2007 Buick Rainier problems

SUSPENSION

Window motors and window controls failing. I replaced two window motors at in 2017, at dealer because they failed, then the rear passenger window motor failed in 2020 and was replaced at mechanic shop with factory replacement, this rear passenger window is seldom used, but rear passenger window motor failed again in 2023 and was replaced again at mechanic shop. Drivers window motor now needs to be replaced. Window controls are intermittant. The components were replaced by dealer and by third-party mechanic. There is no warning prior to failure other than rolling down a window and not being able to get it back up at all, which poses a hazard in torrential rain and damages vehicle; or not being able to roll a window down when needed. The first replacement was under warranty. The rest have been out of pocket and have caused other damage due to rain. I feel the entire window operating system should have been recalled, driver side controls and all of the operting motors. This is a dangerous and expensive continuing problem. Never had this problem with any GM vehicle before the 2007 Rainer. Rear air suspension went out in 2018 and rear end fell down causing severe handling difficulty. Had to replace rear air suspension with conventional shocks because parts were not available in a timely manner and vehicle could not be driven safely without rear suspension. Had similar issue with air suspension on 2004 Buick SUV, where the air suspension went haywire and caused handling issues. (Vehicle was returned to dealer and exchanged for one with a conventional suspension.) Was told by dealer the air suspension problem was fixed on later models after 2004, but apparently not. Would not have purchased a vehicle with air suspension had I known it still had these issues.

NHTSA complaint #11557359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Window motors and window controls failing. I replaced two window motors at in 2017, at dealer because they failed, then the rear passenger window motor failed in 2020 and was replaced at mechanic shop with factory replacement, this rear passenger window is seldom used, but rear passenger window motor failed again in 2023 and was replaced again at mechanic shop. Drivers window motor now needs to be replaced. Window controls are intermittant. The components were replaced by dealer and by third-party mechanic. There is no warning prior to failure other than rolling down a window and not being able to get it back up at all, which poses a hazard in torrential rain and damages vehicle; or not being able to roll a window down when needed. The first replacement was under warranty. The rest have been out of pocket and have caused other damage due to rain. I feel the entire window operating system should have been recalled, driver side controls and all of the operting motors. This is a dangerous and expensive continuing problem. Never had this problem with any GM vehicle before the 2007 Rainer. Rear air suspension went out in 2018 and rear end fell down causing severe handling difficulty. Had to replace rear air suspension with conventional shocks because parts were not available in a timely manner and vehicle could not be driven safely without rear suspension. Had similar issue with air suspension on 2004 Buick SUV, where the air suspension went haywire and caused handling issues. (Vehicle was returned to dealer and exchanged for one with a conventional suspension.) Was told by dealer the air suspension problem was fixed on later models after 2004, but apparently not. Would not have purchased a vehicle with air suspension had I known it still had these issues.

NHTSA complaint #11557359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

BOTH TRAILING ARMS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION HAVE FAILED TO DUE TO RUST. THE FAILURE OF AT LEAST ONE OF THE TWO TRAILING ARMS OCCURRED WHEN TRAVELING ACROSS A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT LOW SPEED WHILE ON A LONG DISTANCE TRIP. THE 2007 BUICK RAINIER HAD A HISTORY OF BEING IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE USE OF SALT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WAS THE LIKELY CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILING OF THE TRAILING ARMS RESULTED IN CONSIDERABLE VIBRATIONS AT LOW SPEEDS UP TO ~40 MPH. THE FAILING OF THE TRAILING ARMS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOST OF REPLACEMENT SPRINGS IF A SIGNIFICANT BUMP HAD BEEN HIT WHILE DRIVING. NOTE: REPLACEMENT SPRINGS ARE OFTEN NECESSARY AFTER THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG SPRINGS, AS WAS THE CASE FOR THIS VEHICLE. FORTUNITLY, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BEFORE ANY ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #11384755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS PROBLEM STARTED AND HAS OCCURED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE 2015. WHEN I SHIFT THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK, IT DOES NOT RELEASE, THE IGNITION WILL NOT CUT COMPLETELY OFF SO THAT YOU CAN TAKE THE KEYS OUT. THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM! THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICE IS PARKED, TRYING TO CUT OFF/TAKE KEYS OUT OF IGNITION. SOMETHING IS NOT RELEASING SO THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WILL LOCK AND YOU CAN TAKE THE KEYS OUT. THIS STARTED BEFORE 100,00 MILES BUT IT WAS ONLY A FEW TIMES UNTIL LAST YEAR, AT ABOUT 150K MILES. NOW I HAVE 205K MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10897507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

