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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2021 Buick EnvisionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints for the 2021 Buick Envision. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (6) and power train (5). The EPA rates it 25–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–26mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Dec 2022
Owner complaints
23
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: software

Over-the-air fixFree remedy

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 when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Exterior lightingReported Dec 8, 2022NHTSA 22V903000

Air bags: srs malfunction warning lamp

Over-the-air fixFree remedy

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), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.

Air bagsReported Jun 10, 2021NHTSA 21V421000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

23 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2022 – Apr 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system6
  2. Power train5
  3. Electrical system5
  4. Engine2
  5. Tires2
  6. Vehicle speed control1
  7. Service brakes1
  8. Equipment1
  9. Structure1

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

By model year

Complaints for each Envision model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201619
201781
201815
201923
202012
202123
202226
202326
202414
202510
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

6 reports
“I think it may be either fuel propulsion system or it maybe something electrical. I don’t really know. It is available for inspection at this time as it has been at the car dealer repair shop for about a month. My safety is put at risk because about seven or eight out of 10 times that I attempt to start the vehicle, it will turn over by pushing the button, but will not start. I work until past dark many nights and my vehicle not starting is a big safety issue. The dealer said they reproduced it, but they have not been able to reproduce it again. Again, when I have it, it happens more than half the time. The dealer tells me they are communicating with the Buick engineers as the computer does not show any issues. They have so far not being able to determine the problem. there were no warning lamps or anything like that. It started happening occasionally when it was under warranty, I took it in twice to the dealer repair shop and they both said they could not reproduce the issue at that time. This is the third time I have brought it in and it is just past the end of my warranty.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 1, 2025Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11633507

Power train

5 reports1 crash
“When I start at a low speed it's like it does not know which gear to go in. You push on the gas and it does not move much and then launches forward. It has done this since I purchased it in April 2025 used.When in auto stop and the engine starts up with my foot still on the brake, sometimes it will lurch and buck. Buick dealer did do a transmission fluid flush and it still does the same thing daily.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2026Power trainODI 11708450

Electrical system

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2021 Buick Envision. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert malfunctioned. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the side-view mirror illuminated erroneously while driving near a guard rail. Additionally, the contact stated that the side-view mirror had failed to illuminate while there was a vehicle in the blind spot. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the contact inspected underneath the vehicle and noticed that the bracket in the rear passenger's side bumper fascia had detached and was hanging by the wires. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the bracket detachment was related to the failure. The dealer determined that the entire rear bumper fascia, the mounting brackets, and the clips needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer needed to contact the manufacturer for assistance. The dealer contacted…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2025Electrical system, StructureODI 11692364
All 2021 Envision problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S9)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Envision FWD
Auto (S9), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243126$2,400341
Envision AWD
Auto (S9), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
222925$2,500352
  • Envision FWD
    Auto (S9), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    24 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Envision AWD
    Auto (S9), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Buick Envision SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.7%
Overall
5 / 5
Buick Envision SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 15340Vehicle 15300
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2021 Envision questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Buick Envision have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Buick Envision problems?

Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (6), power train (5), electrical system (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Buick Envision get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Buick Envision at 25–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Buick Envision?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Buick Envision 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026