Page 2 of 3 · complaints 51–100 of 103

2005 Buick Rainier complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →

Electrical System
Filed Apr 24, 2012105,000 milesNJ

WE NO SOONER HAVE OUR GAS GAUGE FIXED AND THEN THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING. AT FIRST IT WOULD MOVE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 0 AND 120 MPH. NOW IT JUST STAYS ON 120 MPH. SINCE THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING HALF OF THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS NOW NO LONGER WORK, NEITHER POWER SEAT WORK AND LAST WEEK THE POWER WINDOWS IN THE BACK SEAT STOPPED WORKING. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THIS MAKE/MODEL BECAUSE WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WITH THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Mar 30, 201265,000 milesGA

I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUES I AM WHICH INCLUDES GAS GAUGE FAILURE (FALSE READINGS) AND SPEEDOMETER READING INCORRECTLY. THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO PLACE A RECALL ON THOSE CLUSTERS I WOULD THINK. I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A 2005 VEHICLE BEFORE LIKE I HAVE HAD WITH MY 2005 BUICK RAINIER. I HAVE RAN OUT OF GAS MANY TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. *JS

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 5, 2012NY

ON 2/29/12 I CAME BACK FROM THE GROCERY STORE AND PARKED MY VEHICLE AND UNLOADED MY GROCERIES AND RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE WHICH WAS LEFT RUNNING. I PUT MY VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND PROCEEDED TO DO A UTURN AND HAD PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO PREVENT COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES PARKED ON THE ODD SIDE OF THE STREET. WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE CAR JUST STALLED, IT DID NOT MOVE AT ALL. I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AND IT KEEP INFORMING ME THAT THE FUEL WAS LOW. THIS WAS IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO THE FACT I KNEW I HAD OVER A HALF TANK OF GAS IN MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RE-START THE CAR TO CONTINUE PARKING THE VEHICLE. I LIVE ON A VERY BUSY STREET AND LUCKILY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC COMING WHEN MY CAR STALLED. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN ON 3/4/12 WHEN I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE AND THE DASH INDICATED THAT THE FUEL WAS LOW BUT THIS TIME THE GAS GAUGE PROCEEDED TO BEEP AND THE ORANGE LOW FUEL INDICATION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GAS GAUGE NEEDLE BEGAN TO MOVE TO E AND THEN THE CAR STALLED ONCE AGAIN AND I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 29, 2012IL

THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN STICKING APPX 70,000MI. IN SUMMER 2011. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AN THEY STATED THE PANEL NEEDS REPLACED @ A COST $450.00 AND ONLY 5 TO 10MPH OFF AT THE TIME. I LET IT GO AT THAT TIME. SINCE THEN THE ALT. GAUGE STARTED JUMPING(CHANGED BATTERY) STILL JUMPING. NOW THE OIL PRESSURE GAGE BOTTOMED OUT AND I WAS OUT OF TOWN. HAD THIS CHECKED OUT AND THE PANEL NEEDS REPLACED NOW. SINCE THE OIL PRESSURE WENT OUT THIS IS NOW A SAFETY ISSUE! DO I TRUST THE ELEC. PANEL? (NO!). SINCE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, IT'S TIME FOR THE MANUFACTURE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM! THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND I'LL HAVE TO HAVE IT FIX NOW. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 3, 201268,500 milesME

FUEL SYSTEM SENSOR WAS THE FIRST TO MALFUNCTION. THEN THE OIL GAUGE IS MALFUNCTIONING AND NOW AIR SUSPENSION AND OTHER SYSTEMS ARE STARTING TO NOT WORK PROPERLY. *KB

