This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Buick Verano powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 Buick Verano have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Verano | 5 |
| 2013 Verano | 11 |
| 2014 Verano (this page) | 13 |
| 2015 Verano | 4 |
| 2016 Verano | 6 |
When does it fail?
Of the 13 powertrain 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 powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 13.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 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 powertrain 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 provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30, 6T35, 6T40, 6T45, and 6T50 Transmissions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Verano has multiple serious powertrain and control issues. The pushbutton start/stop is poorly positioned next to the center vent; drivers accidentally shut off the engine during normal operation, sometimes at highway speeds with no safe restart procedure.
Shift mechanism plastic buttons crack and detach at low mileage (30,000–70,000 miles), leaving the vehicle stuck in drive or unable to shift into park. One owner's shift cable physically disengaged from the transmission lever, making the car undrivable.
Several owners report sudden transmission control module dropout paired with body control module failures. When these occur, the car lurches, transmission locks and won't shift, door locks cycle uncontrollably, warning lights flood the dashboard (Service Power Steering, Service StabiliTrak, Brake System Warning), and the backup camera fails. Restart clears it temporarily, but the problem recurs—sometimes every 1–2 weeks. One dealer found low voltage and communication codes across modules but couldn't replicate or fix the issue.
Additional failures include hesitation on acceleration, stalling on stopping or in reverse, excessive oil consumption (not addressed via TSB), transmission vibration, A/C failure, steering wheel lock release, and steering column shaft issues. The frequency and variety of electrical/control module dropout complaints suggest a systemic electrical or grounding problem rather than isolated part failures.
Same Buick Verano powertrain reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Accidental engine shutdown via start/stop button
The pushbutton start/stop control, positioned next to the center vent, is too easily touched during normal operation. Owners report accidentally turning off the engine while driving at highway speeds, with no safe restart procedure available without stopping the vehicle completely.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning; Tachometer falls to zero; A/C turns off; Engine will not restart when pressing start button in neutral at highway speed
Sudden loss of transmission control and multiple module failures
Vehicle experiences sudden lurching, transmission refusal to shift, and catastrophic electrical/control module dropout. Transmission control module loses communication; body control module incorrectly reports vehicle in park, triggering door locks to cycle repeatedly. Multiple warning lights and chimes activate. Restart clears the condition temporarily, but it recurs frequently.
When: From 148,467 miles onward; occurrences clustered over 1-2 months
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden lurch like downshifting; Transmission will not shift; Tachometer reads excessively high; All four door locks unlock and lock repeatedly; Vehicle chimes sound off; Service Power Steering message; Service StabiliTrak message; Service Parking Assist message; Malfunction Indicator Lamp on; Brake System Warning light on; Backup camera fails to display picture; Remote FOB-started vehicle shuts off within 3 seconds; Speed limited to below 60 mph
Codes mentioned: Low voltage codes, Communication codes across multiple modules
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer cleared codes; could not replicate problem
Excessive oil consumption
Engine consumes oil abnormally. Owner reports multiple class action lawsuits and online forums documenting the same issue across 2014 Verano models. No TSB issued by manufacturer. Contributes to unnecessary wear and tear and costly repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal oil level drop
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple costly repairs
Shift knob failure to engage desired gear
Plastic shift button fractured, cracked, and detached. Gear selector fails to engage the intended gear. Components inside the shift mechanism break completely. Vehicle cannot shift into park or cannot shift out of drive.
When: 30,000–70,000 miles; one report at 59,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Shift button does not engage selected gear; Plastic button fractured and detached; Shift component cracked and fell off; Vehicle will not shift into park; Vehicle will only stay in drive; Cannot remove key from ignition
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships reported that replacement part not covered under warranty; entire gearbox replacement quoted; shaft replacement attempted with added screw as temporary fix
Shift cable disengagement
Shift cable physically disengages from the transmission shift lever, rendering the vehicle unable to shift gears and making it undrivable.
When: Early in ownership (within first year)
Symptoms owners cite: Shift cable disengaged from transmission shift lever; Vehicle cannot shift gears; Vehicle undrivable
Hesitation and loss of power during acceleration
Vehicle hesitates or loses power when driver presses accelerator. Engine has no power or minimal momentum. Transmission control module randomly loses communication; body control module incorrectly registers vehicle as in park, causing uncontrolled door locking/unlocking and jerking. Issue recurs every 1–2 weeks and is progressively worsening.
When: Summer 2023 onward; frequency increasing
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation when accelerating; No power or minimal momentum on gas pedal; Transmission control module loses communication; Body control module incorrectly registers park status; Doors lock and unlock multiple times; Vehicle jerks uncontrollably
Engine stalls on stopping or shifting to reverse
Engine stops when vehicle comes to a stop or when shifted into reverse. Check engine light activates.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls when stopping; Engine stalls in reverse; Check engine light on
Transmission vibration with StabiliTrak warning and A/C failure
Transmission vibrates excessively. StabiliTrak warning activates. Air conditioning stops working. Backup camera malfunction.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission vibration; StabiliTrak warning activated; Air conditioning inoperable; Backup camera malfunction
Steering wheel lock release and column shaft failure
Steering wheel lock mechanism releases unexpectedly during driving and will not re-engage. Column shaft fractured or requires replacement.
When: Around 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel lock releases; Lock will not re-engage; Steering wheel does not stay in position
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended shaft replacement; instead added a screw to keep wheel in place; repair not completed
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
My car stops everytime I stop or when I put it in reverse and my check engine light it on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Buick verano. The contact stated that the plastic button to shift gears fractured and became detached. The failure made it impossible to shift gears. The contact called Acura of augusta (1760 gordon hwy, augusta, ga 30904, (706) 737-5200) and was informed that the part was not covered under warranty and the entire gear box needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had…
When pulling up to park my car the release button on automatic stick shift popped out making it impossible to put in park. Would only stay in drive. Had to turn tires into street curb so car wouldn't roll away.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2014 Buick Verano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 49,529 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.