Engine & cooling

2016 Buick Verano Engine problems

Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2016 Buick Verano's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 14% of all its complaints, most recently on February 3, 2026. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

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Complaints: 8
Recalls: 0
Crashes: 0
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

Engine complaints

AirbagsEngine & cooling

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 drivability. Shortly thereafter, an airbag warning light illuminated, indicating a potential malfunction of the supplemental restraint system. An independent mechanic advised that the vehicle was no longer safe or economically reasonable to repair due to the transmission failure and the airbag system warning....

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The cost of transmission repair was estimated between $5,000.00 and $7,000.00. The vehicle could not be safely driven, sold, or repaired, leaving me with an inoperable vehicle and an outstanding loan balance. I am submitting this complaint to ensure this issue is documented and reviewed, as transmission failure combined with an airbag warning presents a serious safety concern. Also, it's been widely documented by other consumers of having the same problem with the transmission failing prematurely on these type of vehicles as well.

Engine & cooling

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. No oil warning light appeared. Almost ran over two pedestrians as my car would not brake quickly enough as there was no power to any of the systems. And now I have to pay well over $6,000 to repair it? I JUST had my oil changed 5 days ago.

Seats & seat beltsEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Verano. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat was no longer adjustable. The contact was unable to adjust the height in order to see over the steering wheel. Additionally, while operating the vehicle the check engine warning light remained illuminated; the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not contacted and notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.

Electrical systemDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

Beginning in may, I started noticing odd declines in accelerations, randomly, even when using cruise control. Then, I almost stalled out on the road & lost power steering. This is dangerous & scary. I took it to the dealership & reported a hard shift from 1st to 2nd gear and my radio shutting off randomly, too. After looking over my car, I was told they could not 'replicate the issue' of losing power, and that they needed a code or an error message & to bring it back when I had that! I guess, it's ok with gm if...

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I'm in an accident (or die) in the meantime, & I was told that the hard shift is just how the car runs. These answers are unacceptable. If a car is dangerous, you don't send a person back out on the road because you can't 'replicate' the issue. Furthermore, a serious hard shift between 1st and 2nd gear is not how a car is made. I believe these are 'canned' statements that are used and taught in hopes that the owner will go away'which I did, but shouldn't have. Then in august my car stalled out twice & I lost power steering and could have been in a serious accident. But now, things are even worse. My radio has cut off again, the hard shift is more obvious, and now my passenger seat says there is someone there when they are not, so it beeps at me. The car is possessed. There is no was it should have this many problems at one time. It seems electrical. Dealership has had it for two weeks. I had a message this time; stabilitrak needs serviced. They again said "can't replicate it", but I was not allowing that answer this time. The car is dangerous. Gm has been sued over very similar issue & some are reporting their fix isn't working & still lose power on the highway. Other 2016 gm cars have this issue. I am researching this & it obvious gm has an on-going dangerous issue & is ignoring it again. How many people have to die? Nhtsa help!

Engine & cooling

The a/c turns off due to high engine temperature. There is a loud fan noise. Sounds like my car is still on. The alert turns on and off randomly.

Engine & cooling

Was driving on expressway going 65 when car totally turned off or stalled. It scared the hell out of me. Haven't even made my first car payment yet. Called dealer they wanted me to wait till tomorrow are they kidding. They finally agreed to give me a lender car. Salesman said they have never had any problems with verano upon checking this morning I have found many years with this problem. *Tr

Engine & cooling

I was driving my new car haven't made my first car payment. I was on expressway going 65 miles per hour when my car stalled completely turned off. Managed to get to emergency lane scared to death. Dealer wanted me to wait till tomorrow to bring car in I don't think so. They said they haven't had any problems with this car but this morning I see several other years have this problem. I'm lucky I wasn't in a terrible wreak. Again scared the [[redacted]] out of me. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Transmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine & cooling

The recall and free replacement of the 2016 buick verano due to its car status as a "federation violation and restricted code" of "cars not to be sold nor lease in the united states of america bearing a vin#pp". Whereto the car has anti-lock break for hot climate country. No automatic breaking system (abs), no traction control system (tsc), and no heating elements for the fluid case holders. Hence forth my "buick verano 2016 car did not comply to the must requirements for all cars in snow country like usa". The...

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buick manufacturing and car insurance has order immediate recall and free replacement requesting intervention for ""abeloff buick is not acting and complying to the recall and replacement orders"" as attached for they are ignoring the status of the car; the documents attached are as follows, for consideration and perusal to the recall and free replacement of the buick car; 1. Senior buick advisory for recall and replacement. 2. Insurance replacement order, asap status prior to winter. 3. Us vin check report, depicting already recalled, with restriction code to be sold in the usa. 4. Perry-buick check report as good wrench car, anti-break or drum break. Series of e-mail had been sent since march 2016 and the latest was 6/27/2016, requesting intervention to imposed perusal to the orders as mentioned that are ignored by the dealership abeloff buick, this is life threatening issue and a real federal road safety violation for selling/leasing out a band car in the usa. Please intervine by imposing to "abeloff buick" tel # 570-421-9900 to "recall and give the free replacement car to the registered owner of the 2016 buick car subject to car recall and free replacement", and herein submitting the formal complaint with urgent status and as deem required by law.

Buick Verano engine complaints by year

2012 2013 2014 2015 82016 2017

Verano engine problems, every year

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked 21 hours ago. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

2016 Buick Verano Engine problems

Engine complaints

Buick Verano engine complaints by year

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