FaultScore

Buick Verano airbag problems

93 of the 670 complaints filed about the Buick Verano are about the airbag system — 14% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2012.

93

Complaints

14%

Share of all complaints

13

Crashes

0

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2012 Verano 27 29.0%

Median failure at 61,500 miles

2013 Verano 18 19.4%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2014 Verano 13 14.0%

Median failure at 56,780 miles

2015 Verano 10 10.8%

Median failure at 68,800 miles

2016 Verano 23 24.7%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

2017 Verano 2 2.2%

Median failure at 87,510 miles

What owners said

2013 Buick Verano Middletown, MD

AIR BAGS

My service airbag light continues to come on when driving. I was told there was a recall on the airbags a few years ago, but my VIN number was not included in that recall. I purchased this car from Carmax in 2018. I was told there were no recalls on my car at time of purchase and it was not having a problem at that time. I’m not sure the exact date the problem started occurring, but I did call Carmax and gave them my VIN number and they said there were no active recalls, but there was a recall on the airbag years ago that I was unaware of.

NHTSA complaint #11756459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Buick Verano at 117,000 miles Middletown, MD

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2013 Buick Verano. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Service Air Bag warning light unexpectedly illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

NHTSA complaint #11740667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Verano Maricopa, AZ

AIR BAGS

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. An independent mechanic advised that the vehicle was no longer safe or economically reasonable to repair due to the transmission failure and the airbag system warning. The cost of transmission repair was estimated between $5,000.00 and $7,000.00. The vehicle could not be safely driven, sold, or repaired, leaving me with an inoperable vehicle and an outstanding loan balance. I am submitting this complaint to ensure this issue is documented and reviewed, as transmission failure combined with an airbag warning presents a serious safety concern. Also, it’s been widely documented by other consumers of having the same problem with the transmission failing prematurely on these type of vehicles as well.

NHTSA complaint #11715188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Buick Verano Ozark, AL

AIR BAGS

Car keeps stalling and the service power steering warning comes on the dash as well as the service air bag. Then the car speed drops to around 20 mph and won’t go any faster and then when you stop at a stop sign or something the car acts like it doesn’t want to go

NHTSA complaint #11655643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Buick Verano Chester, NY

AIR BAGS

My passenger airbag warning lights appears on the dash several times a day stating “Airbag safety issue detected”. This has been going on for several months now.

NHTSA complaint #11654234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Buick Verano Mark Center, OH

AIR BAGS

Passenger air bag system shuts off with passenger in vehicle. Message displays to service air bag system. It doesn't always shut off. It's very random when it will shut off or be working. This is a hazard to any passenger in this vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11646565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Buick Verano Columbus, GA

AIR BAGS

My driver side air bag notification keeps coming on. On and off, while I'm driving. My electrical system is odd. I can not charge any devices and my screen will turn off while I'm driving. I'm giving today's date, but this is an ongoing problem for at least a year.

NHTSA complaint #11639167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Verano at 134,700 miles Rexburg, ID

AIR BAGS

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 contact related the failure to Special Coverage Adjustment: 23520 Passenger Presence Sensor (PPS) Module; however, the VIN was not included in the Special Coverage Adjustment. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,700.

NHTSA complaint #11609743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Verano Arlington, TX

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 not happy for putting my vehicle I do not wish to take another place for repairs as I had not understand why the are asking a lot of money to put it right for air bag for passenger says need air bag service always when I am driving my vehicle

NHTSA complaint #11587107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Buick Verano 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.

2015 Buick Verano Rocklin, CA

AIR BAGS

The light is on and the warning chime constantly goes off when someone is in the passenger seat. This is a known recall issue yet my VIN is not included. It needs to be fixed at the cost of the manufacturer and not my own.

NHTSA complaint #11580003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Verano EL Paso, TX

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 recently started experiencing error messages with my airbags. Upon taking it to the dealer, the airbag sensor issue is related to the notice listed above. Because I never received the notice, I wasn't on alert for issues. I don't see why i should have to pay for this repair since its obvious this is a dealer installed defective product. Please help resolve this issue as it going to cause someone's life and by then it will be too late. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11570464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Buick Verano Amherst, OH

AIR BAGS

- The side detection module became corroded, blew a fuse and stopped functioning. This was reported in a service bulletin and extended warranty protection for some GM vehicles, but not the Buick Verano. [XXX] - This happened while driving. The vehicle would still drive, but lost all gauge functions (No speedometer, tachometer, fuel, or temp gauges). -The side obstacle detection system does not work. -The system also interferes with the passenger side airbag and leaves it turned OFF with a passenger in the seat. These obviously all create a serious safety risk and have not been covered by a recall for this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11561719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Buick Verano Piedmont, OK

AIR BAGS

1. Passenger presence module internally faulted and passenger presence sensor shorted. They are still in vehicle. 2. Safety at risk because of questionable air bag. 3. Problem confirmed by dealership. Dealership is Bob Moore Buick GMC (405) 721-6000. Invoice #[XXX] 15NOV23. 4. Vehicle has not been inspected by police, manufacturer, or insurance representative. 5. The " Service Airbag" light comes on intermittently. Car purchased used in May 2023. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11555896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Buick Verano at 120,000 miles Savannah, TX

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2017 Buick Verano. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #11507182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Buick Verano 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.

2016 Buick Verano Apopka, FL

AIR BAGS

Buick issued a Special Coverage Adjustment notice for the passenger prescence sensor Reference Number: N15202352 Letter was sent to all customers, I did not ever receive it. I recently started experiencing error messages with my airbags. Upon taking it to the dealer, the airbag sensor issue is related to the notice listed above. Because I never received the notice, I wasn't on alert for issues. I had to pay the full amount for the fix. My bigger concern is that with the airbag service error going off - if I had been in an accident, the airbag might not have deployed. This known issue should have been a recall and fixed in this car.

NHTSA complaint #11489395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Buick Verano at 106,000 miles Honeyoye Falls, NY Crash

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.

2015 Buick Verano Manvel, TX

AIR BAGS

Advanced diagnostics alerts whether someone is sitting in the passenger seat or not. Sensor alerts constantly while driving. If there is a passenger sometimes the airbag light isn't lit notifying the airbag is on. This happens whether the vehicle is in motion or not and has happened many, many times.

NHTSA complaint #11485888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Buick Verano Milwaukee, WI

AIR BAGS

My passenger air bag module is faulty, when an individual is in the car, the module doesn't sense the passenger. So there is no airbag and I was told that it's possible in an accident that the airbag would not go off. I paid $600 to get a diagnostic, from Marvin K and Brown dealership. They reported back to me that the module was at fault. My vehicle is out of warranty. The service airbag notification has been continuously popping up on and off.

NHTSA complaint #11475218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Buick Verano problems