Problems · by component

2017 Buick Envision electrical system problems

25 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2017 Buick Envision cite electrical system, 31% of all 81 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
25
31% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“When I stop at traffic lights, my car does not immediately turn back on (it has the auto stop feature). It flashes "parking brake released" on the dashboard. Then, it starts back up. Sometimes, it has not started back up right away & the steering wheel seizes. It has also said, "Assisted Steering Reduced" & "Stabilitrack Not Engaged (or something to that effect)." When the issue started, I tried to start my car & it said to put the car in park but it was already in park. I tried repeatedly to put it drive to put it back in park & it did not register that I was shifting gears. I turned my car off & turned it back on & it shook violently. So I shut it off immediately. The safety hazard is that my car has shut off on me while I was driving, wheels turning, car in drive, going down the street! It came right back on thankfully, but the way it shut off, I would not have time to brake & let driver's behind me know there was an issue, if it had not come back on! Also, if I have to full stop somewhere in the middle of traffic or an unsafe space, and the auto stop does not restart, that is another safety hazard. The problem started December 2025. I stopped at a light &…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 22, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11752143
“During multiple drives the vehicle completely shuts off when driving or at lower speeds. When this occurs (4 times over the last 3 months) the vehicle has no power or ability to restart creating a major safety issue. You cannot turn on the hazards or anything in the vehicle. The vehicle is still in drive (because you were driving when it occurred) and so you're unable to shift back into park to restart. After some time you are able to restart the vehicle and continue driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2025Electrical system, EngineODI 11693761
“The vacuum pump failed, causing the gear to explode, which in turn damaged the cam shaft. Yes, this is available for inspection. The brake was unable to be depressed, requiring extreme force to being able to safely stop at an area that was safe to do so. I turned the car off and it made a funny sound. When I tried to start the car, it would no longer start. The car was towed to my local auto mechanic and then to the closest Buick dealership. The dealership diagnosed the problem outlined above. No warning lights.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 28, 2024Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11574510
“The contact owns a 2017 Buick Envision. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the infotainment system failed intermittently. As a result of the failure, the contact was unable to access important safety features such as the rear camera, side view camera, and Lane Keep Assist. The EPS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the infotainment system. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle was repaired and taken back to the dealer, who was unable to program the new infotainment unit. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2023Electrical system, EquipmentODI 11539931
“I had just left the driveway at my in-laws house, which is approx. an hour and 45 minutes from my home. Within moments, randomly, the sun roof popped open, as if someone had hit a remote. It would not close, and after trying for a bit, decided to drive home and we would address it there. When I hit the open road, the roof went the rest of the way open and then about two miles from the house, I starting choking on the smell of burning plastic. I immediately pulled over on to the shoulder of a side road, turning off the car. My husband was in a vehicle behind me and came over and we were both very concerned the vehicle was going to catch on fire. He tried to pull the fuse in the panel, but when we turned the vehicle back on, there was smoke coming from the sunroof motor area, and the smell was atrocious. The inside hood liner was very warm near the rear of the vehicle with the motor. At that point, we decided to call a tow truck, because it was obvious there was an electrical short. Because the sun roof was stuck open, we had to get a car cover to protect it from the rain coming in. The dealership investigated the next day, and confirmed there was an electrical…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2023Electrical system, Unknown or otherFire reportedODI 11520456
“Brakes failed while coming to a stop causing me to crash into the back of someone. Also all dash and radio and shifter lights went out and came back on at the same time brakes failed. Brake issue still not fixed by GM Buick.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2022Electrical system, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11491377

Showing 6 of 25 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.