Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2018 Buick EnvisionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints for the 2018 Buick Envision. Most complaints involve electrical system (4) and engine (4). The EPA rates it 22–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
22–25mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
15
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2018 Buick Envision as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
15 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2020 – Oct 2026
- Electrical system4
- Engine4
- Steering4
- Service brakes3
- Suspension3
- Air bags1
- Back over prevention1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
4 reports
“I was going to work in the morning. I went to stop at the redlight right at my work but my brakes were very firm and wouldnt push down. My service brake warning came up on my dash and service engine light came on. I had to practically stand up and press as hard as I could to get it to slow down enough to not rear end the person in front of me. I thank God I wasnt going very fast and thankfully the light was turning green at the same time so I just slowly rolled thru and pulled it into my work parking lot. I had to call a mechanic, When he looked under the hood first thing he saw was oil dripping very fast out of my engine out of the side of the mechanical vacuum pump. They towed it to car dealer garage and I had to have it fixed. It was the camshaft-driven mechanical brake vacuum pump failed while I was driving it. It resulted in a sudden and complete loss of any braking assist and my brake pedal was hard as a rock like you couldnt get it to barely move. I had this replaced.”
Engine
4 reports
“My vehicle only has 81824 miles on it and I am having head gasket issues. I have a coolant leak into my engine. It is barely 7 years old. This should NOT be an issue in a vehicle this age with this many miles. I have seen that this has become a known issue with the 2018 Buick Envision and it should be a recall. I have had to refill my coolant reservoir 3 times since my oil change. A compression test has been run on my coolant system and there are no other leaks. Thus it is the head gasket.”
Steering
4 reports
“Every time the car auto stops and turns back on the steering locks. So when the car starts you can’t turn the wheel. Also, while driving the car will lock and radio will shut off/ turn on. This happens like 1 to 2x a week. It is available for inspection. It could be very dangerous for me and others for needing to turning into places or even turning down the road. It hasn’t been confirmed or inspected, yet. There is only one warning lamp that flashes on for a split second, it’s no t/c. It just started flashing 3/26/23 not prior to incidents.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
3 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Automatic 6-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Envision FWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,550 | 359 |
| Envision AWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 24 | $2,700 | 377 |
| Envision AWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,600 | 400 |
- 25mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
—/ 5
Not ratedBuick Envision SUV FWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- Not rated
- Rollover risk
- 0.0%
Overall
5 / 5
Buick Envision SUV AWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 15.9%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2018 Envision questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Buick Envision have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.
What are the most common 2018 Buick Envision problems?
Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (4), engine (4), steering (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2018 Buick Envision get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Buick Envision at 22–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
How safe is the 2018 Buick Envision?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Buick Envision 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026