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2012 Buick Verano Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
50
Latest May 26, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
47%
of 106 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Buick Verano submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 50 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 50, in the owner's own words

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
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
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
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
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
Engine
Filed Oct 15, 2019

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 ID
11268783
Incident
Sep 23, 2019
Mileage
95,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 1, 2019

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 ID
11265453
Incident
Sep 30, 2019
Mileage
66,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 24, 2019

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 ID
11257728
Incident
Feb 27, 2017
Mileage
81,207 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 30, 2019

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 ID
11252452
Incident
May 19, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 3, 2019

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 ID
11241433
Incident
Jan 2, 2017
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 12, 2019

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 ID
11231469
Incident
Jul 11, 2019
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 2, 2019

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION BETWEEN OIL CHANGES

NHTSA ID
11228892
Incident
Jul 1, 2019
Mileage
149,400 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSuspension
Filed Jun 12, 2019

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 ID
11219463
Incident
Feb 26, 2019
Engine
Filed May 16, 2019

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 ID
11208053
Incident
May 12, 2019
Mileage
55,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Apr 19, 2019

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 ID
11197329
Incident
Mar 7, 2019
Mileage
36,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 24, 2019

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 ID
11191152
Incident
Mar 23, 2019
Mileage
64,000 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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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

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