2018 Buick Envision Safety Report

2018 Buick Envision shows low complaint volume but concerning steering and electrical issues, no recalls, and good frontal/side crash ratings.

13Complaints
0Recalls
65/100Reliability Score
Most reported components: Suspension (2)Unknown Or Other (2)Steering (2)Engine (1)Electrical System,Air Bags,Back Over Prevention (1)Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control (1)Steering,Electrical System (1)Service Brakes (1)Steering,Suspension,Engine (1)Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Buick Envision

The 2018 Buick Envision presents a mixed safety picture based on the available NHTSA data. With only 13 total complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported, the vehicle appears to have a relatively low incident rate. However, the absence of an overall NHTSA safety rating (N/A) and rollover rating (N/A) means a comprehensive safety assessment from crash tests is incomplete. It did achieve a respectable 4-star rating for frontal crash and a strong 5-star rating for side crash, indicating good performance in those specific impact scenarios. Despite the low complaint volume, several concerning patterns emerge. Steering-related issues are prominent, with 2 complaints specifically for 'STEERING' and others combining 'STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM' (1) and 'STEERING, SUSPENSION, ENGINE' (1). These complaints describe dangerous scenarios such as the steering wheel locking while driving at 50 MPH and loss of power steering. Suspension issues are also noted with 2 complaints, including reports of violent front-end shaking. Electrical system problems are another recurring theme, affecting components like tire sensors, airbag sensors, instrument panel clusters, and causing the radio to malfunction or the car to apply brakes unexpectedly. Recall history for the 2018 Buick Envision is clean, with 0 recalls issued by NHTSA. This suggests that no widespread, safety-critical manufacturing defects have been identified and mandated for repair by the manufacturer. While the crash test performance for frontal and side impacts is good, the lack of an overall rating and the nature of the reported steering and electrical issues, even if infrequent, highlight potential areas of concern that buyers should be aware of.

Reliability Score

The 2018 Buick Envision receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2018 Buick Envision

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Buick Envision:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Steering Wheel Locking/Loss Of Power Steering
Multiple reports of the steering wheel locking while driving at speed (e.g., 50 MPH) or intermittent loss of power steering, posing a significant safety risk.		 High Occasional unknown miles
Violent Front-End/Steering Wheel Shaking
Vehicle experiences violent shaking in the front end and steering wheel, particularly on rough roads, which can last for over a minute.		 Medium Occasional unknown miles
Electrical System Malfunctions
Various electrical failures including faulty tire sensors, airbag sensors, rear sensor control modules, instrument panel cluster going black, and unexpected brake application.		 Medium Occasional 85000+ miles
Engine Coolant Leaks/Head Gasket Issues
Reported head gasket issues leading to coolant leaks into the engine at relatively low mileage for the vehicle's age.		 High Rare 81824 miles
Brake Failure
One report of complete loss of brakes while driving at 55 MPH with no prior warning signs.		 High Rare unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Buick Envision:

Steering 23% of complaints

Multiple complaints related to steering, including locking steering wheels, loss of power steering, and violent shaking.

Suspension 15% of complaints

Reports of violent front-end shaking and vibrations, often linked to rough roads.

Electrical System 23% of complaints

Various electrical malfunctions affecting sensors, instrument panel, radio, and causing unintended braking.

Engine 15% of complaints

Issues such as head gasket failure leading to coolant leaks and thermostat failures.

Service Brakes 8% of complaints

One critical report of complete brake failure while driving.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Buick Envision

Is the 2018 Buick Envision safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 Buick Envision has a low number of total complaints (13) and no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths. It received good crash test ratings for frontal (4 stars) and side (5 stars) impacts. However, there are concerning, albeit infrequent, reports of steering wheel locking, loss of power steering, and brake failure, which are high-severity safety issues. The lack of an overall NHTSA safety rating means a complete crash safety picture is unavailable.

What are common problems with the 2018 Buick Envision?

The most reported issues for the 2018 Buick Envision, based on NHTSA complaints, involve the STEERING system (23% of complaints), SUSPENSION (15%), and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (23%). Specific problems include steering wheel locking, violent front-end shaking, various electrical malfunctions (sensors, instrument panel), and engine issues like coolant leaks.

Has the 2018 Buick Envision had any recalls?

No, the 2018 Buick Envision has had 0 recalls issued by NHTSA, indicating that no widespread safety defects have been identified and mandated for repair by the manufacturer.

How does the 2018 Buick Envision perform in crash tests?

The 2018 Buick Envision received a 4-star rating for frontal crash and a 5-star rating for side crash from NHTSA. An overall safety rating and rollover rating are not available (N/A).

Are there any engine problems with the 2018 Buick Envision?

Yes, there are reports of engine-related problems, including head gasket issues leading to coolant leaks into the engine and thermostat failures causing coolant hose ruptures. These account for 15% of the top complaint components.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: While the 2018 Buick Envision has a low complaint volume and good frontal/side crash ratings, potential buyers should be aware of reported, albeit infrequent, high-severity issues like steering lock-ups and brake failure. A thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially focusing on steering, suspension, and electrical systems, is highly recommended.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Buick Envision

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Buick Envision. The data includes 13 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.