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2012 Buick Verano Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
106
Latest May 5, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Apr 13, 2012

What this page shows

Our database holds 106 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Buick Verano. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 106 · page 1 of 5

Visibility
Filed May 5, 2026

Rear window shattered while driving. No rock or other damage. I just heard a loud bang and it exploded

NHTSA ID
11735765
Incident
May 5, 2026
Electrical
Filed Jun 4, 2024

NAV display and radio stopped working black screen blank

NHTSA ID
11592534
Incident
Jun 4, 2024
Engine
Filed May 26, 2024

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 ID
11590837
Incident
Feb 20, 2024
Airbags
Filed Apr 16, 2024

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 ID
11583410
Incident
Apr 1, 2023
Engine
Filed Apr 20, 2023

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 ID
11518026
Incident
Apr 4, 2023
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 27, 2023

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 ID
11504036
Incident
Jan 27, 2023
Airbags
Filed Jan 11, 2023

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 ID
11501242
Incident
Jan 11, 2023
Airbags
Filed Sep 29, 2022
Crash reported

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 ID
11487144
Incident
Sep 20, 2022
Mileage
106,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 20, 2022

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 ID
11485476
Incident
Sep 8, 2021
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 10, 2022

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 ID
11478617
Incident
Mar 1, 2021
Mileage
120,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 17, 2022

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 ID
11469802
Incident
Jun 25, 2021
Engine
Filed Jun 10, 2022

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 ID
11468706
Incident
Jun 5, 2022
Engine
Filed Mar 24, 2022

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 ID
11458242
Incident
Mar 24, 2022
Mileage
176,768 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 11, 2021

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 ID
11440121
Incident
Oct 22, 2021
Engine
Filed Aug 25, 2021

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 ID
11430491
Incident
Aug 25, 2021
Engine
Filed May 24, 2021

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 ID
11418281
Incident
May 7, 2021
Engine
Filed Mar 1, 2021

CAR USING EXCESSIVE OIL, BUT NOT LEAKING. NON OIL LIGHT EVER HAS COME ON. CAR ALSO SHOWED P0011 WHICH TIES IN WITH ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11398555
Incident
Feb 22, 2021
Airbags
Filed Jan 31, 2021

SAYS SERVICE AIG BAG THIS IS NOT SAFE..

NHTSA ID
11390876
Incident
Jan 28, 2021
Electrical
Filed Jan 19, 2021

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.*DT

NHTSA ID
11388832
Incident
Jun 15, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Nov 13, 2020
Crash reported

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 ID
11374577
Incident
Nov 3, 2020
Mileage
60,700 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 22, 2020

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 ID
11360523
Incident
Sep 8, 2020
Mileage
38,600 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 2, 2020

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 ID
11352768
Incident
Aug 30, 2020
Mileage
88,015 mi
AirbagsEngine
Filed Jun 7, 2020

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 ID
11327599
Incident
Jun 6, 2020
Engine
Filed May 2, 2020

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 ID
11323029
Incident
Apr 13, 2020
Mileage
118,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 20, 2020

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON OCCASIONALLY WHEN PASSENGER GETS IN CAR. GOES OFF ONCE PASSENGER BUCKLES SEATBELT AND VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE, MOST OF THE TIME. A COUPLE TIMES IT HAS STAYED ON FOR PART OF A DAY EVEN WITHOUT A PASSENGER AND AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING.

NHTSA ID
11318765
Incident
Feb 28, 2020
Mileage
72,500 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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