AROUND JANUARY 2016, THE REAR END WAS BASICALLY SITTING ALMOST ON THE REAR TIRES--THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT PUMP THE REAR END UP. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, IT WAS FINE. THEN AROUND MARCH 2016, SAME THING HAPPENED. IN JUNE 2016, SAME THING HAPPENED BUT ONLY DOWN FOR ABOUT A DAY. THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS THE OTHER DAY, AUGUST 18, 2016--TODAY IS AUGUST 21, 2106 BUT THEY HAVE NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE READ OVER 100 THREADS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED--IT SEEMS TO AFFECT THE RAINIER AND ENVOY AND TRAILBLAZERS, AMONG THE ONES I'VE READ. WHY SHOULDN'T GM HAVE TO FIX THIS ISSUE? I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A CONVERSION YOU CAN DO, BUT THAT WILL COST ABOUT $400+ TO DO THAT--RIGHT NOW WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE BAGS OR THE PUMP, BUT THE PUMP SEEMS TO WORK, JUST NOTHING HAPPENS. WE NOTICED THIS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, BUT IT STAYED THE SAME IN MOTION--VERY DANGEROUS--THE TOP OF THE BODY STARTED SCRAPING THE WHEEL TODAY WHILE DRIVING AND IT REALLY HAS SCARED ME.

NHTSA complaint #10897506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART FOR THE REPAIR FOR LONGER THAN 18 MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY FOR THE RECALL REPAIR BEYOND A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ UPDATED 11/21/2017

NHTSA complaint #10853342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/07/16*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10819387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING HAZARDOUS NIGHT DRIVING. RECALL ISSUED BUT GM HAS NO FIX YET! HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE CHECKED WITH LOCAL DEALER AND STILL NO FIX AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10816212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RAINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) IN 2015. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE HDM SERVICE PART WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECCURED TWO DAYS LATER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS CHARGED FOR THE INTERIM REPAIR. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REMEDY PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA complaint #10789306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FIRST RECALL WAS ON THE WINDOW SWITH IN DRIVER DOOR . SECOND RECALL WAS ON THE LIGHTS AND AS OF NOW THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT. BEFORE I GOT THE RECALL NOTICE WE WENT AND HAD IT FIXED AND WE HAD TO PAY FOR THAT. THEY DONT SEEM TO BE TO CONCERENED ABOUT OUR SAFTEY OR IT WOUL ALREADY BE FIXED .NOW ONLY BACK PASSENGER DORR CAN BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE ALL THE OTHER DOORS MESSED UP AT THE SAME TIME AND THEY WANT 500.00 TO FIX TWO DOORS REALLY.

NHTSA complaint #10787753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

FIRST RECALL WAS ON THE WINDOW SWITH IN DRIVER DOOR . SECOND RECALL WAS ON THE LIGHTS AND AS OF NOW THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT. BEFORE I GOT THE RECALL NOTICE WE WENT AND HAD IT FIXED AND WE HAD TO PAY FOR THAT. THEY DONT SEEM TO BE TO CONCERENED ABOUT OUR SAFTEY OR IT WOUL ALREADY BE FIXED .NOW ONLY BACK PASSENGER DORR CAN BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE ALL THE OTHER DOORS MESSED UP AT THE SAME TIME AND THEY WANT 500.00 TO FIX TWO DOORS REALLY.

NHTSA complaint #10787753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FIRST RECALL WAS ON THE WINDOW SWITH IN DRIVER DOOR . SECOND RECALL WAS ON THE LIGHTS AND AS OF NOW THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT. BEFORE I GOT THE RECALL NOTICE WE WENT AND HAD IT FIXED AND WE HAD TO PAY FOR THAT. THEY DONT SEEM TO BE TO CONCERENED ABOUT OUR SAFTEY OR IT WOUL ALREADY BE FIXED .NOW ONLY BACK PASSENGER DORR CAN BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE ALL THE OTHER DOORS MESSED UP AT THE SAME TIME AND THEY WANT 500.00 TO FIX TWO DOORS REALLY.

NHTSA complaint #10787753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED, HE COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT WOULDN'T. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND WAITING TO HERE.

