2024 Buick Envista Safety Report

The 2024 Buick Envista presents a mixed safety picture, with strong crash test performance but a notable recall and a concerning pattern of electrical and engine-related complaints. NHTSA awarded the Envista an overall 4-star safety rating, including 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash, and 4 stars for rollover, indicating solid protection in various collision scenarios. However, the vehicle has accumulated 44 total complaints, with 2 fires and 1 injury reported, despite its relatively new status. A significant recall (NHTSA ID: 24V219000) addresses a critical ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issue where the Virtual Cockpit Unit Module (VCU) software can cause the instrument panel display to go blank, directly increasing the risk of a crash by obscuring vital information like speed and warning lights. This recall aligns with numerous owner complaints detailing blank instrument clusters and infotainment screens while driving. Beyond the recall, common complaint patterns highlight persistent issues with the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 6 direct complaints and several others where it's combined with other components (e.g., ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER). Owners report the entire digital display going black intermittently, vehicle shutdowns while in motion, and issues with exterior lighting. Engine-related complaints are also prominent, with 2 direct ENGINE complaints and others mentioning 'engine explosion while driving,' 'engine seized,' and 'engine began smoking on freeway.' These engine failures, coupled with electrical problems, suggest potential underlying quality control issues. Other reported problems include brake system failures (e.g., 'brake system failed,' 'brake pedal felt mooshy'), sunroof malfunctions (shattering or not closing), and even a bending jack. The combination of a critical safety recall, numerous electrical system failures, and severe engine issues, despite good crash test ratings, indicates that while the Envista may protect occupants well in a crash, its reliability and operational safety are compromised by these recurring component malfunctions. The 2 reported fires and 1 injury underscore the potential severity of these issues.

Our recommendation: Given the critical recall for instrument panel failure and numerous complaints about electrical and engine issues, potential buyers should exercise caution and ensure all recalls are addressed, and consider an extended warranty or thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on these known problem areas.