What year Buick Verano should I avoid?

The 2012 and 2014 Buick Verano are the years to avoid, based on NHTSA complaint data. The 2012 model has a complaint index of 100, the highest in the lineup, and the 2014 model has an index of 80.

What is the best year for the Buick Verano?

The 2015 and 2017 Buick Verano are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 20 and 0. The 2017 model has only 9 total complaints and just 1 recall.

What are the most common Buick Verano problems?

Across all model years, Electrical System and Engine issues each make up 29% of complaints, followed by Airbags at 21%, Transmission & Powertrain at 12%, Steering at 11%, and Brakes at 9%.

Does the Buick Verano have airbag recalls?

Yes. The 2012 model had three airbag recalls for a steering wheel airbag coil issue, and the 2014 model had three recalls for roof-rail airbag inflators that may rupture.

Is the 2013 Buick Verano reliable?

The 2013 Verano is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 60, placing it between the avoid years and the best years based on NHTSA data.

Buick Verano Best and Worst Years (2012–2017)

The 2012 and 2014 Buick Verano are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 80, the highest in the lineup. The 2015 and 2017 models score 20 and 0 and are the best years, based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.

Avoid 2012 Avoid 2014 Best 2015 Best 2017

Model years: 6; 2012–2017
NHTSA complaints: 440
Recall campaigns: 11
Crashes reported: 19
Fires reported: 5
Top problem area: Electrical System

Verano Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Buick Verano problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2012	Avoid	100	106	8	1	3	Engine	24	—
2013	Caution	60	107	4	1	3	Engine	24	5★
2014	Avoid	80	101	3	1	6	Electrical System	24	5★
2015	Best	20	58	2	1	0	Electrical System	24	5★
2016	Good	40	59	1	1	2	Airbags	24	5★
2017	Best	0	9	1	0	1	Electrical System	24	5★

Verano years to avoid: what went wrong

2012 Buick Verano Index 100 · 106 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2012 Verano has the highest complaint index of any year, at 100, with 106 total complaints and 3 recalls. Engine problems make up 51% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 65,000 miles. Airbags account for another 25% of complaints, tied to three separate recall campaigns replacing the steering wheel airbag coil. Owners also reported electrical system issues, including battery and cable corrosion, and unexpected braking behavior while parking. Eight crashes and four injuries are tied to this model year.

2012 engine problems →2012 airbags problems →2012 electrical system problems →

2014 Buick Verano Index 80 · 101 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2014 Verano ranks second worst, with a complaint index of 80 and the most recalls of any year at 6. Electrical system complaints dominate at 42% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 65,000 miles, including reports of smoke and fire from rear windows. Engine complaints follow at 23% and transmission complaints at 19%. Three separate recall campaigns address roof-rail airbag inflators that may rupture. This year also recorded 7 injuries, the highest injury count among all Verano model years.

2014 electrical system problems →2014 engine problems →2014 transmission & powertrain problems →

Most common Buick Verano problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Electrical System128 (29%)
Engine127 (29%)
Airbags93 (21%)
Transmission & Powertrain52 (12%)
Other51 (12%)
Steering50 (11%)
Brakes41 (9%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires37 (8%)
Structure & Body22 (5%)
Fuel System15 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Buick Verano should I avoid?: The 2012 and 2014 Buick Verano are the years to avoid, based on NHTSA complaint data. The 2012 model has a complaint index of 100, the highest in the lineup, and the 2014 model has an index of 80.
What is the best year for the Buick Verano?: The 2015 and 2017 Buick Verano are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 20 and 0. The 2017 model has only 9 total complaints and just 1 recall.
What are the most common Buick Verano problems?: Across all model years, Electrical System and Engine issues each make up 29% of complaints, followed by Airbags at 21%, Transmission & Powertrain at 12%, Steering at 11%, and Brakes at 9%.
Does the Buick Verano have airbag recalls?: Yes. The 2012 model had three airbag recalls for a steering wheel airbag coil issue, and the 2014 model had three recalls for roof-rail airbag inflators that may rupture.
Is the 2013 Buick Verano reliable?: The 2013 Verano is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 60, placing it between the avoid years and the best years based on NHTSA data.