Head-to-head reliability
Buick Envision vs Buick Lacrosse
How the Buick Envision and Buick Lacrosse compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Buick Envision vs Buick Lacrosse: The Envision averages 21.7 complaints per year with 10 recalls, while the Lacrosse averages 90.2 complaints per year with 33 recalls. The Lacrosse also has 53 crash-related reports versus 8 for the Envision. Lower complaint and recall counts suggest the Envision may be less troublesome. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Envision or Buick Lacrosse more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Envision
The Buick Envision is a compact SUV that averages about 22 complaints per year over a decade, with 10 recalls and 8 crash-related reports. Owners most often flag electrical glitches, brake problems, and engine stalling, but the volume is relatively low. For a used buyer, this suggests a vehicle that can be lived with if you check the specific trouble spots before purchase.
Buick Lacrosse
The Buick Lacrosse is a full-size sedan that generates roughly 90 complaints per year, with 33 recalls and 53 crash-related reports. Electrical, engine, and steering issues dominate owner reports, and the higher complaint rate points to more frequent shop visits. A used Lacrosse can still be a good value, but it demands a more thorough inspection and a bigger repair budget.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Envision | Buick Lacrosse |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 217 Better | 902 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 33 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 8 Better | 53 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 21.7 Better | 90.2 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 Better | 41 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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 Envision
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM63
- 02SERVICE BRAKES46
- 03ENGINE33
- 04POWER TRAIN29
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER28
Owners report sudden loss of all sound, including safety chimes and turn signals, often traced to a faulty amplifier. Others describe a total power loss and engine stall at low speeds with a 'Reduced Engine Power' message. These electrical faults can leave you without warning sounds or strand you in traffic.
Complaints include a complete loss of braking at highway speed and a 'Service Brake Assist' light followed by an extremely firm pedal that makes stopping difficult. Brake failures are among the most dangerous issues a driver can face, so any warning light or soft pedal is a serious red flag.
Reports describe sudden engine stalls at 25-30 mph with a check engine light and reduced power, as well as excessive oil consumption before the first recommended oil change. Oil loss can lead to engine damage if not monitored, and stalling in traffic increases crash risk.
Owners note sluggish acceleration, whining noises, and a booster vacuum sensor replacement after the vehicle loses power. These symptoms can make merging or climbing hills feel unpredictable, and they often point to deeper transmission or vacuum system problems.
“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.…”
Buick Lacrosse
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
- 02ENGINE170
- 03STEERING114
- 04SUSPENSION106
- 05POWER TRAIN96
Owners report blinking gear indicators, reduced engine power warnings, and difficulty accelerating from a stop. Another complaint describes the engine fan running after the vehicle is turned off. These electrical gremlins can leave you with a car that hesitates or overheats in traffic.
Complaints include a check engine light for catalyst system low efficiency and an accelerator pedal that stops responding while driving. These issues can cause failed emissions tests and sudden loss of power, making highway driving risky.
Owners describe a 'Steering Advance System Declined' message and increased effort needed to maneuver the vehicle. Steering problems directly affect your ability to control the car, so any warning or heavy steering should be investigated immediately.
Reports include abnormal sounds from the front wheel well, loud stomping noises, and wheels shuddering at various speeds. These symptoms suggest worn suspension components that can worsen handling and tire wear, leading to costly repairs.
“When I get to a stop sign, and a stop light, when trying to accelerate after a complete stop, the car would struggle to accelerate to go forward. Where the shifting gears would start blinking, and the warning lights (engine power reduced, engine light, and th…”
“The contact owns a 2019 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that the engine fan failed to shut off after turning off the vehicle. The failure occurred while the vehicle was idling in a drive-thru with the temperature gauge reading that the engine was in the co…”
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 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 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM),…
The risk: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521…
Buick Lacrosse — 33 recalls
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,…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insu…
The risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrole…
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,…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insu…
The risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrole…
Buyer analysis
Buick Envision or Buick Lacrosse: which should you buy?
The Buick Envision has far fewer complaints per year (about 22) compared to the Buick Lacrosse (about 90), and it also has fewer recalls and crash-related reports. In practice, that means an Envision is likely to spend less time in the shop, while a Lacrosse may require more frequent attention to electrical, engine, and steering issues.
Key differences
- The Envision averages about 22 complaints per year, while the Lacrosse averages about 90, meaning the Lacrosse has roughly four times as many owner-reported issues annually.
- Lacrosse owners frequently report steering system warnings and suspension noises, while Envision complaints center more on brake loss and electrical sound failures.
- The Lacrosse has 33 recalls and 53 crash-related reports, compared to 10 recalls and 8 crash-related reports for the Envision.
- Both vehicles have engine stall complaints, but the Lacrosse also shows transmission and fuel pump recall subjects, adding to its repair risk.
- Check for any warning lights related to brakes or 'Service Brake Assist' and test the brake pedal for firmness or sinking, as owners report sudden brake loss.
- Listen for missing chimes or turn signal sounds and ask if the amplifier has been replaced, since electrical sound loss is a common complaint.
- Test the steering for heavy effort or warning messages like 'Steering Advance System Declined' and listen for front-end clunks or shuddering, which owners report.
- Scan for check engine codes, especially catalyst efficiency codes, and verify the accelerator pedal responds smoothly without reduced power messages.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for brakes, electrical, and fuel system items.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on brakes, steering, suspension, and electrical systems.
- Test drive at highway speeds and during turns to check for stalling, reduced power, or unusual noises from the engine or suspension.
- Check for any active warning lights on the dashboard and ask the seller for recent repair receipts.
- Verify oil levels and ask about oil consumption history, especially on the Envision, and check for transmission shudder or delayed engagement on the Lacrosse.
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 Envision | Buick Lacrosse |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 23 | 6 |
| 2018 | 13 | 12 |
| 2017 | 81 | 36 |
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 Envision or Buick Lacrosse in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Envision vs Buick Lacrosse
- Buick Envision total complaints
- 217
- Buick Lacrosse total complaints
- 902
- Buick Envision total recalls
- 10
- Buick Lacrosse total recalls
- 33
- Buick Envision avg complaints/year
- 21.7
- Buick Lacrosse avg complaints/year
- 90.2
- More reliable overall
- Buick Envision
- Buick Envision top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Buick Lacrosse top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM