2016 Buick Verano Airbags Problems

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 ID

11715188

Incident

Jan 5, 2026

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 ID

11609743

Incident

Jul 20, 2024

Mileage

134,700 mi

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 ID

11587107

Incident

Feb 22, 2023

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 ID

11570464

Incident

Jan 22, 2024

- 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 ID

11561719

Incident

Dec 21, 2023

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 ID

11489395

Incident

Oct 10, 2022

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 ID

11416132

Incident

May 9, 2021

SERVICE AIR BAGS IN THE SEATS COME ON EVERY YEAR.

NHTSA ID

11403685

Incident

Mar 18, 2021

WHEN DRIVING WITH OR WITHOUT PASSENGER THE SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING GOES OFF AND ON THE WHOLE TIME WHILE DRIVING AND BEING PARKED.PLUS THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING COMES ON AS WELL.

NHTSA ID

11317027

Incident

Feb 27, 2020

Mileage

46,000 mi

AIRBAGS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN MINUTES. SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ID

11315497

Incident

Dec 30, 2019

AIRBAG ISSUE- AIRBAG SENSORS HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY GOING OFF AND ON AS VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. REGARDLESS OF TURNS, SPEEDS, MOTION, WEATHER, TEMPERATURE OF VEHICLE, IT COMES ON AND OFF. ISSUE STARTED AT 45,400 MILES. STRUTS ISSUE- STRUTS HAVE BECOME UNSAFE AT 45,600 MILES, THE VEHICLE HAS A TREMENDOUS DROP ON THE REAR, RIGHT PASSENGER END, WHEN REVERSING FROM A DRIVE WAY WITH AN INCLINE.

NHTSA ID

11297194

Incident

Dec 4, 2019

Mileage

45,000 mi

PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ON WHEN NO PASSENGER AND SEATBELT NOT BUCKLED. WHEN PASSENGER IS SITTING WITH SEAT BELT THE AIRBAG IS OFF. BEEN THIS WAY SINCE PURCHASE. ANOTHER ISSUE IS WITH THERMOSTAT AND DEGREES . DOES NOT SHOW OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE AND ALSO RELAYS THE CHANGE IN THERMOSTAT CONTROLS IN CELSIUS NOT FERINHEIGHT. NO OPTION TO CHANGE .

NHTSA ID

11233317

Incident

Jul 18, 2017

THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND SOUND INDICATOR RANDOMLY AND REPEATEDLY ALERTS 'SERVICE AIR BAG' WHETHER THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR STOPPED OR HAS AN ADULT PASSENGER OR DOES NOT HAVE A PASSENGER AT ALL. HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM OR A RECALL. ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.

NHTSA ID

11217565

Incident

Jan 6, 2019

Mileage

50,600 mi

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHTS APPEARS FOR DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG EVEN THOUGH ALL MODULES ARE NEW, NOT DEFECTIVE NOR HAVE THEY BEEN TAMPERED WITH.

NHTSA ID

11208390

Incident

May 17, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

AIRBAG SYSTEM SERVICE INDICATION LIGHT COMES ON, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG GOES ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHEN A PASSENGER SITS DOWN, CAUSING THE AIRBAGS TO BE TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID

11182277

Incident

Feb 15, 2019

Mileage

52,728 mi

SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM, TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM NOT TEADING PROPERLY, SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM, BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE, SERVICE POWER STEERING, SERVICE AIR BAG

NHTSA ID

11115888

Incident

Jul 18, 2018

Mileage

38,000 mi

SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM, TIRE PRESSURE NOT READING PROPERLY, SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM, BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE, SERVICE POWER STEERING, SERVICE AIR BAG, RADIO POWERS OFF & ON WHILE DRIVING. ALL LIGHT INDICATORS

NHTSA ID

11115114

Incident

Jul 14, 2018

Mileage

39,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY CAR IN JANUARY 2016. SINCE THEN MY PASSENGER AIR LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON. THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS IN THE SUMMER WHEN IT IS HOT AND HUMID. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MCGRATH BUICK MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. I HAVE NOW FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY. I BELIEVE I HAVE A LEMON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO MY PASSENGERS PER WHEN THIS OCCURS THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11101428

Incident

Jun 11, 2018

JAN 2018, THE SYSTEM AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND TURNS OUT THE AIRBAG MODULE ITSELF HAS TO BE REMOVED AND REPLACED. HOW ANNOYING IS THIS ON A STILL FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE. LET'S KEEP IN MIND I JUST BROUGHT IT IN TO THE SHOP DEC 2017 FOR A DEAD BATTERY BECAUSE APPARENTLY I AUTO STARTED IT TO MUCH.

NHTSA ID

11061181

Incident

Jan 2, 2018

Mileage

14,530 mi

WITH REGARD TO MY COMPLAINT # 11040554 FILED ON LINE LAST MONTH. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT SO FAR NO SERIOUS ACTION HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO FIX THE PROBLEM IN SPITE AS PER THE GM ADVISER MR CRAIG TO CHECK THE CAR WITH TWO DIFFERENT BUICK DEALER MECHANICS WHO FAILED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM TO FIX IT. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST AND THE DANGER OF THE PASS WHATEVER HE/SHE IA A BOY OR ADULT CANNOT BE AVOIDABLE . SO PLEASE ADVISE ME TO AVOID ANY POSSIBLE DANGER AND THE CAR STILL UNDER THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. AWAITING YOUR HELP . THANKS

NHTSA ID

11043799

Incident

Oct 1, 2017

PASS AIR BAG LIGHT WAS OFF MOST THE TIME WHEN A PASS IS THERE. REPORTED THE PROBLEM TWO TIMES TO GM DEALER NEAR TO ME. BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX IT. CALL GM AND REPORTED IT, WITH A CASE # [XXX] ON 10/26/17, WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE TILL NOW. PLEASE ADVISE ME ABOUT SITUATION. THANKS VIN# [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11040554

Incident

Sep 21, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK VERANO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED SO HARD THAT THE VEHICLE JOLTED AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER TO STRIKE THE DASHBOARD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HIRNING BUICK GMC, POCATELLO, ID, 208-232-8900) WHERE A ROAD TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER (WACKERLI BUICK, IDAHO FALLS, ID, 208-522-606) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,500.

NHTSA ID

11022677

Incident

Oct 5, 2016

Mileage

4,500 mi

THE DRIVER AS WELL AS THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER LOSES THE BENEFIT OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE AIRBAG STATUS INDICATOR LIGHTS. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY CRASH IN WHICH THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER INJURED. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND TURNING LEFT ON A CITY STREET. A LETTER FROM BUICK IN DECEMBER 2016 CLAIMED THAT ONLY THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE NEEDED FIXING.

NHTSA ID

10971512

Incident

Aug 19, 2016

Mileage

8,000 mi