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. Trying to engage the vehicle into drive after parked had a harsh jerk shifting into gear and the accelerator was not working properly (going extremely slower than applied pressure). Mobile mechanic reader coded my vehicle with U0101 “Lost Communication with TCM”. After touching that TCM connection all of the service lights randomly turned back off, and the vehicle drove (temporarily) normal. No repairs were performed due to possible recall concerns.
The worst 2016 Buick Verano problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags23
- Electrical15
- Engine8
- Driver assistance7
- Transmission7
- Fuel system4
- Lights4
- Seats4
- Steering4
- Suspension3
- Visibility3
- Body2
- Brakes2
- Wheels2
- Acceleration1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Buick Verano
Recalls 2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 16V595000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 16V502000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Buick Verano 1,063
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- 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 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 communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities.
2016 Buick Verano crash test ratings
Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Verano 4 DR FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
2016 Buick Verano fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20-21 | 29-30 | 24 |
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21 | 31 | 24 |
What 2016 Buick Verano owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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 the federal safety agency and discussed online. These are not isolated incidents but part of a consistent pattern of early, costly failures.
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 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 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. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was hacked. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
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. Almost ran over two pedestrians as my car would not brake quickly enough as there was no power to any of the systems. And now I have to pay well over $6,000 to repair it? I JUST had my oil changed 5 days ago.
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.
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
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. Knowing that this could happen again as this is the way the car was manufactured does not sit well with me. It started failing while on an interstate which caused very unsafe driving conditions for me and the drivers around me. This seems to be a common issue with the Buick Verano that has not been addressed in a recall. The warning lights came on as soon as the failure started occurring.
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)
Compare the 2016 Buick Verano
Other model years
Questions about the 2016 Buick Verano
Is the 2016 Buick Verano reliable?
Owners have filed 59 complaints about the 2016 Buick Verano, fewer than a typical Verano model year.
What is the 2016 Buick Verano year score?
The 2016 Buick Verano scores 84 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Buick Verano: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Buick Verano?
Airbags, with 23 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles. Next is electrical (15).
How many recalls does the 2016 Buick Verano have?
2 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and electrical system.
Is the 2016 Buick Verano safe in a crash?
In government crash tests the 2016 Buick Verano scored 5 out of 5 stars overall.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Buick Verano get?
Official estimates for the 2016 Buick Verano range from 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-21 city and 29-30 highway.
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