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.
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.