This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
View on NHTSA →2014 Buick Verano electrical problems
severe 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 30 electrical complaints filed for the 2014 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 electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 30.
Owners have filed 30 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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.
The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them.
View on NHTSA →This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
View on NHTSA →This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
View on NHTSA →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.
View on NHTSA →Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Buick Verano has a pattern of electrical faults that leave owners stranded or in danger. Engine stalls without warning at highway speeds—often at 70 mph or higher—requiring drivers to coast to safety. Several owners accidentally triggered the start/stop button while adjusting radio presets, air vents, or the navigation screen; the button sits directly above radio buttons and requires minimal pressure to shut down the engine while driving. Once the engine cuts off, restarting at highway speed is difficult because the transmission won't shift out of drive without the engine running.
A separate issue: the blind spot radar module in the rear bumper corrodes from road salt and moisture because the housing is poorly sealed and unprotected. When it fails, the entire vehicle can become undrivable, and repairs cost $400–$860. The electronic parking brake has engaged unexpectedly while the car was moving, locking the rear wheels without driver command, and the issue persisted even after module replacement.
Battery drain is common—vehicles sit in garages overnight and won't start, with AAA unable to find the cause. Multiple owners report the battery dying repeatedly. One owner's transmission lost control, shifting gears on its own. Another reported a fire originating at the rear window at 72,000 miles; the vehicle was totaled.
Dealers struggle to diagnose these issues. Owners bring OnStar diagnostic codes to appointments only to be told the dealer needs to run further tests. GM has denied claims and told owners vehicles are out of warranty.
Same Buick Verano electrical reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Engine/key-switch shutdown while driving
Vehicle stalls or shuts off unexpectedly while in motion, often at highway speeds. Multiple reports of engine cuts out randomly or when driver accidentally contacts start/stop button or ignition switch. One report of vehicle turning on and off by itself while parked and while driving.
When: At various speeds (45 mph, 70 mph, 73 mph); random occurrences; some at low mileage (3,800 miles), others at high mileage (92,000–179,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning while driving; Engine shuts off at random intervals; Vehicle turns on and off by itself; Accidental contact with start/stop button causes engine to cut off; Vehicle difficult to restart at speed; must put in neutral or park to restart; Steering and brakes remain functional but power-assisted features may be affected
Codes mentioned: Diagnostic trouble code obtained in one case via OnStar; dealer unable to diagnose in others despite code provided
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs identified in narratives; one owner obtained OnStar diagnostic code but dealer still advised further testing without addressing the code
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM/Chevy refused responsibility in one case; in another case GM informed dealer to diagnose and repair; in another case manufacturer stated vehicle was out of warranty and could not be repaired
Start/stop button placement hazard
Engine start/stop button located directly above radio preset buttons or near navigation controls, making accidental contact easy during normal driving. Button requires minimal pressure to activate and can be triggered by knee bump, hand brush, or air vent adjustment.
When: During normal driving while adjusting radio, air vents, or navigation; while using cruise control
Symptoms owners cite: Inadvertent engine shutdown while pressing radio preset buttons; Engine turns off when reaching for air vent controls; Engine shuts off when knee bumps key chain/button while in cruise control; Engine shutdown while hand reaches for navigation screen
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs mentioned; owners requested safety cover or increased pressure requirement
Electrical system shorts and battery drain
Repeated electrical system failures causing complete power loss while driving or battery drain overnight with no apparent cause. Sensor systems short out intermittently, requiring multiple repairs of the same component.
When: After sitting overnight in garage; while driving at random; repeats within 6 months to 1 year
Symptoms owners cite: Battery completely dead after sitting overnight with no known drain; All electrical power lost while driving; Cannot remove key from ignition when battery dead; Service warning lights illuminate randomly; Door locks cycle up and down without command; All dashboard warning indicators light up simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: AAA jump-start restored function temporarily but issue recurred; wiring underneath vehicle found loose in one case and repaired, but failure recurred two weeks later
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no cause found or known; leasing mechanic repaired loose wiring
Side detection/blind spot radar module corrosion failure
Blind spot radar module located in rear bumper corrodes from road salt and moisture, causing system failures. Module housing is poorly sealed and module location is unprotected from elements. Failures cascade to disable instrument cluster and other vehicle systems.
When: Multiple instances within first year of ownership; repeats in wet, snowy, or salty conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Blind spot warning display appears at startup; Blind spot mirror warning lights fail intermittently; Module corrosion visible upon inspection; Module internals swollen from moisture infiltration; Dashboard gauges report service needed for unrelated systems (airbag, theft deterrent, tire monitor); Entire vehicle becomes undrivable when module fails
Repairs/costs cited: Module replacement quoted at $400–$860 at independent shops; repair shops note module cover is thinly sealed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Similar issue covered by GM bulletin 16-NA-178 for other GM models; GM has not recalled all affected vehicles
Transmission control electrical malfunction
Transmission loses control or does not properly engage gears due to electrical fuse block or control module failure. Vehicle shakes, gears shift on their own, and accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive.
