Reliable Auto DB

2016 Buick Verano reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2016 Buick Verano has 59 complaints with NHTSA after 11 years, or 7 per year. That is about even with the other Verano years here. Their median is 7 complaints per year. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Hoses and fittings and Ignition.

2012 Buick Verano
Photo by IFCAR, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons Public domain
Complaints

59

Per year

7

Recalls

2

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (23 of 59), then Electrical system (15) and Engine (7). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 Verano has 58 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2017 has 9 complaints, 0 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Buick Verano. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2016-08-11 · NHTSA campaign 16V595000
Summary 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.
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 electrical system, ignition 2016-07-05 · NHTSA campaign 16V502000
Summary 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."
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.

Complaints by component (59 total)

Air bags
23
Electrical system
15
Engine
7
Powertrain
7
Electronic stability control (ESC)
4
Exterior lighting
4
Fuel and propulsion system
4
Seats
4
Steering
4
Lane departure
3
Suspension
3
Visibility and wipers
3
Service brakes
2
Structure
2
Wheels
2
Engine and engine cooling
1
Speed control
1
Tires
1
Show 10 more Show less
Crash-flagged

1

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

5201692017820189201962020520215202222023420244202522026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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,…"
    Steering, Powertrain, Electrical system · filed 2026-03-29
  • "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…"
    Air bags, Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2026-02-03
  • "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…"
    Powertrain · filed 2025-07-30
  • "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…"
    Structure · filed 2025-07-28
  • "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…"
    Electrical system · filed 2025-06-30

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2016 Buick Verano 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Verano 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 21 31 24 MPG $2700
Verano 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 21 29 24 MPG $2700
Verano 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 20 30 24 MPG $2700

Specs and fitment

Compact sedan, 2012–2017
Body styles Sedan
Oil 0W-30 (2.0L turbo; naturally aspirated engines may differ) , 6.3 qt capacity
Tire size 225/45R18

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 16V-502 covers certain 2016-2017 Buick Verano vehicles (with 2016 Malibu and several earlier GM models that may have received replacement park-lock levers): the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission in Park, creating a rollaway risk (FMVSS 114); dealers inspect and replace the key-cylinder lock housing as needed. Campaign 16V-595 covers certain 2016 Verano vehicles with the 2.0L turbo built February 16 to May 12, 2016, where a misrouted fuel-line assembly may contact the engine, wear, and leak fuel; dealers replace the fuel-line assembly. Shared unit counts apply when other GM models are listed.

Compare

Previous year 2015 Buick Verano Next year 2017 Buick Verano See every Buick Verano model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Buick Verano reliable?

The 2016 Buick Verano has 59 complaints with NHTSA after 11 years, or 7 per year. That is about even with the other Verano years here. Their median is 7 complaints per year. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Hoses and fittings and Ignition.

What are common problems with a 2016 Buick Verano?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (23 of 59), then Electrical system (15) and Engine (7). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2016 Buick Verano more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Verano has 58 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2017 has 9 complaints, 0 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Buick Verano been recalled?

The 2016 Buick Verano has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Buick Verano?

Owners have filed 59 complaints about the 2016 Buick Verano with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Buick Verano get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Buick Verano is 24 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Buick Verano take?

US notes for the 2.0L turbo list 0W-30 (about 6.3 qt with filter); naturally aspirated engines may differ.

Does NHTSA campaign 16V-502 cover the Buick Verano?

It covers certain 2016-2017 Verano vehicles (with other GM models named in the campaign): the electronic park lock lever may break; dealers replace the lever.

What generation is the Buick Verano?

GK generation for the US years this site tracks (2012-2017).