30 of the
359 complaints filed about the Buick Envision
are about the transmission —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2017.
30
Complaints
8%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
On July 23, 2026, the transmission failed. I was driving for a weekend getaway (4.5 hrs from my home) and the transmission jerked extremely hard three times and I lost control of the car. I was driving through the mountains at 8pm. The RPM was in the red zone, even though my speed was fairly low. The car would not go into Park or Reverse. I took the car to HONOR GMC for diagnostic and they told me it cost $249 for the basic check. After the basic check, and not finding the solution, it would be an additional $2500 to drop the transmission for further inspection. Prior to this, there was no indication/warning light that the transmission was failing on a 3 year old car. The transmission on a 3 year old car shouldn't fail. Can you please help me with this problem?
NHTSA complaint #11754807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The envision started losing power, the engine would not gain speed or if it did it was very slow, had the booster vacuum sensor changed, Sudden loss of power or sluggish acceleration, In the beginning the noise/whining was not loud however increased from the engine. Took to a repair shop, could not figure it out, informed dealership, was advised to bring it in. As the car was driven into the lot it died and was unable to start again, dealership informed it was going to cost more than the $22,000 that I paid for it. It appears that the turbo’s failure has damaged internal components, a full engine rebuild is necessary. Bought the car with 63,000 miles, engine went around 100k, had an easy care insurance/mechanical policy just over the mileage limit, tried contacting Buick, due to no recall they wouldn't start a case file for me
NHTSA complaint #11745260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Description of Safety Defect: While operating the vehicle at approximately 25-30MPH and make a right turn, the vehicle experienced a sudden and total loss of power/engine stall, accompanied by a "Check Engine" light and a "Reduced Engine Power" notification. This resulted in a near-collision on a public roadway. The vehicle's steering and braking response were significantly compromised during this event, creating an immediate life-safety hazard for the driver and passengers. Dealer/Manufacturer Response: The vehicle was recently in the possession of McGovern Buick GMC Westborough for service. Despite the vehicle exhibiting an active Check Engine Light (CEL), the dealership staff pressured the consumer to take delivery of the vehicle and drive it on public roads. The service advisor admitted in writing that the CEL was active but insisted the vehicle was "feel free to drive." Furthermore, the dealership attempted to falsify internal corporate safety notes to claim the consumer "insisted" on taking the vehicle, masking a known mechanical defect. This represents a willful suppression of a safety defect by a franchised dealer, which led directly to a hazardous operating condition. Injuries/Crashes: No crash occurred, but a near-miss was documented. Passenger experienced severe emotional distress due to the sudden loss of vehicle control in traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11725228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The transmission on the vehicle failed. It is available for inspection. The vehicle began jolting, when accelerating from a stop, or when slowing to a stop. Seemed to be slipping out of gear while driving. We reported the incident to the dealership. They said they found nothing wrong. The issue continued, and the check engine light came on, so we returned to the dealer again. This time they found it needed the transmission to be rebuilt. They have had the car at the service center for 5 months. The parts they need are no longer available.
NHTSA complaint #11724171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 brake, sometimes it will lurch and buck. Buick dealer did do a transmission fluid flush and it still does the same thing daily.
NHTSA complaint #11708450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 12/18/2025 at approximately 5:00 pm, during rush hour traffic, while driving 60 mph on the expressway, my car automatically downshifted to drive1, the engine revved up significantly and the car reduced power and had sluggish acceleration. It did not come out of Drive 1 until I was able to get off the expressway and put the car in park. The car is available for inspection upon request. I was panicking in heavy traffic and cars were honking at me as I could not speed up. I took my car to the dealer but he could not reproduce the exact problem. The vehicle or component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance or representatives. There were not any warnings or messages prior to the symptoms. This is the second time this has happened within the eight months that I have leased the car.
