YearToAvoid

2016 Buick Verano Airbags Problems

Airbags account for 23 of 59 complaints (39%) on the 2016 Buick Verano, the highest share of any model year in this dataset. Owners report false passenger airbag warnings, failed deployment during a crash, and a system that cannot be diagnosed by dealers. Median mileage at failure was 45,000. No related recalls are listed.

Airbags complaints
23
39% of 59
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
45,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Passenger-side airbag status light turns on and off unpredictably, sometimes with no passenger in the seat and seatbelt unbuckled.
  • 'Service air bag' warning appears intermittently whether the car is parked or being driven, and dealers report finding no fault.
  • In one case both front airbags failed to deploy during a low-speed crash, resulting in injuries to the driver and passenger.
  • Airbag module has been described as needing full replacement on a still-new vehicle.
  • Passenger airbag light reportedly reacts to heat and humidity, suggesting a sensor or wiring issue tied to the seat module.
  • Multiple dealer visits failed to resolve the airbag light or restore correct passenger detection.

When 2016 Buick Verano airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 9, 2017, latest Feb 3, 2026.

2016 Buick Verano airbags complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2017Nov 2017Aug 2018Jun 2019Mar 2020Oct 2022May 2024
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2017 to Feb 2026; peak Aug 2018 (2).

Airbags recalls for the 2016 Buick Verano

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Airbags complaints by Verano model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201227 (25%)
  2. 201318 (17%)
  3. 201413 (13%)
  4. 201510 (17%)
  5. 201623 (39%)
  6. 20172 (22%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are airbag complaints on the 2016 Buick Verano?
Airbags make up 23 of 59 total complaints for the 2016 Verano, or 39% of all complaints filed for that year — the highest airbag share among the model years listed.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Buick Verano airbags?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this issue.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints on the 2016 Verano is 45,000 miles.
Did the airbag problems cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data lists 1 crash and 2 injuries tied to airbag complaints on the 2016 Verano, with no fires reported.
What do owners say is happening with the airbags?
Owners describe intermittent passenger airbag warning lights, failure to detect passengers correctly, and in one case non-deployment of front airbags during a crash.

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.