KnownCarProblems2013 Buick Verano Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 107 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Buick Verano, most often about the engine (31% of complaints, typically around 20,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Verano model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2013 Buick Verano problems
Engine
33 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 20,500 miles.
Driving down back road 40-45 MPH, at night, lights and radio on, with my boyfriend when everything went pitch black, no lights on car at all, engine shut off, very scary. I coasted to stop, hit start engine button it restarted, like normal. All lights came back on, no further incident. Took to dealer could find…
The car only has 20,000 miles on it. I went to the grocery and drug store which is only 4 miles from my home. I pulled into the garage and noticed the fan was running (engine fan) hard. But assumed it was normal for any car to cool down the engine. I went in the house and the fan had stopped on the car. I had to go…
Electrical
23 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles.
The electrical system is malfunctioning. The air bag light is on sometime then it will go off. Its like someone is sitting on the passenger seat. The dash seat light comes on and off too. My collision light started acting up and now it doesn't work but tonight the passenger mirror is partially on and will not go out.…
Takata recall. I the procees of driving and turning the dash board lights up and its a symbol with a small wrench . The car jerks I a whole new direction. And then another symbol appears and says power steering service and it is really hard to drive and turn while on the highway or street.
Air bags
18 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
I turned my car on, and got a list of "service now" indicators,including service airbag. I had no gauges, speedometer, radio. I brought my car to the dealer 6/29/2015, a rear side sensor had gotten wet and shorted out a fuse. This is a known manufacturing safety defect, but since I'm 3000 miles past warranty they are…
The contact owned a 2013 Buick Verano. The contact stated that while the driver was stopped at the side of the road, another vehicle coming from the opposite direction crossed over and crashed into the vehicle head on. The contact was concerned that onstar failed to alert. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver…
Steering
14 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles.
I was driving through a construction zone when my steering wheel locked up. It surprised me and caused me panic somewhat. The lane was very narrow and started to turn, but my steering wheel did not respond the way it should. It took a lot of effort to turn the wheels. The car got too close to the cement guardrails and…
Steering wheel sticks and seems to only happen at higher speeds. Have noticed only when car steering is in one still position for 4-5 seconds and then have to readjust steering course or turn. You have to use an abnormal amount of force to get steering wheel to move. Conern is for over adjustment. This happens on a…
Other or unspecified
14 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles.
A/c would not engage, blew only hot air (hotter than outside air), for about 15 minutes. While parked I switched system on/off several time, adjusted temprature control up/down, and restarted the vehicle several time to no avail. A/c engaged after driving a couple miles (~five minutes). The outside temprature was…
1.) my car reduced speed on the highway driving 55. When pulling over the car would not accelerate and turned off. After being off for 20 minutes on the side of the road the vehicle drove normally. After a week carmax service could not find the reason for this incident. 2.) the epb warning light flashed while driving…
Transmission
13 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Verano. When the contact attempted to shift the vehicle from the park position, the gear shifter failed. After various attempts, the gear was eventually able to shift into drive. The failure recurred a total of four times. In addition, the contact stated that the gear shift button failed.…
The shift lever is on a console between the two front seats. Pushing the lever toward the driver changes the transmission mode from automatic to manual. There is nothing to prevent accidental pushes switching the transmission to manual mode at highway speed. My passenger, while adjusting her coat, has switched the car…
Wheels and tires
12 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 4,000 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall.
Oem wheel blew out after brushing raise edge of road caused by a pothole. I have had two OEM tires fail within the first year of purchase of new car. Searched internet and OEM tire failure is common in 2013 Buick Verano.
Oem wheel blew out after brushing raise edge of road caused by a pothole. I have had two OEM tires fail within the first year of purchase of new car. Searched internet and OEM tire failure is common in 2013 Buick Verano continental contipro contact tires are listed in several places failing within 5000 of new.
Body and structure
5 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 11,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Verano. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH and attempting to adjust the air conditioner, the push button start switch was depressed unintentionally. The contact stated that the two function buttons were too close to each other and could result in a crash. The vehicle…
I was parking my Verano in a flat parking space (no hills) on dry pavement. I was in the space, I took my foot off the accelerator and stepped on the brake to put it in park, but before I could get it in park, the engine revved up, and the car torpedoed like a rocket (very fast) over the parking barrier into a three…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Buick Verano recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module, free of charge. On some 2013 volt vehicles, the steering wheel will be replaced as well, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed october 23, 2023. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is n232413120.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2013 buick verano, chevrolet camero, sonic, and volt vehicles. The driver-side air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect.
Electrical: ignition
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.
Full defect summary
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."
Equipment: electrical
Risk: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree celsius. The recall began in august 2014. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is 14257.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 buick encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured august 23, 2012, to september 9, 2013; verano vehicles manufactured august 8, 2012, to june 20, 2013; chevrolet cruze vehicles manufactured august 7, 2012, to august 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 chevrolet sonic vehicles manufactured may 10, 2011, to august 16, 2012 equipped with a calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2013 Buick Verano
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Buick Verano?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (33 complaints, typically around 20,500 miles); electrical (23 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles); air bags (18 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Buick Verano have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 27, 2023 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Buick Verano?
- It is the most complained-about Verano model year since 2000, with 107 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.