Head-to-head reliability
Buick Enclave vs Buick Envision
How the Buick Enclave and Buick Envision compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Buick Enclave vs Buick Envision: The Enclave has 452 complaints and 14 recalls over 10 years, while the Envision has 225 complaints and 10 recalls. The Enclave averages 45.2 complaints per year versus 22.5 for the Envision. Both have brake and electrical issues, but the Enclave also has notable air bag complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Enclave or Buick Envision more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Enclave
The Buick Enclave is a large three-row SUV that has averaged about 45 complaints per year over the past decade, with 452 total complaints and 14 recalls. The most common trouble spots are air bags, brakes, engine, electrical system, and power train. Owners report serious issues like air bags failing to deploy in crashes, sudden brake failure, and engine stalling. These patterns suggest that living with an Enclave may require vigilance and potentially costly repairs.
Buick Envision
The Buick Envision is a compact SUV that has averaged about 22.5 complaints per year, with 225 total complaints and 10 recalls. The leading problem areas are electrical system, service brakes, engine, and power train. Owners describe sudden power loss, brake assist failures, and electrical glitches that can disable safety alerts. While less frequent than the Enclave, these issues can still be disruptive and safety-relevant.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Enclave | Buick Envision |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 452 | 225 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 14 | 10 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 24 | 8 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 45.2 | 22.5 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 20 | 9 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Buick Enclave
- 01AIR BAGS153
- 02SERVICE BRAKES60
- 03ENGINE60
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM58
- 05POWER TRAIN53
Owners report air bags failing to deploy in front and side impacts, even when seatbelts also fail to lock. This is a critical safety concern because it can increase injury risk in a crash.
Complaints include sudden brake failure with warning lights like 'Brake Assist Failure' and 'Service ESC', as well as grinding noises. These symptoms suggest potential loss of braking assistance, which could lengthen stopping distances.
Owners describe engine stalling at highway speeds, lurching, and failure to shift out of park. The auto stop-start feature can also cause hesitation when accelerating from a stop, which may be dangerous in traffic.
Reports include headlights and brake lights not working due to electrical failure, and a tailgate that opens randomly while parked or driving. These faults can impair visibility and create unexpected hazards.
“The contact owned a 2025 Buick Enclave. While the contact’s daughter was driving through an intersection on a green light at an undisclosed speed, a truck crashed into the front driver’s side of the vehicle. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The con…”
“Motor vehicle accident 12/9/2023 in which I was struck from behind by fast moving vehicle, and forced into vehicle directly in front of my vehicle. No driver airbag deployment, nor did my seatbelt lock, as verified by responding officer.”
Buick Envision
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM66
- 02SERVICE BRAKES49
- 03ENGINE36
- 04POWER TRAIN30
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER28
Owners report loss of all sound, including safety belt and turn signal chimes, due to a faulty amplifier. Others experience sudden engine stall with 'Reduced Engine Power' warnings, which can leave the vehicle without power.
Complaints include a 'Service Brake Assist' warning and a very firm brake pedal that makes stopping difficult. The intermittent nature of the warning can make diagnosis frustrating for owners and dealers.
Some owners find no oil on the dipstick before the first recommended oil change, requiring them to add significant amounts of oil. Others report sudden loss of power and engine stalling at low speeds.
Reports include loss of power, sluggish acceleration, and whining noises that increase over time. These symptoms may indicate transmission or drivetrain issues that can affect drivability and safety.
“We have two problems what we would call safety issues. First, all the sound in the vehicle was lost which included safety belt warning alarm, turn signal bells, door open alarms, etc. We were told by the dealership that it was a faulty amplifier. Secondly, th…”
“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.…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Buick Enclave — 14 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
The risk: Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
The risk: Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th…
The risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increa…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267,…
Buick Envision — 10 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Buick Envision vehicles. The vehicles are missing the label that states the tire size, pressure, and the loading information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Se…
The risk: Missing tire and load rating information may result in driving with improperly inflated tires or an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install the label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2024. Owners may contact Buick Customer Service at 800-521-7300.
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate wh…
The risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chev…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate wh…
The risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chev…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate wh…
The risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chev…
Buyer analysis
Buick Enclave or Buick Envision: which should you buy?
The Buick Envision has fewer issues per year on average (22.5 complaints/year) compared to the Buick Enclave (45.2 complaints/year). In practice, this means Envision owners may encounter fewer problems overall, but both models have notable safety-related complaints. The Enclave's higher complaint rate and more air bag and brake issues suggest it may require more attention.
Key differences
- The Enclave has twice the annual complaint rate of the Envision, with air bag failures being the top complaint, while the Envision's top issue is electrical system problems.
- Enclave owners report air bags not deploying in crashes, a critical safety concern; Envision owners more often report electrical glitches like loss of safety chimes and random tailgate opening.
- Both models have brake complaints, but Enclave reports include sudden brake failure with multiple warning lights, while Envision reports focus on a firm brake pedal and intermittent 'Service Brake Assist' warnings.
- Engine and power train complaints appear in both, but Enclave owners describe highway stalling and failure to shift out of park, whereas Envision owners report low-speed stalling and oil consumption.
- Check for any history of air bag deployment or warning lights, and confirm that recalls for air bag sensors and curtains have been addressed.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for any warning messages like 'Brake Assist Failure' or 'Service ESC', and listen for grinding noises.
- Verify that all electrical functions work, including warning chimes, turn signals, and tailgate operation, as failures can be intermittent.
- Check the oil level and look for signs of excessive consumption, and test-drive for any hesitation or loss of power, especially during turns.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm that all open recalls have been repaired by a dealer.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on brakes, air bags, and electrical systems.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or hesitation during acceleration and braking.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and any brake or electrical repairs.
- Check the NHTSA website for any additional complaints or recalls specific to the model year you are considering.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Buick Enclave | Buick Envision |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 38 | 10 |
| 2024 | 7 | 12 |
| 2023 | 21 | 25 |
| 2022 | 13 | 26 |
| 2021 | 26 | 23 |
| 2020 | 59 | 11 |
| 2019 | 42 | 23 |
| 2018 | 65 | 14 |
| 2017 | 179 | 81 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Buick Enclave or Buick Envision in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Enclave vs Buick Envision
- Buick Enclave total complaints
- 452
- Buick Envision total complaints
- 225
- Buick Enclave total recalls
- 14
- Buick Envision total recalls
- 10
- Buick Enclave avg complaints/year
- 45.2
- Buick Envision avg complaints/year
- 22.5
- More reliable overall
- Buick Envision
- Buick Enclave top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Buick Envision top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM