Owners have filed 146 complaints
about the 2012 Buick Verano with NHTSA between 2012 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 65
Against the median year of the Buick Verano. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 50
9.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 48
28% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
76.8%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
76.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
1211.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1413.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
3635.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1514.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1110.7%
150,000+ miles
11.0%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2012 Buick Verano 4 DR FWD
—
—
—
—
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2012peak 6May 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2012 Buick Verano
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ13002Opened 31 May 2013Closed 9 Jul 2014AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Air Bag Non-deployment
General Motors (GM) has initiated a safety recall of 31,520 model year (MY) 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles to address a defect condition that could result in the primary or secondary stage air bag not deploying.These vehicles are a small percentage of all MY 2012 vehicles and were built on several specific production dates broadly ranging from December 1, 2011 to August 2, 2012 (see NHTSA recall 14V-300 for more information).Also, see attached additional report for more information.This investigation was opened to evaluate the scope of two uninfluenced safety...
Recalls on the 2012 Buick Verano
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20143065,003 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the primary stage of the driver’s airbag may not deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted). Failure of an airbag to deploy correctly could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2012368.
Recall 20142135,003 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the primary or secondary stage of the driver’s airbag may not deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted). Failure of an airbag to deploy correctly could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil. Note: This recall is superseded by recall 2014306.
Recall 20123681,011 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the primary stage of the driver’s airbag may not deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted). Failure of an airbag to deploy correctly could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 106,000 milesHoneyoye Falls, NYCrash
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2012 Buick Verano. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, another vehicle was traveling in the opposite direction and struck the front driver side of the contact’s vehicle causing damage to the front end of both vehicles. The air bags did not deploy in the contact's vehicle but in the other vehicle, the air bags did deploy. No major injuries and no one seeking medical attention. The police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed total lost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #11487144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,700 milesRoanoke, VACrash
AIR BAGS
WHILE PULLING INTO MY HOME DRIVEWAY, WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES . AND THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE CAUSING ME TO HIT MY OTHER VEHICLE AND THEN THE CAR PROCEEDED INTO THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE . I JUST 2 DAYS PRIOR HAD MY CAR INSPECTED AT FIRESTONE, I ALSO JUST HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED LESS THAN 5 MONTHS PRIOR, ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON EARLIER THAT DAY, I WAS COMING HOME FROM FIRESTONE AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING AND DECELERATION WHILE DRIVING WHICH WAS LESS THAN 10 MILE FROM MY HOME .
NHTSA complaint #11374577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,700 milesRoanoke, VACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE PULLING INTO MY HOME DRIVEWAY, WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES . AND THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE CAUSING ME TO HIT MY OTHER VEHICLE AND THEN THE CAR PROCEEDED INTO THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE . I JUST 2 DAYS PRIOR HAD MY CAR INSPECTED AT FIRESTONE, I ALSO JUST HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED LESS THAN 5 MONTHS PRIOR, ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON EARLIER THAT DAY, I WAS COMING HOME FROM FIRESTONE AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING AND DECELERATION WHILE DRIVING WHICH WAS LESS THAN 10 MILE FROM MY HOME .
NHTSA complaint #11374577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesPittsburgh, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
HIT BLACK ICE ON 2 LANE HIGHWAY, RATE OF SPEED ABOUT 40 MPH. CAR IMPACTED CONCRETE BARRIERS CAUSING THE FRONT END TO BE DEMOLISHED AS WELL AS BOTH FRONT TIRES TO BE TURNED UPWARD. FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS CAR IS NOT ON A RECALL LIST BUT PERHAPS THERE ARE MORE OWNERS OUT THERE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH 2012 BUICK VERANO. I AM FAR FROM AN EXPERT BUT I ASSUME DUE TO DAMAGE ON THE FRONT END THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #11064234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesSapulpa, OKCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND STARTED HITTING THE BRAKES THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF AND HIT A POLE. NO MY FOOT WAS NO WHERE NEAR ACCELERATOR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN THANK GOOD THE FIRST TIME I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPEN TO. I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 44,000 MILE ON IT AN IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THEN OUT. THIS DEFECT ALMOST KILLED ME AND MY FAMILY, BECAUSE I ALMOST HIT A WALL
NHTSA complaint #11039655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,500 milesNEW Castle, PACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK VERANO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A DEER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, SHOULDER, AND UPPER BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO HAVE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A STATE INSPECTION, BUT IT COULD NOT BE INSPECTED DUE TO BODY DAMAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STATE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WHEN THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,500.
NHTSA complaint #11002824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Tehachapi, CA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Rear window shattered while driving. No rock or other damage. I just heard a loud bang and it exploded
NHTSA complaint #11735765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Etowah, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NAV display and radio stopped working black screen blank
NHTSA complaint #11592534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westville, NJ
ENGINE
On 2 separate occasions, I have gone through 4 quarts of oil in 2000 miles. No leaks as verified by mechanic. Just excessive burn. The check oil light does not come on to warn you and says I still have 50% oil life but almost bone dry.
NHTSA complaint #11590837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norfolk, MA
AIR BAGS
The passenger airbag indicator goes on and off with person in passenger seat. We first noticed this Summer 2023. It has gotten worse. Now a passenger can shift weight slightly one way or another and cause the indicator status to change which disables the airbag. Dealer also confirmed (4/16/24) DTC code B0081(internal malfunction with passenger presence module). I have recently learned there was a warranty extension for this failure (which had expired) which I was unaware of. I now have a vehicle which I feel is unsafe to travel with a passenger! If GM is aware of the problem and the dealer (imperial Chevrolet) has charged me $160 diagnostic fee for a known problem and tells me it will cost approx. $1,800 to repair/replace the sensor and module.
NHTSA complaint #11583410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reading, PA
ENGINE
Oil Consumption- Burning through 2 qts of oil every 2000 miles. No warning lights coming on. Last oil change my car had no oil in it.
NHTSA complaint #11518026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duke Center, PA
POWER TRAIN
Car has had excessive oil consumption since start. Easily consuming 1-2 quarts of oil on monthly basis. Had timing chains replaced at 75000 miles. Car suddenly stopped without warning 1/16/23 and completely shut off while driving. Now, at 170000 miles the engine is blown, due to chains loosening, and valves getting bent and scattered.
NHTSA complaint #11504036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duke Center, PA
ENGINE
Car has had excessive oil consumption since start. Easily consuming 1-2 quarts of oil on monthly basis. Had timing chains replaced at 75000 miles. Car suddenly stopped without warning 1/16/23 and completely shut off while driving. Now, at 170000 miles the engine is blown, due to chains loosening, and valves getting bent and scattered.
NHTSA complaint #11504036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
River Grove, IL
AIR BAGS
This airbag is supposed to last the lifetime of the vehicle and it has not. On top of it not lasting I am being charged to fix the airbag issue replacement and it is at fault of General Motors for not offering a lifetime lasting airbag.
NHTSA complaint #11501242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesHoneyoye Falls, NYCrash
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2012 Buick Verano. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, another vehicle was traveling in the opposite direction and struck the front driver side of the contact’s vehicle causing damage to the front end of both vehicles. The air bags did not deploy in the contact's vehicle but in the other vehicle, the air bags did deploy. No major injuries and no one seeking medical attention. The police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed total lost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
NHTSA complaint #11487144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Street, MD
ENGINE
My car started burning an excessive amount of oil this caused my car to die with no engine warning while driving. My mechanic found it to be completely out of oil. The car only has 67000 miles on it and now I have to constantly put oil in the car. It does not leak it just burns oil. I just drove 400 miles and when I got to my destination my car was completely out of oil again. My motor is not going to last if this keeps happening.
NHTSA complaint #11485476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesCincinnati, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Verano . The contact stated there was an abnormal odor of fuel entering through the vents. In addition, while driving, there was an abnormal very loud knocking noise. The contact noticed that there was oil or fuel leaking from the injection system. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11478617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesCincinnati, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Verano . The contact stated there was an abnormal odor of fuel entering through the vents. In addition, while driving, there was an abnormal very loud knocking noise. The contact noticed that there was oil or fuel leaking from the injection system. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11478617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flushing, MI
AIR BAGS
I was in a traffic jam and had a blowout. My airbags didn't go off no accident was able to pull over. Got it towed to get a new tire. Now I took my car in to get the aribag light off and it's $2000 for seatbelt sensor and another sensor from a blowout that's redicilous. The airbags didn't go off. Now I don't have any air bags because of a tire blowout. No damage to the car either. Please help and thank you for your time!
NHTSA complaint #11469802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sartell, MN
ENGINE
Technical Service Bulletin #13-06-01-003H (TSB 003H) in regards to GM’s 2.4L engines & excessive oil consumption. (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/MC-10116880-9999.pdf) This release not only concedes a persistent issue found in at least six GM models, but more importantly fails to acknowledge the serious and fatal risks as a result of the Oil Consumption Defect. As a direct result of GM's known defect, I was left in a dangerous situation. I crossed a divided residential street, engine stalled and the vehicle turned off, stranded in the middle. It is not unreasonable to imagine other similar situations occurring, leaving people directly susceptible to serious injury or death. Here, the dipstick was completely dry. It took two quarts before any oil appeared on the dipstick. The oil light did not illuminate and I was approximately 1500 miles from my next scheduled oil service. The diagnosis: pistons excessively worn from lack of oil, engine failure. My situation is not unique. https://www.carcomplaints.com/Buick/Verano/2012/engine/engine.shtml Sanchez et al v. General Motors LLC, found in favor of the plaintiffs. The issue: the Oil Consumption Defect, found in 2010-13 Equinox & Terrain, both vehicles listed on TSB 003H with the 2012 Verano. https://www.classaction.org/media/sanchez-et-al-v-general-motors-llc.pdf The primary cause: faulty piston rings and defective crankcase ventilation system, leading to excessive oil consumption. The oil monitoring systems are defective. “Reliance on the [system] instead encourages owners to drive with a false sense of security.” “Problems include, but are not limited to: unanticipated engine shutdowns, engine stalls.” “[This] is a substantial safety concern because [failure]… cannot be reasonably anticipated or predicted.” To allow GM to ignore this documented and persistent issue, without further investigation, would be a failure carry out the NHTSA’s core duty: to save lives and prevent injuries. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11468706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 176,768 milesKansas City, MO
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Verano. The contact stated that her vehicle was constantly loosing oil however, there was no warning light illuminated on the vehicle to indicate that the oil level was low. The contact stated that when the oil level was low, the vehicle made a loud rumbling sound. The contact would then top off the engine oil. The contact stated that without the knocking sound she would not know that the vehicle required additional oil. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to locate an oil leak. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 176,768.
NHTSA complaint #11458242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
ENGINE
My car has started to burn oil quickly in the past and I was bringing my car to get oil changes more frequently than the sticker was saying at the dealership. Recently my car showed no oil on the dipstick after my car stopped running. 2 quarts of oil was added and the oil only showed at the tip of the dipstick. My engine was tapping a few weeks prior to my car no longer running. I brought the car to the dealership and they informed me that there was not a recall on my vehicle, but upon checking there was a recall in 2016 for this exact matter. My car is still not running and has been down since October 22, 2021. The dealership is stating that they cannot fix my car because there is not an open recall, but this recall was in 2016 and I was never made aware of the recall nor was I said any correspondences about this recall.
NHTSA complaint #11440121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Antonio, TX
ENGINE
Replaced many components and still has cylinder misfire . Replaced coils . Spark plugs. Vvt solenoids . Pigtails for vvt and still jerks, stalls, and radio doesn't work.
