2013 Buick Verano problems
The 2013 Buick Verano has 106 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2013 Buick Verano has 106 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 21 complaints, typically surfacing around 57,764 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Verano | 106 | 0 |
| 2013 Verano (this page) | 106 | 0 |
| 2014 Verano | 101 | 0 |
| 2015 Verano | 58 | 0 |
| 2016 Verano | 59 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Buick Verano 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Buick Verano? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 21 owner reports · tends to show around 57,764 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- electrical — 17 owner reports · tends to show around 49,727 mi · ~$850 to fix
- airbags — 15 owner reports · tends to show around 65,967 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- steering — 14 owner reports · tends to show around 37,807 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 49,727 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2013 Buick Verano
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2013 Buick Verano
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~47,000 misteering~$700
- ~53,500 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~58,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~70,000 miengine~$3,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I was driving through a construction zone when my steering wheel locked up. It surprised me and caused me panic somewhat. The lane was very narrow and started to turn, but my steering wheel did not respond the way it should. It took a lot of effort to turn the wheels. The car…
Airbag system failure and warning constantly on the vehicle. GM knows of the issue but will not offer a recall, instead only an expired special coverage adjustment. The part involved is the passenger present sensor (PPS)module. That reference number is : N15202352 Release date…
I was driving in vernon bc and coming to a stop light when the engine quit. I had to stop put car in park and restart. The problem occured in a parking lot about ten minutes later. I called the dealer and they said if no engine light on there was nothing that could be done. I…
The car had seemed a bit "sluggish" or "draggy" but I thought it was possibly from the cold weather. After about two days of this, we were traveling out of town for thanksgiving. At a stoplight, as I was slowing to a stop, my car just died. The radio and heat went off and the…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Buick Verano reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Buick Verano is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Buick Verano?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Buick Verano does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Buick Verano?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 21 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 57,764 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Buick Verano a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 106 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 57,764 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Buick Verano?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 21 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 57,764 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 57,764 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Buick Verano has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Buick Verano?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 106 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.