NHTSA complaint #10780811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY RECALL WAS JAN 2015 THAT LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS GOES OFF . MINE ARE OFF ALL THE TIME. NO PARTS AVAILABLE SO THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. IF REPAIRS ARE AVAILABLE THEN WHY DO THEY PAY TO FIX. BILL APP.300.00 CAN NOT DRIVE NIGHT ONLY HAVE HIGH AND FOG LIGHTS. HAVE TALKED TO ROYAL BUICK HOOVER AL. AND HEAD MAN STEVEN SENIOR ADVISIOR AT BUICK. HE SAID HE WOULD HELP. ALL HE DID WAS CALL ROYAL AND THEY SAID 105.00 FOR DIAGNASIT PLUS REPAIRS. I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND SMALL RET. FROM COUNTY. CAN NOT AFFORD. SECOND RECALL ON THIS CAR. IF I HAVE A WRECK AND HURT SOME ONE OR ME HOPE THEY CAN PAY BILLS THANK YOU FOR LISTENING BLESS YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10761944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY RECALL WAS JAN 2015 THAT LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS GOES OFF . MINE ARE OFF ALL THE TIME. NO PARTS AVAILABLE SO THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. IF REPAIRS ARE AVAILABLE THEN WHY DO THEY PAY TO FIX. BILL APP.300.00 CAN NOT DRIVE NIGHT ONLY HAVE HIGH AND FOG LIGHTS. HAVE TALKED TO ROYAL BUICK HOOVER AL. AND HEAD MAN STEVEN SENIOR ADVISIOR AT BUICK. HE SAID HE WOULD HELP. ALL HE DID WAS CALL ROYAL AND THEY SAID 105.00 FOR DIAGNASIT PLUS REPAIRS. I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND SMALL RET. FROM COUNTY. CAN NOT AFFORD. SECOND RECALL ON THIS CAR. IF I HAVE A WRECK AND HURT SOME ONE OR ME HOPE THEY CAN PAY BILLS THANK YOU FOR LISTENING BLESS YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10761944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. MA 10/16/15

NHTSA complaint #10759413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE WHEELS SUDDENLY LOCKED WITH THE 'STABILITY CONTROL" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY STATED THAT A SWITCH OF SOME TYPE THAT WAS UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD BECOME DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SENSOR ON THE FRONT AXLES CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA complaint #10637451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED ACTING ERRATICALLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN COMPLETELY DRY WEATHER. THE WIPERS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES AND PERIODICALLY ACTIVATE THE WASHER WHICH WOULD SPLASH WATER ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES. WHEN THIS WAS OCCURRING THE ON OFF SWITCH WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO STOP THE WIPERS FROM COMING ON OR SPRAYING WATER. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW WHEN THE WIPERS AND WASHERS WILL TURN ON START SPRAYING WATER AND BLOCK MY VISION OF THE ROAD. I SEARCHED AND FOUND THAT A GM SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR THE 2006 RAINIER ON YOUR WEBSITE REGARDING A WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTION. I CALLED GM TO INQUIRE WHAT STEPS THEY WOULD TAKE TO REPAIR THIS EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION. I WAS TOLD THE SERVICE BULLETIN WAS NOT APPLICABLE TO MY 2007 VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE MANUFACTURING DATE LISTED ON MY RAINIER IS AUGUST 2006. THEY SAID THE VIN # WAS TIED TO THE YEAR MODEL 2007 AND THEY COULD NOT AUTHORIZE A REPAIR BASED ON A 2006 LISTING IN THE BULLETIN. I BELIEVE GM INSTALLED ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE WASHER MOTORS IN MY 2007 RAINIER WHEN IT WAS BUILT IN AUGUST 2006 AND I WANT THEM TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10605944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

UNABLE TO OPEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE IN ANY MANNER. STARTING TO ALSO HAPPEN TO BACK PASSENGER ON DRIVER SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10513188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

UNABLE TO OPEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE IN ANY MANNER. THIS IS STARTING TO HAPPEN TO OTHER DOORS.

NHTSA complaint #10512795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE REAR END OF VEHICLE JERKED AND THE STABLE TRACK SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE OUTPUT SHAFT ON TRANSFER CASE AND SLIP YOKE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,507.

NHTSA complaint #10511405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE GEAR WOULD NOT LOCK. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #10503443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

DRIVERS DOOR WINDOW SCREECHES WHEN LOWERED, STOPS HALF WAY WHEN RAISED. HAS BECOME WORSE OVER THE PAST MONTH. NOW I MUST TRY HELPING IT BY HAND WHILE PUSHING THE UP BUTTON..NOW I AM AFRAID TO LOWER WINDOW FOR FEAR OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET IT TO RAISE.

NHTSA complaint #10487171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.