The Lemon Index
20131st generation
Better than average · most complaints: engine
Better years to buy
31 owner complaints, first 3 years 24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Hyundai Veloster 2092012 Hyundai Genesis 1652012 Fiat 500 163
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 35,000 miles (8,000–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 29 complaints, of all 31 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V300000 (airbags), 13V023000 (airbags) and 12V522000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Buick sent dealers 1487 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Reservoir for power steering fluid is heat damaged and leaking”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Buick's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 31 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 34K miles (8K to 56K km) on the car (29 of all 31 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Corrosion and faulty connection to positive cable I have had to replace battery 2 times in the past year. The battery bracket is corroding and the computer. Positive cable terminal
2012 Buick Verano owner · NHTSA complaint 10807324
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 4.6M views · 2012–2017 Buick Verano
Most-watched topics
- Heat, A/C & blend door183K views
How to replace a 2015 Buick Verano cabin air filterAaron Cano · 145K views · 5 videos - Oil changes & service143K views
How To Change Oil 2014 Buick Verano 2.4 Ecotec 2012-2017FixIT · 100K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter122K views
Buick Verano Shifter knob replacement 2014 1 min straight to the point.Taylorb47 · 64K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical115K views
Buick Verano - How to Replace / Remove the Battery (2012-2017)QuiteAlright · 86K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors46K views
2015 Buick Verano Throttlebody ServiceRick Frausto · 30K views · 3 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition37K views
2015 Buick Verano Won't Start...Has Power But Engine Won't Crank...Just Clicks...Fixed...Peter L · 37K views - Fuel pump, filter & tank31K views
2014 Buick Verano fuel pump replacementStanFixCars · 31K views - Oil leaks & gaskets29K views
How to change valve cover gasket on 2012-2018 Buick Verano 2.4LMaster Tech · 29K views
Before you buy, watch
Buick Verano 2012 - 2017 common problems, issues, defects and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 105K views
2013 Dodge Dart vs Buick Verano vs Chrysler 200 0-60 MPH Starter Sedan Mashup ReviewThe Fast Lane Car · 216K views
2015 Buick Verano FWD: A Nice Little Car. Real world review and testGallup Journey Test Drives · 145K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2012 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 1487 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Reservoir for power steering fluid is heat damaged and leaking
- Gmc/chevrolet/buick: transmission pump needs inspecting due to engine cranking but fails to…
- Engineering information- potential bcm replacement due to power door locks inoperative, doors…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
- Airbags · recall issued 2013
The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
- Airbags · recall issued 2012
The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedAir bag non-deployment2013–2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Verano 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Buick Verano year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 5 Buick Verano years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-verano/?y=2012" title="Buick Verano reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/buick-verano/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Buick Verano reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Buick Verano reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 67; 100 is average, lower is better). The Buick Verano year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2015.
What are the most common 2012 Buick Verano problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (29%), electrical (23%) and steering (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Buick Verano have?
3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Buick Verano get?
24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2012 Buick Verano problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 35,000 miles (8,000–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 29 complaints, of all 31 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2012 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2012 Buick Verano have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Buick Verano cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Buick Verano have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Buick Verano year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2015 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works