Free API

2021 BUICK ENVISION

2.0L Turbo I4•FWD•AUTOMATIC•gas•turbo
Be the first sponsor for this vehicle

For $99, we generate the full set of step-by-step repair procedures for this exact vehicle. Free for everyone, forever, with your name on every one.

Sponsor — $99
Dead battery / stuck in Park? Emergency neutral procedure for this Envision →
5-Year Cost of Ownership
$15,098 maintenance + known platform issues
~$3,020/yr · 250¢/mile equivalent · $5,950 maintenance + $6,548 expected platform issues

Common Problems & Known Issues

The 2021 Buick Envision uses GM's 9-speed automatic transmission and 2.0L turbo engine, both shared across multiple platforms. Major concerns center on the 9-speed's thermal management failures and catastrophic turbo engine failures requiring complete rebuilds—expensive problems for a luxury crossover.

9-Speed Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Failure

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission overheating warning on dash, Harsh or delayed shifts, especially when hot, Burnt transmission fluid smell, Check engine light with P0868 (transmission fluid pressure low)
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler and flush/refill fluid. Cooler lines crack internally or cooler itself develops leaks. Book time is 3-4 hours including fluid service. If caught late, internal transmission damage adds thousands more.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000

Catastrophic 2.0L Turbo Engine Failure (Piston/Bearing Damage)

Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden loss of power and engine knock, Metal shavings in oil, Oil consumption increasing dramatically (1 qt per 500-1000 mi), Check engine light with multiple misfire codes or low oil pressure
Fix: GM's LSY 2.0T has known piston ring land failure and bearing failures requiring full engine rebuild or short block replacement. Labor alone is 18-24 hours for removal, rebuild, and reinstall. Many shops quote replacement over rebuild due to core integrity concerns.
Estimated cost: $8,000-14,000

Transmission Mount Collapse

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Vibration at idle that changes when shifting to neutral, Excessive engine movement visible from engine bay during acceleration
Fix: Upper transmission mount (torque strut) fails from constant turbo torque cycling. Replacement is straightforward but requires supporting powertrain. 1.5-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $300-550

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start or extended cranking, especially when engine is hot, Loss of power under acceleration with turbo boost, P0087 code (fuel rail pressure too low), Rough idle and hesitation
Fix: Direct-injection high-pressure pump on these turbo engines fails, often taking out the camshaft lobe that drives it. Filter replacement doesn't prevent this. Requires intake manifold removal and timing cover work. 6-8 hours labor if cam isn't damaged; add 4-6 hours if camshaft replacement needed.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,500

Lighting Control Module Software Glitch (Recall-Related)

Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Headlights or taillights flicker intermittently, Daytime running lights fail to activate, Dashboard warning for exterior lighting malfunction
Fix: Software issue in lighting control module, covered under NHTSA recall. Dealer reflash takes 30-45 minutes. Some units still fail post-reflash and need module replacement (2 hours labor).
Estimated cost: $0 (recall) or $600-900 if module replacement needed

Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle that worsens over time, Hesitation or stumble during acceleration, Reduced fuel economy (2-3 mpg drop), Misfires on cold starts
Fix: Direct-injection engines have no fuel wash over intake valves, leading to heavy carbon deposits. Walnut blasting service required—intake manifold removed, each port media-blasted clean. 4-5 hours labor. Preventive cleaning every 60k-80k miles recommended.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Owner tips
  • Change transmission fluid every 50,000 miles regardless of 'lifetime fill' claims—the 9-speed runs hot and fluid degrades faster than GM admits
  • Use Top Tier gas exclusively and consider periodic fuel system cleaner to minimize carbon buildup on valves
  • Monitor oil consumption religiously starting at 50k miles; if you're adding more than 1 quart between changes, budget for engine work
  • Keep up with the high-pressure fuel pump recall and lighting module reflash—both are free fixes that prevent headaches
Skip it—the catastrophic engine failure risk and expensive transmission issues make this a money pit waiting to happen after warranty, especially compared to more reliable competitors in this class.
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.

Labor Times — 2021 Buick Envision

480 jobs across 17 categories

body (30)

brakes (41)

cooling (21)

drivetrain (24)

electrical (75)

engine (71)

exhaust (22)

hvac (23)

interior (24)

maintenance (31)

suspension (42)

transmission (30)

🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.
Stuck on a repair? Take it to The Diag Desk — ask a master tech about this exact car → real human answer within 24h, never AI
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 10 requests/day, no card required.
Get an API key →
Run a shop?
Manage repairs, estimates, and customers with ShopBase — $249/mo, all features included. Built by the same team.
Try ShopBase →