Buick Envision 2
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Envision II is Buick's revised compact SUV — sharper styling, a better interior and still imported from Chinese production. Not a regular offering in Germany, in the US it's Buick's modern middle ground between the Encore GX and the big Enclave.
The engines: Just one unit now, the LSY — third-generation GM Ecotec, 2.0-liter turbo with direct injection, twin-scroll charger and a technical quirk: an electronically controlled coolant flow valve instead of a classic thermostat, around 235 hp. That very thermal management valve is a known weak point and can fail. Add intake valve carbon buildup, a rarer but serious thrust bearing issue with axial crankshaft walk, and high-pressure fuel pump failure. Bottom line: a decent, modern turbo — but keep an eye on the coolant valve.
Model years: 2021 to 2025. As a young used car, usually still under residual warranty or fresh from first ownership. On the 2021 first-year builds, check that software recalls have been done.
Whole vehicle: The nine-speed automatic shows itself with shudder and shift delay — the typical GM issue of this generation. On the electronics side there's a faulty fuel pump control module (FPDCM) and one relevant point: a daytime running light / BCM software recall that, besides the lights, can also cause battery drain — definitely check it's been done. Plus brake squeal and grinding noises and an infotainment display that can go black.
Test drive: Test the transmission at low speed for shudder and delayed engagement. Start the car after it's sat (FPDCM, battery). Ask for the recall history on the BCM / daytime running lights. Check the brakes for noise, cycle through the infotainment repeatedly.
Market 2026: Barely available in Germany; as a US used car roughly 20,000 to 32,000 euros plus import. Insider pick: a 2022 or newer with the BCM recall documented and a clean transmission record — a modern, quiet premium compact SUV with good residual value.
Generations
Engine Overview
The Buick Envision 2 is available with one engine variant at 228 hp.
Third-generation GM Ecotec, a 2.0-liter turbo with direct injection, a twin-scroll turbocharger and an electronically controlled coolant flow valve instead of a conventional thermostat. Around 230 hp, economical and adequately strong. The managed thermal system gives faster warm-up and cleaner emissions but adds sensors and wiring that can become failure points — codes P00B7, P0128 and P2681 sometimes appear under 50,000 miles. Dexos1 oil and short intervals of 7,500 miles maximum are mandatory. Direct injection only causes intake valve carbon over time. Rare but feared is axial crankshaft walk from thrust bearing wear, which GM only resolves with a full engine exchange.
- !! Thrust bearing wear / axial crankshaft walk (LSY) from 70,000 km
The crankshaft thrust bearing wears and the crank moves axially beyond the allowed tolerance. Per bulletin PIP6047 GM only permits an endplay measurement — if tolerance is exceeded, only a full engine exchange is approved, with no in-car repair.
Symptoms: Scraping noise near the harmonic balancer, transmission seal leakage, timing codes without a clear timing failure; codes P05CE, P0014 - !! Thermal management valve failure (LSY) from 65,000 km
The electronic coolant flow valve replaces the conventional thermostat and meters flow by zone. When the valve sticks or a sensor disagrees, the PCM sets P00B7, P0128 or P2681 — sometimes under 50,000 miles. Left unaddressed it risks overheating. GM bulletin PIP5578.
Symptoms: Loud fans, weak cabin heat, swinging temperature gauge, sometimes reduced power; codes P00B7, P0128, P2681 - !! High-pressure fuel pump failure (LSY) from 160,000 km
The cam-driven high-pressure fuel pump leaks fuel past internal seals into the valve train and oil, diluting the lubricant. Typically between 80,000 and 140,000 miles. A rising oil level with a fuel smell is a warning sign.
Symptoms: Long crank, hesitation under load, fuel smell in oil, rising oil level; codes P0087, P0089
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| 9-speed automatic: shudder and shift hesitation The 9T50 automatic shows shudder at low speeds and delayed shifts. Root cause is usually the torque converter clutch or degraded transmission fluid. GM addresses it via service bulletin (TCM reprogram, fluid change). Symptoms: Shaking/vibration at low speed, half-second delay when pressing the gas, harsh downshifts, holding lower gears too long. from 80,000 km | Medium |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 9 weaknesses have been documented for the Buick Envision 2 (2021–2025) — 4 engine-related and 5 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Gearbox, Electronics, Brakes.
Envision (LSY, 2021–2025) — Be Careful: Thrust bearing wear / axial crankshaft walk (LSY), Thermal management valve failure (LSY), High-pressure fuel pump failure (LSY). Power: 228 PS.
What to watch out for with the Buick Envision? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee