2005 Buick Rainier

Routine

Owners filed 103 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 1 time.

Not among the Buick Rainier years to avoid. Which Buick Rainier years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
68,000 milesMedian miles at failure

82 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 2005 Buick Rainier problems

31 of the 103 complaints (30%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System25
010
Fuel System, Gasoline · fuel system16
000
Exterior Lighting · headlights7
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel6
000
Suspension5
001
Air Bags · airbags5
301
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration3
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc) · stability control3
000
Tires2
000
Steering2
010

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Visibility › Windshield05V035000
Filed Feb 3, 200517,815 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING.' THE WINDSHIELD URETHANE BEAD MAY NOT HAVE ADHERED TO THE BODY IN CERTAIN AREAS DURING THE CURE PROCESS.

Risk. IF A CRASH OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

All 1 campaign on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jul 22, 2023OH

My 16 year old son was making a left hand turn out of a school onto a road with no curve, no hole, no accident but the 4 side air bags deployed for no reason. He was OK and pulled over for safety and got a ride home. We had it towed home and contacted gmac buick and they had it towed to a dealership and had a diagnostic test ran and found no reason for them to deploy but they said the car had been altered because we had put subs and a radio in it through a lisc. Professional but that makes them not liable for anything that would happen. They said putting a radio in can cause the bags to deploy or brakes to fail and it is in their manual and they are not liable for any problem if we alter the car in any way. If this is the case anyone with an aftermarket radio should be warned that their child car anyone can be killed and it will. E no one's fault. I am out a car because insurance said they don't cover it because it wasn't an accident and GMAC says it happens not uncommonly but that they will not help in any way. They told me I was not allowed to talk abijt this to anyone. They read me a statement on the phone which said I can not talk outside of GMAC. They don't want people knowing this is happening. People need to be aware that bags can randomly deploy and if he was in the interstate he could have been killed. I am terrified to get in it and drive. Why do people not know this can happen. Why is gmac not doing anything or putting out psas saying people could die if they out s

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Dec 15, 2022107,000 milesOH

The contact owns a 2005 Buick Rainier. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front windshield wipers and wiper fluid spray activated independently and failed to turn off. The contact also stated that occasionally the headlights would inadvertently turn off; requiring the vehicle to be restarted before the vehicle regained headlight functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced the headlight failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V519000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 1, 2020MI

POWER STEERING LEAKS, THE GAS GAUGE AND OTHER GAUGES DON'T WORK, MOST THE ELECTRICAL DON'T WORK INSIDE THE CAR, MAKES A WEIRD NOISE WHEN IT BACKS UP AND THE ENGINE REVS WHEN IT'S STARTS AND SOMETIMES WHEN IT DRIVES AND GOES FASTER EVEN WHEN YOU ARE NOT HITTING THE GAS

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 1, 2020MI

POWER STEERING LEAKS, THE GAS GAUGE AND OTHER GAUGES DON'T WORK, MOST THE ELECTRICAL DON'T WORK INSIDE THE CAR, MAKES A WEIRD NOISE WHEN IT BACKS UP AND THE ENGINE REVS WHEN IT'S STARTS AND SOMETIMES WHEN IT DRIVES AND GOES FASTER EVEN WHEN YOU ARE NOT HITTING THE GAS, THE GAS TANK BLOWS OUT GAS WHEN WE ARE PUMPING GAS LIKE IT'S FULL BUT IT'S NOT, THE WINDOW CRACKED FROM A LITTLE PEDDLE AND THE WHEELS AND HUBS GO BAD REALLY FAST.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Sep 20, 201890,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR COULD NOT BE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE DRIVER'S DOOR MODULE HIMSELF AND WAS ABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S DOOR WITH THE KEY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V406000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 8-4645434013. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 18, 2018130,000 milesMA

ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE COMMUNICATION. LOUD BANGING, AWD LIGHT CAME ON, CODE SHOWED THE ABOUT REASON. (ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE COMMUNICATION)

