50 of the
146 complaints about the 2012 Buick Verano are about the
engine — 34% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
65,000 miles.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Philadelphia, PA
ENGINE
THE SYSTEM AIR BAG NOTICES KEEPS COMING IN THE CAR, WHEN YOU PUT YOUR SEAT BEAT ON IT GOES AWAY. ALSO THE OIL BUTTON DOESN'T COME ON , THE CAR CONSTANTLY SHAKES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIKE KEEPS COMING ON AFTER EVEN BEING REPAIRED. I NEEDED A FUEL PUMP AND THAT'S BEEN FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN
NHTSA complaint #11327599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesYpsilanti, MI
ENGINE
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. LOW OIL LIGHT DID NOT COME ON CAUSING CAR TO PRODUCE "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" WARNING ON DASHBOARD. LESS THAN HALF A QUART OF OIL IN ENGINE CAUSED TIMING BELT TO BREAK ALONG WITH HEAD GASKET TO COLLAPSE. ISSUE WITH CAR HAPPENED AT WORK SITTING IN STATIONARY PARKING SPOT
NHTSA complaint #11323029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesShawano, WI
ENGINE
AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNING OIL. I NOTICED DARK OIL ON THE PAVEMENT. I WAS GOOD ABOUT CHANGING MY OIL PER MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATION. I WASN'T AWARE THAT OTHER SIMILAR CARS HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. I WISH A RECALL HAD BEEN DONE PRIOR TO THIS MAJOR LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #11268783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesCharlotte, NC
ENGINE
VEHICLE STALLED AT RED LIGHT ON CITY STREET. VEHICLE ENDED UP NEEDED 4 QUARTS OF OIL WHICH CAUSED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN AND COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. ENGINE WAS THE 2.4L ECOTEC, WHICH HAS BULLETINS FOR OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. THE LOW OIL LIGHT DID NOT COME ON IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11265453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,207 milesEugene, OR
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK VERANO. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAMSHAFT SOLENOID FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KENDALL AUTO GROUP (1400 EXECUTIVE PKWY # 400, EUGENE, OR 97401, (541) 335-4000) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO HISTORY OF A FAILURE CODE; HOWEVER, THE PISTON AND RINGS. WERE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING AND SHOWED THE TECHNICIAN THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE CODE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CAMSHAFT SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST PERFORMED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DOWN TO THREE QUARTERS OF A QUART OF OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: SR 9-5484491631. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,207.
NHTSA complaint #11257728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesForestdale, MA
ENGINE
I HAVE A 2012 BUICK VERANO WITH ABOUT 115000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL GM DEALERS WITH COMPLAINTS OF EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION TO THE POINT OF THERE BEING NO OIL IN THE CAR WHATSOEVER AND THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NO ISSUE. I WENT TO A THIRD SERVICE CENTER AND THEY DID OVER 700 DOLLARS WORTH OF WORK THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE BECAUSE OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE FROM LOW OIL. GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER SERVICE DENIES THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE RECALLS FOR OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME EXACT ENGINE (2.4 LITER 4 CYLINDER). I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH THIS VEHICLE KNOWING THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF ENGINE FAILURE WHILE I AM ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS TO PROVE I'VE HAD THIS WORK DONE AND I'VE BEEN TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS. THERE ARE ALSO NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE I AM DESCRIBING ONLINE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS ISSUE HASN'T BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING TO NUMEROUS VEHICLES AND IN ADDITION THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR VEHICLES MADE BY GENERAL MOTORS WITH THE SAME EXACT ENGINE AS MINE.
NHTSA complaint #11252452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterford, WI
ENGINE
EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. NEED TO ADD MORE THAN 3-4 QUARTS EVERY 2K MILES. NOTE THAT LOW LEVEL OIL LIGHT NEVER TURNS ON. AT A RECENT OIL CHANGE IN LATE JULY '19 THERE WAS ~1 QUART OF OIL IN THE RESERVOIR WHEN OIL WAS DRAINED. OIL CHANGES HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AT SPECIFIED INTERVALS SINCE PURCHASED IN JULY OF '15 (~39,900 MILES WHEN PURCHASED). STARTED NOTICING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IN '17.
NHTSA complaint #11241433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesLake Hopatcong, NJ
ENGINE
CAR JERKS WHEN SITTING AT STOP SIGNS, RED LIGHT, IN CONGESTED STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. IT ALSO HESITATES WHEN YOU INITIALLY PRESS THE GAS AND ARE GOING UNDER 20 MILES PER HOUR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON AND WHEN YOU TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY RUN DIAGNOSTIC AND CAN NOT DETECT THE ISSUE
NHTSA complaint #11231469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,400 milesBrockton, MA
ENGINE
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION BETWEEN OIL CHANGES
NHTSA complaint #11228892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eastpointe, MI
ENGINE
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION CAUSING PISTON RINGS AND PISTONS TO GO BAD OR WARNING LIGHT NEVER APPEAR ON DISH SO THAT'S NOT WORKING EITHER. I HAVE TO GET ALL CHANGE EVERY WEEK TO EVERY TWO WEEKS.
