This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Buick Verano airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2012 Buick Verano have filed 24 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 60,700 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Verano (this page) | 24 |
| 2013 Verano | 15 |
| 2014 Verano | 11 |
| 2015 Verano | 9 |
| 2016 Verano | 14 |
7crashes
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 24 airbags complaints filed for the 2012 Buick Verano, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Buick Verano we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 24.
Airbags accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the front passenger presence sensor to correct a customer concern on a service airbag light illuminated, the service airbag system message on the DIC, passenger airbag status indicator display OFF and DTC B0074 and B0081 set caused by an open or high resistance in the seat pad printed circuit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗23520 Sepecial Coverage - On some vehicles, the Passenger Presence Sensor (PPS) Module wire may have been pinched in the seat trim during seat assembly or servicing. When the fault is active the Passenger Frontal Airbag is suppressed. The Service Airbag System telltale is illuminated, the Service Airbag System message is displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC), and Front Passenger Airbag Status indicator will display OFF. The passenger would not have the benefit of the passenger airbag in the event of a collision if there was an active fault condition present at the time of deploy command.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two core problems with 2012 Verano airbags. First, complete deployment failure during actual crashes: drivers hit parked cars, collided head-on at 30 mph, struck deer at 55 mph, and impacted concrete barriers at 40 mph—yet airbags never fired. One owner struck a pole, spun, damaged both sides, was hospitalized for three days, and the airbags stayed silent. Another swerved to miss a car after hitting a parked vehicle and lay pinned by the seatbelt with no airbag protection. These are not minor fender-benders; they're the scenarios airbags are designed to handle.
Second, the warning light mess. Passenger-side indicators cycle on and off based on seat weight, forcing owners to book dealer visits only to be quoted $1,600–$1,800 for sensor-and-module replacement. Driver-side warnings persist even after dealers perform recall work (campaigns 12V522000 and 13V023000). Owners report "SERVICE AIRBAG" messages that come and go unpredictably, sometimes triggered by putting on a seatbelt, sometimes not. One dealer diagnosed DTC B0081 (passenger presence module malfunction) but the problem recurs. Multiple owners say they were never notified of recalls, and warranty extensions have long expired.
Same Buick Verano airbags reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag Deployment Failure in Crashes
Airbags completely fail to deploy during front-end impacts ranging from low-speed (30 mph) to highway speeds (55+ mph), even with substantial damage requiring towing and hospitalization.
When: Various speeds: 30 mph collision, 40 mph black ice impact, 55 mph deer strike, 65 mph freeway, unknown speed pole strike at 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete absence of airbag deployment during frontal crash; Front-end damage but no airbag activation; No warning indicators illuminated before failure; Smoke/odor detected but airbags did not deploy
Repairs/costs cited: One case involved towing to dealer for inspection; another was deemed total loss; no repairs completed in most cases due to severity or lack of dealer follow-up
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mentioned recall campaigns 12V522000 and 13V023000 for airbags; however, owner communications and recall notifications appear deficient based on multiple complaints
Passenger Airbag Indicator Malfunction — Intermittent On/Off
Passenger airbag warning light cycles on and off unpredictably, or illuminates continuously. Often linked to passenger presence detection module failure. Light behavior changes with passenger weight shift or seatbelt engagement.
When: Starting Summer 2023 in one case; others at unknown mileage up to 124,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag indicator flashing or illuminating intermittently; Light goes off when seatbelt is buckled; Light behavior changes with passenger weight shift; Indicator appears while driving at highway speeds (65 mph reported); Light cycles on/off with vehicle running or parked
Codes mentioned: B0081 (internal malfunction with passenger presence module)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted $1,600–$1,800 for sensor and module replacement; one owner paid $160 diagnostic fee
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty extension existed but had expired; recall campaigns 12V522000 and 13V023000 referenced; some owners advised repairs fall outside warranty coverage due to mileage
Driver Airbag Warning Indicator — Intermittent or Persistent Illumination
Driver-side airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or stays on continuously. Persists even after recall service and dealer visits.
When: 5,000 miles, 90,482 miles, and unknown mileage; one case persisted after recall repairs in 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Driver side airbag warning indicator illuminated at 40 mph; Intermittent illumination during normal driving; Light comes on sporadically and stays on; SERVICE AIRBAG or CHECK AIR BAGS message on dashboard
Repairs/costs cited: One owner quoted $858.35 for repair; dealer gave incorrect information about warranty coverage; repairs not completed in reported cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall services performed under campaigns 12V522000 and 13V023000 did not resolve the issue in at least one case; manufacturer advised outside mileage warranty in another
SERVICE AIRBAG Message — Persistent or Intermittent
Dashboard warning message 'SERVICE AIRBAG' or 'CHECK AIR BAGS' displays intermittently or continuously during operation, indicating a system fault that is not being resolved by dealer visits or recalls.
When: Various mileage; one case at 124,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: SERVICE AIRBAG message appears on dashboard intermittently; Message remains on after vehicle restart; Message coincides with other electrical issues (check engine light, fuel pump concerns); No clear trigger identified by owner
Repairs/costs cited: Repair costs estimated at $1,600–$2,000 for sensor and module work; in one blowout case, customer charged $2,000 for seatbelt sensor after tire failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific manufacturer programs identified in narratives; warranty expired in some cases
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Vehicle displays service airbag message intermittent while driving also does not show airbag is on for passenger
While pulling into my home driveway, when I applied brakes . And the car started to accelerate causing me to hit my other vehicle and then the car proceeded into the side of my house . I just 2 days prior had my car inspected at firestone, I also just had new brakes and rotors replaced less than 5 months prior, also the airbag light came on earlier that day, I was coming home from firestone and…
When im driveing and the passager is sitting next to me the airbag light says its off please have it service . Then it turn on for a couple of sec and it shuts off . Also my fog light nob is like melting around it very weird. Mybe the light it has around the nob is to strong dont know all driving is in the city
I was driving home around 6: 55pm going west on 152 when a car coming n the opposite direction headlights blinded me n I went up on the divider in the middle of the road. I felt that I hit the divider so I came off trying to avoid hitting other vehicles n continued driving out of fear. My on star came on letting me know that they knew I had an accident and checking to see if I was alright. I told…
There was a recall with special policy on the passenger air bag. I want to know why I didn't receive a recall form in the mail. Gm told me that it expired september 2019. I am now having problems with a message on my car stating service air bag. I take to get diagnostic and was told it needed a new module and sensor light which will cost me $1600 that is not a fault of mine, but is a factory…
Had airbags trouble with your 2012 Buick Verano?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2012 Buick Verano?
It's a meaningful issue. 24 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 37,000 and 90,482 miles, with the median around 60,700. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,000; a quarter make it past 90,482. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Buick/Verano.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.