Why does my Buick Verano 2.4 rattle and burn oil?

Short answer: On the Verano's 2.4-liter engine, a rattle (often worst at startup) plus oil burning is a warning sign. When the engine burns oil and runs low, the timing chain (which keeps the camshafts in time with the crankshaft) and its plastic guides wear faster. Owners report broken guides and, in one case, a chain that broke and ruined the engine. Keep the oil full and have the chain checked early.

Symptom: A rattle from the front or top of the engine, especially at startup, oil level dropping between changes, and sometimes codes P0016 or P0017.

What to check first

1. Check the oil level now, and every fill-up after that.
2. Have a shop pull the valve cover to look at chain slack and the guides.
3. Read the codes. P0016 or P0017 mean the cam and crank timing don't line up.
4. Don't wait if the rattle is getting louder.

Likely causes

1. Stretched timing chain or broken plastic guide. Buick Forums members say the front plastic guide breaks and the chain loses tension.
2. Oil burning that leaves the engine low. One owner's car was burning oil before the chain rattle started.

What it usually costs

In one Buick Forums thread, a 2012 Regal owner with the same engine was quoted about $7,000. The Verano owner in that thread said Buick offered to pay half of their repair. Prices vary with how much damage there is.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Not for long. If the chain jumps or breaks, the engine can be destroyed and you can lose power while driving. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

Shop. Timing chain work on this engine needs special tools and experience.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• No recall covers the timing chain or oil consumption on the Verano in NHTSA's data.
• NHTSA complaints: 41 keyword-matched complaints for Buick Verano 2012–2017 (of 441 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-17; keywords: timing chain, chain, rattle, p0016, p0017, oil consumption, burning oil, burns oil, low oil).

What owners report

• In 2013 Buick Verano oil consumption leading to a broken timing chain, an owner had oil burning and a rattle at about 86,000 miles; the dealer suspected the piston rings. The chain broke at about 91,000 miles and ruined the engine.
• In Timing chain issues and diagnosis, members explained how to check chain slack and the guides with the valve cover off, and recommended shorter oil change intervals. A DIYer who got the timing two teeth off ended up with P0016 and P0017.

My take

My advice as a former lube tech: on these 2.4s, I always checked the dipstick before draining. If it was a quart or more low at the oil change, I told the owner to start checking it weekly. That habit alone can save the chain.

Vehicle focus: 2012–2017 Buick Verano with the 2.4L four-cylinder.

Safety / mechanic note

A broken timing chain can stop the engine while driving. Verify with a mechanic.