Buick Envista & Encore GX Rearview Camera Recall: What Owners Need to Know

General Motors issued a safety recall in September 2026 covering 306,511 vehicles in the United States, of which 72,175 are Buicks: the 2024-2025 Envista and the 2024-2026 Encore GX. The remaining units are Chevrolet Trax and Trailblazer models sharing the same camera.

The issue, the rearview camera may display a blank or distorted image when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, which removes the visual aid that drivers rely on to see what is directly behind them. If you own one of these vehicles, here is everything you need to know, including how to check your VIN, what the dealer will do, and what to do in the meantime.

Quick Summary: Which Buick Models and Years Are Affected

GM recall A262554900, also listed as NHTSA recall 26V539, covers certain 2024 and 2025 Buick Envista vehicles and certain 2024, 2025, and 2026 Buick Encore GX vehicles. It also includes certain 2024–2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2025 Chevrolet Trax vehicles whose rearview cameras may display a distorted or blank image.

Not every vehicle in these model years is included. Coverage depends on the affected production population and on equipment: the recall only involves vehicles built with the standard rearview camera, RPO code UVB. Model year and trim alone do not confirm eligibility.

Your vehicle may be included even if its rearview camera currently works normally. However, being recalled does not mean the defect is present in every vehicle: GM estimates that approximately 10% of the recalled population has the defect, and dealers will inspect and replace the camera as necessary.

GM scheduled owner notifications in phases, with initial remedy letters expected to begin mailing September 16, 2026, and interim letters to other owners expected to begin September 17. Rather than relying on whether a letter has arrived, check your VIN and contact a Buick dealer to confirm your vehicle’s eligibility and repair status.

Use the NHTSA recall lookup to check for an open recall on your vehicle. Keep in mind that this tool does not display recalls already repaired, so a result showing “0 unrepaired recalls” does not necessarily mean your vehicle was never included.

What the Problem Actually Is (And Why It’s a Safety Risk)

The rearview camera system in these vehicles can fail to display correctly when the transmission is shifted into reverse. Owners have reported seeing a black screen, a frozen or distorted image, or a complete failure to activate. The camera may work normally on some occasions and fail on others, which makes the problem intermittent and difficult for owners to predict.

Federal law requires that all passenger vehicles manufactured after May 2018 include a rearview camera. That requirement exists because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documented that backover accidents, collisions that occur when a vehicle moves in reverse and strikes an object or person behind it, disproportionately involve children under five and adults over 70. A camera system that fails to display eliminates the safety margin this technology was mandated to provide. This is why GM categorized the issue as a recall rather than a technical service bulletin.

The problem is traceable to the camera housing’s adhesive bond, which may have weakened during the assembly process. This is a hardware issue, not a software condition. The camera unit itself is the source of the failure, which is why the remedy involves dealer inspection and, where needed, replacement of the rearview camera.

How to Check If Your Specific Vehicle Is on the Recall List

The fastest way to confirm whether your Buick is included in recall A262554900 is to run a VIN check. Your 17-character VIN is printed on the driver’s side dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the door jamb sticker on the driver’s side door, and on your registration and insurance cards.

Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN in the search field. The NHTSA database returns any open safety recalls associated with that specific vehicle. You can also check buick.com/ownercenter/recalls, which pulls from the same data and may give you a more direct path to scheduling the repair through your dealership. Both tools are free and require no account or login.

If your VIN returns the recall, the page will show you the recall number, a description of the issue, and whether a remedy is currently available. If your VIN returns the recall, contact a Buick dealer to confirm parts availability for your specific vehicle before scheduling.

What the Dealer Will Do (And How Long It Takes)

When you bring your Envista or Encore GX to Starling Buick GMC Stuart for the recall repair, a factory-trained technician will inspect the rearview camera system. The recall remedy is inspection and replacement of the rearview camera on vehicles where the inspection confirms the adhesive bonding defect. This is a hardware repair, not a software update. GM has confirmed the parts and remedy are available now, which means you do not need to wait before scheduling.

The repair is performed at no cost to you. Recall repairs are federally mandated to be completed without charge to the vehicle owner, regardless of whether your vehicle is under warranty, how many miles it has, or where you purchased it.

The appointment begins with an inspection of the camera assembly. If the inspection confirms the defect, the technician replaces the camera, which adds time to the visit. Our service team can give you a more specific estimate when you schedule, since the total depends on whether your vehicle is among the roughly 10 percent that carry the defect. We recommend calling ahead rather than arriving as a walk-in for recall work, as scheduling ensures a technician and any required parts are ready when you arrive.

What to Do If Your Camera Fails Before the Repair

If you experience a blank or distorted camera image before your recall appointment, the safest approach is to treat the backup process as you would in a vehicle without a camera. Turn your head and check both mirrors before and during any reversing maneuver. Do not depend on the camera to be functional.

The workaround Buick recommends is straightforward: turn your head to look directly out the rear window, use your driver and passenger side mirrors, and proceed slowly. This is the backing technique that predates backup cameras and remains effective when done carefully. It is especially important in parking lots, driveways, and any area where pedestrians, cyclists, or children may be present.

