2012 Buick Verano: Problems & Reliability
CAUTION2012 Buick Verano: CAUTION — 106 owner complaints, 1.3× the Verano median year by raw count; top issue: engine (48 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2012 is 1.36, where 1.00 is a typical Verano year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60. Severity drives it: 68% of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury or involve a safety-critical system (engine, powertrain, steering, brakes or fuel).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2012–2017 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
106
NHTSA complaints
1.3×
vs. median Verano year
1,485
Service bulletins
3
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2012 Buick Verano problems
Engine is the clear leader, named in 45% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2012 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 48 | 45% |
| Air bags | 27 | 25% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 15% |
| Steering | 9 | 8% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 7 | 7% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2012 Buick Verano recalls
3 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2012, reported between Oct 31, 2012 and Jun 6, 2014.
2012 Buick Verano service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 1,485 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2012 — close to the 1,411 of the median Verano year from 2012 to 2017. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (325), engine & cooling (142), powertrain / transmission (115). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2012 vs. the year before and after
The 2013 that followed held roughly level (106 → 107).
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 (this page) | CAUTION | 106 | 1,485 | 3 | — |
| 2013 Verano | CAUTION | 107 | 1,542 | 3 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Buick Verano years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2012 Buick Verano
Engine (48 complaints on the 2012): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Air bags (27 complaints on the 2012): confirm the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that every air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
Electrical system (16 complaints on the 2012): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Steering (9 complaints on the 2012): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Powertrain / transmission (7 complaints on the 2012): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Recalls: confirm all 3 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Nearby Verano years with a better rating: 2015.
Know what to pay for the right 2012 Buick Verano — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
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FAQ
Is the 2012 Buick Verano reliable?
2012 Buick Verano: CAUTION — 106 owner complaints, 1.3× the Verano median year by raw count; top issue: engine (48 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2012 is 1.36, where 1.00 is a typical Verano year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60.
What are the most common 2012 Buick Verano problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2012 Buick Verano are engine (48, 45%), air bags (27, 25%), electrical system (16, 15%). The manufacturer has 1,485 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2012 Buick Verano have?
3 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2012 Buick Verano, most recently 14V300000 (Jun 6, 2014, air bags); 13V023000 (Jan 24, 2013, air bags); 12V522000 (Oct 31, 2012, air bags). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2012 Buick Verano before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2012 Buick Verano come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.