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 15, 20173 milesWI

I"VE HAD PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM IN THIS BUICK SINCE 2103. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO LYNCH DEALER SHIP AND COMPLAINING ABOUT SAME NOISE NO RESOLUTION AS OF YET. I'VE FIXED FUEL GAUGE, BOTH TIE RODS, SWAG BAR, WHEEL BEARING, BRAKES, ROTOR BLOWER, ON AND ON SPENT ALREADY $ 7,000 TO FIX IT. . NOW THE MECHANIC SAYS "OH", MAYBE ITS THE DIFFERENTIAL WHICH WILL COST $3200. BUT MAYBE! FOR THOSE WANTING TO GET A BUICK RAINIER PLEASE DONT AS YOU WILL NOT STOP FIXING IT!!! PIECE OF JUNK! THIS DIFFERENTIAL COULD HAVE CAUSED MY LIFE AND SOMEONE ELSE'S. I WAS DRIVING IT ON 12/14/17 HEARD A LOUD POUNDING NOISE TROUBLE TURNING TO RIGHT SIDE AND BRAKING. WHEN I WANTED TO BREAK TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 18, 2017168,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE LAST NIGHT AT ABOUT 70 MPH MY LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OFF PLUNGING THE ROAD AHEAD OF ME INTO PITCH BLACK DARKNESS. FULL BEAM AND DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS WERE STILL FUNCTIONING, MANAGED TO SAFELY PULL OF TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE, AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO USE MY CELL PHONE TO DETERMINE THAT THE SOLID STATE HEADLIGHT RELAY HAD FAILED. LUCKILY THERE IS A SIMILAR RELAY LOCATED IN THE FUSE BOX THAT CONTROLS THE ENGINE FAN THAT I WAS ABLE TO UTILIZE AND CONTINUE ON MY JOURNEY. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS WAS A VERY UNNERVING/SCARY EXPERIENCE AND CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE FOR A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT GM THOUGHT THAT A SYSTEM THAT COULD AFFECT BOTH HEADLIGHT SIMULTANEOUSLY IN THIS WAY WAS REMOTELY EVEN A GOOD IDEA?!

Steering
Filed Oct 17, 2017162,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND MADE THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. ALSO, A WHINING TYPE NOISE WAS PRESENT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 5, 201753,800 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO MORE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (MODERN CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 5955 UNIVERSITY PKWY WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA 27105) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOW BEAM MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NHTSA DETERMINED WHICH VEHICLES TO INCLUDE IN RECALLS AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,800. UPDATED 09/01/17*LJ *CN

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 2, 201719,600 milesSC

THE LIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 7, 201682,500 milesNV

THE DRIVERS DOOR MASTER POWER SWITCH SHORTS OUT - CANNOT ROLL DOWN WINDOWS (OF ANY KIND), LIGHTS FLICKER AND GO OUT COMPLETELY MY HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF COMPLETELY WHILE IM DRIVING!!!!! AND HAS CAUSED ME TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER WITH NO LIGHTS, NO VISION TO TURN THEM ON MANUALLY!!! UNACCEPTABLE!!

Electrical System
Filed Jul 29, 201676,000 milesAK

FUEL GAUGE IS ERRADIC. IT BOUNCES FROM FULL TO EMPTY.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 28, 2016160,000 milesMS

MY 2005 BUICK RAINER SPEED METER STOP WORKING ALSO MY FUEL GAGE, OIL GAGE, RPM GAGE AND TEMP GAGES ALL HAVE STOP WORKING CORRECTLY.

