2016 Buick Envision recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
5 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. An accessory NSV Universal Tablet Holder may have been installed incorrectly onto the front seat head restraints, preventing the head restraint posts from fully engaging in the seat back. If so, the head restraints would fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."
What could happen: If the head restraint posts are not fully engaging in the seat back, the head restraint may loosen or dislodge, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints and tablet holders for the correct installation, reinstalling them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 27, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 17239/17258.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 ENVISION.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V404000 (manufacturer code 17239/17258).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-521-7300.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Buick Envision vehicles. An accessory NSV Universal Tablet Holder may have been installed incorrectly onto the front seat head restraints, preventing the head restraint posts from fully engaging in the seat back. If so, the head restraints would fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202a, "Head Restraints."
Consequence: If the head restraint posts are not fully engaging in the seat back, the head restraint may loosen or dislodge, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints and tablet holders for the correct installation, reinstalling them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 27, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 17239/17258.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
What could happen: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC custo…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 ENVISION.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V358000 (manufacturer code 18188).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-521-7300.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Body / structure
What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. The affected vehicles received a replacement headliner as part of a repair. These service parts might not have had impact energy-absorbing foam blocks attached. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant protection in interior impact."
What could happen: If the service parts do not have energy-absorbing foam blocks, there may be an increased risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headliner assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 17275.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 ENVISION.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V412000 (manufacturer code 17275).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-521-7300.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STRUCTURE
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Buick Envision vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement headliner as part of a repair. These service parts might not have had impact energy-absorbing foam blocks attached. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant protection in interior impact."
Consequence: If the service parts do not have energy-absorbing foam blocks, there may be an increased risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headliner assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 17275.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
4. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. The the master cylinder brake lines may crack and leak brake fluid.
What could happen: If there is a loss of brake fluid, braking performance may be reduced or lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the master cylinder brake lines, free of charge. The recall began on January 18, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 16169.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 ENVISION.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V922000 (manufacturer code 16169).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-521-7300.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Buick Envision vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to March 18, 2016. The the master cylinder brake lines may crack and leak brake fluid.
Consequence: If there is a loss of brake fluid, braking performance may be reduced or lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the master cylinder brake lines, free of charge. The recall began on January 18, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 16169.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
5. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. The Tire and Loading Information label may display the incorrect maximum weight information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
What could happen: Incorrect weight information may cause an owner to overload the vehicle. Overloading may reduce vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected label as necessary, free of charge. The began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 56340.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 ENVISION.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V516000 (manufacturer code 56340).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-521-7300.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Buick Envision vehicles manufactured February 4, 2016, to April 25, 2016. The Tire and Loading Information label may display the incorrect maximum weight information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: Incorrect weight information may cause an owner to overload the vehicle. Overloading may reduce vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected label as necessary, free of charge. The began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 56340.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2016 Buick Envision owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (4), Brakes (4), Engine (4), Suspension (3), Unknown Or Other (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/02/2025 · Electrical system
The lane assists and cruise control does not work and the GM dealership here in Southern Pines, NC can't fix it. They are sending the car back on the street with a 19-year-old girl behind the wheel of a car with electrical issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
09/08/2024 · Transmission / drivetrain
While driving RPM’s bouncing. Upon acceleration experienced delay and hesitation Hesitation in acceleration causing safety issue when entering traffic’s and passing other vehicles Full transmission replacement was needed and completed
01/27/2024 · Suspension
GM is out of control . I have a front passenger control arm assembly in the shop for 2 months. No update on service part because they have changed the part number as the 2016 is unsafe. I need my service part or a new car . It's unsafe to drive and GM will not provide any update on ETW because there is a safety issue with this part. They already killed…
01/10/2024 · Suspension
Unsafe driving condition. Control arm assembly front passenger. Car in the dealer for a month. GM has no service parts and refuses to give update on availability. Dealer states unsafe to drive and I have seen multiple complaints for this issue.
12/15/2023 · Brakes
This is the second time my brake line has cracked and started leaking brake fluid without any warnings from my dashboard that my brake fluid was low. First time was [XXX] and this time is [XXX] it's only a matter of time before the back ones fail. I hope and pray that I don't be driving cause I don't want to hurt anyone or myself. General motors knows about…
11/09/2023 · Brakes
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Envision. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at slow speeds in a parking area and attempting to stop with the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was no…
03/05/2023 · Electrical system
My car was parked in the driveway, and it was locked. The keys were in a bowl next to the door. During the night the sunroof opened with no contact from anyone and it rained that night and flooded the inside of the car. We did research on the issue and this has happened to many Buick owners. I put the car under shelter and got out as much water as I co…
10/03/2022 · Electrical system
Buick Envision 2016 Mileage - 58315 One owner The car has had three events over the last year where it would not start. After the car is driven for awhile and after it's parked and turned off, it will not start. Everything in the car will function (windows, radio, door locks) but there seems to be a disconnect between the key-fob and the device that communi…