This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Buick Verano airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Buick Verano have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Verano | 24 |
| 2013 Verano | 15 |
| 2014 Verano | 11 |
| 2015 Verano | 9 |
| 2016 Verano (this page) | 14 |
1crash
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 14 airbags complaints filed for the 2016 Buick Verano, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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
Among the 5 model years of Buick Verano in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Airbags accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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 technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the front passenger presence sensor to correct a customer concern on a service airbag light illuminated, the service airbag system message on the DIC, passenger airbag status indicator display OFF and DTC B0074 and B0081 set caused by an open or high resistance in the seat pad printed circuit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗23520 Sepecial Coverage - On some vehicles, the Passenger Presence Sensor (PPS) Module wire may have been pinched in the seat trim during seat assembly or servicing. When the fault is active the Passenger Frontal Airbag is suppressed. The Service Airbag System telltale is illuminated, the Service Airbag System message is displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC), and Front Passenger Airbag Status indicator will display OFF. The passenger would not have the benefit of the passenger airbag in the event of a collision if there was an active fault condition present at the time of deploy command.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ON LOCATING AND RECONNECTING AIRBAG CONNECTORS THAT ARE NOT FULLY SEATED TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED, OR ONE, OR MORE, AIRBAG DTC(S) SET.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The core complaint across these 14 narratives is a faulty passenger presence sensor that can't reliably detect whether someone is sitting in the front passenger seat. Owners describe the "Service Air Bag" and "Air Bag Off" lights toggling unpredictably, sometimes staying off even with a passenger present—a state that disables airbag protection in a crash.
Buick issued a Special Coverage Adjustment (Reference N15202352) for the PPS module, but owners who bought these vehicles used report never receiving the notification letter. That matters because it left them unaware of a known defect and on the hook for repair costs when the problem emerged—dealers quoted $1,720 for the fix.
Repair attempts at multiple dealerships have failed to resolve the issue permanently in several cases. One owner reported two different mechanics unable to fix it; another took the vehicle back multiple times without success.
Most critically, one owner reported both front airbags failed to deploy in a serious frontal crash at low speed, destroying the vehicle and injuring both occupants. That same owner notes Buick's own December 2016 letter acknowledged only the passenger airbag needed service—evidence the manufacturer knew about the defect beforehand.
A secondary complaint involves driver-side service light activation that persists despite module replacement, and reports of constant on-off cycling that creates obvious safety concerns while driving.
Same Buick Verano airbags reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger Presence Sensor (PPS) Malfunction
The passenger-side presence sensor fails to correctly detect occupancy, causing the airbag to toggle on and off unpredictably or remain off when a passenger is seated. Owners report the 'Service Air Bag' and 'Air Bag Off' warning lights illuminate intermittently. Multiple owners cite Buick's Special Coverage Adjustment notice for the PPS module but state they never received notification.
When: 42,000 to 134,700 miles; some owners report onset shortly after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Service Air Bag warning light illuminates; Air Bag Off message displayed; Passenger airbag on/off cycles unpredictably when passenger seated; Airbag fails to illuminate status light when passenger present; Intermittent malfunction correlates with hot, humid weather in at least one case
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer repair estimates cited as $1,720 for sensor replacement; owners report multiple dealer visits without resolution in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Buick issued Special Coverage Adjustment notice Reference N15202352 for Passenger Presence Sensor (PPS) Module; notice was mailed to registered owners but not received by used-car buyers; owners state coverage should apply to all affected vehicles regardless of notice receipt
Driver-Side Airbag Service Light Malfunction
Service airbag warning light activates on the driver side despite all modules being new and properly installed. No clear trigger or resolution identified despite multiple diagnostic attempts.
When: Not specified in narratives
Symptoms owners cite: Service Air Bag light illuminates on driver side; Light persists despite replacement of all modules
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports all modules are new and unmodified; persistent despite replacement
Airbag System Constant Cycling
Airbag system toggles on and off repeatedly within minutes, creating a safety hazard. Behavior occurs both at rest and while driving.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags cycle on and off multiple times within minutes; Occurs while vehicle stationary and in motion
Airbag Non-Deployment in Crash
In at least one documented crash, neither front airbag deployed despite the vehicle being completely destroyed and both occupants injured. Owner indicates a Buick letter from December 2016 claimed only the passenger airbag needed service, implying prior awareness of a defect.
When: At impact (specific mileage not stated); vehicle fully destroyed
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side airbag failed to deploy in frontal crash; Passenger-side airbag failed to deploy in frontal crash; Both occupants sustained injuries
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Buick letter dated December 2016 addressed only passenger-side airbag repair, suggesting limited scope of acknowledged defect
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
With regard to my complaint # 11040554 filed on line last month. Please be advised that so far no serious action have been taken to fix the problem in spite as per the gm adviser mr craig to check the car with two different Buick dealer mechanics who failed to address the problem to fix it. The problem still exist and the danger of the pass whatever he/she ia a boy or adult cannot be avoidable…
Pass air bag light was off most the time when a pass is there. Reported the problem two times to gm dealer near to me. But the dealer was unable to fix it. Call gm and reported it, with a case # [xxx] on 10/26/17, without any response till now. Please advise me about situation. Thanks VIN# [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).…
Buick issued a Special Coverage Adjustment notice for the passenger prescence sensor Reference Number: N15202352 Letter was sent to all customers, I did not ever receive it. I recently started experiencing error messages with my airbags. Upon taking it to the dealer, the airbag sensor issue is related to the notice listed above. Because I never received the notice, I wasn't on alert for…
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Verano. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side seat sensor failed to detect a passenger in the seat. The “Air Bag Off” and “Service Air Bag” messages were displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to Special Coverage…
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 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 airbags problem on the 2016 Buick Verano?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 63,857 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2016/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.