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2013 Buick Verano Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2013 Buick Verano carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering ignition and electrical. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Gear shifter failure preventing shift into park.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Campaign #16V502000 · May 7, 2016

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

Campaign #14V417000 · Feb 7, 2014

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.

Risk: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #23V516000 · Jul 27, 2023

Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Camero, Sonic, and Volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge. On some 2013 Volt vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced as well, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N232413120.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 Buick Verano.

Reported to NHTSA

Gear shifter failure preventing shift into park

POWER TRAIN

7 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2024-10

“The contact owns a 2013 Buick Verano. The contact stated while driving at 25-30 MPH, the shift lock release button mounted on the gear shifter fractured and she was unable to shift into park (P)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11481816
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK VERANO. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PARK POSITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. AFTER VARIOUS ATTEMPTS, THE GEAR WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11031558
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK VERANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD ALERT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CORRECT GEAR POSITION WAS NOT DISPLAYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11010689

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire sidewall bubble and blowout

TIRES

9 NHTSA complaints · 2013-11 → 2026-06

“the passenger front sidewall of the tire has a bubble. The tire is a Goodyear LS-2 235/45R18 is the model. I felt very unsafe do drive on a defected tire. The tire dealer told me it was not a defect and i would have to replace the tire at full cost”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11744776
“JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2013 BUICK VERANO WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES BEFORE HITTING MY TWO WEEK MARK. EACH TIME I WAS DRIVING 30MPH AND UNDER EACH TIME A BLOW OUT OCCURRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10938633
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK VERANO EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL PROCONTACT TIRES, SIZE: 235/45/R18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BEGAN LOOSING AIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10552047

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption leading to engine damage

ENGINE

12 NHTSA complaints · 2019-05 → 2024-09

“Vehicle is consuming oil at an excessive rate (with still less than 70000 miles on the odometer) and I have had to keep a close watch on the levels. It is burning a quart right now about every 1400 miles and the problem is only likely to get worse with time”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11613214
“My Buick Verano keeps running out of oil despite consistent oil changes. It ran out of oil, 3000 miles before my next oil change was due. There are many reports online of other owners of the same vehicle having the same issue”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11528178
“The PCV orifice that is located inside the intake manifold is known to clog due to a manufacture defect, which then produces high pressure inside the crankcase. The pressure then forces high amounts of oil through the valve cover orifice into the intake breather box”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11519487

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden engine stall and loss of power while driving

ENGINE

13 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2022-08

“The contact owns a 2013 Buick Verano. The contact stated that while driving at 60-65 MPH, the vehicle lost all power with no warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after a minute”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11476919
“VEHICLE, TRAVELING 45MPH IN TRAFFIC STREAM ON HIGHWAY, SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING ENGINE, RADIO, AC FAN, AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS. AFTER COASTING TO ROADSIDE, STILL MOVING, RADIO, AC FAN AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS SUDDENLY SELF RESTORED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10994444
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK VERANO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10604725

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Service airbag light and passenger presence sensor fault

AIR BAGS

13 NHTSA complaints · 2015-06 → 2026-08

“My service airbag light continues to come on when driving. I was told there was a recall on the airbags a few years ago, but my VIN number was not included in that recall. I purchased this car from Carmax in 2018”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11756459
“Airbag system failure and warning constantly on the vehicle. GM knows of the issue but will not offer a recall, instead only an expired special coverage adjustment. The part involved is the passenger present sensor (PPS)module”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11442533
“GM BULLETIN 23520 WAS ISSUED ON 05/10/2016 STATING THAT SOME 2013-2016 BUICK VERANO'S MAY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN, THE ISSUE WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM DURING ASSEMBLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11172568

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss and steering wheel lock-up while driving

STEERING

14 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2023-07

“Power steering an steering wheel locks, Once this happens the car becomes a safety hazard, first time it happened two children were in the car and seconds from an accident on the freeway”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11491979
“I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A CONSTRUCTION ZONE WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. IT SURPRISED ME AND CAUSED ME PANIC SOMEWHAT. THE LANE WAS VERY NARROW AND STARTED TO TURN, BUT MY STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RESPOND THE WAY IT SHOULD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10668635
“AFTER APPROX 30 MINS OF DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, STEERING "BINDS" CAUSES DRIVER TO USE EXTRA FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL, THEN STEERING FREES UP. THIS CAUSES AN OVER-STEER SITUATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10568068

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

CVT Fluid (Encore GX / Envista FWD)

Every 45,000 mi

FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

54 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2013 Buick Verano reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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