Is the 2016 Buick ENVISION reliable?

The 2016 Buick ENVISION has 27 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Buick ENVISION?

Top problems: BRAKES (4 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (4 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Buick ENVISION?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, STRUCTURE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Buick ENVISION?

The 2016 Buick ENVISION gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Buick ENVISION?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Buick ENVISION is approximately $1,520/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Buick ENVISION

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Buick ENVISION has 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 32. The most common issue is brakes problems (15% of all complaints), specifically: july 2016 chose 2016 buick envision for forward collision alert automatic braking system - april 2017 got a letter from gm stating "envision catalog inadvertently stated that forward collision alert automatically engages the vehicle brakes. it does not engage your brakes." when we contacted the cust. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

4 complaints

15%

• JULY 2016 CHOSE 2016 BUICK ENVISION FOR FORWARD COLLISION ALERT AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM - APRIL 2017 GOT A LETTER FROM GM STATING "ENVISION CATALOG INADVERTENTLY STATED THAT FORWARD COLLISION ALERT AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGES THE VEHICLE BRAKES. IT DOES NOT ENGAGE YOUR BRAKES." WHEN WE CONTACTED THE CUST
• EVERY SAFETY SYSTEM. ABS, STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL, AWD, AIR BAGS FAULT MESSAGES AND SERVICE LIGHTS ARE ON. VEHICLE RETURNED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR ON 7/11/2017 AND STILL AT DEALERSHIP TODAY (40 DAYS LATER) WITH NO KNOWN RESOLUTION.
• The contact owns a 2016 Buick Envision. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at slow speeds in a parking area and attempting to stop with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken t

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“JULY 2016 CHOSE 2016 BUICK ENVISION FOR FORWARD COLLISION ALERT AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM - APRIL 2017 GOT A LETTER FROM GM STATING "ENVISION CATALOG INADVERTENTLY STATED THAT FORWARD COLLISION ALERT AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGES THE VEHICLE BRAKES. IT DOES NOT ENGAGE YOUR BRAKES." WHEN WE CONTACTED THE CUST”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Buick ENVISION

Based on 16 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 11K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

EQUIPMENT27/06/2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Buick Envision vehicles. An accessory NSV Universal Tablet Holder may have been installed incorrectly onto the front seat head restraints, preventing the head restraint posts from fully engaging in the seat back. If so, the head restraints would fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."

Risk: If the head restraint posts are not fully engaging in the seat back, the head restraint may loosen or dislodge, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints and tablet holders for the correct installation, reinstalling them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 27, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 17239/17258.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Buick ENVISION

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Buick ENVISION

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,520

Full coverage / month

$127

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1520

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Buick New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Buick. If you're buying a used 2016 ENVISION, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Buick dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 27 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: JULY 2016 CHOSE 2016 BUICK ENVISION FOR FORWARD COLLISION ALERT AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM - APRIL 2017 GOT A LETTER FROM GM STATING "ENVISION CATALOG INADVERTENTLY STATED THAT FORWARD COLLISION ALERT AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGES THE VEHICLE BRAKES. IT DOES NOT ENGAGE YOUR BRAKES." WHEN WE CONTACTED THE CUST
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WHEN I PUSH THE PUSH-START BUTTON, THE VEHICLE MAKES A GRUNTING NOISE, BUT IT DOES NOT START. ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON INCLUDING THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT." IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES. IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, AND ONCE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A PARK
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WHILE DRIVING THE CAR MY DASHBOARD COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. THE SCREEN WENT COMPLETELY BLACK NO RADIO,CLOCK,DASH DISPLAY. STOPPED, TURN CAR OFF AND RESTARTED STILL DID NOT TURN BACK ON DASH BOARD OR AND RADIO/ NAVIGATION SCREEN. WAITED TILL NEXT DAY TRIED AGAIN STILL NOT SUCCESSFUL BOTH SCREEN COMPLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WHEN I PUSH THE PUSH-START BUTTON, THE VEHICLE MAKES A GRUNTING NOISE, BUT IT DOES NOT START. ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON INCLUDING THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT." IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES. IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, AND ONCE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A PARK
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)