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2016 Buick Verano
Solid pick. The complaint record is strong for its age. It does carry safety recalls, so confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the VIN before money changes hands.
59 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 25, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Airbags problems dominate (39% of complaints, typically reported near 45k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaints are overwhelmingly minor: almost none involve crashes, fires, or injuries.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#122 of 575Among the 2016 models with a matured record, the 2016 Buick Verano ranks #122, scoring higher than 76% of them. See the 2016 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2016 Buick Verano 4 DR FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 11%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2016 Buick Verano, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Electrical system (15) · Transmission & drivetrain (7) · Engine (7)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint. Treat them as a rough guide.
Airbags
39%23 complaints · typically near 45k mi · 2 in the last 2 years
“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 d…”
Electrical system
25%15 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“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 ne…”
Transmission & drivetrain
12%7 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“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 know…”
Engine
12%7 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“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 oi…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 1 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 59 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 2 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Fuel System, Gasoline · 16V595000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured February 16, 2016, to May 12, 2016, equipped with a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine. The engine fuel line assembly may be misrouted, allowing the fuel line to contact the surface of the engine.
Risk: If the fuel line contacts the engine, the fuel line may wear, resulting in a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel line assembly, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 54180.
Electrical System · 16V502000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Buick before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2016 Buick Verano. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report airbags problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 45k miles). Has this car shown any airbags symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Buick VERANO beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every Verano model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2016 Buick Verano against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.