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 6, 2016166,000 milesMO

OUR LOW BEAM LIGHTS QUIT WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK ON AT OTHER TIMES THEY DO NOT AND YOU HAVE TO HIT THE HIGH BEAMS OR EVEN THE FOG LIGHTS. NOT A GOOD THING TO HAPPEN. CAR IS ALWAYS IN MOTION AT NIGHT WHEN FAILURE HAPPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. NOT SURE HOW MANY TIMES. NOT ALWAYS NOTICEABLE DEPENDING ON IF YOU ARE IN CITY LIGHTING OR IN COUNTRY. DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS, HIGH BEAMS AND FOG LIGHTS SEEM TO WORK BUT NOT LOW BEAMS.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 15, 2016MI

OUR 2005 BUICK RAINIER STARTED ACTING UP THIS PAST SUMMER WHEN THE BLOWER STAYED ON WHEN CAR SHUT OFF..NOW WHEN WE TURN ON THE HEATER ON THE CAR HESITATES AND STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING! THE VOLT GAUGE IS MAXED OUT...THE PASSENGER WINDOW DOESN'T WORK NOW? NOW THE BLOWER DOESN'T WORK UNLESS I FOOL WITH WIRES IN THE GLOVEBOX GOING TO SOME BLACK BOX? I ALSO NOTICED FRONT HEADLIGHT ALWAYS FLICKERS WHEN DRIVING ..EVEN REPLACED BULB! ALWAYS DIMMER?? NOW WE SMELL WIRES BURNING FROM SOMEWHERE..SO MANY PROBLEMS !! OVER 100;000 MILES ON IT....

Electrical System
Filed Dec 8, 2015146,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND DISPLAYED 120 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 146,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2015MO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 14, 2015100,000 milesTN

MY SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. SOME TIMES IT SEEMS TO READ RIGHT, BUT LOTS OF TIMES IT WILL SAY I AM DOING 120 WHEN I AM DOING 30 MPH OR IT WILL SHOW I AM DOING 0 WHEN I AM ACTUALLY DOING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. I CANNOT RELY ON MY SPEEDOMETER TO BE ACCURATE. I CAN BE DRIVING, IT APPEARS TO BE WORKING BUT THEN IT STARTS TO SLOWLY GO DOWN UNTIL IT IS BACK AT ZERO AND ALL THE WHILE I AM IN DRIVE AND MOVING. ALSO, MY OIL GAGE HAS STOPPED WORKING. IT MOVES WHEN I START MY CAR AND SHUT IT OFF, BUT IT IS NEVER CORRECT EITHER. IT IS EITHER AT ZERO OR ON THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE SIDE. SOMETIMES MY CAR STALLS WHEN I AM SITTING AT A LIGHT OR DRIVING SLOWLY. MY DASH WILL SAY, OIL PRESSURE LOW, STOP ENGINE AND DIE ON ME. I KEEP MY OIL CHANGED REGULARLY AND KEEP THE LEVELS CHECKED. IT DOES NOT LEAK, IT ALWAYS MEASURES FINE WHEN I CHECK IT. SO SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE OIL GAGE AND IT IS CONTINUOUSLY TELLING MY COMPUTER THE OIL PRESSURE IS LOW CAUSING MY CAR TO DIE ON ME WHILE DRIVING OR IN TRAFFIC. THESE ARE BOTH VERY SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARDS. I COULD GO TO PULL OUT LEFT AND TURN, MY CAR COULD DIE ON ME, AND I COULD GET HIT FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED, BUT IT IS A POSSIBLE SCENARIO DUE TO MY CAR STALLING OUT OF THE BLUE BECAUSE OF THE OIL GAGE/SENSOR NOT WORKING RIGHT. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED SOME OF MY LIGHTS IN MY DASH AREA HALF WORK AND ON MY DOORS. OTHER THAN THIS, I HAVE HAD GREAT LUCK WITH MY VEHICLE. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND REALLY HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS BUT WIT

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 5, 2015165 milesTX

THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED COMPLETELY SHUTTING DOWN WITH NO ENGINE LIGHT ON. THIS CAR DRIVING ON HWY SHUTS OFF NO WARNING

