Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Buick Verano problems

Owners filed 106 complaints about the 2012 Buick Verano with NHTSA between Apr 2012 and May 2026. The most-cited component is engine (48).

Complaints
106
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine48
  2. Air bags27
  3. Electrical system16
  4. Steering9
  5. Power train7
  6. Vehicle speed control7
  7. Visibility/wiper4
  8. Service brakes4
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)4
  10. Fuel/propulsion system3
  11. Suspension3
  12. Engine and engine cooling2
  13. Structure2
  14. Visibility2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20125
20135
201411
201510
20167
20177
201815
201919
20208
20216
20226
20233
20243
20250
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

48 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2024EngineODI 11590837

Air bags

27 reports7 crashes3 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2024Air bagsODI 11583410

Electrical system

16 reports1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 19, 2021Electrical systemODI 11388832

Steering

9 reports1 fire
“2012 BUICK VERANO. IMMEDIATELY UPON PURCHASE I NOTICED THE FRESH AIR INTAKE ALWAYS HAD HOT AIR BLOWING THROUGH VENTS. DEALER AND GM CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID NOTHING IS WRONG. OTHER VERANO OWNERS WOULD STOP ME IN PARKING LOTS AND ASK ME IF I HAD THE SAME ISSUE AS THEY HAD. IT WAS A DEFECT. AFTER 40,000 MILES THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED REPLACED; CAMSHAFT POSITION SOLENOID VALVE REPLACED; NEW GASKET KIT; OUTPUT SHAFT SEAL LEAKING. AT 60,000 MILES, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING 55 MILES AN HOUR ON HIGHWAY (OTHER OWNERS- BUICK FORUMS - HAD THE SAME DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE). BY LOST POWER, I MEAN THE CAR SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER STEERING, BRAKES. GAS PEDAL WAS NOT OPERATIONAL. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. PISTON RING FAILURE WAS THE DIAGNOSIS FROM BUICK SERVICE. ALMOST 4000 TO FIX THEY STATED. NONE OF THESE ISSUES SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH A CAR WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES. THE VERANO IS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. GM SHOULD ADMIT THAT THEY SOLD A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT DID NOT PERFORM AS ADVERTISED. AFTER ADDITION INVESTIGATION, I'VE DISCOVERED THAT GM WAS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2014. GM NEVER NOTIFIED VERANO OWNERS OF THIS ISSUE. WHAT'S MORE; THE BUICK DEALERSHIP TOLD ME…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2018Steering, Power train, EngineODI 11128724

Power train

7 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2023Power train, EngineODI 11504036

Vehicle speed control

7 reports1 crash
“EVERY SINCE I FIRST GOT CAR IT HAS HAD PROBLEMS.ALL THE WIRES UNDER THE MELTED TOGETHER AND CAUSED CORROSION. SINCE THEN RADIO BLINKED ON AND OFF TIL NOW IT'S JUST A BLACK SCREEN. HAD PROBLEMS WITH CAM SHAFT CONTROL. HAVE PURCHASED 4 BATTERIES IN 6 YEARS. THERE'S SOMETHING ELECTRICAL THAT BLOWS THE BATTERIES. IF I START MY CAR WITH AUTOMATIC START FROM FOB IT CAUSES BATTERY PROBLEMS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON NOW AND I HAD IT CHECKED THE CODE IS FOR TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE CAR WILL BE FINE FOR A WEEK OR SO BUT THEN WHILE DRIVING IT CHANGES GEARS AND SLOWS DOWN AS IF IT WANTS TO STOP.. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. SOMETIMES WHILE PUTTING THE CAR IN DRIVE IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE EVEN THOUGH I PUT MY FOOT TO THE GROUND. FINALLY IT WILL PICK UP SPEED. I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS CAR BUT I BELIEVE IT'S ELECTRICAL AND IT'S THE SAME THING THAT CAUSED THE RADIOS TO GO OUT. SOMETIMES THE STABILITY TRACTION LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE THEN IT GOES AWAY FOR AMONTHS. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. I'VE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 60 AND IT WILL SWITCH GEARS AND SAYS SPEED IS TOO FAST FOR ENGINE.. PLEASE HELP!!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2019Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11219177
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.