Do not attempt to reset the camera system by disconnecting the battery or pulling fuses. This will not address the hardware defect causing the problem and may temporarily mask it while the underlying issue remains. The correct resolution is the dealer-performed remedy covered under the recall.

Understanding Rearview Camera Safety Requirements and What GM Is Legally Obligated to Do

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111 requires covered passenger cars and other light vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less manufactured on or after May 1, 2018, to display a rearview image meeting specified performance requirements. The required viewing zone is 10 feet wide and extends 20 feet behind the vehicle, helping drivers detect people and obstacles during backing maneuvers.

The rule was adopted to reduce deaths and injuries from backover crashes, particularly among vulnerable pedestrians. In its 2014 announcement, NHTSA reported that children under five and adults 70 or older together accounted for more than half of backover fatalities.

Federal law requires manufacturers to notify owners and provide a remedy when they determine that a safety-related defect or an applicable safety-standard noncompliance exists, subject to statutory exceptions. For vehicles covered by GM recall A262554900, dealers will inspect the rearview camera and replace it if necessary, free of charge; owners should not wait for the camera to malfunction before checking recall eligibility.

If you previously paid for a repair addressing this camera problem, keep your receipt and any warranty-related records, and ask our service team or Buick customer service to review your circumstances. GM’s recall filing states that reimbursement is not generally offered because the covered vehicles are under warranty, although federal rules provide exceptions to the warranty-based exclusion when warranty coverage was denied or a warranty repair failed to correct the recalled problem.

What Happens to Vehicles That Are Not Repaired

If you choose not to have the recall repair performed, your vehicle continues to operate with the underlying camera hardware defect that can cause the camera to fail. The risk is that a camera failure occurs at a moment when you are reversing in a situation with limited visibility, such as a busy parking lot, a residential driveway, or a gas station, and you do not have the visual information the camera is designed to provide.

You do not lose the repair by waiting a few weeks. Federal law obligates the manufacturer to remedy a safety defect at no charge for fifteen years from the vehicle’s first sale, so there is no near-term deadline on a 2024 to 2026 model. However, the practical reason to schedule sooner rather than later is that recall repair demand typically increases after owner notification letters arrive, and scheduling becomes more difficult as appointment slots fill. Acting during the initial recall window means shorter wait times and more appointment flexibility.

Schedule Your Recall Repair at Starling Buick GMC Stuart

If your Envista or Encore GX is among the 72,175 Buicks covered under GM recall A262554900, our service team at Starling Buick GMC Stuart is ready to complete your repair. The remedy is available now, the repair is at no cost, and scheduling is straightforward.

Call our service department or book online to set your appointment. Our technicians are factory-trained on Buick vehicles and have the tools and replacement parts required to perform this specific recall repair correctly the first time. We serve Buick owners throughout Martin County, Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Palm City, and the Treasure Coast. If you have questions about whether your vehicle is included or what to expect at the appointment, our team is available by phone before you come in.

Conclusion

GM recall A262554900 is a real, federally issued safety recall affecting 72,175 Buick Envista and Encore GX vehicles from 2024 to 2026, within a total campaign of 306,511 vehicles across Buick and Chevrolet. The issue is a camera housing defect, traceable to weakened adhesive bonding during assembly, that can cause the rearview camera to display a blank or distorted image, removing a federally mandated safety aid from the vehicles it was designed to protect. The remedy is camera inspection and replacement where needed, it is available now, the repair is free, and scheduling is simple. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, call Buick directly at 800-521-7300 with any questions about your specific vehicle, and contact our service team at Starling Buick GMC Stuart to get your appointment on the calendar before the recall backlog builds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the rearview camera recall free to fix?

Yes. All federally issued safety recall repairs are performed at no cost to the vehicle owner. There is no charge for the inspection or the camera replacement if the technician determines it is needed. This applies regardless of whether your vehicle is currently under the original manufacturer warranty.

Can I still drive my Buick with a blank backup camera?

You can legally drive the vehicle, but you should use extra caution when reversing. Treat every backing maneuver as if the camera is not present: check your mirrors, look directly out the rear window, and proceed slowly. Avoid situations where you are reversing in areas with limited visibility, and schedule your recall repair as soon as you can to restore full camera function.

When should I expect my recall notification letter?

GM began mailing owner notification letters after September 16, 2026. If you have not received one, check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether your vehicle is included. The letter is a notification, not a requirement to wait, meaning you can schedule your appointment before the letter arrives.

What is GM recall number A262554900?

A262554900 is the GM internal identifier for this rearview camera recall. It covers the 2024-2025 Buick Envista, 2024-2026 Buick Encore GX, 2024-2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2025 Chevrolet Trax. When you call a dealership or contact Buick customer service, referencing this number will identify your recall immediately.

Does the recall affect the Buick Enclave or Envision too?

No. GM recall A262554900 specifically covers the Envista and Encore GX in the affected model years, along with the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Trax. The Enclave and Envision are not included in this recall. If you own an Enclave or Envision and are experiencing camera issues, contact our service department for a separate diagnostic evaluation. Your service advisor can run a diagnostic on the camera system and determine whether the issue is a software condition addressable by an update, a wiring or connector issue, or a hardware failure requiring component replacement.