This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Buick Verano engine problems
moderate 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 21 engine complaints filed for the 2013 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
Engine accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 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 engine 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.
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2013 Buick Verano consistently describe two interconnected failure modes: severe oil consumption and unexplained engine stalling. The oil problem emerges early, sometimes within the first 5,000 miles, with owners forced to add oil every 1,500 miles or less instead of the factory-recommended 5,000-mile change intervals. One owner reports needing a quart every 1,400 miles; another adds oil every 40–50 miles later in the vehicle's life. Dealers dismiss clicking and knocking noises as normal engine sound. Oil diagnostics show no leaks, yet oil vanishes, occasionally with metal particles contaminating what remains.
The stalling issue strikes without warning: at stop lights, while turning, or while merging, the engine shuts off. Complete electrical blackout—lights, radio, dash all go dark—occurs in several reports. Restarts happen normally with no check engine light. Dealers run diagnostics and find no codes. One owner's timing chain failed at 91,000 miles after months of heavy oil consumption; another's chain broke at 125,000 miles. Owners cite a Buick Technical Service Bulletin (13-06-01-003H) acknowledging the problem on other Buick models but note Verano owners receive no recall or factory fix. GM technicians, per one dealer call, claimed no knowledge of the issue.
Same Buick Verano engine reports on nearby years: 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption / rapid oil loss
Engine consumes oil far faster than normal, typically 1 quart per 1,000–1,400 miles or worse, forcing owners to top off between scheduled oil changes. Owners report starting with 5,000-mile change intervals and dropping to 1,500 miles or less. At 54,000–100,000 miles, oil level drops dramatically between services. One owner reports 2 liters burning in a week. Root cause cited in narratives involves PCV orifice clogging in intake manifold, forcing oil through valve cover orifice into intake breather and air filter.
When: Develops early in ownership; accelerates with mileage; reported at 54,000 miles, 70,000 miles, 86,000 miles, 90,130 miles, and 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops rapidly between service intervals; No oil on dipstick despite recent oil change; Oil in air filter and throttle body; Clicking noise from engine under load (per dealership normal for model); Engine knocking or pinging; Burning smell
Repairs/costs cited: Buick issued Technical Service Bulletin 13-06-01-003H (dated 2016) describing engine rebuild procedure for excessive oil consumption on similar Buick models with 2.4L engine. Dealers acknowledge problem but no recall issued for Verano. One owner mentions third-party engine replacement at $5,000 with GM buyback program for old motor.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin 13-06-01-003H issued for similar Buick models (not Verano-specific); no recall; dealers instructed owners to monitor and top off oil as needed rather than repair
Stalling / loss of power while driving
Engine shuts off or loses all power without warning while driving at low speeds, accelerating, turning, or coming to a stop. Vehicle restarts normally after engine kill event. Stalling occurs at speeds ranging from idle/stop light to 40–65 MPH. Total electrical loss (lights, radio, instrument panel go dark) reported in several incidents. Multiple occurrences within days or weeks; one owner reports three separate stall events on single road trip.
When: Earliest at 6,700 miles; also reported at 40,000+ miles; timing varies from early ownership to later mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning while driving; Loss of all electrical power (lights, radio, dash go dark); Vehicle coasts to stop; Engine restarts normally after shutdown; No warning lights or check engine light illumination prior to failure; Grinding noise on restart (one owner); Erratic/jerky restart behavior; Occurs in warm weather (85°F noted in two incidents)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce or diagnose failure; no codes generated; fuel pump was replaced in one case without resolving stalling; one independent mechanic diagnosed timing chain failure at 125,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM customer service denied knowledge of any stalling complaints for Verano model; dealers offered no solution beyond monitoring or fuel grade change; no recalls issued
Timing chain failure
Timing chain breaks during normal driving, typically after extended excessive oil consumption. Engine seized or destroyed after timing chain rupture. One owner reports timing chain broke at 91,000 miles (4 months after initial oil burning complaint at 86,000 miles); another at 125,000 miles. Owner states similar recalls exist on other GM makes with same engine.
When: Occurs after prolonged oil consumption issue; reported at 91,000 miles and 125,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Timing chain failure diagnosis by mechanic; Complete engine seizure; Total engine destruction; Unable to restart or run
Repairs/costs cited: Requires engine replacement; one owner reports $5,000 for third-party replacement engine; original engine completely destroyed and not repairable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership and manufacturer acknowledged problem is known and common issue with these GM engines; similar recalls exist on Chevy vehicles with same engine per owner research
Engine metal contamination / catastrophic internal wear
Metal particles found in oil during diagnostic test, indicating internal engine damage and accelerated wear. One owner reports vehicle had metal in oil at 90,130 miles. Metal contamination correlates with excessive oil consumption and can lead to engine shutdown if particles circulate through bearings and critical surfaces.
When: At 90,130 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Metal detected in oil during oil consumption test; Engine shutdown following metal contamination; Low oil warning light does not illuminate despite low oil level
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not repaired by dealer; owner towed back to dealership where contamination was diagnosed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no repair action documented
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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 drove for over 2000 miles and the fuel pump became noisy and that was changed. All was well until dec.1 2014 when driving…
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 car just coasted to a stop. I put the car in park to start it but just got an awful grinding sound. I tried again and it…
Had engine trouble with your 2013 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 engine problem on the 2013 Buick Verano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 21 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 12,400 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,400; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2013/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.