Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While driving home from work, my car, lost power a few times. Though, the maintenance malfunction light did come on, it was while the issue was occurring. I mention this because, in the car's manual, it states that the light will come on BEFORE the malfunction takes place. I finally made it home, however, the car did continue to lose power while driving. The next morning I took the car to my mechanic, who experienced the same issues, then did a diagnostic test and found these results: P0011; CAM Position; RCTISATOR BNK 1; TIMING OVER ADVANCE. Today while reading over all of the complaints, it is evident that this is a SERIOUS ISSUE! This malfunction is extremely dangerous and can prove to be fatal, due to losing driving power/car cutting off while driving. I am surprised that this potentially fatal malfunction is not considered to be a recall. …
While driving on the highway there was a random harsh jerk on my car, and I was immediately unable to maintain safe speeds driving nearly causing a serious crash. All of the service lights (Service Parking Assist, Service Power Steering, Service StabiliTrak, and Check Engine Light) should up on the dashboard. Trying to engage the vehicle into drive after parked had a harsh jerk shifting into gear and the accelerator was not working properly (going extremely slower than applied pressure). Mobile mechanic reader coded my vehicle with U0101 "Lost Communication with TCM". After touching that TCM connection all of the service lights randomly turned back off, and the vehicle drove (temporarily) normal. No repairs were performed due to possible recall concerns.
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Verano. The contact stated when she attempted to shift the gear into reverse however the lever would not shift. Once the contact was able to shift the lever, it felt lose. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 101,820.
Gear shift release switch cover broken causes car to 1)not go into park mode 2)goes into physical park mode but ignition switch is locked and does not release key please compare to recall number 16v50200 or Buick recall numbers 50490 and 50491 for 2013 - 2014 and 2016 - 2017 Buick veranos, why was my model year vehicle skipped?
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Verano. The stated that while he was pressing the shift knob to select drive, the vehicle failed to shift into the desired gear. The contact stated he pressed the shift knob several times and the vehicle shifted into drive(D). The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the shift knob needed to be replaced. On another occasion, the contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the steering wheel lock released and would not lock into place. The vehicle was also taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the dealer added a screw for the steering wheel to remain in place. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Verano. The contact stated that after his daughter started the vehicle and attempted to shift into drive, the gear selector briefly failed to move into drive. Upon shifting into drive, the contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle, prompting her to discontinue driving the vehicle. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the gear selector lever. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Verano. The contact stated while driving at 25-30 MPH, the shift lock release button mounted on the gear shifter fractured and she was unable to shift into park (P). The contact drove to the nearest independent mechanic and maintained the brake pedal depressed in order to keep the vehicle idle. The contact stated that she was also able to shift into neutral. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the gear shifter needed to be replaced. The contact provided the contact with a tool to depress the remaining part of the shift lock release button in order to park the vehicle. Upon arriving to her residence, the contact utilized the tool to park the vehicle. The contact contacted a tow company to tow the vehicle to the dealer. The tow agent was able to pull the remaining part of the shift lock release button out. The dealer was notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Verano. The contact stated that while the vehicle was off on an inclined driveway, the vehicle rolled away. The contact had accidentally not shifted out of the drive gear position. The contact was able to jump back in the vehicle where he pressed the brake pedal and shifted into the park position. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was examined, but not diagnosed. The contact was advised that all Buick vehicles perform the same action while in drive on an incline. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Verano years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (19), 2013 (13), 2012 (7) and 2016 (7) model years. Transmission complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Buick Verano transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 14V-092 (automatic transmission, Feb 21, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Verano transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (1 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › lever and linkage › column shift (1).
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.