Airbag complaints by model year
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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. …
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Verano. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's side air bag warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that the cause of the failure might be related to crimped wiring inside the vehicle. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact had not received a response. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Advanced diagnostics alerts whether someone is sitting in the passenger seat or not. Sensor alerts constantly while driving. If there is a passenger sometimes the airbag light isn't lit notifying the airbag is on. This happens whether the vehicle is in motion or not and has happened many, many times.
1. Passenger presence module internally faulted and passenger presence sensor shorted. They are still in vehicle. 2. Safety at risk because of questionable air bag. 3. Problem confirmed by dealership. Dealership is Bob Moore Buick GMC [phone]. Invoice #[redacted] 15NOV23. 4. Vehicle has not been inspected by police, manufacturer, or insurance representative. 5. The " Service Airbag" light comes on intermittently. Car purchased used in May 2023.
Car keeps stalling and the service power steering warning comes on the dash as well as the service air bag. Then the car speed drops to around 20 mph and won't go any faster and then when you stop at a stop sign or something the car acts like it doesn't want to go
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Verano. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Service Air Bag warning light unexpectedly illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
2013 Buick Verano engine ceased after excessive oil consumption (which was NOT indicated by the oil light). Multiple lawsuits have been filed for cars with the SAME engine, but my specific car has not been included - and GM shut down my car-specific lawsuits due to "design" flaws that they don't take credit for. NO warning signs, and my car stopped in the middle of the road, putting my safety at risk. Oil change notification DID NOT work, and oil light did not come on at all. In addition, a "service passenger airbag" light comes on whenever anyone sits in the passenger seat (I have seen recalls regarding this as well, but are not specific to my car). Very disappointed.
Related recalls (7)
Air bags › Side/window
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 5, 2025.
Air bags › Side/window
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators may rupture at the inflator weld joint. This recall is an expansion of Recall 23V-674.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 22, 2024.
Air bags › Side/window
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. The left and/or right-side roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner, may rupture at the inflator weld joint.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right-side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2024.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles manufactured December 2, 2011 to July, 16, 2012, Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured December 7, 2011 to July 25, 2012, Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured December 5, 2011 to August 2, 2012, and Chevrolet Camaro vehicles manufactured…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020.
Show 2 more recalls
Air bags
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic, and model year 2012 Buick Verano vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel air bag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Air bags
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
NHTSA investigations
Air Bag Non-deployment
General Motors (GM) has initiated a safety recall of 31,520 model year (MY) 2012 Buick Verano and Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic vehicles to address a defect condition that could result in the primary or secondary stage air bag not deploying.These vehicles are a small percentage of all MY 2012 vehicles and were built on several specific production dates broadly ranging from December 1, 2011 to August 2, 2012 (see…
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Verano years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (27), 2016 (23), 2013 (18), 2014 (13) and 2015 (10) model years. Airbag complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Buick Verano airbag problems?
Yes — 7 recalls, including 25V-764 (side/window, Nov 6, 2025); 23V-870 (side/window, Dec 21, 2023); 23V-674 (side/window, Sep 20, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Verano airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
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.