NHTSA complaint #11430491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eyota, MN
ENGINE
Car engine started making noise in front right side. Had oil changed 2000 miles prior and there was no oil when checked. Mechanic said the motors are known to have the timing belt go out and the pistons. There are recalls for this issue, however my VIN number doesn't come up!! Have had the car 2 months!!!! Pretty pissed off!
NHTSA complaint #11418281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Schaumburg, IL
ENGINE
CAR USING EXCESSIVE OIL, BUT NOT LEAKING. NON OIL LIGHT EVER HAS COME ON. CAR ALSO SHOWED P0011 WHICH TIES IN WITH ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11398555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL
AIR BAGS
SAYS SERVICE AIG BAG THIS IS NOT SAFE..
NHTSA complaint #11390876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesNiagara Falls, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK VERANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO LINKED THE FAILURE TO AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED DAVID CHEVROLET BUICK (10225 NIAGARA FALLS BLVD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY 14304) WHERE SHE WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT DECLINED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11388832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,700 milesRoanoke, VACrash
AIR BAGS
WHILE PULLING INTO MY HOME DRIVEWAY, WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES . AND THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE CAUSING ME TO HIT MY OTHER VEHICLE AND THEN THE CAR PROCEEDED INTO THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE . I JUST 2 DAYS PRIOR HAD MY CAR INSPECTED AT FIRESTONE, I ALSO JUST HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED LESS THAN 5 MONTHS PRIOR, ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON EARLIER THAT DAY, I WAS COMING HOME FROM FIRESTONE AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING AND DECELERATION WHILE DRIVING WHICH WAS LESS THAN 10 MILE FROM MY HOME .
NHTSA complaint #11374577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,700 milesRoanoke, VACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE PULLING INTO MY HOME DRIVEWAY, WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES . AND THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE CAUSING ME TO HIT MY OTHER VEHICLE AND THEN THE CAR PROCEEDED INTO THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE . I JUST 2 DAYS PRIOR HAD MY CAR INSPECTED AT FIRESTONE, I ALSO JUST HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED LESS THAN 5 MONTHS PRIOR, ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON EARLIER THAT DAY, I WAS COMING HOME FROM FIRESTONE AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING AND DECELERATION WHILE DRIVING WHICH WAS LESS THAN 10 MILE FROM MY HOME .
NHTSA complaint #11374577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,600 milesPittsburgh, PA
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING. DOES THIS WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. THIS MAKES AIR BAG LIGHT IN THE INFORMATION CENTER OF DASH COME ON OR TURN OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11360523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,015 milesNorth Versailles, PA
ENGINE
PURCHASED THE CAR USED WITH 65K MILES AND EVERYTHING SEEMED GOOD. AT AROUND 72K THE CAR HAD A LOUD PINGING NOISE. I CHECKED THE OIL AND THE DIP STICK WAS DRY. I CHANGED THE OIL AND FILTER TO BE SAFE. THE CAR HAS BEEN USING A QUART OF OIL EVERY 2000 MILES. AT 80K THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IN PA THAT MEANS YOU DO NOT PASS INSPECTION SO WE HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE SERVICED. THE BILL WAS ONLY $212 DOLLARS FOR TWO VALVE POSITION SOLENOIDS. I DID A COMPLETE OIL AND FILTER CHANGE THEN ALSO. AT 1712 MILES LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, THE ENGINE OIL WAS 1,5 QUARTS LOW AGAIN. I GUESS I AM IN THE SAME BOAT AS MOST OF THE OTHERS WITH HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, SHAFTED BY GM AGAIN. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A COMPANY CAN SELL SOMETHING SO BADF AND GET AWAY WITH IT. IT SEEMS ALL OF THE GM VEHICLES WITH THE 22.4 LITER 4 CYLINDER ENGINE HAVE THESE ISSUES. THE SHAME IS THE CAR ITSELF SO FAR HAS BEEN PRETTY GOOD EXCEPT FOR THE OIL ISSUE. WHEN WILL GM START TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT?
NHTSA complaint #11352768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.