Recall 17V404 covers 768 2016-2017 Buick Envision vehicles with misinstalled tablet holders. Head-restraint inspection and reinstallation are free at any franchised Buick dealer.
Buick is recalling 768 2016-2017 Envision SUVs because an accessory tablet holder installed on the front seat head restraints can keep the posts from fully engaging in the seat back. In a crash, the head restraint can loosen or dislodge and raise the risk of injury; Buick dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The Universal Tablet Holder in the 2016-2017 Buick Envision is an accessory bracket that mounts to the front seat head restraint posts. The head restraint is the padded support at the top of the seat, and its posts are supposed to lock fully into the seat back. That locked position keeps the head restraint in place for the person sitting there.
On affected Envision vehicles, the holder was installed with confusing dealer instructions. The Envision needs button caps at the base of the head restraint posts removed before the tablet holder is fitted, but the instructions also listed the Envision in a way that said that step was not required. If those caps stayed in place, the posts did not seat fully and the head restraint did not lock into the seat back.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is an installation fit issue, so the head restraint can look normal until someone pulls on it and finds that it lifts out too easily.
Who's affected?
Separate equipment and front head-restraint listings appear for each model year.
| 2016 Buick Envision | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2016 Buick Envision | seat assembly |
| 2017 Buick Envision | Equipment |
| 2017 Buick Envision | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 768 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2016-2017 Buick Envision is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A head restraint that is not fully engaged in the seat back can loosen or dislodge during a crash, increasing injury risk. Until the inspection is complete, make sure the head restraint feels secure and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Buick dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Buick Envision is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Buick dealer to schedule the free head-restraint and tablet-holder inspection that verifies the head restraint posts are fully engaged in the seat back.
- Bring the recall notice if Buick mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V404 and Buick recall 17239/17258 when you call.
- Use the vehicle cautiously until the repair is complete, and keep passengers clear of loose tablet-holder or head-restraint hardware.
- Call Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 with questions about the free dealer repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Buick technician inspects the front seat head restraints and the accessory NSV Universal Tablet Holders to confirm they were installed correctly. If the tablet holder kept the head restraint posts from fully engaging in the seat back, the technician reinstalls the affected pieces as needed. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Buick's standard reimbursement plan covers documented out-of-pocket costs for related repairs paid before the recall notice. Bring prior repair paperwork to the service desk or contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 27, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 27, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V404?
Recall 17V404 covers 768 2016-2017 Buick Envision SUVs with an accessory NSV Universal Tablet Holder installation problem that can leave the front head restraint posts not fully engaged in the seat back. Buick dealers inspect and reinstall the affected parts for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Buick Envision is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Envision is included in recall 17V404. If it is, contact a franchised Buick dealer to schedule the head restraint and tablet holder inspection. The dealer will reinstall the parts as needed, free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost. Buick dealers will inspect the front head restraints and tablet holders, then reinstall them as needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that an incorrectly installed tablet holder can keep the head restraint posts from fully engaging in the seat back. In a crash, the head restraint can loosen or dislodge, increasing the risk of injury.
What if I bought my Buick Envision used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Envision is included, then reference recall 17V404 when you call a franchised Buick dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V404000 |
|---|---|
| Buick customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V404 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V404000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →