2013 Buick Verano Airbags Problems

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 ID

11756459

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

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 ID

11740667

Incident

May 28, 2026

Mileage

117,000 mi

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 ID

11639167

Incident

Jan 28, 2025

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 ID

11475218

Incident

Jul 8, 2019

Airbag system failure and warning constantly on the vehicle. GM knows of the issue but will not offer a recall, instead only an expired special coverage adjustment. The part involved is the passenger present sensor (PPS)module. That reference number is : N15202352 Release date November 2016. Airbags on Buick veranos will not deploy with this well known issue. Gms own words. Force a recall, my family could die in this car.

NHTSA ID

11442533

Incident

Dec 1, 2021

2013 Buick Verano engine ceased after excessive oil consumption (which was NOT indicated by the oil light). Multiple lawsuits have been filed for cars with the SAME engine, but my specific car has not been included - and GM shut down my car-specific lawsuits due to "design" flaws that they don't take credit for. NO warning signs, and my car stopped in the middle of the road, putting my safety at risk. Oil change notification DID NOT work, and oil light did not come on at all. In addition, a "service passenger airbag" light comes on whenever anyone sits in the passenger seat (I have seen recalls regarding this as well, but are not specific to my car). Very disappointed.

NHTSA ID

11432182

Incident

Aug 28, 2021

Check airbag warning light comes on, when someone is in passenger seat. Air bag light is off. When the passenger seat is empty the air bag light is on and the fasten seatbelt light flashes and chimes. I feel this is a safety issue and should be addressed.

NHTSA ID

11423029

Incident

Jun 30, 2021

1) WARNING ICON TO CHECK AIR BAG KEEPS COMING ON WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION 2) CANNOT LOCK FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT

NHTSA ID

11374926

Incident

Sep 6, 2020

PERIODICALLY THE DRIVER 'SERVICE AIR BAG' LIGHT COMES ON FOR NO REASON. IT ONLY STAYS ON FOR A FEW MOMENTS UP TO A FEW MINUTES. SOMETIMES WHEN I HONK THE HORN THE LIGHT GOES OFF. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THE TECH SAID IF THE LIGHT IS NOT ON HE COULDN'T CHECK THE PROBLEM. I NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE ON MY MAKE AND MODEL, BUT NOT ON MY VIN NUMBER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. TECH SAID IF THE SERVICE LIGHT IS ON THEN THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA ID

11270158

Incident

Jan 4, 2018

Mileage

46,000 mi

MY SERVICE AIR KEEPS COMING UP ON MY DASH BOARD GOES ON AND OFF - BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND SAID IT NEEDS TO BE ON TO FIX IT - SO NOTHING WAS DONE- NOW MY RADIO/ BACKUP CAMERA DOESNT COME ON AND THE DEALER IS TELLING ME I HAVE A SHORT SOME WHERE AND THE COST CAN BE OVER 300.00 JUST TO LOOK AT IT - I HAVE 121.000 MILES NOW BUT IT STARTED FROM THE FIRST YEAR I OWN THE 2013

NHTSA ID

11253277

Incident

Jan 21, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK VERANO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER NOTICE REGARDING A POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG PLACED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO PINKERTON CHEVROLET (925 N ELECTRIC RD, SALEM, VA 24153, 800-813-5960) AND WAS INFORMED THAT SHE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE MANUFACTURER RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE NOTICE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST; HOWEVER, THEY OFFERED THE CONTACT A $100 CREDIT TOWARDS THE REPAIR OF THE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11243506

Incident

Dec 1, 2015

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 BUICK VERANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS STOPPED AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION CROSSED OVER AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT ONSTAR FAILED TO ALERT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FRACTURED RIB AND KNEE INJURIES ALONG WITH A SHOULDER INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A UNKNOWN DEALER WAS LATER NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHEN INTERESTED IN THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE. BOTH THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE COLLISON WERE DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ID

11208950

Incident

May 22, 2018

Mileage

51,000 mi

GM BULLETIN 23520 WAS ISSUED ON 05/10/2016 STATING THAT SOME 2013-2016 BUICK VERANO'S MAY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN, THE ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM DURING ASSEMBLY (AS STATED ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THE BULLETIN- '....THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SENSOR (PPS) MODULE WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED IN THE SEAT TRIM DURING SEAT ASSEMBLY OR SERVICING). BUICK, IN MY OPINION, FAULTED IN LIMITING THIS SAFETY ISSUE TO A LIMITED MILEAGE SPECIFICATION. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE IS STILL COVERED UNDER THE TIME ALOTTMENT, MY MILEAGE OF 100,000 AT THE TIME THAT THE BULLETING WAS ISSUED EXCEEDED THE LIMIT OF 72.000. I SENT A MESSAGE TO TERRY INCH, EXEC. DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL CONNECTED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND TO DUNCAN ALDRED, VP OF THE BUICK LINE AND HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. I UNDERSTAND THAT ALL MECHANICAL PARTS OF A WARRANTIED VEHICLE SHOULD BE LIMITED, HOWEVER, KNOWN OR NEWLY-DISCOVERED SAFETY-RELATED SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO MILEAGE SINCE MILEAGE HAS NO IMPACT ON THE SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS INSIDE A LESS-THAN-SAFE VEHICLE. I'VE ASKED BUICK TO MAKE SOME TYPE OF ALLOWANCE FOR REPAIRS, HOWEVER, THEY HAVE DENIED TO DO SO AND WANT TO CHARGE ME THE FULL PRICE OF $879 PLUS TAX FOR A REPAIR THEY HAVE MADE KNOWN TO BE A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. I WILL GLADLY SHARE SOME FORM OF DEDUCTIBLE WITH THEM BUT REFUSE TO TAKE IT ALL UPON MYSELF WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COMPROMISED FROM IT INITIAL MANUFACTURING. PLEASE ASSIST!!

