FaultScore

Worst years for a Buick Rainier

Owners have filed 525 complaints about the Buick Rainier with NHTSA across model years 2003 to 2007. More of them are about the electrical system than anything else.

Avoid

2004 Buick Rainier

205 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly electrical system.

Cleanest on record

2007 Buick Rainier

44 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every Buick Rainier year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2007 A 44 0 3 63,000 Fuel & Propulsion
2006 B 117 2 7 75,525 Fuel & Propulsion
2005 D 158 14 9 68,500 Electrical System
2004 D 205 17 5 64,000 Electrical System
2003 1 0 0 Electrical System

What breaks on a Buick Rainier

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Electrical System 147 28.0%

Worst in 2004

Worst in 2006

Lights 57 10.9%

Worst in 2004

Worst in 2004

Suspension 25 4.8%

Worst in 2005

Engine & Cooling 22 4.2%

Worst in 2005

Airbags 22 4.2%

Worst in 2004

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 22 4.2%

Worst in 2006

Acceleration & Cruise Control 21 4.0%

Worst in 2004

Brakes 15 2.9%

Worst in 2005

Body & Structure 15 2.9%

Worst in 2004

Steering 13 2.5%

Worst in 2005

Other & Unspecified 12 2.3%

Worst in 2005

Stability & Traction Control 11 2.1%

Worst in 2005

Exactly what failed on a Buick Rainier

The named sub-assemblies behind those complaints, across every model year.

Instrument Cluster/Panel 33 40.2%
Fuel Gauge System 10 12.2%
Headlights 10 12.2%
Automatic Transmission 7 8.5%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 5 6.1%
Interior/Under Dash 4 4.9%
Engine 4 4.9%
Transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive) 3 3.7%
Front 3 3.7%
Door 3 3.7%

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Buick Rainier, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Jan 2004 peak 21 Dec 2025

Buick Rainier problems by state

Where owners filed from. Heavier states are usually just bigger markets, but a part that fails in heat or salt shows up here first.

Compare the Buick Rainier

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.