Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Buick Verano owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Verano. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side seat sensor failed to detect a passenger in the seat. The "Air Bag Off" and "Service Air Bag" messages were displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to Special Coverage Adjustment: 23520 Passenger Presence Sensor (PPS) Module; however, the VIN was not included in the Special Coverage Adjustment. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,700.
I am submitting this complaint to report a safety-related issue involving my 2016 Buick Verano. At approximately 112,000 miles, the vehicle experienced a major transmission failure that significantly affected drivability. Shortly thereafter, an airbag warning light illuminated, indicating a potential malfunction of the supplemental restraint system. An independent mechanic advised that the vehicle was no longer safe or economically reasonable to repair due to the transmission failure and the airbag system warning. The cost of transmission repair was estimated between $5,000.00 and $7,000.00. The vehicle could not be safely driven, sold, or repaired, leaving me with an inoperable vehicle and an outstanding loan balance. I am submitting this complaint to ensure this issue is documented and reviewed, as transmission failure combined with an airbag warning presents a serious safety concern. …
There are 18 complaints about the passenger airbag sensor that should have been reported as a recall. Buick issued a Special Coverage Adjustment notice for the passenger Presence sensor Reference Number: [redacted] Letter was sent to all customers; I did not ever receive it as i purchased this vehicle as used from the BUICK dealership in EL PASO TX. I recently started experiencing error messages with my airbags. Upon taking it to the dealer, the airbag sensor issue is related to the notice listed above. Because I never received the notice, I wasn't on alert for issues. I don't see why i should have to pay for this repair since its obvious this is a dealer installed defective product. Please help resolve this issue as it going to cause someone's life and by then it will be too late.
- The side detection module became corroded, blew a fuse and stopped functioning. This was reported in a service bulletin and extended warranty protection for some GM vehicles, but not the Buick Verano. [redacted] - This happened while driving. The vehicle would still drive, but lost all gauge functions (No speedometer, tachometer, fuel, or temp gauges). -The side obstacle detection system does not work. -The system also interferes with the passenger side airbag and leaves it turned OFF with a passenger in the seat. These obviously all create a serious safety risk and have not been covered by a recall for this vehicle.
Buick issued a Special Coverage Adjustment notice for the passenger prescence sensor Reference Number: N15202352 Letter was sent to all customers, I did not ever receive it. I recently started experiencing error messages with my airbags. Upon taking it to the dealer, the airbag sensor issue is related to the notice listed above. Because I never received the notice, I wasn't on alert for issues. I had to pay the full amount for the fix. My bigger concern is that with the airbag service error going off - if I had been in an accident, the airbag might not have deployed. This known issue should have been a recall and fixed in this car.
When I start my car air bag lights on when a passenger is not seat air bags keeps light is on and when I have passenger next to me air bag is off. I took this car to dealership I bought they want me to pay $1720 to fix the system I only driven 42000 miles since I bought I had fully guaranteed paid for 5 years by installation to the company. I am not happy for putting my vehicle I do not wish to take another place for repairs as I had not understand why the are asking a lot of money to put it right for air bag for passenger says need air bag service always when I am driving my vehicle
The driver as well as the front seat passenger loses the benefit of the airbags in the front seat and the airbag status indicator lights. Neither airbag deployed in my crash in which the car was completely destroyed and both driver and passenger injured. I was driving at approximately 15 MPH and turning left on a city street. A letter from Buick in December 2016 claimed that only the air bag on the passenger's side needed fixing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Buick Verano. While driving approximately 80 MPH, the gear shifted so hard that the vehicle jolted and caused the front passenger to strike the dashboard. There were no injuries. The service air bag warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (hirning Buick GMC, pocatello, id, [phone]) where a road test was performed, but the failure was not duplicated. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to another dealer (wackerli Buick, idaho falls, id, 208-522-606) where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensors needed to be replaced. The sensors were replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 4,500.
Airbag issue- airbag sensors have been constantly going off and on as vehicle is in motion. Regardless of turns, speeds, motion, weather, temperature of vehicle, it comes on and off. Issue started at 45,400 miles. Struts issue- struts have become unsafe at 45,600 miles, the vehicle has a tremendous drop on the rear, right passenger end, when reversing from a drive way with an incline.
The air bag light and sound indicator randomly and repeatedly alerts 'service air bag' whether the car is in motion or stopped or has an adult passenger or does not have a passenger at all. Have taken the vehicle to the Buick dealership on three occasions and they cannot find the problem or a recall. Issue has not been resolved.
Airbag complaints in other Verano years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2016 Buick Verano?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Buick Verano, 39% of the model year's 59 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Buick Verano airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2016 Buick Verano, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Buick Verano airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.