2013 Buick Verano: Problems & Reliability
CAUTION2013 Buick Verano: CAUTION — 107 owner complaints, 1.3× the Verano median year by raw count; top issue: engine (33 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2013 is 1.42, 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. 55% of its complaints are severe — a crash, fire, injury or a safety-critical system.
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
107
NHTSA complaints
1.3×
vs. median Verano year
1,542
Service bulletins
3
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2013 Buick Verano problems
Engine is the clear leader, named in 31% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2013 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 33 | 31% |
| Electrical system | 23 | 21% |
| Air bags | 18 | 17% |
| Unknown or other | 14 | 13% |
| Steering | 14 | 13% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2013 Buick Verano recalls
3 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2013, reported between Jul 2, 2014 and Jul 27, 2023.
2013 Buick Verano service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 1,542 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2013 — close to the 1,411 of the median Verano year from 2012 to 2017. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (337), engine & cooling (151), powertrain / transmission (111). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2013 vs. the year before and after
From the 2012 to the 2013, owner complaints held roughly level (106 → 107). The 2014 that followed held roughly level (107 → 101).
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Verano | CAUTION | 106 | 1,485 | 3 | — |
| 2013 (this page) | CAUTION | 107 | 1,542 | 3 | — |
| 2014 Verano | CAUTION | 101 | 1,481 | 6 | — |
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 2013 Buick Verano
Engine (33 complaints on the 2013): 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.
Electrical system (23 complaints on the 2013): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Air bags (18 complaints on the 2013): confirm the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that every air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
Steering (14 complaints on the 2013): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Powertrain / transmission (13 complaints on the 2013): 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.
Know what to pay for the right 2013 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 2013 Buick Verano reliable?
2013 Buick Verano: CAUTION — 107 owner complaints, 1.3× the Verano median year by raw count; top issue: engine (33 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2013 is 1.42, 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 2013 Buick Verano problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2013 Buick Verano are engine (33, 31%), electrical system (23, 21%), air bags (18, 17%). The manufacturer has 1,542 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2013 Buick Verano have?
3 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2013 Buick Verano, most recently 23V516000 (Jul 27, 2023, air bags); 16V502000 (Jul 5, 2016, electrical system); 14V417000 (Jul 2, 2014, equipment). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2013 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 2013 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.