147 of the
525 complaints filed about the Buick Rainier
are about the electrical system —
28% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
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.
The contact owns a 2006 Buick Rainier. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in his driveway, the contact attempted to use the remote starter key fob to unlock the doors, but the doors failed to unlock. The contact stated that he manually unlocked the doors. The contact stated that he manually attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The anti-theft warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being lifted onto the tow truck, he was informed by the tow truck driver that the driver’s side wiring harness had melted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness had melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer nor manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.
NHTSA complaint #11526598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Low beam lights go off intermittently while driving and eventually come back on. This does not affect high beams or any other lights on the vehicle. But causes a serious danger to my needing to drive at night due to my job.
NHTSA complaint #11457557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE BOUGHT A BUICK RAINIER 2006 AND IT HAS HAD NOTHING BUT ELECTRICAL, DOOR PROBLEMS AND DOOR HANDLE PROBLEMS. IT HAS A FAULTY BACK WINDOW WIPER. SUSPENSION ISSUES AND A VOTING UNDER BODY CARRIAGE. I BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER AND NONE OF THESE RECALL ISSUES WHERE TAKEN CARE OF, AND THESE RECALLS DATE BACK TO 2015 I BOUGHT THE RAINER IN MARCH 2018.
NHTSA complaint #11324044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #11292507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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)
NHTSA complaint #11080001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL WIPER BLADES AND WASHER FLUID COME ON BY THEMSELVES. HAPPEN TO MY WIFE TODAY ON HER WAY TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS TERRIFIED BECAUSE IT WAS HARD FOR HER TO SEE PLUS IT WAS RAINING. ALSO I READ THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BACK IN 2004 FOR THE TRAILBLAZERS.
NHTSA complaint #11073982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOW BEAM LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IS APPLIED AND RETURNS TO CENTER POSITION. A/C COOLING FAN DOES NOT COOL COMPRESSOR ENOUGH TO RUN A/C AT LOW SPEEDS CAUSING PRESSURE TO BUILD UP IN FERON RECEIVER. CAR IS AT IDLE OR LOW SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #11005370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'VE BEEN HAVING SPORADIC FLICKERING LOW BEAM ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT, AND HAVE SPENT UNTOLD HOURS AND TIME TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT INCLUDING TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. (I WORK NIGHTS.) LAST WEEK THE LOW BEAMS FAILED ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK AT MIDNIGHT. RESEARCHED IT, AND FINALLY SAW THE RECALL FOR GMS AND SUBSEQUENTLY AN AP STORY ABOUT WIDENING THE RECALL THAT WAS DATED APRIL 29. (I WORK AT A NEWSPAPER AND SAW THE WIRE STORY). I BOUGHT AND REPLACED THE MODULE MYSELF LAST WEEK, AND THINGS ARE WORKING WELL NOW AND SEEM TO BE FIXED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMS ME THAT THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE GM RECALL FOR FAILING HEADLIGHT MODULES, SO I CAN NOT GET MY MONEY BACK FOR THE MODULE. THIS MAKE AND YEAR MODEL SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT OTHER MODELS AND YEARS THAN HAVE BEEN RECENTLY RECALLED, ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. IT TRULY IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND UP UNTIL LAST WEEK, I WAS ALWAYS WONDERING WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL. NOT A NICE FEELING WHEN YOU WORK NIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10983108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE POWER WINDOWS WERE JAMMED AND WOULD NOT WIND UP OR DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO LEAKED FUEL ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NHTSA complaint #10956820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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!!
NHTSA complaint #10904306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I TRIED TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED TODAY IN VIRGINIA BUT IT FAILED DUE TO THE DUMMY LIGHTS ON IN THE DASH BOARD ABS AND BRAKE. THE DEALER COULD NOT COMM WITH COMP BUT CHANGED THE FUSE FOR THE CIG LIGHTER THEN THE CODES READ EBCM MODULE FAULT.. IN 2014 MY RUNNING HEADLIGHTS WOULD JUST GO OUT.. NO LIGHTS UNTIL I PUT ON HIGH BEAMS I HAVE HAD THEM WORKED ON AND CHANGED BUT STILL BURN OUT
NHTSA complaint #10897381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ELECTRICAL FIRE - VERY SIMILAR TO RECALL 15700 -FLUID ENTERED INTO THE DRIVER'S DOOR MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH MODULE, CAUSING CORROSION THAT COULD RESULT IN A SHORT IN THE CIRCUIT BOARD, CAUSING WINDOW SWITCHES, LOCKS, ETC TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. ALSO RESULTED IN AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. VEHICLE WAS UNATTENDED IN A PARKING LOT AND WINDOW WAS OPEN JUST AN INCH. UPON RETURN TO CAR WINDOW WAS UP AND DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WITH REMOTE. OPENED VEHICLE WITH KEY AND NOTED HORRIBLE SMELL OF ELECTRICAL FIRE AND ALL DRIVERS SIDE DOOR ELECTRICAL FEATURES WERE INOPERATIVE
NHTSA complaint #10872658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
JUST PURCHASED CAR 3 WEEKS AGO, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AT 3 AM AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 6 HOURS.FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT STARTED AT THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRING OR SWITCH AREA. COMPLETELY DESTROYED MY ENGINE BEFORE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED.
NHTSA complaint #10854557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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....
NHTSA complaint #10849805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL, THE GAS GAGE GOES TO ZERO AND THE TANK EMPTY WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 2 TO 3 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER DRIVING ANOTHER 10-15 MILES THE GAS GAGE RETURNS TO SHOWING ACTUAL LEVEL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OUT. HOWEVER, AT ABOUT A TANK LEVEL OF ABOUT 1/4 THE TANK IS NEAR EMPTY. THIS ERRATIC MALFUNCTION OF THE GAS GAGE IS DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10810540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10809039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.