2016 Buick Verano: Problems & Reliability
SOLID2016 Buick Verano: SOLID — 59 owner complaints, a typical complaint rate for ~10 years on the road; top issue: air bags (23 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2016 is 1.12, where 1.00 is a typical Verano year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25). 41% 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
59
NHTSA complaints
1.12
Verdict score (1.00 = typical Verano year)
1,059
Service bulletins
2
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2016 Buick Verano problems
Air bags is the clear leader, named in 39% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2016 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 23 | 39% |
| Electrical system | 15 | 25% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 7 | 12% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 12% |
| Engine | 7 | 12% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2016 Buick Verano recalls
2 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2016, reported between Jul 5, 2016 and Aug 11, 2016.
2016 Buick Verano service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 1,059 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2016 — close to the 1,411 of the median Verano year from 2012 to 2017. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (231), engine & cooling (109), engine (99). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2016 vs. the year before and after
From the 2015 to the 2016, owner complaints held roughly level (59 → 59). The 2017 that followed fell by more than half (59 → 9), so the 2017 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Verano | BEST | 59 | 1,340 | 0 | — |
| 2016 (this page) | SOLID | 59 | 1,059 | 2 | — |
| 2017 Verano | TOO FEW REPORTS | 9 | 925 | 1 | — |
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 2016 Buick Verano
Air bags (23 complaints on the 2016): confirm the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that every air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
Electrical system (15 complaints on the 2016): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Powertrain / transmission (7 complaints on the 2016): 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.
Engine (7 complaints on the 2016): 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.
Steering (4 complaints on the 2016): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Recalls: confirm all 2 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Nearby Verano years with a better rating: 2015.
Know what to pay for the right 2016 Buick Verano — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2016 Buick Verano reliable?
2016 Buick Verano: SOLID — 59 owner complaints, a typical complaint rate for ~10 years on the road; top issue: air bags (23 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2016 is 1.12, where 1.00 is a typical Verano year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25).
What are the most common 2016 Buick Verano problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2016 Buick Verano are air bags (23, 39%), electrical system (15, 25%), powertrain / transmission (7, 12%). The manufacturer has 1,059 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2016 Buick Verano have?
2 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2016 Buick Verano, most recently 16V595000 (Aug 11, 2016, fuel system, gasoline); 16V502000 (Jul 5, 2016, electrical system). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2016 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 2016 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.