Power Train
Filed Oct 5, 2015TX

CAR SHUTS DOWN WITH NO WARNING , HAD 1500 DOLLAR POWER TRAIN WORK . THE CAR ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE KILLED DUE TO CAR RUNNING NO ENGINE LIGHT AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AS IF YOU TURNED THE OFF. HWY 287 GOING 65

Electrical System
Filed Sep 21, 201552,600 milesFL

ON THE EVENING OF 9/5/2015 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 BUICK RAINIER WHEN THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A SAFE LOCATION USING MY HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS. WHEN INSPECTED BY MY LOCAL BUICK DEALER (FERMAN BUICK) IT WAS FOUND THAT RELAY 46 (HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE) HAD BURNED UP AND DAMAGED ADDITIONAL FUSES AND RELAYS. THE ENTIRE FUSE BOX HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE DAMAGE. THIS CASE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO GM (#8-1567980379). GM CURRENTLY HAS MULTIPLE YEARS OF BUICK RAINIER UNDER RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, SO I'M HOPING THEY EXPAND THE RECALL TO COVER 2005.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 10, 2015GA

WHILE DRIVING MY SPEEDOMETER WILL READ 120MPH WHEN IN FACT I'M ONLY DOING 65MPH. IT'LL STAY STUCK AT 60 AND 120MPH WHEN THE TRUCK IS TURNED OFF. I HAVE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND ON TO RESET IT BACK TO 0. ONE DAY IT WORKS FINE, NEXT DAY IT'S READING INCORRECTLY. MY OIL GAUGE JUST STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. MY HEADLIGHTS ALSO FLICKER WHILE I'M DRIVING.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 10, 2015GA

MY SPEEDOMETER IS NOT SHOWING THE ACCURATE SPEED. THE NEEDLE SHOOTS TO 100-120MPH, WHEN I AM ONLY DOING 65 MPH. WHEN I TURN THE TRUCK OFF IT WILL SIT AT 60MPH OR STAY ON 120MPH. I HAVE TO TURN THE TRUCK OFF AND ON TO RESET THE SPEEDOMETER. THE OIL GAUGE JUST STOPPED WORKING. ALSO MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE PROBLEM WITH THE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jul 15, 2015103,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE DOOR LOCKS STARTED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER THE LIGHT CHANGED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.MA 09/25 UPDATED 11/27/2017*CN

Electrical System
Filed Jun 2, 2015108,800 milesSC

WHILE DRIVING THE LOCKS START UNLOCKING AND LOCKING MULTIPLE TIMES, WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR ON THE DASH GOES FROM DRIVE TO PARK. THIS ALSO HAPPENED ON MAY 30,2015 AND JUNE 1,2015. I NOTICED THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2006-2007 MODEL IT WOULD SEEM THAT A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WOULD BE LOOKED AT IN ALL MODELS.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 12, 2015111,000 milesRI

PASSENGER DOOR PANEL CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN THE CARE WASN'T USED FOR OVER 15 HOURS. THE WINDOW AND DOOR LOCKS WEREN'T WORKING ON THAT SIDE AND THE WINDOW WAS UP PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE CAUSED THE WINDOW TO DROP DOWN AND A PASSING TOW TRUCK THANKFULLY SAW THE FLAMES.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 27, 2015109,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 3, 2015110,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Suspension
Filed Dec 18, 2014121,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY LOWERED TO THE GROUND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE BOUNCED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 3, 201460,000 milesFL

WE OWN A 2005 BUICK RAINIER AND THE HEADLITES AND DASH BOARD LITES CUT OFF ON THERE OWN JUST LIKE THE 2006 VEHICLES ARE DOING AND THERES A RECALL ON THE 06 THRU 09 RAINIERS G.M. NEEDS TO EXPAND ITS RECALL TO INCLUDE 05 MODELS. I FILED A COMPLANT WITH G.M. MY COMPLAINT CASE NUMBER IS [XXX] I WOULD LIKE YOU TO LOOK INTO THIS BECAUSE ITS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SOMEONE COULD BE HURT OR KILLED . *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Suspension1 injured
Filed Oct 6, 201499,874 milesGA

