Home · 2016 Buick Verano · Complaints

What 59 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 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 (59)Crash / fire / injury (2)Airbags (23)Electrical system (15)Engine (7)Transmission & drivetrain (7)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (4)Fuel system (4)Lights (4)Seats (4)Steering (4)Lane Departure (3)

23 of 59 complaints match · Airbags · clear filters

Feb 3, 2026AirbagsEngine

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 ODI 11715188

Aug 20, 2024Airbags

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 ODI 11609743

May 6, 2024Airbags

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 ODI 11587107

Feb 7, 2024Airbags

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 ODI 11570464

Dec 24, 2023Electrical systemAirbagsLane Departure

- 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 ODI 11561719

Oct 15, 2022AirbagsSeats

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 ODI 11489395

May 11, 2021Airbags

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 ODI 11416132

Mar 18, 2021AirbagsSeats

SERVICE AIR BAGS IN THE SEATS COME ON EVERY YEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11403685

Mar 9, 2020SteeringAirbags

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 ODI 11317027

Mar 1, 2020Airbags

AIRBAGS ARE CONSTANTLY GOING ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN MINUTES. SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI 11315497

Jan 5, 2020SuspensionAirbags

AIRBAG ISSUE- AIRBAG SENSORS HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY GOING OFF AND ON AS VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. REGARDLESS OF TURNS, SPEEDS, MOTION, WEATHER, TEMPERATURE OF VEHICLE, IT COMES ON AND OFF. ISSUE STARTED AT 45,400 MILES. STRUTS ISSUE- STRUTS HAVE BECOME UNSAFE AT 45,600 MILES, THE VEHICLE HAS A TREMENDOUS DROP ON THE REAR, RIGHT PASSENGER END, WHEN REVERSING FROM A DRIVE WAY WITH AN INCLINE.

NHTSA ODI 11297194

Jul 19, 2019Electrical systemAirbags

PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ON WHEN NO PASSENGER AND SEATBELT NOT BUCKLED. WHEN PASSENGER IS SITTING WITH SEAT BELT THE AIRBAG IS OFF. BEEN THIS WAY SINCE PURCHASE. ANOTHER ISSUE IS WITH THERMOSTAT AND DEGREES . DOES NOT SHOW OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE AND ALSO RELAYS THE CHANGE IN THERMOSTAT CONTROLS IN CELSIUS NOT FERINHEIGHT. NO OPTION TO CHANGE .

NHTSA ODI 11233317

Jun 3, 2019LightsAirbags

THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND SOUND INDICATOR RANDOMLY AND REPEATEDLY ALERTS 'SERVICE AIR BAG' WHETHER THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR STOPPED OR HAS AN ADULT PASSENGER OR DOES NOT HAVE A PASSENGER AT ALL. HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM OR A RECALL. ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.

NHTSA ODI 11217565

May 18, 2019Airbags

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHTS APPEARS FOR DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG EVEN THOUGH ALL MODULES ARE NEW, NOT DEFECTIVE NOR HAVE THEY BEEN TAMPERED WITH.

NHTSA ODI 11208390

Feb 25, 2019Airbags

AIRBAG SYSTEM SERVICE INDICATION LIGHT COMES ON, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG GOES ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHEN A PASSENGER SITS DOWN, CAUSING THE AIRBAGS TO BE TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI 11182277

Aug 6, 2018Electrical systemAirbagsFuel system

SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM, TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM NOT TEADING PROPERLY, SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM, BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE, SERVICE POWER STEERING, SERVICE AIR BAG

NHTSA ODI 11115888

Aug 1, 2018Electrical systemAirbagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)

SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM, TIRE PRESSURE NOT READING PROPERLY, SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM, BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE, SERVICE POWER STEERING, SERVICE AIR BAG, RADIO POWERS OFF & ON WHILE DRIVING. ALL LIGHT INDICATORS

NHTSA ODI 11115114

Jun 12, 2018Airbags

I BOUGHT MY CAR IN JANUARY 2016. SINCE THEN MY PASSENGER AIR LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON. THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS IN THE SUMMER WHEN IT IS HOT AND HUMID. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MCGRATH BUICK MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. I HAVE NOW FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY. I BELIEVE I HAVE A LEMON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO MY PASSENGERS PER WHEN THIS OCCURS THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11101428

Jan 8, 2018Electrical systemAirbags

JAN 2018, THE SYSTEM AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND TURNS OUT THE AIRBAG MODULE ITSELF HAS TO BE REMOVED AND REPLACED. HOW ANNOYING IS THIS ON A STILL FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE. LET'S KEEP IN MIND I JUST BROUGHT IT IN TO THE SHOP DEC 2017 FOR A DEAD BATTERY BECAUSE APPARENTLY I AUTO STARTED IT TO MUCH.

NHTSA ODI 11061181

Nov 6, 2017Airbags

WITH REGARD TO MY COMPLAINT # 11040554 FILED ON LINE LAST MONTH. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT SO FAR NO SERIOUS ACTION HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO FIX THE PROBLEM IN SPITE AS PER THE GM ADVISER MR CRAIG TO CHECK THE CAR WITH TWO DIFFERENT BUICK DEALER MECHANICS WHO FAILED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM TO FIX IT. THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST AND THE DANGER OF THE PASS WHATEVER HE/SHE IA A BOY OR ADULT CANNOT BE AVOIDABLE . SO PLEASE ADVISE ME TO AVOID ANY POSSIBLE DANGER AND THE CAR STILL UNDER THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. AWAITING YOUR HELP . THANKS

NHTSA ODI 11043799

Oct 27, 2017Airbags

PASS AIR BAG LIGHT WAS OFF MOST THE TIME WHEN A PASS IS THERE. REPORTED THE PROBLEM TWO TIMES TO GM DEALER NEAR TO ME. BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX IT. CALL GM AND REPORTED IT, WITH A CASE # [XXX] ON 10/26/17, WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE TILL NOW. PLEASE ADVISE ME ABOUT SITUATION. THANKS VIN# [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11040554

Sep 11, 2017Transmission & drivetrainAirbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK VERANO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED SO HARD THAT THE VEHICLE JOLTED AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER TO STRIKE THE DASHBOARD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HIRNING BUICK GMC, POCATELLO, ID, 208-232-8900) WHERE A ROAD TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER (WACKERLI BUICK, IDAHO FALLS, ID, 208-522-606) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,500.

NHTSA ODI 11022677

Apr 9, 2017AirbagsCrash2 injuries

THE DRIVER AS WELL AS THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER LOSES THE BENEFIT OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE AIRBAG STATUS INDICATOR LIGHTS. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY CRASH IN WHICH THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER INJURED. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND TURNING LEFT ON A CITY STREET. A LETTER FROM BUICK IN DECEMBER 2016 CLAIMED THAT ONLY THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE NEEDED FIXING.

NHTSA ODI 10971512

Working with the data? Download all 59 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 2016 Buick Verano verdict →