Buick Envision VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Buick Envision VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 9 NHTSA recall campaigns for 2016–2026 cover that year.

VIN prefixLRB

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Buick Envision

About the Buick Envision

Buick has sold the Envision in the US since the 2016 model year, and there have been two generations. The Gen 1 came first (2016–2020), and the Gen 2 took over for 2021–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 9 vehicle recall campaigns and 244 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 1. Its 2017 and 2019 model years alone account for 104 of them, with owners bringing up electrical system most often and the brakes after that. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 22–25 mpg combined, while the Gen 2 gets 24–26 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2016–2026

GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2

NHTSA recall campaigns9

Owner complaints244 at NHTSA

Buick Envision photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Buick Envision generations

Two generations since the 2016 model year. The Gen 1 (2016–2020) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (5).

2 / 2

Gen 2

2021–20262nd generation

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

201620202025

2021–2026· Generation 2 of 2

Gen 2 · 2nd generation

PlatformE2XX

EPA combined mpg24–26

NHTSA recalls4

Engines (EPA)

2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2021–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, FWD
automatic (2021–2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (33)Engine and cooling (18)Fuel system (15)

Mentions in 96 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 2LRBFZME4?RD······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2024 Buick Envision Preferred, built in Dong Yue, China

Check an Envision VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Envision model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 9 campaigns on file for Envision model years 2016–2026, and the 2016 shows up in more of them than any other year (5), ahead of the 2017 (4). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Buick Envision owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2017 and 2022 hold 107 of the 244 complaints, or 44%. Tap any bar or generation.

244NHTSA complaints, 2016–2026

8mention a crash

2mention a fire

9injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 2: 96 complaints · most for the 2022 (26)

Top complaint areas · Gen 2

Mentions in 96 complaints, 2021–2026.

Electrical system33

Engine and cooling18

Fuel system15

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)15

Brakes14

Rear camera / back-over prevention8

Crashes 2Fires 0Injuries 3

2021–2026 (Gen 2)

NHTSA data summary

Electrical system owns this generation. Its 33 mentions are well ahead of the next area, engine and cooling (18). Of the five model years, the 2022 (26) and 2023 (25) drew the most complaints.

What Envision owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2016–2020 (1st generation)

Owner data is thin, with the 2017 drawing about 80 NHTSA complaints and other years far fewer, and CarComplaints reports are modest. NHTSA owners of the 2017 most often mention brake concerns, including brakes that stopped working and a leaking brake line. CarComplaints lists rear A/C that blows hot air and a broken fuel filler flap for 2017, and a clunk when shifting and brake assist warnings for 2019. Recalls cover high pressure fuel pumps on 2016–2017 models that may detach and replacement headliners on some 2016–2017 models. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the fuel pump recall on 2016 and 2017 models.
Ask for brake repair records.
On the drive, press the brake pedal firmly to check for a soft or hard pedal, watch for brake assist warnings, feel for clunks when shifting and confirm the rear A/C blows cold.

Sources (3) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Envision complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Envision version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

244complaints, 2016–2026

8mention a crash

2mention a fire

9injuries reported

Most complaints: 2017 (81), 2022 (26), 2023 (25)

2017 · 81 complaints

Crashes 2 · fires 2 · injuries 3

Electrical system25

Service brakes22

Engine11

Unknown or other11

Power train10

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Envision CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 22 Envision versions for model years 2016–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 337 g/mi (2023). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 12016–2020

22–25 mpg · CO₂ 356–402 g/mi

Gen 22021–2026

24–26 mpg · CO₂ 337–371 g/mi

Model year2025

24combined MPG

371CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$2,800EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

5/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: AWD · Auto (S9), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo — 24 MPG · 371 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Envision vs Honda CR-V vs Ford Escape

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2021–2026. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the Envision, against 16 for the Honda CR-V and 37 for the Ford Escape. Pick a range to compare.

Buick EnvisionGen 2

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 4
NHTSA owner complaints: 96
EPA combined mpg: 24–26
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2024)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 33
Engine and cooling 18
Fuel system 15

Honda CR-V

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 16
NHTSA owner complaints: 2,309
EPA combined mpg: 28–40
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.5, 2.0 L · Electric
Also listed: turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2024)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Steering 882
Forward collision avoidance 427
Electrical system 218

Ford Escape

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 37
NHTSA owner complaints: 1,125
EPA combined mpg: 26–41
Engines (EPA): 3-cyl 1.5 L · 4-cyl 2.0, 2.5 L
Also listed: turbo, hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2024)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 256
Electrical system 223
Fuel system 196

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Buick Envision VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an Envision

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Grey Buick Envision (second generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Envision carries its VIN at the lower driver's windshield, on the door jamb sticker, and on a B-pillar label. Engine bay stamp is also present. Envision is manufactured in China for the US market, and the VIN will confirm it: US Envisions start with the LRB world manufacturer identifier (SAIC-GM Buick; NHTSA vPIC decodes the plant as Dong Yue, China). The Gen 2 generation starts with the 2021 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (M for 2021) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Buick Envision VIN questions

Which Buick Envision model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2017 leads with 81, ahead of the 2022 (26) and 2023 (25). Those first two alone make up 44% of the 244 Envision complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Buick Envision had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 9 vehicle campaigns for model years 2016–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 1 leads with 5. Then come the Gen 2 (4), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Buick Envision recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 18V-358. It should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Envision generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 1 is 2016–2020 and the Gen 2 2021–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (M is 2021).

What fuel economy does the Buick Envision get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2021–2026 Gen 2 at 24–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 22–25 mpg for the 2016–2020 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Buick Envision compare with the Honda CR-V and Ford Escape on recalls?

For 2021–2026 models the Envision has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda CR-V has 16, the Ford Escape 37. Complaints run 96, 2,309 and 1,125 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Buick Envision have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Envision 5 stars overall. One version, AWD, is rated.

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Buick Envision VIN Number Check

About the Buick Envision

Buick Envision generations