2016 Buick Verano Owner Complaints

While driving on the highway there was a random harsh jerk on my car, and I was immediately unable to maintain safe speeds driving nearly causing a serious crash. All of the service lights (Service Parking Assist, Service Power Steering, Service StabiliTrak, and Check Engine Light) should up on the dashboard. Trying to engage the vehicle into drive after parked had a harsh jerk shifting into gear and the accelerator was not working properly (going extremely slower than applied pressure). Mobile mechanic reader coded my vehicle with U0101 “Lost Communication with TCM”. After touching that TCM connection all of the service lights randomly turned back off, and the vehicle drove (temporarily) normal. No repairs were performed due to possible recall concerns.

NHTSA ID

11727752

Incident

Mar 28, 2026

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

After consulting with a certified technician, I’ve learned this model uses the same 6-speed transmission (6T40) found in several GM vehicles, and that it’s widely known to fail prematurely—many as early as 100K–117K miles. There are dozens of similar consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and discussed online. These are not isolated incidents but part of a consistent pattern of early, costly failures.

NHTSA ID

11677381

Incident

Jul 25, 2025

The paint has severely faded, chipping, and it is not from environmental factors- I have less than 30,000 miles on a 2016 Buick Verano. There are multiple websites confirming other consumers have had the same issues with their 2015/2016 Buick Verano.

NHTSA ID

11676782

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Verano. The contact stated that the doors of the vehicle were locking and unlocking independently, and the radio failed to turn off as needed. The contact stated that an unknown relay and sensors were previously replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was hacked. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

NHTSA ID

11670260

Incident

Jun 30, 2025

Mileage

189,000 mi

Engine is known for bad piston rings and a poor emission ventilation system causing extreme engine pressure, blowback, and oil consumption. Engine stalled due to NO oil in it. No oil warning light appeared. Almost ran over two pedestrians as my car would not brake quickly enough as there was no power to any of the systems. And now I have to pay well over $6,000 to repair it? I JUST had my oil changed 5 days ago.

NHTSA ID

11653419

Incident

Apr 7, 2025

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

The side detection system got corroded as it was exposed to water. My airbags, turn signals, speedometer, cameras, blind spot warnings, etc. went out. This costed almost $2k to replace and get fixed when this could have been avoided if the side detection parts weren't easily exposed to water. Knowing that this could happen again as this is the way the car was manufactured does not sit well with me. It started failing while on an interstate which caused very unsafe driving conditions for me and the drivers around me. This seems to be a common issue with the Buick Verano that has not been addressed in a recall. The warning lights came on as soon as the failure started occurring.

NHTSA ID

11582612

Incident

Apr 4, 2024

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

Power Steering, Brakes, Turn Signals, Monitor Screen. The Cars steering will lock up and pull to the right hand side and the brakes get mushy. This could be deadly to myself and other motor vehicles. It happens suddenly with out warning and if there is a vehicle in the right hand lane, you will crash into it. I am waiting to take it to the dealer but prior to the steering and electrical, I told them on 10/12/21 oil service about the brakes feeling mushy and they said that’s the way they’re supposed to be. Only other passengers have witnessed the electrical and steering problem happen. At the exact same time the steering goes out the stability trek light flashes on the panel, the media screen goes out and my turn signal (if on) has no audio. I bought the car 3/26/21 @ 44,690 miles. On 10/12/21 I mentioned the brakes and about 2 months after that this electrical/steering problem started happening. It started out as little quirks but has progressively gotten worse. There is not 1 specific thing that seems to trigger the effect, it is variable.

NHTSA ID

11507977

Incident

Feb 17, 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

Fuel Sending Unit. Yes. Loss of power and control of vehicle due to no fuel. Mechanics have confirmed it as a common problem with GM fuel sending unit/pump No. No warnings, no lights, no indication of problem. I received a second pump and sending unit from GM and had the same problem for a 2nd time of fuel reading inaccurately and causing me to lose vehicle functionality.

NHTSA ID

11487645

Incident

Sep 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Verano. The contact stated that the front driver’s side seat was no longer adjustable. The contact was unable to adjust the height in order to see over the steering wheel. Additionally, while operating the vehicle the check engine warning light remained illuminated; the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not contacted and notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.

NHTSA ID

11465118

Incident

Jan 10, 2022

Mileage

77,000 mi

Fuel level sensor failure. I haven't checked but I don't think a regular dealer would inspect for free because it's inside of the gas tank. The gas gauge gets stuck at around a quarter of a tank leading a sensible person to assume their is gas in the vehicle. This is a safety risk because your vehicle can stall in the middle of the road as it did in my case. You lose the ability to steer the vehicle and put other vehicles behind you or around you at risk. The problem has been reproduced by me when comparing the range for my vehicle (396 miles on a full tank) then resetting the trip after filling up. I then drove the vehicle across a couple weeks and the trip said I was at 335 miles and the range said 96 miles, which is an overestimate from the predicted range when filling up. I drove another 30 miles for work in the same day and the gas guage seemed to be in the exact same spot as it was earlier (and when I was stalled the time before) and my predicted range actually went up to 102 (pictures to prove all of this upon request.) And at 365 miles, it would be impossible fir my car to reach another 100 plus miles in range. My gas tank holds 15.6 miles and my average fuel economy was 25.5. When I filled the gas tank up after this trip, it put 14.7 gallons in which means I had .9 of a gallon. 25.5 × .9 is roughly 23 miles. Completely way off from the "predicted 100" it said before I filled up. Personal dealers have been completely unaware and I'm afraid to take it to a dealer in the event they try to charge me for it. No. No, there is no warning light and no check engine light. Gauge and light check works properly when vehicle is started and it runs the quick diagnostic by maxing out the gauges and turning on all of the dash lights.