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BOUNCE. RIDING IN THE CAR IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE I AM BOUNCING ALL OVER THE PLACE ON THE INSIDE TO THE POINT THAT I GET A HEADACHE AND MY NECK HURTS. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I AM RIDING AT 10 MPH OR 50MPH IT BOUNCES THE SAME. THE REAR OF THE CAR SITS VERY LOW AND NOW SCRAPES WHEN I GO OVER A SLIGHT BUMP. *TR

SteeringFire
Filed Oct 2, 2014PA

FIRE CREWS RESPONDED TO A MOTOR VEHICLE FIRE INVOLVING A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. AN ORIGIN AND CAUSE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN THE VICINITY OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RELATED HOSES. THE VEHICLE WAS OCCUPIED AND IN OPERATION AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 11, 2014120,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 21, 2014CA

SPEEDOMETER DID NOT REGISTER CORRECT SPEED, AT TIMES WOULD READ GOING OVER 100MPH WHEN GOING 40MPH. WHEN CAR STOPPED WOULD REGISTER STILL A SPEED SUCH AS 30MPH. WOULD BE OUT FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN START WORKING AGAIN. CONTINUED TO KEEP THIS PATTERN FOR FEW YEARS. DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE WITH REBUILT INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR APPROXIMATELY $500. NO LONGER HAVE CAR. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 21, 2014CA

FUEL GAUGE/SENSOR NOT WORKING. WHEN FIRST STARTED TO GO OUT WOULD READ A QUARTER OF A TANK AFTER FILLING UP TANK. AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS IT NO LONGER REGISTERED ANY FUEL, AFTER FILLING TANK IT WOULD REMAIN AT EMPTY AND SENSOR WOULD TRIGGER BEEPING WARNING EVERYTIME CAR WAS TURNED ON. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 10, 201475,000 milesKY

VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER PERFORMS ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL. SOMETIMES SHOWS 80 MPH WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND OFF, SOMETIMES SHOWS NOTHING WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING. COMMON, LONG-STANDING AND WELL-KNOW PROBLEM AMONG THESE VEHICLES. REPORTED TO GM, WHO HAS DECLINED TO TAKE ANY ACTION. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 3, 2014FL

PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT OF A MEDICAL CENTER OFF OF RT. # 486 IN LECANTO, FLORIDA...ONTO A SIDE STREET. CAR TOTALLY DIED. I COULD NOT MOVE IT. I COULD NOT STEER. I COULD NOT START THE CAR BACK UP. I HAD TO CALL FOR TOWING. REPAIR FACILITY SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE SAME THING HAPPENED A FEW MONTHS EARLIER IN LECANTO, FLORIDA IN A CARWASH...COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. CALLED FOR A TOW. THE REPAIR FACILITY SAID IT WAS A LINK ASSEMBLY. I AM VERY AFRAID THIS CAR WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD AND HAVE A VEHICLE CRASH INTO THE BACK OF ME. I CAN NOT FIND IT ON A RECALL LIST, BUT I SEE GM HAS RECALLED VEHICLES FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES WHICH HAVE CAUSED FATALITIES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Service BrakesCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 17, 201484,120 milesCA

DRIVING ON FREEWAY, ENGAGED IN NORMAL BREAKING AND WHEELS LOCKED UP AND BRAKES NO LONGER WORKED. I DID NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO BRAKE OR STEER THE SUV. I ULTIMATELY HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER NEARLY HEAD ON, MOSTLY MIDDLE TO PASSENGER SIDE FRONT OF CAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAD GM MECHANIC LOOK AT THE BRAKES AFTER THE ACCIDENT TO ATTEMPT TO DETERMINE WHAT WENT WRONG WITH BRAKES. THEY STATED THAT THE BRAKE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT CAN CAUSE THE "COMPUTERS TO NOT COMMUNICATE CORRECTLY."' THE BAD BRAKE MODULE ALSO MEANT ABS BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 17, 201469,000 milesCA

