YearToAvoid

2016 Buick Verano Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

40/100

#4 most-complained of 6 Verano years

The 2016 Buick Verano has 59 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 40, and 2 recalls, ranking 4th worst out of 6 model years — a Good rating relative to other Verano years. Airbags and electrical issues are the top concerns.

Complaints
59
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 30 hwy

Top 2016 Buick Verano problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags23 (39%)
  2. Electrical System19 (32%)
  3. Engine9 (15%)
  4. Other7 (12%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain7 (12%)
  6. Brakes6 (10%)
  7. Structure & Body6 (10%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (8%)
  9. Fuel System4 (7%)
  10. Steering4 (7%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the front airbag warning light illuminating with no deployment during a low-speed crash, leaving both airbags inactive.
  • A fire reportedly started under the driver's seat while the car was parked and unattended, burning through the seat and door.
  • Several owners describe poor low-beam headlight visibility at night, saying they could barely see the road unless using high beams.
  • One owner reports the engine stalling completely while driving 65 mph on an expressway, with the dealer reporting no known issue.
  • A owner reports a subframe piece near the windshield blocking the view during a left turn, causing the car to drive over a curb.
  • One owner reports the brake pedal failing to stop the car properly at 30 mph, requiring use of the electric parking brake.
2016 Buick Verano complaints: complaints filed per month8May 2016May 2017Jun 2018Jun 2019Apr 2020Apr 2022Feb 2024Jun 2025
96 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2016 to Mar 2026; peak Aug 2018 (8).

2016 Buick Verano recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V595000Aug 11, 2016Fuel System189 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    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.

  2. NHTSA 16V502000Jul 5, 2016Electrical System8,367 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition

    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.

2016 Buick Verano fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other Verano years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201220132014201520162017
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid80101624
2015Best2058024
2016Good4059224
2017Best09124

All Buick Verano years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Buick Verano reliable?
Relative to other Verano model years, 2016 ranks 4th worst out of 6 with a complaint index of 40, and its verdict is Good. It has fewer complaints (59) than the higher-index 2012–2014 years.
Does the 2016 Buick Verano have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Verano: one for a misrouted fuel line assembly on 2.0 liter turbocharged engines, and one for an electronic park lock lever that could let the key be removed without the transmission in PARK.
What is the top complaint area for the 2016 Buick Verano?
Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 23 complaints and 39% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 45,000 miles.
How does the 2016 Verano compare to other years?
The 2016 Verano's complaint index of 40 is much lower than 2012 (100), 2013 (60), and 2014 (80), but higher than 2015 (20) and 2017 (0), which are rated Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Buick Verano?
The 2016 Verano gets 24 mpg combined (21 city / 30 highway) and an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 according to the EPA.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.