Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Buick Envision owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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.
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.
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! …
For 6 months the vehicle has had the following problems: 1. Car automatically shutting down(unresolved) 2 steering column, wheel locking up(resolved at this time) 3. Interior and panel lights flashing when car shutting down ( unresolved) 4. When applying pressure to gas pedal engine automatically shuts down (unresolved) 5. Check engine light stays on Vehicle has been taken to dealership shop 6 times in the past 6 months. There has not been total resolve especially the fact that the car shuts down when I am driving. The car has multiple warranties. This is a very dangerous situation. I would appreciate your help
When the car is in auto engine shut off mode, when the brake is released the steering power assist message displays, the steering wheel locks up, the doors unlock and the interior and exterior lights flash. The car will start back up but it takes a second to start. The car is also starting to not start back up and completely shut off at the light. All of the lights will start flashing. This is highly dangerous as the steering wheel lock almost caused my family to get into a major car accident. The car will be taken to a dealership later this week.
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.
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.
Computer screen display frequently goes very dim and sometimes completely out several times there has been no display showing when we were backing up plus the warning beeper didn't come on. We have had 2 minor accidents when we were backing up because of the failure of the computer screen and warning beeper. I have complained to our dealership holm automotive in abilene , ks for at least 2 years and they do not seem to think it is a problem. I have many photos and videos plus a handwritten log of this issue. I have also been in contact with Buick.
Car has electronic child safety door locks activated when using the hard button that typically locks only windows. Wife took a nap in back seat on lunch break at work, didn't realize window lock button was accidentally engaged, locked with remote from back seat while car was running. Door remote would not allow the back doors and passenger door to remain locked and door handles would not open from inside even when using the remote. She was trapped in the back. With a very bad back and knee it was not easy to climb to front driver side door to unlock from there, the only place this would work. If locking with the remote, unlocking with remote should be possible and was not. Literally trapped in back seat and only way out is to get to the front seat to unlock from there. What if grandma was back there when something happened like car shut off? Very bad situation and a life safety issue. …
Electrical complaints in other Envision years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2017 Buick Envision?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Buick Envision, 31% of the model year's 81 complaints. The component named most often is horn (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Buick Envision electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2017 Buick Envision, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Buick Envision electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.