When: At 180,000+ miles; also reported at lower mileage with sudden onset
Symptoms owners cite: Car will not go into gear; Gears shift on their own without driver input; Vehicle shakes violently; Accelerator pedal unresponsive despite foot pressure; Loss of vehicle control on highway
Repairs/costs cited: One owner identified fuse block powering transmission as the cause; one owner's dealer charged $1,000 to replace filters without fixing the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM denied claim after CDR report in one case; no other manufacturer response documented
Electronic parking brake unintended activation
Electronic parking brake engages while vehicle is moving at highway speeds without driver command, causing rear wheels to lock and vehicle to skid to a stop.
When: February 2021 and October 2021; reoccurred after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake activates while vehicle is moving; Rear wheels lock up; Vehicle skids to a stop; Service parking brake light illuminates; Issue reoccurs after parking brake module replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Parking brake module replaced twice at customer cost; issue recurred after second replacement; dealer replacing rear calipers, rotors, and pads at customer cost
Stabilitrak and power loss intermittent faults
Vehicle loses power and shuts off at random times and speeds, with stabilitrak warning light illuminating. Engine restarts on its own. Radio and electrical systems behave erratically.
When: Intermittently at all speeds and driving conditions; regardless of fuel level, outside temperature, or accessory use
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle loses power and engine shuts off; Stabilitrak warning light comes on; Steering locks when engine cuts off; Engine restarts by itself; Radio turns off and on; Occurs at any speed, in town or highway, turning or straight
Rear window electrical fire
Fire originated from rear window area while vehicle was in motion. Cause not determined but electrical failure suspected.
When: At 72,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke visible from rear of vehicle; Fire originating from rear window area; Fire grew too large to control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was totaled; fire department extinguished fire
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer did not assist because vehicle was turned over to insurance
Toxic fumes/burnt oil smell and chemical exposure
Heavy burnt oil smell and taste detected in cabin on new vehicle within first 5 miles of driving. Owner and children experienced tingling in lips and chin, suggesting possible toxic chemical exposure.
When: Within first 5 miles of delivery on new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy burnt oil smell and taste in cabin; Owner's left upper lip and chin tingling; Children felt sick; Heavy taste and smell persisted hours after driving; Vehicle hesitant at 20 mph, feeling like stalling at 40 mph
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM and Chevy fully aware of defect but refused to accept responsibility, per owner; owner requested total recall
Forward collision sensor malfunction
Forward collision warning sensor fails to work sporadically at early mileage, limiting collision avoidance capability.
When: At 3,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Forward collision sensor fails intermittently at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Technician unable to diagnose failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated vehicle was working up to specifications
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Tl* the contact leases a 2014 Buick verano. While driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and was able to drive, but the failure recurred. In addition, all the warning indicators randomly illuminated and all the door locks went up and down. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the leasing mechanic who diagnosed that the wiring underneath…
The car stalls in traffic and the air conditioning will stop working and remote start doesn't work although I have paid for it to be fixed. You can just be driving along the car will stop and not start. It has stalled 6 times in mid traffic putting my life and my children's life in danger we almost was hit by other cars on the highway because the car stopped suddenly. I had the car towed to the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Buick verano. While the vehicle was parked, it would turn on and off by itself. The failure also occurred while driving 45 MPH. When the contact was attempting to return home, the vehicle cut off in the middle of the road. The contact had to wait fifteen minutes to restart it and drive home. The dealer (ray laethem Buick GMC, 17677 mack ave, detroit, mi 48224, (313)…
Car is having transmission issues. Car doesn't know what gear it's in. Very similar issues to the recall that is saying my car isn't affected. Doors are trying to lock and unlocking by themselves. Stalling and shuts off while driving
Electrical problems- vehicle shuts down on its own. At random! When I am able to bring it back up the problem no longer exist and can't be traced. At random my services lights pops on and off!. Emergency parking breaks locks on their own and I can't drive the car properly. Gears shift on their own which caused damage to the windshield and body.! I was driving when the gears shifted. The vehicle…
Purchased this vehicle january 2015. At this time I now have 73000 miles on it. While driving the wrench and lightening bolt flashes on and off really fast multiple times and the car began to jerk. It only lasts a few seconds but now it keeps doing it and im scared it will cause an accident. I took it to my local Buick dealership and they said no codes were found, but my battery test failed…
The dash warning light indicated the blind spot warning system needs service. The passenger side warning light on the side view mirror stopped working. Subsequent internet searches indicated that the bumper module has gone bad. No response from the dealership yet. Other repair shops have quoted $400 to $860 to repair. This is a safety issue.
February 2021 Electronic parking brake activated while vehicle moving without being activated. Vehicle slid to a stop. This is a major safety issue for both the driver and other vehicles on the road as the vehicle is braking on its own and locking the rear wheels. Service parking brake light illuminated. Vehicle was brought to Jim Curley Buick GMC in Lakewood, Nj. Parking brake module was…
Had electrical trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Buick Verano?
It's a meaningful issue. 30 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 15,600 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,600; a quarter make it past 90,000. 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/2014/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.