Air BagsCrash
Filed Dec 18, 2011109,082 milesSC

ONE SUNDAY MORNING. TURNED CAR OFF AND HEARD A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE. FRIEND AT CHURCH THOUGHT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ABS MODULE RUNNING. REMOVED THE FUSE, CUTTING OFF ABS MODULE. WAS ADVISED BY FRIEND TO REPLACE FUSE WHEN WE WENT TO LEAVE CHURCH BUT TO TAKE OUT WHEN WE GOT HOME OR THE BATTERY MIGHT GO DEAD. HE SAID GET IT TO A DEALERSHIP ASAP. I TOOK THE RAINIER TO JOHN NEWSOME SUPERSTORE IN HARTSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA. I SPOKE TO SHOP FOREMAN AND HE AGREED IT WAS THE ABS MODULE. COST TO REPLACE WAS $1200 AND BEING UNEMPLOYED AND MY WIFE ONLY ONE WORKING. A MECHANIC SAID IT WAS STILL OK TO DRIVE WITHOUT ANTI LOCKING BRAKES. HE WAS ASE CERTIFIED AND TOLD ME TO STAY MY DISTANCE FROM OTHER CARS IN THE RAIN AND NOT TO DRIVE ON THE SNOW. NOTHING ABOUT SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. THAT'S JUST WHAT HAPPEN, ON OCTOBER 25/ 2011 I TOP A HILL AROUND 9PM AT NIGHT RUNNING THE SPEED LIMIT. THE HILL IS POINTED AND AS YOU TOP THE HILL YOU CAN NOT SEE WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU UNTIL YOU START DOWN THE HILL. ONCE THE RAINIER STARTED DOWN THE HILL, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD STOOD A LARGE DEER. I HAD TO MAKE A SPLIT DECISION AND THAT DECISION WAS TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT AT THE DEER AND APPLY THE BRAKES. WHEN I HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES THE REAR END OF THE RAINIER STARTED TO GO AROUND ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I NEVER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT AS THE REAR OF THE CAR STARTED GOING AROUND THE DRIVER SIDE IT FORCE THE CAR TO GO FORWARD INTO AN EMBANKMENT, AIR BAG

Air BagsCrash
Filed Nov 28, 2011120,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 BUICK RANIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD PERFORM FINE EVEN THOUGH THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE MODULE FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LATER INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A DEER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 9, 2011NE

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT DISPLAY CORRECT SPEED. SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES FROM 0 TO 100MPH AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Oct 31, 201180,000 milesKY

THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN STICKING AT NIGHT. WE KEPT DRIVING THE CAR USING THE RPM GAUGE TO TRY TO JUDGE SPEED. THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD WORK SPORADICALLY. IT NOW DOESN'T WORK. IT SHOW 100 MPH WHEN YOU MAY BE GOING 20 OR IT SHOWS 20 MPH WHEN YOU ARE GOING 60. LAST NIGHT WE WERE SHOWING 45 MILES AN HOUR PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A SAFE WAY TO DRIVE A CAR. I KNOW THAT GM HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND HAS RECALLED SOME TRAILBLAZERS AND TAHOES, BUT SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO HELP THE RAINIER OWNERS. THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND IT IS CAUSED BY A NEW DESIGN GM TRIED. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 27, 2011102,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL INDICATOR GAUGE WOULD READ INACCURATELY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO DETECT HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER ASSISTED THE CONTACT WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 26, 2011OH

THE FUEL SENSOR GAUGE DOES NOT ACCURATELY DEPICT HOW MUCH GASOLINE IS IN THE TANK. WHEN I FILL UP THE TANK IT REMAINS ON "E" AND THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. THE GAUGE WILL FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN AND NEVER GO ALL THE WAY TO "F". I AM VERY UPSET THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SO PREVALENT YET GM WILL ONLY COVER 50% OF THE EXPENSES. IT IS UNSAFE TO NOT KNOW THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN ONE'S VEHICLE. *TT

Air Bags
Filed Oct 26, 201186,000 milesIA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SIDE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OR CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Sep 6, 201175,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR READ ZERO DESPITE THE FUEL TANK BEING EMPTY OR FULL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED DURING THE FAILURE THE LOW LEVEL LIGHT INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,376.

Fuel System, Other
Filed Aug 30, 2011105,000 milesIA

FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY AFTER TANK HAS BEEN FILLED. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 5, 2011CT

FUEL GAUGE SENSOR MALFUNCTION. CORRECT FUEL LEVEL NOT INDICATED ON INTERIOR OF VEHICLE. READS AS ALWAYS EMPTY. *TT

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 4, 201160,000 milesME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS PROVIDING INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS. WHEN REFUELING TO MAXIMUM CAPACITY, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD READ THE FUEL TANK AS EMPTY OR HALF FULL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHEN HE WAS INFORMED OF AN OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FUEL GAUGE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT TOLD WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 8/30/11 *CN UPDATED 09/28/11

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 25, 201151,000 milesWA

MALFUNCTION OF FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009, THE FUEL GAUGE IN OUR 2005 BUICK RAINIER BEGAN REGISTERING EMPTY AT ALL TIMES, EVEN WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING TO DO WITH A MALFUNCTIONING FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING WITH GM VEHICLE OF THIS TYPE INCLUDE THE RAINIER, BLAZER, JIMMY AND SO. I BELIEVE THIS IS SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM THROUGH THIS FAMILY OF VEHICLES AND IS DANGEROUS AS THE FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT ACCURATELY READ THE FUEL LEVEL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 14, 201163,000 milesOH

GAS GAUGE FAILED READS LESS THAN 1/8 TANK. WARNING FOR LOW FUEL ALARM COMES ON EVEN AFTER FULL FILL-UP. CHECK EMISSION LIGHT PERIODICALLY TURNS ON. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 9, 201130,000 milesOH

NO GAS GAUGE, IT READS EMPTY EVEN WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. LOW FUEL LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON, AND WHEN I AM TRULY GETTING LOW ON FUEL, IT MAY BOUNCE TO AN AREA BETWEEN E AND 1/4 TANK MARK. I AM HAVING TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE MILES I DRIVE AND HOPE THAT THE MPG AT 15.9 IS ACCURATE SINCE NOTHING ELSE SEEMS TO BE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 30, 201143,400 milesOH

THIS JUST STARTED WITH MY LAST FILL UP OF GAS. THE GAUGE IS STARTING TO GO UP AND DOWN. NOT SURE IF GAS GAUGE IS CORRECT. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 13, 201147,500 milesKY

VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE STARTED FLUCTUATING FROM FULL TO EMPTY, AND VEHICLE WOULD PAUSE WHILE ACCELERATING. DEALER PRICED REPAIR AT $535. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AT 47,500 MILES AND NOW FUEL GAUGE IS STUCK ON EMPTY. VEHICLE STILL RANDOMLY HESITATES ON ACCELERATION. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON GM RANIERS, TRAILBLAZERS, YUKONS, ETC. GM HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM/DEFECT FOR SOME TIME WITH NO RESPONSE.

Electrical System
Filed May 3, 201128,426 milesFL

GAS GAUGE IS ERRATIC, GOES FROM EMPTY TO FULL AND FULL TO EMPTY LEAVING YOU WITH NO IDEA HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE. WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR TURNING, VEHICLE LUNGES OR STALLS. ALSO, LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF WITH NO WARNING AND TAKES TIME TO RE-LIGHT. LOW BEAMS ALSO TEND TO FLICKER TO DIM.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 2, 201182,000 milesNJ

WE FILLED UP THE SUV AND THE GAS GAUGE DID NOT REGISTER THAT THE TANK WAS FULL. AFTER A WHILE THE GAUGE SLOWLY MOVED UP AND SHOWED THAT THE TANK WAS FULL. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF THAT, THE GAUGE NOW DOES NOT MOVE OFF OF EMPTY AT ALL. OFTEN TIMES THE GAS REMINDER SIGNAL GOES OFF LETTING US KNOW THAT THE TANK IS EMPTY, HOWEVER WE HAD JUST FILLED UP THE TANK. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 30, 201145,000 milesOH

