Home · 2012 Buick Verano · Complaints

What 106 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Buick Verano

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (106)Crash / fire / injury (9)Engine (48)Airbags (27)Electrical system (16)Steering (9)Speed control (7)Transmission & drivetrain (7)Visibility & wipers (6)Brakes (4)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (4)Fuel system (4)

27 of 106 complaints match · Airbags · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Apr 16, 2024Airbags

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.

NHTSA ODI 11583410

Jan 11, 2023Airbags

This airbag is supposed to last the lifetime of the vehicle and it has not. On top of it not lasting I am being charged to fix the airbag issue replacement and it is at fault of General Motors for not offering a lifetime lasting airbag.

NHTSA ODI 11501242

Sep 29, 2022AirbagsCrash

The contact owned a 2012 Buick Verano. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, another vehicle was traveling in the opposite direction and struck the front driver side of the contact’s vehicle causing damage to the front end of both vehicles. The air bags did not deploy in the contact's vehicle but in the other vehicle, the air bags did deploy. No major injuries and no one seeking medical attention. The police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed total lost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11487144

Jun 17, 2022Airbags

I was in a traffic jam and had a blowout. My airbags didn't go off no accident was able to pull over. Got it towed to get a new tire. Now I took my car in to get the aribag light off and it's $2000 for seatbelt sensor and another sensor from a blowout that's redicilous. The airbags didn't go off. Now I don't have any air bags because of a tire blowout. No damage to the car either. Please help and thank you for your time!

NHTSA ODI 11469802

Jan 31, 2021Airbags

SAYS SERVICE AIG BAG THIS IS NOT SAFE..

NHTSA ODI 11390876

Nov 13, 2020AirbagsBrakesCrash

WHILE PULLING INTO MY HOME DRIVEWAY, WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES . AND THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE CAUSING ME TO HIT MY OTHER VEHICLE AND THEN THE CAR PROCEEDED INTO THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE . I JUST 2 DAYS PRIOR HAD MY CAR INSPECTED AT FIRESTONE, I ALSO JUST HAD NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED LESS THAN 5 MONTHS PRIOR, ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON EARLIER THAT DAY, I WAS COMING HOME FROM FIRESTONE AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING AND DECELERATION WHILE DRIVING WHICH WAS LESS THAN 10 MILE FROM MY HOME .

NHTSA ODI 11374577

Sep 22, 2020Airbags

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING. DOES THIS WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. THIS MAKES AIR BAG LIGHT IN THE INFORMATION CENTER OF DASH COME ON OR TURN OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11360523

Jun 7, 2020AirbagsEngine

THE SYSTEM AIR BAG NOTICES KEEPS COMING IN THE CAR, WHEN YOU PUT YOUR SEAT BEAT ON IT GOES AWAY. ALSO THE OIL BUTTON DOESN'T COME ON , THE CAR CONSTANTLY SHAKES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIKE KEEPS COMING ON AFTER EVEN BEING REPAIRED. I NEEDED A FUEL PUMP AND THAT'S BEEN FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN

NHTSA ODI 11327599

Mar 20, 2020Airbags

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON OCCASIONALLY WHEN PASSENGER GETS IN CAR. GOES OFF ONCE PASSENGER BUCKLES SEATBELT AND VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE, MOST OF THE TIME. A COUPLE TIMES IT HAS STAYED ON FOR PART OF A DAY EVEN WITHOUT A PASSENGER AND AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING.

NHTSA ODI 11318765

Feb 14, 2020Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK VERANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. JOSEPH BUICK GMC 8700 COLERAIN AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45251, (513) 741-1000, WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN INCORRECT INFORMATION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECTED TO A FREE WARRANTY REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS INSTEAD QUOTED $858.35 FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11309199

Dec 13, 2019Airbags

VEHICLE DISPLAYS SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE INTERMITTENT WHILE DRIVING ALSO DOES NOT SHOW AIRBAG IS ON FOR PASSENGER

NHTSA ODI 11288983

Nov 6, 2019Airbags

WHEN IM DRIVEING AND THE PASSAGER IS SITTING NEXT TO ME THE AIRBAG LIGHT SAYS ITS OFF PLEASE HAVE IT SERVICE . THEN IT TURN ON FOR A COUPLE OF SEC AND IT SHUTS OFF . ALSO MY FOG LIGHT NOB IS LIKE MELTING AROUND IT VERY WEIRD. MYBE THE LIGHT IT HAS AROUND THE NOB IS TO STRONG DONT KNOW ALL DRIVING IS IN THE CITY

NHTSA ODI 11278517

Oct 23, 2019Airbags

THERE WAS A RECALL WITH SPECIAL POLICY ON THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. I WANT TO KNOW WHY I DIDN'T RECEIVE A RECALL FORM IN THE MAIL. GM TOLD ME THAT IT EXPIRED SEPTEMBER 2019. I AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A MESSAGE ON MY CAR STATING SERVICE AIR BAG. I TAKE TO GET DIAGNOSTIC AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A NEW MODULE AND SENSOR LIGHT WHICH WILL COST ME $1600 THAT IS NOT A FAULT OF MINE, BUT IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND I HAVE A CHILD THAT RIDE'S IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME DAILY.

