This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Buick Verano electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Buick Verano have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 59,831 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Verano (this page) | 14 |
| 2013 Verano | 17 |
| 2014 Verano | 30 |
| 2015 Verano | 17 |
| 2016 Verano | 12 |
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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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 bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a cascade of electrical gremlins that compounds over time. The core problem is stalling without warning at variable speeds—parking lots to 67 mph on the interstate. No check engine light or warning precedes failure; the engine simply dies. Owners report 8–10 stalls in days, then more weeks or months later. Restarting is usually possible, but it can happen again anywhere.
Underneath, the wiring harness is the culprit. Dealers have found the battery installed over harness sections, cutting wires. Frayed and chafed wires short out and blow fuses. One owner's harness showed melted wire and corrosion. A ground fault in the harness was finally pinpointed after 28 days of diagnostic work by GM engineers and the dealer.
Secondary electrical failures follow: battery drains overnight despite being replaced multiple times (one owner went through four batteries in six years); the radio goes dark; the instrument cluster lights stay on or flicker; transmission control codes light up. The transmission then won't shift into gear or accelerates slowly despite floor throttle.
Repair attempts are lengthy and frustrating. Dealers replace solenoids, computer modules, wiring sections, and coils—then the car stalls again within days. Some owners waited over two weeks for diagnostics, only to have the vehicle returned unresolved. One service manager said he wouldn't let his wife drive the car. Multiple owners refuse delivery of the vehicle and demand loaners instead.
Same Buick Verano electrical reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Stalling while driving
Engine shuts off unexpectedly during operation at varying speeds (35–67 mph), sometimes on highway, sometimes during low-speed maneuvers. No warning given. Car can be restarted but failure is unpredictable and recurring. Multiple owners report 8–10 documented stalling episodes over short timeframes.
When: Occurs from early ownership (11 months, 11,237 miles) through higher mileage (100,000+ miles). Can happen immediately after purchase or years later.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies without warning at various speeds; No prior warning light or symptom before stall; Vehicle can be restarted after failure; Stalling occurs both at highway speeds and in parking lots; Recurring episodes within short intervals
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (MIL), Transmission Control Module code
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacements vary: solenoids, hoses, battery cables, wiring harness sections, computer modules. Some owners report stalling continues even after repairs. Multiple repair attempts over weeks or months without resolution in some cases.
Electrical system wiring faults
Battery installed over wiring harness causing wire damage; frayed or chafed wires shorting out and blowing fuses; ground faults in wiring harness. One owner reports melted wires and corrosion under the hood. Wiring harness portions require replacement but failures recur.
When: Starting at 11 months / 11,237 miles for one owner. Battery drainage issues reported from early ownership onward. Issues persist or return after repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warning lights staying on after start; Transmission will not go into gear; Fused electrical loads causing stalling; Ground faults in harness; Melted or corroded wiring visible; Engine dies after repair appears complete
Codes mentioned: Multiple warning lights illuminated, Transmission Control Module faults
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness replacement, computer module replacement, fuse replacement. One owner required new main computer and four coils. Repairs may take 2–7+ weeks with repeated diagnosis attempts. Second dealership inspection recommended in one case but root cause took 28+ days to identify.
Battery drain and starting failure
Battery drains overnight without apparent load. Vehicle fails to start or requires jump-start. Owners have purchased multiple replacement batteries (up to 4 in 6 years) yet drain recurs. Automatic remote start from key fob reported as triggering battery drain in one case.
When: Battery drain occurs intermittently throughout ownership. One owner had battery replaced at 2 months, then again shortly after. Another owner reports four battery replacements over 6 years.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Requires jump-start to operate; Battery drains overnight without obvious cause; Lights remain on automatically; Remote start feature triggers drain; Battery discharge continues even after replacement
Codes mentioned: Low voltage indicators, Battery drain diagnostic faults
Repairs/costs cited: Owners have replaced batteries at cost of $169.40–$200. Drain persists despite multiple replacements, suggesting an electrical circuit defect rather than battery failure. One owner suspects underlying electrical issue, not the battery itself.
Instrument panel and radio failures
Dashboard lights and radio malfunction or go black. Malfunction Indicator Lamp stays on continuously or intermittently. All warning lights illuminate at once during operation.
When: Can occur early in ownership or after repairs to other electrical systems. Repeats in some cases even after dealer replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Radio screen goes black; Dashboard lights flicker or fail; Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) remains on; All warning lights illuminate simultaneously; Date and time reset after battery work
Codes mentioned: Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), Fuel system not ready, Evaporative system not ready
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced radio and dashboard components twice in one case. MIL clears after driving hundreds of miles in some cases. Inspection failures occur when MIL is on; clears after long test drives.
Transmission shift and acceleration failure
Transmission will not shift into gear or responds slowly. Acceleration does not occur even with full throttle. Transmission shifts unexpectedly during highway driving or jerks when pulling away from stops.
When: Can occur early (reported at 2 months post-purchase) or later in ownership. Recurring and unpredictable.
Symptoms owners cite: Will not shift into Drive gear; Delayed gear engagement after multiple attempts; No acceleration response to pedal input; Jerking and stalling when accelerating from stop; Unintended gear changes during highway driving; Transmission Control Module faults
Codes mentioned: Transmission Control Module code, Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced solenoids in attempt to resolve. Root cause often identified as electrical (wiring harness or module faults) rather than transmission hardware. One owner paid for new battery thinking it was battery issue.
Defrost and climate control failures
Defrost system does not operate when needed. Related to broader electrical issues in some cases.
When: Reported during rainy weather when defrost was required.
Symptoms owners cite: Defrost not working; Occurs during wet weather conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attributed to battery issue and replaced battery ($200) but defrost failure was symptom of electrical problem, not root cause.
OnStar system malfunction causing unintended cruise control
OnStar system activation triggers unintended cruise control engagement at 50 mph or less, running continuously 24/7. Drains battery and contributes to vehicle cutting off.
When: Ongoing after purchase from used dealer.
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control activates unintentionally via OnStar; Runs continuously without driver input; Causes battery drain; Vehicle loses power while driving or fails to start
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer identified as faulty motherboard. Vehicle purchased from CarMax with pre-existing defect.
Key fob detection and keyless entry failure
Vehicle locks up or fails to recognize key presence even when key is in vehicle. 'Key not detected' warning displays. Vehicle can operate without key present, indicating sensor failure.
When: Recurring intermittently.
Symptoms owners cite: Key not detected warning; Vehicle locks unexpectedly; Can drive without key present; Occurs when parked and at other times
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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…
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.