This Buick verano has cascading electrical system problems. While driving at highway speed the engine stopped and would not restart. This left my wife with only a few seconds to steer the car to the shoulder. It was a dangerous situation just past the crest of a bridge. The car was towed to the dealer and we were informed that a frayed wire had shorted out and blew a fuse. Two days later the…
2012 Buick Verano electrical problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 14 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 Buick Verano, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
10/26/15 - car wouldn't start; recv'd jump, replaced battery ($169.40). 11/6/15 - came out of restaurant, car wouldn't start. Got jump took to dealer. Dealer replaced starter and issue resolved. 11/12-11/21: car stalled 8-10 more documented times both when backing out of parking spot in reverse and at vehicle speeds varying from 35mph to 67mph on 5 lane interstate during rush hour. Took to…
The vehicle is unreliable, unpredictable and dangerous to drive, since you do not have any warning or know when and where the engine will die. The engine died while driving 60 MPH on a two lane highway, leaving only a few seconds to steer onto the shoulder. The car would not restart. This was following an earlier electrical system problem four weeks before in which multiple warning lights stayed…
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2012 Buick Verano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 28,000 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 59,831. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,000; a quarter make it past 75,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.