NHTSA ID

11460200

Incident

Nov 30, 2021

My car shut off while driving in a busy area. I was going 35 mph where the car just shut off while driving. I received a jump, but that only lasted long enough for me to get 2 lanes over for the car to cut off again. Myself and other drivers were at risk because someone could have ran into me and I had no power and unable to remove key from ignition or even turn the key. Police arrived but said that they are no longer allowed to touch our vehicles. For almost a year my car has been cutting off while parked, and have received news that my battery had a dead cell, which was causing it to shut off. I have taken it to a mechanic who says my alternator is the issue. No warning signs or messages appear before shutting off.

NHTSA ID

11452344

Incident

Jan 22, 2022

While driving home from work, my car, lost power a few times. Though, the maintenance malfunction light did come on, it was while the issue was occurring. I mention this because, in the car’s manual, it states that the light will come on BEFORE the malfunction takes place. I finally made it home, however, the car did continue to lose power while driving. The next morning I took the car to my mechanic, who experienced the same issues, then did a diagnostic test and found these results: P0011; CAM Position; RCTISATOR BNK 1; TIMING OVER ADVANCE. Today while reading over all of the complaints, it is evident that this is a SERIOUS ISSUE! This malfunction is extremely dangerous and can prove to be fatal, due to losing driving power/car cutting off while driving. I am surprised that this potentially fatal malfunction is not considered to be a recall. PLEASE DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND SET A RECALL 🙏🏽 I also saw someone’s post that stated, there was a Recall and Free replacement on cars with the letters PP within the VIN#, we’re NOT BE SOLD or Leased in the US due to a Federation Violation and Restricted code. Somehow, I was sold one of these UNSAFE and BANNED vehicles. How do those who fall into that same category rectify this problem? Thank You for your help.

NHTSA ID

11435225

Incident

Sep 30, 2021

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

THE BLIND SPOT DETECTORS STOPPED WORKING AND A WARNING ON THE DASH APPEARED SAYING "SERVICE SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM". THIS WARNING POPS UP EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE CAR AND THE BLIND SPOT DETECTORS DO NOT WORK WHEN I AM DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11416069

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

24,000 mi

SERVICE AIR BAGS IN THE SEATS COME ON EVERY YEAR.

NHTSA ID

11403685

Incident

Mar 18, 2021

ALMOST ALL MAKES AND MODELS OF MY VEHICLE YEAR ARE PART OF A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, BUT NOT MINES. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT IN MY VEHICLE AND ALL THOUGH ALLDATA SHOWS THAT ALL MAKES AND MODELS OF MY VEHICLE YEAR SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL, GMC BUICK IS TELLING ME MINES DOESNT QUALIFY! TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULES NEVER GO OUT!! NO MACHANIC I CAN FIND HAS SEEN ANY GO OUT OUTSIDE RECALL, ONLY MINES! I DO BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I WILL PAY GMC 2700 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND THATS SO UNFAIR. I WILL CONTINUE TO REPORT AND COMPLAIN UNTIL JUSTICE IS DONE AND MY MONEY IS RETURNED TO ME. THERES NO GOOD REASON OR EXPLANATION GIVEN BY GMC AS TO WHY MY CAR SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE RECAL ALONG WITH ALL CARS OF ITS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHY IT ISNT!!

NHTSA ID

11398935

Incident

Feb 12, 2021

Mileage

116,000 mi

THAT WERE INSTALLED ON ORIGINALLY... ON THE CONTINENTAL WEBSITE, THERE ARE CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES WEARING OUT TOO FAST AND BUBBLING UP ON SIDES OF TIRES. I AM EXPERIENCING BOTH OF THESE ISSUES. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE, THAT I NEED TO PAY $1100.00 DOLLARS. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO SERVICE MANAGER, NOW I NEED TO PAY $500.00 FOR TIRES, AND GET THE SAME TIRES... SO I GET TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN??? WHAT GOOD IS A WARRANTY, AND WHY IS IT NOT ON THE STICKER AND IS NOT DISCUSSED DURING THE PURCHASE OF SAID NEW VEHICLE! SPOKE TO HYNDAI AND KIA. THEY HAVE BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE. AND NO HIDDEN SURPRISES. GUESS WHAT KIND OF CAR WILL BE IN MY DRIVEWAY?

NHTSA ID

11321402

Incident

Apr 6, 2020

Mileage

28,450 mi

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