 vehicle only has 55,000 miles. I have a 60-mile roundtrip commute to my job at a local hospital and have been without a vehicle since July 28th. This issue is not due to any neglect on our part and the cost so far is over $3,000. Buick should be responsible for their design and poor engineering as this has the potential to cause an issue if this happens while the vehicle is moving. The safety bells are an added reminder to buckle up and if they are not working it is a safety issue for those in the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11608542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,910 miles Spring, TX

SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2020 Buick Envision. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt failed to extend and was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that the front driver's side seat belt ratchet was abnormally opened, causing the air bag module to fail. The dealer determined that the front driver's side seat belt assembly and the front driver's side air bag module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,910. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11589109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,910 miles Spring, TX

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2020 Buick Envision. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt failed to extend and was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that the front driver's side seat belt ratchet was abnormally opened, causing the air bag module to fail. The dealer determined that the front driver's side seat belt assembly and the front driver's side air bag module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,910. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11589109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chester, SC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Got in the vehicle to start the engine and the instrument cluster stop showing all readings of the gauges would not display the screen blacked out and none of the gauges were working. There were no warnings lamps or nothing out the ordinary the instrument cluster just went out. This is the first time it has ever done this.

NHTSA complaint #11570412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Paradise, TX

AIR BAGS

The Air Bag, Parking Brake, Traction Control/StabiliTrak/Electonic Stability Control lights all came on while operating my vehicle. The lights did not go off, so I reported to the dealership. They determined it was an internal defect in the Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module. This was not covered under warranty and appears to be a defect in the module. I believe this to be a serious safety concern and recommend a recall of this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11552084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Paradise, TX

WHEELS

The Air Bag, Parking Brake, Traction Control/StabiliTrak/Electonic Stability Control lights all came on while operating my vehicle. The lights did not go off, so I reported to the dealership. They determined it was an internal defect in the Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module. This was not covered under warranty and appears to be a defect in the module. I believe this to be a serious safety concern and recommend a recall of this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11552084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Paradise, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

The Air Bag, Parking Brake, Traction Control/StabiliTrak/Electonic Stability Control lights all came on while operating my vehicle. The lights did not go off, so I reported to the dealership. They determined it was an internal defect in the Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module. This was not covered under warranty and appears to be a defect in the module. I believe this to be a serious safety concern and recommend a recall of this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11552084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, MO 1 injured

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

I put the car into park and I exited the vehicle because I forgot to push the stop button. So I reached accross the driver's seat and push the stop button. When I did this the car began to roll back as if it was in neutral. I did not touch the shift knob. It shifted into neutral on its on. The front down was open at the time. The car should not have moved if the front door was open. The car ended up rolling down a small hill and ran over me.

NHTSA complaint #11543086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, MO 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

I put the car into park and I exited the vehicle because I forgot to push the stop button. So I reached accross the driver's seat and push the stop button. When I did this the car began to roll back as if it was in neutral. I did not touch the shift knob. It shifted into neutral on its on. The front down was open at the time. The car should not have moved if the front door was open. The car ended up rolling down a small hill and ran over me.

NHTSA complaint #11543086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, MO 1 injured

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I put the car into park and I exited the vehicle because I forgot to push the stop button. So I reached accross the driver's seat and push the stop button. When I did this the car began to roll back as if it was in neutral. I did not touch the shift knob. It shifted into neutral on its on. The front down was open at the time. The car should not have moved if the front door was open. The car ended up rolling down a small hill and ran over me.

NHTSA complaint #11543086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,300 miles Raleigh, NC Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

The contact owns a 2020 Buick Envision. The contact stated when pulled into a recycling center, the vehicle unattended accelerated, and crashed into a cement wall. The failure occurred within seconds. The contact did not recall any warning lights on the instrument panel. The air bags did not deploy. There were minor injuries to the left-hand upper thumb. The contact also stated his head hit the steering wheel and the right side of the face was swollen, and below the right knee was bruised. There was a medical report from the Orthopedics clinic. There was no police report. The vehicle had damage to the front driver side quarter panel, the entire hood was lifted; however, the left front of the hood was higher up. The other damages were the bumper, lighting system, the front windshield cracked and shattered, and the rear windshield wiper was damaged due to the impact of the crash. The vehicle was drivable. The vehicle has not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,300.

NHTSA complaint #11460695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles New Albany, OH Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2020 Buick Envision. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph when the contact was struck by a semi-trailer which resulted in the side air bag not deploying. A police report was taken the contact sustained broken ribs on the left side and sought medical treatment. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and then towed to an insurance lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told no evidence of the airbags not deploying properly.

NHTSA complaint #11439414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Franklin, TN

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:GEARS

2020 BUICK ENVISION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAN BE POWERED OFF AND KEY REMOVED WITHOUT BEING SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED.

NHTSA complaint #11432311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,200 miles Cypress, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE SAFERCAR APP DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE VIN [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11351953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,200 miles Cypress, TX

EQUIPMENT

THE SAFERCAR APP DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE VIN [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11351953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.