NHTSA ID

11172568

Incident

Jan 10, 2017

WARNING LIGHT COME ON AND AND THE CAR WON'T START. I JUST PARK FOR A DAY OR SO, THAN IT STARTS UP LIKE NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT.

NHTSA ID

11132412

Incident

Sep 30, 2018

Mileage

60,000 mi

INTERMITTENT WARNING ON INFORMATION DASHBOARD TO SERVICE AIRBAG. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT SERVICE WARNING UNLESS IT WAS ACTIVE, BUT DUE TO INTERMITTENCY IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO BRING IN AN ACTIVE ALARM. ALARM COMES IN AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RELATED TO ANY SPECIFIC SET OF CONDITIONS. ALARM SIMPLY STATES TO SERVICE AIRBAG. THE ALARM HAS COME IN NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DATE ENTERED BELOW IS THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE OF THE ALARM, BUT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. I THINK THAT THIS IS RELATED TO A RECALL REGARDING THE AIRBAG CONNECTION ON THE BUICK VERANOS, BUT OUR SPECIFIC CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11114726

Incident

Jul 28, 2018

MY FIRST COMPLAINT HAS TO DO WITH THE "LOW FUEL" WARNING INDICATOR NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THIS DOESN'T OCCUR OFTEN, BUT I'VE NOTICED IT HAPPEN 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS, AND I'M UNSURE OF WHEN THIS ISSUE FIRST BEGAN. TYPICALLY, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WILL BE AT 1/4 OR BELOW, AND WHEN DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE, STOPPING AND GOING, AND/OR ON HILLY RURAL ROADS, WHEN THE NEEDLE CROSSES INTO THE RED AND EVENTUALLY HITS "0" THE "LOW FUEL" INDICATOR HAS NOT LIT UP, NO MESSAGE APPEARED, AND NO WARNING CHIME, BUT THE DIC STATES "LOW FUEL RANGE". PERHAPS THE SENSOR IS GOING BAD, BUT WHY WOULDN'T THE LIGHT TURN ON IF THE SYSTEM KNOWS THE FUEL LEVEL IS LOW? I CAN PARK SOMEWHERE AND IDLE FOR 30 MIN AND THE LIGHT STILL WON'T TURN ON. ONLY AFTER I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT DOES THE LIGHT/WARNING CHIME/MESSAGE APPEAR. CURRENT MILEAGE: 88,600 MY SECOND COMPLAINT PERTAINS TO THE AIRBAG: ON/OFF INDICATOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER. WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED TO ON WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE SYSTEM OPERATES NORMALLY, BUT IF I'M CHARGING MY PHONE USING A CAR CHARGER CONNECTED TO THE FRONT AUX POWER OUTLET, AND LAY IT DIRECTLY ON THE RIGHT HALF OF THE PASSENGER SEAT, IN ANY POSITION, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL SWITCH FROM OFF TO ON, BUT THE SAFETY BELT LIGHT DOES NOT TURN ON OR FLASH, AND NO CHIME IS HEARD. WHEN I LIFT MY PHONE, THE INDICATOR RETURNS TO NORMAL IN A FEW SECONDS. I'VE NOTICED THE PHONE HAS TO BE DIRECTLY ON THE SEAT WITHOUT ANYTHING BENEATH IT IN ORDER FOR THIS TO OCCUR, AND IT'S ONLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT. I JUST NOTICED THIS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF 88,600 STILL APPLIES. I HAVE NOT NOTIFIED A DEALER ABOUT THESE ISSUES FOR FEAR OF HAVING TO PAY COSTLY REPAIRS I CAN'T AFFORD. HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG ISSUE CONCERNS ME THE MOST. I BELIEVE THERE'S ELECTRONIC INTERFERENCE CAUSING IT TO OCCUR, BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING REGARDLESS.

NHTSA ID

10895840

Incident

Jul 5, 2016

Mileage

87,400 mi

I TURNED MY CAR ON, AND GOT A LIST OF "SERVICE NOW" INDICATORS,INCLUDING SERVICE AIRBAG. I HAD NO GAUGES, SPEEDOMETER, RADIO. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER 6/29/2015, A REAR SIDE SENSOR HAD GOTTEN WET AND SHORTED OUT A FUSE. THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING SAFETY DEFECT, BUT SINCE I'M 3000 MILES PAST WARRANTY THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE ME $1300.00 TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

10730960

Incident

Jun 28, 2015

Mileage

51,800 mi

2013 BUICK VERANO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION DURING A REAR END COLLISION. CONSUMER HAS PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN ARTEMIS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK INTO PLACE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10714822

Incident

Apr 4, 2015