I was returning home from shopping. As I approached a stop sign, I applied the brakes and the brake pedal went completely to the floor: Fortunately, I was able to stop before entering the intersection. I had the vehicle towed to a nearby Buick dealer to determine the cause of the brake failure. I was told the left front brake line had a hole in it causing total loss of brake fluid - cause…
2017 Buick Envision brakes problems
moderate 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Buick Envision we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 16.
Brakes accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Multiple owners report sudden, catastrophic brake failures—hoses rupturing or splitting with no warning—creating dangerous situations at highway speeds and in traffic. If you're shopping for a 2017 Envision, have a dealer or trusted independent mechanic thoroughly inspect both front and rear brake lines and test the brake assist system before purchase.
Owners of 2017 Buick Envisions are reporting sudden brake failures caused primarily by front brake hose rupture or splits. The pattern is consistent: brake pedal drops to the floor, vehicle loses stopping power, and brake fluid leaks. One owner experienced failures on both the left and right brake lines in separate incidents. Another found a pinhole in the hose caused by a spring wrapped around it, worn through from contact with the rubber line. Hoses have also failed to detach from metal couplings.
These failures happen with no advance warning lights or symptoms. Mileage ranges from about 34,000 to 96,000 miles. One owner was on the interstate when the hose burst; another was on a steep driveway. A driver on the highway lost all braking after brake assist engaged, leaving only the hard pedal. Several owners note they could have been killed or caused multi-vehicle crashes.
Repairs involve replacing front hoses, often with factory GM parts, sometimes both front and rear lines and flushing the entire system. One owner paid $1,200. A few dealerships checked for recalls; one owner claims this should be a reinstated recall but Buick has refused assistance.
Failure modes owners describe
Front brake hose rupture/split
Rubber brake hoses on the front axle rupturing, splitting, or developing pinholes, causing complete loss of brake fluid and brake system failure. Multiple instances involve both left and right front hoses failing.
When: Between 33,902 and 96,000 miles; several owners report sudden failures with no prior warning
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to floor with no stopping power; Brake fluid leaks or pools under vehicle; No warning lights preceding failure (in most cases); Extended braking distance or total brake failure
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacement of front brake hoses; some specify factory GM hoses. One owner paid $1,200 for repairs. Some required flushing and replacement of entire brake line system.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships checked for recalls; one owner noted this was a 'previous recall' that should be reinstated. Manufacturer contact in some cases resulted in no assistance.
Spring damage to brake hose
A spring wrapped around the rubber brake line creating a pinhole or split at the point where the spring end contacts the hose.
When: Occurs during normal operation; one failure reported on interstate highway
Symptoms owners cite: Pinhole or split in right front brake hose; Brake fluid loss; Brake pedal to floor; No prior warning
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic replaced brake hose with factory GM hoses on both sides. Owner noted mechanic found the spring placement unusual and identified it as the cause.
Brake hose detachment from metal coupling
Rubber brake hose detaching from or failing at the metal coupling connection point.
When: At 33,902 miles (one documented instance)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal extends to floorboard; Extended braking distance; Brake fluid leaking from front wheel area
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Local mechanic replaced the brake hose. Mechanic noted the rubber hose had detached from the metal coupling.
Brake vacuum pump and camshaft failure
Brake vacuum pump and exhaust camshaft failed, preventing normal brake operation.
When: At approximately 96,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal seized; No warning light initially; 'Service Brake Assist' message displayed after restart; Check engine warning light illuminated after restart
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was diagnosed as needing brake vacuum pump and exhaust camshaft replacement; not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not notified of this failure.
Brake assist failure with loss of braking ability
Brake assist system failure followed by complete loss of braking ability and hard, unresponsive brake pedal.
When: One documented instance; owner was on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Brake assist engages, then brakes stop working entirely; Brake pedal becomes hard as a rock and unresponsive; Inability to pump pedal to restore pressure; Situation persists after vehicle restart
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required towing; no repair details provided.
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2017 Buick Envision?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2017 Buick Envision?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 16 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 67,802 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Buick/Envision.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.