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 steering problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Buick Verano we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 14.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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 service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
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 provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at 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 serious electrical problem that kills power steering while you're driving. Owners describe the engine shutting down completely at highway speeds or power steering just dropping out mid-turn—radio going dark, dashboard lights flickering, the whole electrical system fading in and out. One owner lost all power at 23 mph and had to wrestle the locked steering wheel to the curb. Another lost steering boost multiple times on the freeway in a single month.
The frustration: dealers run diagnostics, find nothing, and tell owners they cannot replicate the failure. One independent shop diagnosed a body control module failure. Owners have replaced batteries and alternators—both tested fine—with no fix. A few report getting jumpstarted daily just to drive the car.
There's also a right front wheel vibration complaint, felt in the steering wheel during acceleration from stops, that one technician suspected came from the CV axle but could not confirm after four days in the shop.
The steering power loss is dangerous. It forces owners to manually crank the wheel at highway speeds and makes stopping unpredictable. One owner had to cease driving immediately. Another reports it has happened over six times in less than a month. No recalls or technical service bulletins are cited in any narrative.
Same Buick Verano steering reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Electrical system shutdown / loss of power steering
Engine stalls or vehicle loses all electrical power while driving, causing steering wheel to lock and power steering to cut out. Multiple owners report the vehicle shutting down completely, with battery and alternator testing normal. Appears linked to body control module (BCM) or electrical distribution faults.
When: While driving, most commonly during turns or acceleration; can occur on short or long trips, highway or city driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down or stalls while driving; Steering wheel locks up; Power steering loss; Radio shuts off; Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate; Vehicle requires battery jump-start to restart; Keys stick in ignition; All electrical systems cut out simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: One independent mechanic diagnosed body control module (BCM) failure; vehicle was not repaired by owner. Battery tested normal (100%). Alternator replaced by another owner with no resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported case filed with manufacturer; no recalls or TSBs mentioned
Power steering electrical intermittent loss
Power steering assistance cuts out intermittently without full engine shutdown, often accompanied by electrical anomalies like radio flickering, dashboard light dimming, and AC blower dropout. Multiple owners report losing power steering for several seconds to minutes, then power returning.
When: While driving, including highway at high speeds; occurs multiple times per month; on some vehicles within first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering loses electrical boost temporarily; Radio screen goes black or cycles through functions; Dashboard lights flicker or dim; AC blower stops or reduces output; Headlights dim; Power steering warning light illuminates; Increased steering effort required; Cannot steer safely
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced battery and alternator; shops unable to identify root cause despite diagnostics. Dealers unable to replicate issue.
Front right wheel vibration / wobble in steering
Front right wheel or steering wheel vibrates or wobbles when accelerating gradually from a stop, especially during right turns. Tremor felt in driver's seat and steering wheel. Worsens progressively over thousands of miles.
When: During gradual acceleration from stop into right turn; worse over time (progressively worsened over 5000 miles on one vehicle)
Symptoms owners cite: Front right wheel wobbles; Tremor felt in steering wheel; Tremor felt in driver's seat; Vibration during slow acceleration into turns
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's technician felt tremor but could not identify cause; suspected right CV axle. Vehicle spent four days in shop with no resolution.
Power steering locking during operation
Power steering can lock up while vehicle is being driven, particularly when turning, requiring excessive manual force to maneuver. Can occur at highway speeds and poses immediate safety hazard.
When: While turning, especially on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering locks up; Requires excessive steering effort; Power steering warning light on; Especially dangerous at highway speeds
Transmission and engine power loss
Vehicle jerks and loses power while driving uphill, eventually unable to move forward and only moving in reverse. Relates to steering component complaints due to concurrent electrical system issues.
When: While driving uphill; relates to electrical system faults affecting overall vehicle control
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerks while driving uphill; Power loss while accelerating; Speed drops to 25 mph uphill; Cannot drive forward, only reverse; Service power steering warning
Codes mentioned: Transmission module (possible, unconfirmed)
Repairs/costs cited: Tested at two independent shops; possible transmission module code identified but not confirmed. Owner could not afford repair.
Stalling with power steering and airbag warnings
Engine stalls while driving and power steering warning illuminates. Vehicle speed drops severely and performance degrades. Service airbag warning also appears alongside power steering issues.
When: While driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls; Service power steering warning; Service airbag warning; Speed drops to 20 mph; Vehicle slow to accelerate after stall
Power steering sensor warning and stability control issues
Power steering and stability control warning lights illuminate on dashboard, indicating sensor or control system malfunction.
When: Unknown timing
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering sensor warning light on; Stability Trak warning light on
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Verano. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering failed to function as intended. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle to reset the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the vehicle had…
I would be driving then radio would blink off and the steering would lose power but the car does not shut off. Radio will come back on and then able to steer again. Ac blower is stop or get low. Lights will blink dim on dash and headlights.I took it to the shop and they can’t find the problem. The car shop googled this and a lot of Buick Veranos have this same problem but can’t find a solution. I…
I've only had the vehicle a year some change. Parking break light comes when I turn the car off and goes away once I put it drive or reverse. Power steering locks on me when turning especially on the highway which is so dangerous. Also so many electrical problems with the computer in the vehicle that cause the door to lock and unlock on its own when I try to put on my fog lights the engine may…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2014 Buick Verano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 82,067 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.