GAS GAUGE IS INACCURATE- DOES NOT READ GASOLINE LEVEL CORRECTLY 2005 BUICK RAINIER. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 29, 201060,000 milesPA

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOING CRAZY. SPEEDOMETER READING 80 WHEN GOING 45 (I'M ESTIMATING OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA EXACTLY HOW FAST), FUEL GAUGE WORKING WHEN IT WANTS TO. FEEL UNSAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR FAULTY CLUSTER. ESTIMATED $600. WHEN I RESEARCH MANY GM VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS (STEPPER MOTORS) BUT NOT MY VEHICLE. FUNNY, WHEN THEY SOLD IT TO ME THEY TOLD ME IT WAS EXACTLY LIKE THE TAHOE. TAHOE HAS RECALL, WHY NOT MY BUICK RAINIER? *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 12, 201045,501 milesNC

FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS INACCURATE READINGS, GIVING FALSE "LOW FUEL" WARNINGS IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILL UP AND DROPPING TO E UNPREDICTABLY AT OTHER TIMES, CAUSING GREAT CONSTERNATION AT BEING "RUN OVER" ON THE FREEWAY OR STRANDED WITHOUT PROPER WARNING. THE GAUGE SEEMS TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN AT WILL. THIS IS AN '05 BUICK RAINIER, UNDER 47K MILES, SISTER VEHICLE TO CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND GMC ENVOY WHICH ARE ALREADY DOCUMENTED WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Suspension
Filed Aug 29, 2010100,000 milesNC

HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH DRIVING VEHICLE. SEEMED TO BE OVER ROAD. SEVERAL EVALUATIONS AT CAR DEALERSHIP, DIFFERENT FIXES WITHOUT RESOLUTIONS. FINALLY THE AIR SYSTEM WHICH REGULATES THE BALANCE, HEIGHT ETC STOPPED FUNCTIONALLY. THE CAR SITS LOW TO THE GROUND. I FIRST STARTED COMPLAINING OF UNUSUAL NOISES FROM THE SPEAKERS OF THE CAR. APPROXIMATELY 9 MONTHS AGO. DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW WHAT THAT COULD BE. NOW I AM TOLD THE COMPRESSOR AND THE SHOCK SYSTEM IS GONE. THE COST TO FIX IS 3000.00 I HAVE FOUND A COMPANY WHO HAS AN ADAPTIVE KIT WITH CONVERSION TO STANDARD SHOCK SYSTEM. THIS COMPANY TELLS ME THAT THEY ARE SEDMOMG 15 TO 20 OF THESE KITS OUT A WEEK. GMC DOES NOT OFFER ANY OPTIONS. MY CONCERN IS THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MULTIPLE MONTHS WITHOUT THE DEALERSHIPS ABILITY TO FIND THE PROBLEM IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE CAR WAS RENDERED UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO STEER AND DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN YOUR OWN LANE. ADDITIONALLY, THE GAS GAGE HAS GONE BADE, APPROXIMATELY 50,000, THE FIRST RAINIER I HAD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH GETTING THE FUEL INTO THE TANK. TRADED THE 2004 FOR 2005 BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. NOW THIS GAS TANK THE GAUGE IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 27, 201068,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE CONSOLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE HEADS HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 70,000.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed May 17, 201070,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT DISPLAY THE PROPER SPEED THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Apr 26, 2010101,000 milesCA

SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. PRIOR TO BECOMING PINNED AT 120 PLUS MPH, WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. TICKING NOISE UPON STOPPING. MECHANIC STATED HE WAS AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES AND THOUGHT IT WAS A RECALL. DEFECTIVE PART IS SPEEDOMETER "CLUSTER" MADE BY SPEEDO. THIS IS UNSAFE ON THE ROAD AS I AM UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SPEED AT WHICH I AM TRAVELING. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineCrash
Filed Feb 28, 201042,400 milesOH

