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Buick Verano VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Buick Verano VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 11 NHTSA recall campaigns for 2012–2017 cover that year.

VIN prefix1G4

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Buick Verano

About the Buick Verano

Buick sold the Verano in the US for model years 2012–2017. Across those years NHTSA lists 11 vehicle recall campaigns and 440 owner complaints. The 2013 has the most complaints of any model year (107). EPA rates it at 24–25 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2012–2017
EPA classCompact Cars
NHTSA recall campaigns11
Owner complaints440 at NHTSA
Buick Verano photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Buick Verano at a glance

One generation in the data, 2012–2017: 11 NHTSA recall campaigns and 440 owner complaints.

1 / 1
Verano
2012–2017Compact Cars
20122015
2012–2017

Buick Verano

EPA classCompact Cars
EPA combined mpg24–25
NHTSA recalls11

Engines (EPA)

  • 2.4 L 4-cyl · 2012–2017
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2013–2016

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • FWD
  • automatic (2012–2017), manual (2013–2016)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (122)Engine and cooling (109)Air bags (93)2 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 440 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Verano1G4PP5SK?E4······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2014 Buick Verano Base, built in Orion, Michigan
Check a Verano VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Verano model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 11 campaigns on file for Verano model years 2012–2017, and the 2014 shows up in more of them than any other year (6), ahead of the 2012 (3). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2014
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Buick Verano owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2013 and 2012 hold 213 of the 440 complaints, or 48%. Tap any bar or generation.

440NHTSA complaints, 2012–2017
19mention a crash
5mention a fire
17injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearVerano: 440 complaints · most for the 2013 (107)

Top complaint areas · Verano

Mentions in 440 complaints, 2012–2017.

Electrical system122
Engine and cooling109
Air bags93
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)52
Steering50
Electronic stability control26
Crashes 19Fires 5Injuries 17

2012–2017

NHTSA data summary

By area, nothing stands out. Electrical system leads with 122, with engine and cooling (109) and the air bags (93) close behind. Of the six model years, the 2013 (107) and 2012 (106) drew the most complaints.

What Verano owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2012–2017 (1st generation)

The 2012 to 2014 models draw the most complaints. NHTSA owners of the 2012 describe stalling, oil consumption and air bag concerns, while 2013 owners more often mention steering and tire problems. CarComplaints lists oil consumption, clicking when shifting and windshield fogging for 2012, peeling clear coat and stalling for 2013, and worn clear coat and dead batteries for 2014. Buick ended the Verano after 2017. Recalls cover driver air bags on some 2012–2013 models and roof rail air bag inflators on some 2014 models that may rupture. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup and confirm the air bag recalls on 2012 to 2014 models were completed.
  • Check the oil level for signs of consumption and look over the paint for peeling clear coat.
  • On the drive, feel for stalling, listen for clicks when shifting and check the steering for noise.
Sources (5) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2012 Buick Verano
  2. CarComplaints.com, 2012 Buick Verano problems
  3. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2013 Buick Verano
  4. CarComplaints.com, 2013 Buick Verano problems
  5. CarComplaints.com, 2014 Buick Verano problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Verano complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Verano version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

440complaints, 2012–2017
19mention a crash
5mention a fire
17injuries reported
Most complaints: 2013 (107), 2012 (106), 2014 (101)
106’12107’13101’14’15

2013 · 107 complaints

Crashes 4 · fires 1 · injuries 3

Engine33
Electrical system23
Air bags18
Steering14
Unknown or other14

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Verano CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 14 Verano versions for model years 2012–2017. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 358 g/mi (2015). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Verano2012–2017

24–25 mpg · CO₂ 358–374 g/mi

2016
24combined MPG
363CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,800EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
Bin 4Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2016: Verano · Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L — 24 MPG · 363 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
30035040045050020152012 · Gas: 3702013 · Gas: 3632014 · Gas: 3632015 · Gas: 3582016 · Gas: 3632017 · Gas: 364
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Verano vs Ford Focus vs Toyota Corolla

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2012–2017. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the Verano, against 27 for the Ford Focus and 9 for the Toyota Corolla. Pick a range to compare.

Buick Verano

Model years 2012–2017

NHTSA recall campaigns
11
NHTSA owner complaints
440
EPA combined mpg
24–25
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0, 2.4 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2017)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 122
  2. Engine and cooling 109
  3. Air bags 93

Ford Focus

Model years 2012–2017

NHTSA recall campaigns
27
NHTSA owner complaints
11,768
EPA combined mpg
22–34
Engines (EPA)
3-cyl 1.0 L · 4-cyl 2.0, 2.3 L · Electric
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2017)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 5,934
  2. Engine and cooling 2,074
  3. Steering 1,606

Toyota Corolla

Model years 2012–2017

NHTSA recall campaigns
9
NHTSA owner complaints
1,540
EPA combined mpg
29–34
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.8 L
Drive (EPA)
FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2017)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Air bags 692
  2. Speed control / acceleration 133
  3. Electrical system 129

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Buick Verano VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Verano

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Red Buick Verano (2012-2017) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Verano was discontinued after 2017, making all remaining examples used inventory with significant age. The VIN sits at the lower driver's windshield, on the door jamb sticker, and on a trunk lid label.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Buick Verano VIN questions

Which Buick Verano model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2013 leads with 107, ahead of the 2012 (106) and 2014 (101). Those first two alone make up 48% of the 440 Verano complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Buick Verano had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 11 vehicle campaigns for model years 2012–2017, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which Buick Verano recalls are high risk?

23V-516 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 16V-595. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the Buick Verano get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2012–2017 Verano at 24–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Buick Verano compare with the Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla on recalls?

For 2012–2017 models the Verano has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Ford Focus has 27, the Toyota Corolla 9. Complaints run 440, 11,768 and 1,540 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Buick Verano have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Verano 5 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated.

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