NHTSA complaint #11219463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesFlorence, KY
ENGINE
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION CAUSING PISTON RING AND PISTONS TO BE REPLACED. OIL LIGHT NEVER WARNED OF LOW OIL. EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILDUP LED TO EARLY MAINTAINENCE FEE OF $450.00. CAR HAS ONLY 55000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11208053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesTaunton, MA
ENGINE
I OWN A 2012 BUICK VERANO WITH ONLY 48K ON IT, OWNERSHIP TRANSFERRED OVER FROM MY FATHER IN LAW WHO BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW. CAR HESITATES, DOES NOT PICK UP SPEED AFTER SLOWING/STOPPING WHICH WE NOTICED AT 36K, BURNS THROUGH A LOT OF OIL- OIL LIGHT DOES NOT GO ON WHEN LOW, REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE ALREADY COMPROMISED AT LESS THAN 45K, AND JUST RECENTLY LOST BRAKES COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING A MONTH AGO DUE TO A BAD CALIPER. CAR ALSO ACCELERATES SOMETIMES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE BRAKE LIGHT HAS NEVER COME ON AT ANY POINT DURING ANY OF THIS, THOUGH THE LOW WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID LIGHT COMES ON EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT LOW. ALSO DOWNSHIFTS PRETTY ROUGH.
NHTSA complaint #11197329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesColumbus, OH
ENGINE
MY 2012 BUICK VERANO HAS STALLED OUT AND DIED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOPS. MY VERANO HAS 64,000 MILES AND IS WELL KEPT AND MAINTENANCED BUT CONTINUES TO STALL OVER AND OVER. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER 2012 VERANO OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT GM HAS SOLD US A FAULTY PRODUCT THAT CAN CAUSE DEATH OR A SERIOUS INJURY. BEING THAT I AM A INDIVIDUAL WHO LIVES PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK I CANT AFFORD TO THROW MONEY INTO A 7 YR OLD CAR WITH LESS THAN 70,000 MILES THAT IM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON AND I HOPE THAT GM WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR SELLING A FAULTY, DANGEROUS VEHICLE THAT IS NOT SAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD! PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED!
NHTSA complaint #11191152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ENGINE
EXTREME OIL CONSUMPTION
NHTSA complaint #11170031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesWest Henrietta, NY
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK VERANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE START ENGINE BUTTON AND REGAIN NORMAL FUNCTION. ALSO, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PATRICK BUICK GMC & USED CAR SUPERCENTER (4700 W HENRIETTA ROAD, HENRIETTA, NY 14467, (585) 359-2200). THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND REPLACED AN UNKNOWN PART IN THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND STALLED WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
NHTSA complaint #11161907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesSouthfield, MI
ENGINE
SES LIGHT PERIODICALLY KEEPS COMING ON BEGINNING AT 49,000 MILES IN 2015. IT IS ALWAYS REGARDING PROBLEM CAMSHAFT POSITION ACTUATOR SOLENOID/SENSOR CODE: P0014. IT CAME ON AGAIN LAST YEAR AT AROUND 82,000 MILES AND THEN CAME ON AGAIN 10 DAYS LATER. LAST YEAR DEALERSHIP MECHANIC AT LEAST KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT ENGINES AND SOME PARTS TO CHANGE INSTEAD OF JUST LETTING A COMPUTER TELL HIM WHAT PARTS SO CHANGED TIMING KIT AND WATER PUMP KIT FOR LOOSE CHAINS. HUMAN FIX WAS NOT THE END OF THE PROBLEM EITHER AS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED THIS YEAR NOV-13-2018 AT 92,000. USUALLY WHEN IT HAPPENS VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH WHEN IDLING OR STALLS OUT ON ACCEL, BLOCKING THE ROADWAY UNTIL YOU CAN GET THE VEHICLE IN MOTION AGAIN. THIS YEAR DID NOT STALL OUT BUT MADE FUNNY TAPPING NOISE ON ACCEL/DECEL AND ALMOST ALL OF THE OIL WAS GONE, YET THE "LOW OIL LIGHT" NEVER CAME ON. SES DOES NOT COME ON UNTIL IT'S ALMOST TOO LATE. SEEMS LIKE THE PROBLEMS ARE FELT OR NOISES HEARD THE SLOWER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. WITH AS OFTEN AS THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, I NOW BELIEVE SOME OTHER PART MUST BE MAKE THE CAMSHAFT SOLENOID GO BAD WHEN THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE ALSO GOING BAD. MAYBE THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IF GM CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11154361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,000 milesCedar Creek, NE
ENGINE
EXTREME OIL CONSUMPTION WITHOUT WARNING. OIL LEVEL WAS STILL AT 60% AND OIL CHANGE WAS NOT YET INDICATED BY THE MILEAGE. I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGHLY AND TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC. THE DIPSTICK WAS DRY.
NHTSA complaint #11152130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Suffolk, VA
ENGINE
TAKATA RECALL ENGINE RODS BANGED TO MADE A HOLE IN ENGINE. THE ENGINE IS MADE FROM ALUMINUM AND WAS GOING TO HAPPEN ANY WAY. MUFFLING SOUNDED LIKE HOLE IN MUFFLER BUT WAS THE ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #11139186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.