I WAS THIRD IN LINE WAITING TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING LOT IN PEORIA, AZ IN MY 2005 BUICK RAINIER. MY FOOT WAS RESTING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR REVVED UP AND SURGED FORWARD (FROM A STANDING START) WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO CRASH INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND PUSHING THAT CAR IN TO THE ONE IN FRONT OF IT--ALL THREE CARS WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Feb 22, 201063,000 milesMN

2005 BUICK RAINIER WITH 63,000 MILES. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL REGISTER 120 WHEN GOING 60 AND 60 WHEN COMPLETELY STOPPED. GM REFUSES TO SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE WHEN OTHER GM VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ARE COVERED UP TO 70,000 MILES. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 18, 201030,000 milesGA

(1) COMPLETE BRAKE JOB W/ROTORS AND DRUMS REPLACED, I WAS TOLD I HAD BEEN DRIVING WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON THOUGH I NEVER HAD USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE..FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. (2) HATCH BACK DOOR "PISTONS??" THAT HOLDS UP THE HATCHBACK FAILED..FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. (3) FAN CLUTCH FAILED...FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. (4) PAINT CHIPPING/PEELING; RADIO BUTTONS CHIPPING/PEELING. (5) AC/HEATER GETS STUCK ON HOT AIR BLOWING OUT WHEN SWITCHING TO AC SOMETIMES. (6) PASSENGER SIDE FEELS LIKE TIRE OR FRONT END IS WOBBLY??...DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. (7) DEC 2008, DRIVER SEAT HEATER WAS REPLACED DUE TO MAJOR OVERHEATING...FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. (8) FEB 2010 - 14 MONTHS LATER REPLACING DRIVER SEAT HEATER AGAIN DUE TO MAJOR OVERHEATING...SEAT HEATER HAS NOW BURNED 3 HOLES INTO LEATHER SEAT..NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 7, 200938,000 milesVA

2005 BUICK RAINIER WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VAN IN COMING TRAFFIC. MY WIFE DRIVING THE RAINIER HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND BENT IT. SHE RECEIVE A LARGE LACERATION REQUIRING ABOUT 30 STITCHES, CLAVICLE STRAIN, BROKEN COLLAR BONE AND MULTIPLE BRUISES. SHE WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT. COLLISION WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO LIFT THE REAR OF THE CAR OFF THE GROUND AND TURN IT FACING THE SAME DIRECTION AS THE VAN SHE HIT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 30, 200953,000 milesKY

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT MALFUNCTION, LOCKS UP AND CAN NOT PUT SEAT BELT ON. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 18, 200939,000 milesWI

THE SPEEDOMETER HAS COMPLETELY AND INSTANTLY STOPPED WORKING. TO THE BEST MY KNOWLEDGE THE ODOMETER APPEARS TO BE WORKING BUT CANNOT VALIDATE. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 40K MILES ON IT. I NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING SPEEDOMETER ISSUES AND DON'T FEEL I THE CONSUMER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPENSE OF THIS COSTLY REPAIR. GM HAS NOT RECALLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS EXPIRED, BUT THIS VEHICLE HAS VERY LOW USAGE AND LOW MILEAGE, WHERE I DON'T FEEL THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM SHOULD BE OCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR RESPONSE. THANK YOU. *TR

Tires
Filed Mar 18, 20096,050 milesWI

ALL FOUR TIRES CONTINUOUSLY DEFLATE. WITHIN 3 - 4 DAYS THE TIRE PRESSURE CAN GET AS LOW AS 10 LBS OF PRESSURE. I MUST ADD PRESSURE ANYTIME I WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR DAMAGE THIS IS NOT THE PROBLEM. APPEARS THE TIRES ARE LEAKING AROUND THE RIMS. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE OUR PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN OCT OF 2005. OUR SMALL TOWN DEALERSHIP HAS NOT TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE ONLY STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE RIMS. SINCE WE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE INFREQUENTLY AND HAVE OTHER VEHICLES FOR TRANSPORTATION WE HAVE CHOSEN TO LIVE WITH THE INCONVENIENCE UP TO THIS POINT. THE VEHICLE, TODAY HAS LESS THAN 40K MILES ON IT. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I THE CONSUMER SHOULD INCUR THE EXPENSE OF CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE ADVISE HOW I SHOULD PROCEED WITH RECONCILING THIS PROBLEM. I'VE ALSO SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT UNDER ODI #10262250. AS I ALSO HAVE A SPEEDOMETER ISSUE WHICH JUST STARTED OCCURRING. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 15, 200955,000 milesAZ