NHTSA complaint #11706846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 THE CAR. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. i CONTINUED TO FINAL DESTINATION. I FEEL VERY LUCKY THIS ALL HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS GOING 5-10 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #11702035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The OnStar Telematics Module has malfunctioned and is causing SAFETY FEATURES to malfunction. It is causing the following to occur to the vehicle: 1. The faulty module is causing the car to shut OFF UNEXPECTEDLY MID DRIVE. Losing control of the vehicle instantly. No steering, no gas, no brake, no gear change. THIS can cause a CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT at higher speeds on the highways. The battery is completely drained when technicians inspect it but the alternator is working properly. 2. Causes the vehicle’s safety features to malfunction and give alerts such as “Service Driver Assist”, “Lane Departure Unavailable”, “Forward Collision Assist Unavailable”, “Steering Control Unavailable Soon”. 3. Causes GPS, WiFi, and location system to fail. 4. OnStar safety button do not work 5. Causes the engine light to go on and off and causes the cars idling to run erratically. 6. The module causes NEW batteries to drain quickly, less than a year after purchase. I have had the car shut off on me twice MID DRIVE, I was lucky to be in areas of less concern and harm. I’ve had to purchase two batteries since the module malfunctioned. Less than a year apart. The dealership confirmed it was the Telematics Module January 2025. They have confirmed the part is on backorder and not covered under warranty. NO INDICATORS were given when the car shut off BOTH times that I may have noticed or heard.
NHTSA complaint #11683824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Check engine light is on Turbo is failing, underboost code. Very unsafe on roadway due to unpredictable loss of power. The issue has been diagnosed through my local service center. I have not taken it to a dealership yet but will be next week. The issue occurred three weeks ago I believe
NHTSA complaint #11675898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 reorient and grab the appropriate gear and reengage the power to the wheels. This occurrence does not throw off any codes so it appears random. Took it to the dealer and they said it would be two weeks before their transmission guy could take a look at it and try to recreate. Since it is not throwing codes, elected to continue driving since it usually occurs in the 25 - 35 mph range.
NHTSA complaint #11668858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
New tires placed. Oil change next day noted oil leak on differential due to gasket. Mechanic tried to obtain gasket but system told him because my VIN was below a certain number I would need a new differential. Additionally, gasket could not be obtained. Buick knew a problem existed and changed manufacturing, hence, VIN above that certain number has no problems. What all of us below that VIN number?
NHTSA complaint #11657417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When letting off the accelerator to slow coming to a stop I would press the brake pedal. but the motor would increase RPMs and I had to use both feet to stop the vehicle. Then I had to put the car in neutral and the RPMs would increase even though I was at a stop and then I had to put it in Park before the RPMs would drop. I removed the driver's floor mat encase it was effecting the accelerator. The vehicle didn't act this violent but it failed to decelerate several times before I could get it to my local dealer.
NHTSA complaint #11650022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Envision. The contact stated that while stopped in traffic on the highway, while accelerating, the transmission started slipping and the vehicle jerked abnormally before starting to drive normally. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that additional diagnostic testing was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,950.
NHTSA complaint #11649112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Envision. The contact stated that after the vehicle had reached 10,000 miles driven, the transmission failed to immediately shift into drive(D) or 2nd gear while accelerating from being stationary. The check engine, speed sensor, pressure sensor, and solenoid warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the speed sensor, pressure sensor, and solenoid sensors had failed, and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.
NHTSA complaint #11643307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
While driving RPM’s bouncing. Upon acceleration experienced delay and hesitation Hesitation in acceleration causing safety issue when entering traffic’s and passing other vehicles Full transmission replacement was needed and completed
NHTSA complaint #11613292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When I am accelerating at a faster pace, always at 40 mph, my vehicle will start to shake. I have tested it several times now getting onto the interstate, it becomes an issue on the "on ramp" because I have to release the acceleration pedal and then very slowly get up to speed which causes me to not be able to get close enough to the posted speed while on the interstate which in turn causes other drivers to either slow down or try to move in another lane. I took it to my local Buick dealership (Trecek Automotive of Portage) on 4/29/24. They charged me $172.68 for diagnostics which resulted in this: Test drove. Did not feel shaking at first. The harder the vehicle was accelerated, the worse the shaking got. Recommend replacing front CV axle shafts. Cost approx. $1300. At the same time, I had a leak in the left rear axle seal which luckily was under warranty and was replaced. My 2017 Buick Envision has only 56,000 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint #11592175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.