AI Damage2016 Buick Verano: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Buick Verano filed 59 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. The maker issued 775 service bulletins for this year. We found 4 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 59
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 775
- YouTube repair videos
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 39% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 12% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- 7 Seats 7% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- Air bags: 23 complaints (39% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Electrical system: 15 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 158.
- Engine: 7 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 73.
- Powertrain: 7 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 53.
- Steering: 4 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 59 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 23 | 1 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 15 | 0 | 158 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 73 |
| Powertrain | 7 | 0 | 53 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 17 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Electronic stability control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 18 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 40 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 30 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 801 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 38% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Verano has 34 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 59, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic…
This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump…
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
NHTSA lists 775 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- 2016 Buick Verano Overviewamount per author: 30,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- 2016 Buick Verano Rear Shock Replacement
- 2016 Buick water pump removal.
- Door Dent Repair - Sioux Falls, SD - 2016 Buick Verano
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Buick Verano?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 59. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (15%), warning lights, check engine (14%), stalls while driving (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Buick Verano?
NHTSA lists 775 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Buick Verano from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.