YearToAvoid

2021 Buick Envision Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

44/100

#6 most-complained of 10 Envision years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2021 Buick Envision has 23 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 44 out of 100 — #6 highest of 10 Envision model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is fuel system (7 complaints, 30% of the total). Complaints report 2 crashes.

Complaints
23
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25.5
23 city / 30 hwy

Top 2021 Buick Envision problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System7 (30%)
  2. Electrical System5 (22%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain5 (22%)
  4. Other4 (17%)
  5. Engine3 (13%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (13%)
  7. Airbags1 (4%)
  8. Brakes1 (4%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (4%)
  10. Structure & Body1 (4%)
2021 Buick Envision complaints: complaints filed per month4Sep 2022May 2023Dec 2023Sep 2024Mar 2025Oct 2025Feb 2026
32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2022 to Apr 2026; peak Nov 2025 (4).

2021 Buick Envision recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V903000Dec 8, 2022Electrical System740,108 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Exterior lighting:lighting control module:software

    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."

    Risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: 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, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.

  2. NHTSA 21V421000Jun 10, 2021Airbags285,622 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Air bags:SRS malfunction warning lamp/light

    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.

    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.

    Remedy: 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 1-800-521-7300, 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 N212338110.

2021 Buick Envision fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
25.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,550
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Envision years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Best2223024
2020Caution5611024
2021Good4423225.5
2022Caution6725125.5
2023Avoid7825125.5

All Buick Envision years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Buick Envision a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Buick Envision ranks #6 of 10 among Envision model years (Complaint Index 44/100, verdict: Good). It has 23 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Buick Envision?
The most reported problem areas are fuel system (7 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (5 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 35,475 miles.
Does the 2021 Buick Envision have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 Buick Envision, most recently reported 2022, covering electrical system and airbags.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Buick Envision?
EPA rates the 2021 Buick Envision at 25.5 MPG combined (23 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,550. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.