2020 Buick Envision Safety Report

2020 Buick Envision: High crash ratings, but concerning real-world complaints of power train, electrical, and air bag failures.

10Complaints
0Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
65/100Reliability Score
2Crash Reports
3Injuries
Most reported components: Power Train,Unknown Or Other (1)Electrical System,Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance (1)Air Bags,Seat Belts (1)Electrical System (1)Air Bags,Wheels,Service Brakes (1)Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance,Power Train (1)Vehicle Speed Control (1)Air Bags (1)Power Train (1)Equipment,Unknown Or Other (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Buick Envision

The 2020 Buick Envision presents an overall strong safety picture based on its NHTSA 5-star overall safety rating, with 5 stars in side crash tests and 4 stars in frontal and rollover tests. However, a review of the 10 NHTSA complaints reveals several concerning patterns, particularly related to the power train and electrical system. There are 2 reported crashes, resulting in 3 injuries, and notably, air bags failed to deploy in both reported crash incidents. One crash involved unintended acceleration into a cement wall, and another involved a side impact where the side air bag did not deploy, leading to broken ribs. Common complaint patterns include issues with the power train, specifically the vehicle unexpectedly shutting off while driving or shifting into neutral independently, leading to rollaway incidents. Electrical system failures are also prominent, with reports of the instrument cluster blacking out, loss of all vehicle sounds (including safety warnings), and the sunroof opening by itself. Air bag system malfunctions are a significant concern, not only due to non-deployment in crashes but also reports of air bag warning lights illuminating due to internal defects in the restraint sensing module. Despite these complaints, there are no recalls issued for the 2020 Buick Envision, which is unusual given the nature of some of the reported safety issues. The absence of recalls for issues like air bag non-deployment and unintended vehicle movement is a point of concern. While the crash test ratings are high, the real-world complaint data suggests potential vulnerabilities in critical safety systems that may not be fully captured by standard crash tests. The 10 complaints, though a small number, highlight serious safety defects that warrant attention, especially the 2 crashes with air bag non-deployment and the 3 associated injuries.

Reliability Score

The 2020 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 2020 Buick Envision

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Buick Envision:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Unintended Vehicle Movement/Rollaway
Vehicle unexpectedly shifts into neutral or can be powered off without being in park, leading to rollaway incidents. One complaint describes the car rolling back after the stop button was pushed.
High Occasional unknown miles
Air Bag Non-Deployment In Crashes
In two reported crashes, air bags failed to deploy. One incident involved a side impact where the side air bag did not deploy, resulting in broken ribs. Another crash involved unintended acceleration into a wall with no air bag deployment.
High Occasional unknown miles
Electrical System Failures (Instrument Cluster, Sound, Sunroof)
Reports of the instrument cluster blacking out with no gauge readings, complete loss of all vehicle sounds (including safety warnings), and the sunroof opening by itself and becoming locked.
Medium Occasional unknown miles
Vehicle Unexpectedly Shuts Off
Vehicle unexpectedly shut off at a stop light, requiring a minute to restart, potentially related to the start-stop system or electrical issues.
High Rare unknown miles
Seat Belt Malfunction
Front driver's side seat belt failed to extend and was inoperable due to an abnormally opened ratchet.
Medium 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 2020 Buick Envision:

Power Train 30% of complaints

Issues include the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly and shifting into neutral independently, leading to rollaway concerns.

Electrical System 20% of complaints

Failures reported with instrument cluster, loss of vehicle sounds, and sunroof malfunctions.

Air Bags 30% of complaints

Non-deployment in crashes and illumination of warning lights due to internal defects in the restraint sensing module.

Service Brakes 10% of complaints

Mentioned in conjunction with other issues, including forward collision avoidance and power train.

Vehicle Speed Control 10% of complaints

One complaint specifically mentions unintended acceleration.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Buick Envision

Is the 2020 Buick Envision safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 Buick Envision received a 5-star overall safety rating, with 5 stars in side crash tests and 4 stars in frontal and rollover tests. However, despite these high ratings, there are 10 NHTSA complaints, including 2 crashes with 3 injuries, where air bags failed to deploy. This suggests potential real-world safety concerns not fully reflected in the crash test scores.

What are common problems with the 2020 Buick Envision?

The most reported issues for the 2020 Buick Envision, based on NHTSA complaints, involve the POWER TRAIN (30% of complaints) with issues like unexpected shutdowns and rollaways, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (20%) with instrument cluster and sound failures, and AIR BAGS (30%) due to non-deployment in crashes and warning light illumination. Other issues include seat belt malfunctions and unintended acceleration.

Are there any recalls for the 2020 Buick Envision?

No, according to the provided data, there are currently no recalls issued by NHTSA for the 2020 Buick Envision, despite several serious safety complaints.

How did the 2020 Buick Envision perform in crash tests?

The 2020 Buick Envision performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning an Overall 5-star safety rating. It received 4 stars for Frontal crash protection, 5 stars for Side crash protection, and 4 stars for Rollover resistance.

What should I be aware of regarding the air bags in the 2020 Buick Envision?

While the vehicle has high crash test ratings, NHTSA complaints indicate significant concerns with the air bag system. There are reports of air bags failing to deploy in 2 separate crash incidents, resulting in injuries. Additionally, some owners have experienced air bag warning lights due to internal defects in the Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: While the 2020 Buick Envision has excellent crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of concerning NHTSA complaints regarding power train, electrical, and air bag system failures, including air bag non-deployment in crashes. Thoroughly inspect the vehicle's service history for any related repairs and consider an independent pre-purchase inspection.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Buick Envision

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Buick Envision. The data includes 10 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Buick Envision an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

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.