FUEL GAUGE READING INCORRECT. DEALER REPLACED SENSOR AND HAD TO DRAIN/REMOVE GAS TANK TO REPLACE. WHILE THIS WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY (55,000 MILES, I WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY APPROXIMATELY $550. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 9, 200955,000 milesNC

MY 2005 BUICK RAINIER HAD 55,000 MILES ON IT WHEN MY SPEEDOMETER WENT ON THE BLITZ. THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STUCK AT 60 MPH AND WOULD CONTINUE TO RISE UNTIL IT WAS PEGGED PAST 120 MPH WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS. NOW MY SPEEDOMETER MAY STOP WORKING COMPLETELY WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. MY MOTHER HAS A 2004 RAINIER AND SHE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MULTIPLE GAUGES INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER. AC DELCO IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM TO BE A DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTOR IN THE GAUGE CLUSTER BUT GM HAS NOT RECALLED THE VEHICLES AND IT IS A COSTLY REPAIR THAT I BELIEVE THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS TROUBLE IN MORE DETAIL AS I'VE SEARCHED YOUR SITE AND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME SYMPTOMS IN NOT ONLY BUICK BUT THE CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER AS WELL. THANKS. *TR

Fuel System, Other
Filed Feb 2, 200932,052 milesDE

I HAD FILLED UP THE GAS TANK , THEN IT SHOWED EMPTY, THE GAUGE HAS BEEN JUMPING BACK AND FORTH EVER SINCE. IT GOES EMPTY EVERY TIME IT IS FILLED UP NOW. *TR

Structure
Filed Jan 5, 200940,143 milesNC

DESIGN FAULT - AIR PUMP IS MOUNTED LOW ON THE FRAME OF 2005 BUICK RAINIER. ON 10/30/07 IT FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 30,947. PUMP FAILED AGAIN BECAUSE OF WATER INTRUSION. SINCE IT IS MOUNTED LOW WITHOUT ANY SHIELD. I WOULD EXPECT RAIN WATER TO SPLASH UP AS YOU DRIVE. PUMP WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME ON 12/12/08, MILEAGE WAS 39,994. THE SECOND PUMP ONLY LASTED 9,000 MILES AND GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT ( THE WARRANTY IS FOR 12,000 MILES OR 12 MONTHS, YOUR PART IS 13 MONTHS OLD). IT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME ON 1/5/09, MILEAGE WAS 40,143. THUS, THIRD PUMP ONLY LASTED 149 MILES. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 15, 200839,850 milesNC

DESIGN FAULT - AIR PUMP IS MOUNTED LOW ON THE FRAME OF 2005 BUICK RAINIER. ON 10/30/07 IT FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 30,947. PUMP FAILED AGAIN BECAUSE OF WATER INTRUSION. SINCE IT IS MOUNTED LOW WITHOUT ANY SHIELD I WOULD EXPECT RAIN WATER TO SPLASH UP AS YOU DRIVE. PUMP WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME ON 12/12/08, MILEAGE WAS 39,994. THE SECOND PUMP ONLY LASTED 9,000 MILES AND GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT ( THE WARRANTY IS FOR 12,000 MILES OR 12 MONTHS, YOUR PART IS 13 MONTHS OLD). *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 9, 200868,000 milesMI