NHTSA ODI 11270451

May 6, 2019Airbags

AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THE DASH BOARD IS SHOWING THE WORD CHECK AIR BAGS

NHTSA ODI 11205820

Apr 12, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK VERANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,482.

NHTSA ODI 11195755

Oct 5, 2018Electrical systemAirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS NEVER WARNED ABOUT MY CAR NOT HAVING OIL. THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER CAME ON THAT I NEEDED TO GET OIL SOON. MY CAR WAS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE WHEN I WAS PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE GAS. MY CAR ALWAYS LOCKS UP ON ME AS IF I DON'T HAVE MY KEYS WHEN I PULL UP IN FRONT OF THE 7/11 STORE NEAR MY HOUSE. KEY NOT DETECTED COMES ON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR WITHOUT HAVING THE KEY WITH ME. NONE OF THE SIGNALS TO INFORM ME THAT I NEEDED OIL, BRAKES ETC...

NHTSA ODI 11133526

Sep 10, 2018SuspensionAirbags

AIRBAG INDICATOR CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF WITH NO ONE SITTING ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE. WITH A PERSON SEATED ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE IT INDICATES AIRBAG OFF IN MOTION ESPECIALLY AND EVEN WHILE PARKED.... FEELS LIKE THE TIRES ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF WHEN DRIVING OR TURNING ESPECIALLY ON THREE FRONT TIRES AND EVEN WORSE WHEN GOING OVER BUMBS SPEED BUMBS OR HOLES WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11128560

Jan 22, 2018AirbagsCrash1 injury

HIT BLACK ICE ON 2 LANE HIGHWAY, RATE OF SPEED ABOUT 40 MPH. CAR IMPACTED CONCRETE BARRIERS CAUSING THE FRONT END TO BE DEMOLISHED AS WELL AS BOTH FRONT TIRES TO BE TURNED UPWARD. FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS CAR IS NOT ON A RECALL LIST BUT PERHAPS THERE ARE MORE OWNERS OUT THERE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH 2012 BUICK VERANO. I AM FAR FROM AN EXPERT BUT I ASSUME DUE TO DAMAGE ON THE FRONT END THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ODI 11064234

Jul 3, 2017AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK VERANO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A DEER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, SHOULDER, AND UPPER BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO HAVE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A STATE INSPECTION, BUT IT COULD NOT BE INSPECTED DUE TO BODY DAMAGE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STATE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WHEN THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,500.

NHTSA ODI 11002824

Jun 7, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK VERANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE BUICK OF ARLINGTON DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE REQUIRED MILEAGE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA ODI 10993797

Sep 29, 2016SteeringAirbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK VERANO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COIL SPRING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V300000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 10910651

Aug 22, 2016Airbags

WHILE DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY GOING AT 65 MPH. THE LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND IT SAID, SERVICE AIRBAGS. WHEN I GOT HOME AND I TURNED OFF MY CAR THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND I THOUGHT THAT IT COULD OF BEEN A GLITCH IN THE CAR. TWO DAYS LATER THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND HAS BEEN ON EVER SINCE. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER TRYING TO FIND ANSWERS BUT THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY CAR. BUT YET I SEE SO MANY ISSUES WITH HE AIRBAGS ON BUICK VERANOS.

NHTSA ODI 10897754

Apr 21, 2015Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK VERANO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V522000 (AIR BAGS) AND 13V023000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER EACH RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN UPDATED 10/06/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI 10711967

Mar 11, 2015AirbagsCrash2 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK VERANO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A POLE, SPUN AROUND, AND SUSTAINED DAMAGES ON BOTH SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND PLACED IN A COMA FOR THREE DAYS. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED STITCHES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 6/30/15*CN

NHTSA ODI 10693676

Nov 6, 2014AirbagsCrash

I WAS DRIVING HOME AROUND 6: 55PM GOING WEST ON 152 WHEN A CAR COMING N THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION HEADLIGHTS BLINDED ME N I WENT UP ON THE DIVIDER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I FELT THAT I HIT THE DIVIDER SO I CAME OFF TRYING TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLES N CONTINUED DRIVING OUT OF FEAR. MY ON STAR CAME ON LETTING ME KNOW THAT THEY KNEW I HAD AN ACCIDENT AND CHECKING TO SEE IF I WAS ALRIGHT. I TOLD THEM I SMELLED SMOKE AND A FUNNY SMELL THEY INFORMED ME THAT SMELL WAS FROM MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYING WHICH THEY DID NOT. I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T NEED HELP MY CAR WAS STILL OPERABLE SO THEY INFORMED ME TO GET MY AIR BAGS CHECKED AND HUNG UP. I CALLED HOME BECAUSE I WAS SCARED AND REALIZE MY SEATBELT HAD ME PINNED TO MY CHAIR AND COULDN'T MOVE. MY SON HAD TO GET ME OUT OF MY DRIVER SEAT WITH FORCE. IF MY CAR DID CATCH ON FIRE I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE PINNED IN SEAT AND AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING COULD HAVE BEEN WORST. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10653068

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Working with the data? Download all 106 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Buick Verano verdict →