The 2016 Buick Verano carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering ignition and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Side detection system electrical failure.” 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.
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Campaign #16V595000 · Nov 8, 2016
Issue: 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.
Fix: 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.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Buick Verano.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE
4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2024-04
“SIDE SENSORS HAVE BECOME DISABLED”
“THE BLIND SPOT DETECTORS STOPPED WORKING AND A WARNING ON THE DASH APPEARED SAYING "SERVICE SIDE DETECTION SYSTEM"”
“The side detection system got corroded as it was exposed to water. My airbags, turn signals, speedometer, cameras, blind spot warnings, etc. went out”
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-05 → 2018-08
“AS SOON AS I BOUGHT THIS NEW CAR I WAS DRIVING IT AT NIGHT WITH MY DIM HEAD LIGHTS ON AND I COULD NOT SEE VERY FAR AHEAD OF ME UNLESS I PUT MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON, SO THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED OR AN ACCIDENT CAN OCCUR VERY EASILY !!!!”
“THE 1ST TIME I DROVE THIS CAR AT THE VISIBILITY RANGE OF LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WAS HORRIBLE”
“HEAD LIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH AND POSE A VERY SIGNIFICANT DANGER. DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS STANDARD.I HAVE COMPLAINED ON 2 WARRANTY SERVICE VISITS INCLUDING TODAY”
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-10 → 2017-05
“I PURCHASED MY 2016 BUICK VERANO ON JULY 23, 2016. THAT EVENING WHILE VISITING FRIENDS, MY WIFE AND I LEFT AFTER IT BECAME DARK”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK VERANO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, PART OF THE SUBFRAME CONNECTED TO THE WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VISION”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK VERANO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED THE CONTACT'S VIEW WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE UPPER LAYER FACTORY TINT ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD”
TIRES, WHEELS
3 NHTSA complaints · 2017-01 → 2020-04
“I WAS DRIVING IN KENWOOD IN CINCINNATI PULLED INTO GO TO STARBUCKS BARELY HIT THE CURB AND MY CONTINENTAL TIRE BLEW”
“THAT WERE INSTALLED ON ORIGINALLY... ON THE CONTINENTAL WEBSITE, THERE ARE CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES WEARING OUT TOO FAST AND BUBBLING UP ON SIDES OF TIRES”
AIR BAGS
21 NHTSA complaints · 2017-04 → 2024-08
“THE DRIVER AS WELL AS THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER LOSES THE BENEFIT OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE AIRBAG STATUS INDICATOR LIGHTS. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY CRASH IN WHICH THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER INJURED”
“There are 18 complaints about the passenger airbag sensor that should have been reported as a recall”
“The contact owns a 2016 Buick Verano. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side seat sensor failed to detect a passenger in the seat. The “Air Bag Off” and “Service Air Bag” messages were displayed”
POWER TRAIN
7 NHTSA complaints · 2017-09 → 2026-03
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK VERANO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED SO HARD THAT THE VEHICLE JOLTED AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER TO STRIKE THE DASHBOARD”
“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 miles”
“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”
ENGINE
7 NHTSA complaints · 2017-01 → 2025-04
“WAS DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY GOING 65 WHEN CAR TOTALLY TURNED OFF OR STALLED. IT SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME”
“THE INTAKE CAM SOLENOID VALUE FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. NO LIGHT CAME ON TO WARN ME. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND ALMOST COMPLETELY STOP”
“Engine is known for bad piston rings and a poor emission ventilation system causing extreme engine pressure, blowback, and oil consumption. Engine stalled due to NO oil in it”
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 NHTSA complaints · 2022-04 → 2022-10
“Fuel level sensor failure. I haven't checked but I don't think a regular dealer would inspect for free because it's inside of the gas tank”
“Fuel Sending Unit. Yes. Loss of power and control of vehicle due to no fuel”
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.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
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.
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.
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.
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.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
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.
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.
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.
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.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
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.
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.
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.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
24 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.
1
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 2016 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.