The 2016 Buick Envision is GM's first China-built crossover sold in North America, sharing platform DNA with the Cadillac XT5. The 2.0L turbo is more common and generally more durable than the base 2.5L, but both engines and the 6-speed automatic have significant design weaknesses that lead to catastrophic failures.
2.5L Engine Catastrophic Piston/Ring Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: excessive oil consumption (quart per 1,000 miles or worse), blue smoke on cold start, severe knock or rattle from crankcase, check engine light with misfire codes, complete loss of compression
Fix: The 2.5L Ecotec (LCV) suffers from piston ring land failures and skirt cracking, contaminating oil and scoring cylinder walls. Requires complete engine replacement or full rebuild with updated pistons. 18-24 labor hours for removal, rebuild/replace, and reinstall. Many shops opt for remanufactured long block.
Estimated cost: $5,500-8,500
2.0L Turbo Timing Chain Stretch and Tensioner Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: cold-start rattle for 2-3 seconds, check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes, rough idle and hesitation, sudden no-start with bent valves if chain jumps
Fix: The LTG 2.0T uses a wet timing chain prone to stretch with inadequate oil change intervals. Chain, guides, tensioner, and both VVT actuators need replacement. If chain jumped timing, add cylinder head work for bent valves. 12-16 hours for chain service, 25+ hours if valves are damaged.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leak and Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid in coolant (strawberry milkshake in reservoir), transmission slipping or harsh shifts, overheating transmission, pink residue under radiator cap
Fix: Internal transmission cooler in radiator fails, allowing coolant into ATF (or vice versa). Requires new radiator, complete transmission flush with multiple fluid exchanges, often new transmission if contamination went undetected. 8-12 hours for radiator/flush, 18-22 hours if transmission is damaged and needs replacement.
Estimated cost: $1,800-6,500
6T45 Transmission Torque Converter Shudder
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: vibration at 35-45 mph under light throttle, feels like driving over rumble strips, shudder when accelerating from stop, worse when transmission is warm
Fix: Torque converter clutch material deteriorates, creating shudder. GM released updated fluid (Mobil 1 LV ATF) and friction modifier additive that often temporarily resolves issue, but many need torque converter replacement. 9-11 hours for converter R&R.
Estimated cost: $400-2,800
Fuel Pump Control Module Failure
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: intermittent no-start, stalling while driving, loss of power at highway speeds, check engine light with fuel pressure codes, fuel pump runs constantly or not at all
Fix: Control module (located in rear under vehicle near fuel tank) fails due to corrosion or internal short. Subject to recall 16V580 but many units fail outside recall criteria. Module replacement takes 1.5-2 hours. If fuel pump itself is damaged, add 3-4 hours for tank drop and pump replacement.
Estimated cost: $450-1,200
Rear Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: clunk when shifting from park to drive/reverse, vibration at idle in gear, excessive driveline movement visible when accelerating, transmission appears to sag
Fix: Hydraulic rear transmission mount deteriorates and collapses, allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Common on all GM vehicles with transverse powertrains. Mount replacement takes 2-3 hours including subframe lowering.
Estimated cost: $400-650
Water Pump Failure (2.0L Turbo)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: coolant leak from front of engine, overheating, squealing noise from accessory drive, coolant smell in cabin, steam from under hood
Fix: Belt-driven water pump develops seal or bearing failure. Often leaks internally first, then externally. Replacement requires coolant drain, belt removal, and pump R&R. 2.5-3.5 hours labor. Address immediately as overheating can warp heads or crack block.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Owner tips
Change oil every 5,000 miles maximum with quality synthetic (0W-20 for 2.0T, 5W-30 for 2.5L) — extended intervals accelerate timing chain wear and piston failures
Inspect coolant reservoir monthly for pink/milky contamination indicating transmission cooler failure; early detection saves transmission
Have transmission fluid and filter changed at 50,000 miles regardless of 'lifetime fill' claim — shudder and premature wear are common
Avoid the 2.5L engine entirely if buying used — the 2.0T has issues but is far more robust and has better parts availability
Hard pass unless it's a 2.0L turbo with complete maintenance records, priced at significant discount, and you have a $3,000-5,000 repair fund — too many expensive powertrain grenades for the average used buyer.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: AGM battery required for start-stop system; located under hood
As an Amazon Associate, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Every control module on the 2016-2020 Buick Envision — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Seat Control Module (SCM)0.6 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Under front seats, driver and/or passenger side
🔧 GM GDS2 or aftermarket
⚠️ Memory seat relearn required if equipped; heated/ventilated seat calibration
Rear Vision Camera Module (RVCM)0.5 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Rear liftgate, integrated into liftgate handle or trim
🔧 GM GDS2 or aftermarket
⚠️ Camera alignment calibration may be needed; dynamic guidelines configuration
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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.
STRUCTURE · 17V412000
2017-06-29
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.
EQUIPMENT · 17V404000
2017-06-27
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · 16V922000
2016-12-21
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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 16V516000
2016-07-07
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.
Performance
Horsepower
252hp
Torque
260lb-ft
0–60 mph
7.3sec
Quarter mile
15.6sec
Top speed
130mph
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
20mpg
Highway
26mpg
Combined
22mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
Capability & size
Towing capacity
1,500lb
Payload
1,100lb
Curb weight
4,056lb
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Wiper blades
First generation Envision. Standard hook arm for all positions
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2016 Buick Envision 2.0L Turbo I4 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.