THE LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY, THAT SHOWS THE ODOMETER, FUEL MILEAGE ETC, DOES NOT ALWAYS COME ON. I HAVE HAD THE DISPLAY SHOW UP PRIOR TO STARTING, WHILE IN "RUN" BUT NOT STARTED AND THEN NOT COME ON AFTER STARTING. MOST OF THE TIME IT WILL COME ON THE NEXT TIME I START THE VEHICLE AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR A MINUTE OR TWO.. EVEN MORE RECENTLY THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT GO UP TO FULL AFTER ADDING FUEL, THE NEEDLE BOUNCED ON FULL AND THEN WHEN I PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE IT WENT BACK TO EMPTY, THEN THIRTY SECONDS LATER IT WENT BACK TO FULL. FORTUNATELY AT THAT POINT THE DISPLAY WAS WORKING AND THE RANGE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO ZERO, LEAVING ME WITH NO INFORMATION ON THE FUEL. THE FUEL GAUGE HAS ALSO DROPPED TO EMPTY UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEMS ARE IRRITATING AND INTERMITTENT AT THIS POINT, AND CHASING IT DOWN IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO NOTE THAT WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE DID ITS DANCE FROM E TO F TO E TO F THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. UNFORTUNATELY I AM NOT ABLE TO GET MY OBDII SCANNER TO WORK ON THE CAR YET, TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM, THAT MAY HAVE TO DO WITH I HAVE OLDER SOFTWARE. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW OFF SO I MAY NEVER FIGURE OUT WHAT WENT WRONG. *TR

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Mar 11, 2008MO

SPEEDOMETER STARTED STICKING, AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME, BUT FROM WHAT I CAN TELL SO FAR IT IS EXPENSIVE TO FIX OR EVEN FIND A USED ONE. WHAT AN AGGRAVATING THING TO GO WRONG ON A NEWER VEHICLE THAT CLEARLY HAS TO BE AT THE FAULT OF MANUFACTURER. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Mar 3, 200830,809 milesPA

HEADLIGHTS DIM WITH HEATED SEATS ON AND WITH HEATER ON. IN COLD WEATHER. NOTICE LIGHTS DIM AT NIGHT AND VOLT GAUGE GOES DOWN AND THEN BACK TO NORMAL. DO NOT WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND PAY FOR DIAG WHEN THERE IS A TECH BULLETIN OUT. AND I KNOW I WILL BE TOLD THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IT. I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR MUCH ONLY AT NIGHT, HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. I HOPE THERE WILL BE SOME KIND OF RECALL THAT COMES OUT. BUT GM DOESN'T CARE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Sep 21, 200719,237 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED NORMALLY. HE IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO A MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ALL 4 BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE PITTED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE PADS TO FAIL. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THEY STATED THAT THE PITTING WAS DUE TO THE BRAKES OVERHEATING. THE REAR BRAKES AND PADS WERE REPLACED IN JULY OF 2007. THE FRONT BRAKES AND PADS WILL BE REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT, BUT OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE REAR ROTOR REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT FILED COMPLAINT NUMBER 71-538033018 WITH BUICK. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,150 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,237.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Aug 20, 2007PA

BRAKES FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE ROTORS. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Nov 8, 20069,000 milesWI

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEAD LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY JERKED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

Interior Lighting
Filed Oct 9, 2005MA

INSTRUMENT PANEL HARD TO READ WHEN SUNLIGHT CREATES SHADOWS OR AT TWILIGHT. IT TAKES LONGER THAN IT SHOULD TO READ THE DISPLAY, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO TAKE HIS/HER EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages
Filed Oct 5, 2005149 milesMI

DT: THE CONSUMER BOUGHT A NEW BUICK RAINIER IN 2005 AND SHE WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH WAS VERY SMALL. THE CONSUMER MISSED HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL A FEW TIMES, AND THIS SCARED HER. THE CONSUMER TALKED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY KNEW OF A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD MAKE ADJUSTMENTS FOR HANDICAPPED PEOPLE. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT HANDICAPPED AND THOUGHT IT WAS UNFAIR THAT SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR AN ADJUSTMENT. *AK (11/17/05) *SC

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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