THE SPEEDOMETER IS FAULTY AND IS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. IT WILL READ I AM GOING 120 MPH WHEN GOING APPROX. 65 MPH OR IF STOPPED 40 MPH. TOOK IT TO GM MECHANIC AND THEY SAID THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT, FOR $500. *TR

Suspension
Filed Sep 19, 2013120,000 milesFL

I CAME OUT TO MY VEHICLE ONE MORNING TO FIND THE REAR OF MY 2005 BUICK RAINIER RESTING ON THE TIRES, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO MY AUTO REPAIRMAN. BY THE TIME I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY, THE REAR HAD LIFTED BACK UP. IT HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY FOR A FEW MONTHS, NEVER LASTING LONGER THAN THE TIME TO EXIT THE STREET THAT I LIVE ON. SINCE HITTING 150,000 MILES, THE REAR HAS STARTED DROPPING MORE FREQUENTLY AND EVEN WHILE DRIVING. RECENTLY, ON A TRIP FROM TAMPA TO DAYTONA, WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, THE REAR DROPPED AND WE BOUNCED THE ENTIRE WAY. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY BEEN GETTING WORSE AND WHEN I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH REGARDING THIS ISSUE I HAVE FOUND THAT ALL BUICK RAINIER OWNERS EXPERIENCE THIS EXACT EVENT. IT IS TERRIFYING AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, AS MANY PARENTS UTILIZE THESE VEHICLES AND CHILDREN ARE PUT AT RISK WHEN THERE IS A LACKING IN CONTROL OF THE RAINIER. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 16, 201354,680 milesMO

FUEL GAUGE STARTED DISPLAYING ERRATIC GAS LEVEL DISPLAYS. SOON, WHEN TANK WAS FILLED, IT WOULD SHOW EMPTY. ON ONE OCCASION IT LEFT US STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAD NO WARNING, THE ENGINE DIED, AND I HAD TO SAFELY NAVIGATE FROM THE FAST LANE ON THE FAR LEFT TO THE SHOULDER ON THE RIGHT. LUCKILY, I AVOIDED OTHER TRAFFIC CONTACT WHILE DOING THIS. I ASKED MY MECHANIC AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE SENSOR IN THE TANK. HE SAID THE CHEVY TRAIL BLAZERS WERE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS. I CHECKED CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND SAW WHERE MY VEHICLE, A 2005 BUICK RAINIER, WAS ALSO IN THIS GROUPING. MY MECHANIC THOUGHT THE MANUFACTURER HAD OFFERED SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN MAKING THE REPAIRS. I AM ABOUT TO FIND OUT. THEY SHOULD! I SEE THERE HAS BEEN A PETITION FOR THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE AND CONSIDER A RECALL. I THINK THEY SHOULD. MY SCENARIO COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD IF I HAD BEEN STRUCK BY OTHER CARS AS I TRIED TO MOVE OFF THE INTERSTATE WITH NO ENGINE POWER - JUST MY COAST AND FORWARD MOMENTUM. MY VEHICLE IS DUE FOR IT'S SAFETY INSPECTION, AND MY MECHANIC CANNOT PASS IT WITHOUT THIS REPAIR. DOESN'T THAT SAY SOMETHING IN ITSELF ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVED. HE SUGGESTED I GO TO MY BUICK DEALERSHIP, WHICH I WILL TOMORROW. IF THE DEALER AND BUICK GIVE ME TROUBLE WITH THE REPAIR, YOU CAN BET YOU FOLKS WILL HERE ABOUT THAT TOO! THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER IS DP10001. *TR

