The 2016 Buick Verano is a comfortable mix of economy and poshness, without compromising on the luxury and overall ride quality. The people seem to like the idea a lot, further adding to the sales figures that already sit at more than 30,000 units per year. The Verano competes against other hotshots in the segment which include names like the Audi A3, the Acura ILX, and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. Even though the Verano holds a league of its own, the story isn’t all roses and gets more complicated as we dive deeper into the most common issues. People report the airbags in the car continuously turning off despite the occupant sitting on the seat. Other than this, people report inadequate headlight throw at night. To add to the woes, the sedan already carries two recalls. Let’s see what the other most commonly-reported incidents are and why the recalls were made.
2016 Buick Verano Problems
Mechanical issues:
- Engine overheating: Many people report the Verano overheating while driving for long distances. The complainants say that the car threw the warning lights in the instrument cluster, followed by the engine stalling out. In many cases, the AC stops blowing cold air and there is a very loud fan noise from the engine area.
- Unintended acceleration issues: Some cases of the Verano unintended acceleration have come to light in recent times. Some people have reported the sedan to get a surge in its power, sending the car forward. Although no mishaps have been reported yet, one is not far away given how violent the jerk is.
- Violent shaking: Many people have reported the front suspension shaking violently and making handling difficult. The issue hasn’t resulted in a collision yet, but the owners have raised concerns over the safety aspect of the scenario. The issue has been communicated to the manufacturer.
- Braking issues: Some people report the brakes of the Buick going bad and increasing the stopping distance. The complainants reported that there is little braking feel when the brakes are “floored”. The issue rectifies itself, only to recur again after many miles.
Electrical issues:
- Dim headlights: The Verano headlight output is pretty low and has been the center of a lot of criticism recently. The owners complain that the output is meager and doesn't help in driving at night. The dim headlight issue is also acknowledged by the IIHS, which ranks the sedan in the top three cars to avoid driving in at night.
- Disabled side sensors: The Verano side sensors are a big issue for the owners as well. People report the sensors disabling on their own and causing the related safety systems to malfunction and causing difficulty while driving.
- Airbag sensor issues: Many people complain about airbag sensors giving out false information. In some cases, the sensors don’t recognize the occupant sitting on the seat and disable the passenger-side airbag. People also report the passenger-side airbag being activated with the seatbelts unbuckled and no occupant on the seat.
2016 Buick Verano Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
July 5, 2016 |
16V502000 |
Electrical System, Powertrain |
A defective park lock lever may cause the transmission to slip to neutral and cause unintended movement. This is injurious to the exiting passengers. The affected vehicles also fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS Number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention”. |
GM will notify the owners and issue a recall on October 14, 2016. The dealerships inspect and replace the key cylinder lock housing for free. GM’s internal numbers for the recall are 50490 and 50491. |
|
2. |
August 11, 2016 |
16V595000 |
Fuel System, Gasoline |
A misrouted engine fuel line assembly may allow contact between the fuel line and the surface of the engine, increasing the chances of a fuel fire. This also increases the risk of a crash. |
GM will notify the owners and issue a recall on August 19, 2016. The dealerships will replace the fuel line assembly for free. GM’s internal number for the recall is 54180. |
Should you buy the 2016 Buick Verano?
The 2016 Buick Verano isn't a bad bet for someone who wants to add comfort to their daily commute. The sedan comes loaded with good amenities and is a stronger game than its rivals. The complaints are not something one should take much stress about. The headlights are a bit weak but slapping in an aftermarket bulb is an instantaneous solution. Apart from this, the suspension and braking issues are well-handled by the dealerships. The electrical issues are mostly sensor-based and can be remedied by a clean software flash. The easily-available solutions leave us nothing but impressed with the American carmaker’s swift response, making the 2016 Buick Verano an excellent choice for the next commuter in your garage.
