VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Buick Verano2012–2017
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Buick Verano
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Buick Verano Years to Avoid
4 recalls · 89 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 recall · 87 complaints
Top issue: ENGINE
2 recalls · 77 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Buick Verano — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 10 | — | — | 90 | 70 | 83 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 0 | 56 | 2 | — | 69 | 63 | 67 | Caution |
| 2015 | 0 | 38 | 1 | — | 70 | 56 | 65 | Caution |
| 2014 | 4 | 89 | 3 | — | 49 | 50 | 49 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 1 | 87 | — | — | 65 | 45 | 58 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 2 | 77 | 2 | — | 59 | 41 | 53 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Buick Verano Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Verano compares — best year within each era shown.
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 83).
Pre-2013
Older Verano models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Verano to buy?+
The 2017 Buick Verano scores highest on our Buyer Score (83/100) — combining a reliability score of 90/100 with a value score of 70/100. It has 0 recalls and 10 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Verano years have the most problems?+
The 2014, 2013, 2012 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2014 Verano leads with 4 recalls and 89 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Verano problems?+
The most frequently reported Buick Verano issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, AIR BAGS, STEERING. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.