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Buick Verano VIN Check

NHTSA holds 407 owner complaints on the Buick Verano from 175 production runs; the worst run has 7, the typical one 2.3.

NHTSA complaint records · 407 complaints · 175 runs · 2012–2017 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported Verano run is 1G4PS5SK6C4 (2012 builds) with 7 complaints, 3× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 24% of reports; 2012 is the worst model year at 2.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for Verano model years 2012–2017.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Buick Verano has 175 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 8% of every Verano complaint on file.

FIG.01·Buick Verano — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
1G4PS5SK6C4••••••20127——
1G4PP5SK2D4••••••20137——
1G4PP5SK5D4••••••20137——
1G4PS5SK0E4••••••20146——
1G4PS5SK0D4••••••20136—1
1G4PR5SK5E4••••••20146——
1G4PP5SK5C4••••••201261—
1G4PP5SK9E4••••••20145——
1G4PS5SK0C4••••••20125——
1G4PP5SK7C4••••••20125——
1G4PT5SV2D4••••••20135——
1G4PP5SK9D4••••••20135——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 163 Verano runs has 5 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 21 Verano VINs so far, most often 2014, 2016, 2015 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Buick Verano the gap between build years is 2.5×: a 2012 car draws 2.8 complaints per run, a 2017 one 1.1.

FIG.02·Buick Verano — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20171.1871
20161.858321
2015255281
20142.693363
20132.497401
20122.896347
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2012 at 2.8 complaints per run; lightest is 2017 at 1.1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 24% of everything Buick Verano owners report: Electrical System, 117 of 407 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Buick Verano — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Electrical System117—4
Engine99——
Air Bags8811—
Power Train49——
Steering4911
Unknown Or Other45—3
Electronic Stability Control (esc)22——
Vehicle Speed Control163—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 11 recall campaigns on the Buick Verano; the 6 below cover build years 2013 to 2017. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Buick Verano — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
16V502000Electrical System:ignition2013–2017
14V417000Equipment:electrical2013–2014
16V595000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings2016
14V092000Power Train:automatic Transmission2014
23V674000Air Bags:side/window2014
23V870000Air Bags:side/window2014
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

16V502000 was opened in 2016 on cars built from 2013: 3 years on the road before the recall.

The Verano against its rivals

The Verano draws 2.3 complaints per production run; the Ford Focus 9.2 and the Mitsubishi Lancer 2.2.

FIG.05·Buick Verano VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Buick Verano4071752.33.4%
Ford Focus19,1752,0919.24.7%
Mitsubishi Lancer7443392.29.5%
ROWS 3·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 407 reports on the Buick Verano, 3.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Buick Verano — complaint severity
OutcomeBuick VeranoAll vehicles
Complaints filed4071,116,631
Involved a crash14 (3.4%)64,221 (5.8%)
Involved a fire5 (1.2%)26,977 (2.4%)
Injuries reported1558,047
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 41% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Buick Verano share of that is 407 complaints over 175 runs, 0.04% of everything on record.

Everything on the Buick Verano
Recalls16 campaignsFuel economy25 mpg bestReliability4.5/5Common problems441 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space14 cu ftUsed prices443 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2012–2017

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Buick Verano VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 407 NHTSA complaints from 175 Verano runs and 11 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which Verano production run has the most complaints?

1G4PS5SK6C4, a 2012 build, with 7 complaints. The typical Verano run has 2.3.

Which Verano years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2012 is heaviest at 2.8 complaints per run and 2017 lightest at 1.1.

Does the Verano get more complaints than the Ford Focus?

No: 2.3 complaints per production run for the Verano against 9.2 for the Ford Focus.

How many Verano complaints involve a crash?

3.4% of 407 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 5 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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