2016 Buick Verano problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (11) · Fuel/Propulsion System (4) · Exterior Lighting (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Buick Verano model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
34 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2016-08-11 · campaign 16V595000 · 189 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to May 12, 2016, equipped with a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine. The engine fuel line assembly may be misrouted, allowing the fuel line to contact the surface of the engine.
Risk: If the fuel line contacts the engine, the fuel line may wear, resulting in a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line assembly, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 54180.
Electrical System:ignition 2016-07-05 · campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock lever
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Service bulletins (1,062)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-19 · PIP6113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code p0191 and may also set p0172. the diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. if it is not an origi
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,062 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-29 · Steering“while driving on the highway there was a random harsh jerk on my car, and i was immediately unable to maintain safe speeds driving nearly causing a serious crash. all of the service lights (service parking assist, service power steering, service stabilitrak, and check engine light) should up on the dashboard. trying to engage the vehicle into dri…”
2026-02-03 · Unknown Or Other“i am submitting this complaint to report a safety-related issue involving my 2016 buick verano. at approximately 112,000 miles, the vehicle experienced a major transmission failure that significantly affected drivability. shortly thereafter, an airbag warning light illuminated, indicating a potential malfunction of the supplemental restraint system…”
2025-07-30 · Power Train:automatic Transmission“after consulting with a certified technician, i’ve learned this model uses the same 6-speed transmission (6t40) found in several gm vehicles, and that it’s widely known to fail prematurely—many as early as 100k–117k miles. there are dozens of similar consumer complaints filed with nhtsa and discussed online. these are not isolated incidents but par…”
2025-07-28 · Structure:body“the paint has severely faded, chipping, and it is not from environmental factors- i have less than 30,000 miles on a 2016 buick verano. there are multiple websites confirming other consumers have had the same issues with their 2015/2016 buick verano.…”
2025-06-30 · Electrical System · 189,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 buick verano. the contact stated that the doors of the vehicle were locking and unlocking independently, and the radio failed to turn off as needed. the contact stated that an unknown relay and sensors were previously replaced; however, the failure persisted. the dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. …”
2025-04-08 · Engine“engine is known for bad piston rings and a poor emission ventilation system causing extreme engine pressure, blowback, and oil consumption. engine stalled due to no oil in it. no oil warning light appeared. almost ran over two pedestrians as my car would not brake quickly enough as there was no power to any of the systems. and now i have to pay wel…”
2024-08-20 · Air Bags · 134,700 mi“the contact owns a 2016 buick verano. the contact stated while starting the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side seat sensor failed to detect a passenger in the seat. the “air bag off” and “service air bag” messages were displayed. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. the…”
2024-05-06 · Air Bags“when i start my car air bag lights on when a passenger is not seat air bags keeps light is on and when i have passenger next to me air bag is off. i took this car to dealership i bought they want me to pay $1720 to fix the system i only driven 42000 miles since i bought i had fully guaranteed paid for 5 years by installation to the company. i am no…”
2024-04-12 · Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection“the side detection system got corroded as it was exposed to water. my airbags, turn signals, speedometer, cameras, blind spot warnings, etc. went out. this costed almost $2k to replace and get fixed when this could have been avoided if the side detection parts weren't easily exposed to water. knowing that this could happen again as this is the way …”
2024-02-07 · Air Bags“there are 18 complaints about the passenger airbag sensor that should have been reported as a recall. buick issued a special coverage adjustment notice for the passenger presence sensor reference number: [xxx] letter was sent to all customers; i did not ever receive it as i purchased this vehicle as used from the buick dealership in el paso tx. i r…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.