Visibility/WiperCrashFire
Filed Sep 16, 201376,000 milesOH

I HAVE VARIOUS TYPES OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 BUICK RAINIER. I HAVE OWNED IT FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS NOW AND IT CURRENTLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 93,000 MILES ON IT. I AM REPORTED THE PROBLEMS TO YOU SO THAT YOU CAN DOCUMENT THE PROBLEMS TO YOUR LIST AND I AM ALSO HOPING THAT YOU CAN LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THESE ISSUES? 1. AWD IS NOT WORKING. WHEN THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND. IT CAUSED ME TO DITCH MY CAR WHEN I WAS TURNING A CORNER AT A VERY LOW SPEED. THERE WAS A CAR COMING TOWARDS ME, BUT MISSED MY CAR. THANK GOODNESS IT DID NOT INJURE SOMEONE, MYSELF OR MY CAR. THE REAR ALSO SLIDES WHEN IT IS WET/RAINING OUTSIDE. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT WHEN IT IS WET OUTSIDE...ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS SNOW ON THE GROUND. 2. MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. I JUST SEEN THAT MY DOOR COULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY A RECALL, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THEN. I PAID FOR ANOTHER DOOR AND INSTALLATION. 3. WHEN I AM TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL TO BACK-UP. THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE. 4. MY SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK. I DRIVE WITH OTHER CARS WHEN I CAN, BUT I ALSO DRIVE SEVERAL COUNTRY ROADS. I HAVE RECEIVED 2 SPEEDING TICKETS DUE TO THIS. 5. MY GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. I KEEP TRACK OF MY GAS BY MY CURRENT MILEAGE AND PER GALLONS OF GAS, BUT I HAVE STILL RAN OUT OF GAS AT LEAST 8 TIMES AND...NEARLY GOT HIT IN THE REAR SEVERAL TIMES. 6. I BELIEVE THERE IS A WINDSHIELD RECALL. IS IT STILL ACTIVE? I DO KNOW THAT ALL OF MY CAR PROBLEMS ARE VERY COMMON WITH BUICK RAINIER'S AND I AM HOPING THAT THERE IS ACTIVE

Suspension
Filed Aug 14, 2013150,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH INTO THE DRIVEWAY, SHE HEARD THE MUFFLER SCRAPE AGAINST THE CONCRETE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AIR SPRINGS HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 16, 201361,998 milesOH

THREE YEARS AGO THE FUEL SENSOR ON MY BUICK RAINER FAILED. GM HAS ISSUED A BULLETIN ON THE REPAIR THAT COVERS 50% OF THE COST. I VIEW THIS AS AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM GM THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE SENSOR. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BUICK DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE TO REPAIR THIS ITEM IS AROUND $200. AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE I GAVE UP ON TRYING TO GET GM TO COVER 100% OF THE COST. AFTER TALKING TO YOUR OFFICE I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ENGINEERS ARE STILL LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE. DO YOU KNOW WHEN THIS WILL BE RESOLVED? *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 18, 201260,800 milesFL

THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT READ THE CORRECT SPEED. SOMETIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT 55MPH IT WILL STATE I AM ONLY GOING 40 WHILE OTHER TIMES IT WILL STATE I AM GOING 120. SOMETIME WHEN I START MY VEHICLE THE NEEDLE WILL READ BELOW 0 AND OTHERS IT WILL READ OVER 80 WHILE JUST IDLING. THIS ON TOP OF THE GAS GAUGE NOT READING ACCURATELY, STATING I AM ALMOST OUT OF GAS AFTER I JUST FILLED IT TELLS ME THERE IS SOMETHING MAJORLY WRONG WITH THE ELECTRONICS ON THIS MAKE. ALL I HAD TO DO WAS PUT IN THE WORDS "2005 BUICK RAINIER SPEEDOMETER GAS GAUGE FAILURE" AND FOUND WAY TO MANY INCIDENTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED BUICK AND THEY ARE GOING TO SEND ME TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, I HAVE A FEELING THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE ME. AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE A PREVALENT ISSUE AND MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 60K MILES ON IT FOR AN ALMOST 8 YEAR OLD CAR. IF I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, IT WILL BE THE LAST GM CAR I PURCHASE. ESPECIALLY SINCE MY GRAND DAUGHTER IS GETTING OF DRIVING AGE AND I WANTED TO PASS THIS ON TO HER. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 30, 201245,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REACTIVATE THE LIGHTS BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT HAD TO HOLD THE SIGNAL IN ORDER TO HAVE THE HIGH BEAMS LIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE RELAY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 19, 201285,200 milesMD

WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 50 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER WENT DOWN TO ZERO. AFTER STOPPING AND STARTING AGAIN IT WENT TO 120 AND STAYED THERE. STARTING THE CAR NOW IT STAYS AT 120 MPH AND DOES NOT RETURN TO ZERO. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL GM CARS. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT IT WILL COST $500.00 TO $600.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR. I THINK SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THIS OUT AS A RECALL. THIS IS AN ITEM THAT SHOULD WORK 100% OF THE TIME ALL THE TIME AND A FAILURE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS JUST NOT RIGHT. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT CAN BE DONE.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 21, 201286,000 milesVT

THE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEGUN REGISTERING SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER SPEEDS THAN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. AT ONE POINT, A GPS DEVICE IN THE VEHICLE INDICATED A SPEED OF 55, AND THE SPEEDOMETER FOR THE VEHICLE REGISTERED MORE THAN 100 MPH. IN OTHER CASES, WHEN STANDING STILL, THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWED A SPEED OF 35 MPH. SUBSEQUENTLY, AND INTERMITTENTLY, THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS CORRECTLY, AND THEN REVERTS TO DEFECTIVE MODE. GM ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THE COST OF REPAIR WOULD HAVE TO BE BORNE BY THE VEHICLE OWNER, EVEN IF IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. A GM DEALER IN VERMONT INDICATED THAT THE ENTIRE "BUNDLE" FOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WHEN GIVEN THE OK TO PROCEED, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT NEW BUNDLES WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, AND REBUILT BUNDLES WOULD HAVE TO BE USED - AND NONE WERE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. THEY SUGGESTED LEAVING THE VEHICLE, REMOVING THE BUNDLE AND SENDING IT AWAY FOR REBUILDING, AND THEN INSTALLING IT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE. I DECLINED THAT OFFER. THE DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM CONTINUES TODAY, AND I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THE UNAVAILABILITY OF NEW BUNDLES, IF CORRECT, MEANS THAT THIS IS LIKELY A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND POTENTIALLY MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Jul 3, 201265,000 milesNY

I RECENTLY WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN I REALIZED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INCORRECTLY WORKING. FOR A FEW DAYS IT WAS ACTING UP THEN STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THEN A WEEK OR SO LATER THE GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN I HAD JUST FILLED IT. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THESE MATTERS FOR I USE THIS VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT 3 VERY SMALL CHILDREN AND BOTH ISSUES ARE VERY UNSAFE. I READ NOW THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THESE MATTERS ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES WITH THE SAME MAKE OF VEHICLE. I WOULD THINK THAT GM WOULD OFFER A RECALL ON THESE ISSUES BECAUSE THEY ARE BOTH VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE FIXED. WHEN I PRICED THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER MY MECHANIC WANTED OVER 500.00 TO FIX AND I CURRENTLY CAN NOT AFFORD THESE COSTS DUE TO BEING OUT OF WORK ON MEDICAL LEAVE. *JS

Complaints 1-50 of 103, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200738520Routine
200691750Routine
2005 — this page103130Routine
2004158240Routine
20031000Routine

Compare every Rainier year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 3, 2005. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.