RoadVitals

2004 Buick Rainier Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
158
Latest Apr 15, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
17
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Buick Rainier, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

81
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11005370 · filed Jul 14, 2017

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 ID 10983108 · filed May 2, 2017
All 81 reports naming electrical

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

20
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MINUTES. WHEN THE LIGHTS TURNED BACK ON, THE LIGHTING WAS DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO J.D. BYRIDER (5101 NEW BERN AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27610) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT DRIVER MODULE ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,471.

NHTSA ID 11196567 · filed Apr 15, 2019

HEADLIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING LAST NIGHT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE HIGH BEAMS STILL WORKED. THIS IS ABOUT THE SIXTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I CHANGED OUT THE HEADLIGHT RELAY JUST BEFORE THIS OCCURRED AS I HAD SEEN A RECALL ON 2006 AND 2007 RAINIERS SHOWING THIS AS THE PROBLEM. AFTER A SHORT TIME THE HIGH BEAMS ALSO WENT OUT. I PARKED AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF FOR A WHILE AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE HIGH BEAMS WERE WORKING AGAIN BUT NOT THE LOW BEAMS. I WAS DOING A COMBINATION OF STREET AND HIGHWAY DRIVING AND IT APPEARS TO BE UNRELATED TO ANY ROAD CONDITIONS AS THIS HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS.

NHTSA ID 11090229 · filed Apr 26, 2018
All 20 reports naming exterior lighting

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I NOTICED IN NOVEMBER OF 2016 MY BUICK RAINNER WAS SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE AFTER I GOT OUT AND LEFT IT RUNNING WHILE I WAS DROPPING STUFF AT HOME FROM WORK. WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY VEHICLE I DIDN'T SMELL ANYTHING, BUT COULD SMELL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I WENT ABOUT ANOTHER 10 MILES LATER TO MY DESTINATION AND PARK. 20 MINS LATER WENT BACK OUT AND CRANK MY VEHICLE AND COULD SMELL A STRONG GAS ODOR COMING THRU VENTS ON THE INSIDE OF MY SUV. I GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER MY HOOD AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I WALKED TOWARD THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE THE GAS SMELL WAS EVEN STRONGER. I CHECKED THE FUEL / GAS TOP TO SEE I LEFT IT OFF BUT IT WASN'T. THEN I LOOKED UNDER MY VEHICLE AND NOTICE FUEL WAS POURING OUT AROUND MY GAS TANK AND NOTICE A BIG WET SPOT ON THE GROUND UNDER THE TANK. WHEN I CUT OFF THE VEHICLE I NOTICE THE GAS COMING FROM AROUND THE TANK HAS STOP. HAD MY VEHICLE TOOKEN TO A LOCAL GM/ BUICK DEALER. THE DID A INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AND SAID WHAT EVER THE PROBLEM WAS IT WAS AT THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. SO GAVE THEM PERMISSION TO WORK ON IT AND FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. TWO DAYS LATER THE DEALER CALL ME AND SAID THAT THE GAS LINES GOING INTO THE TOP OF THE TANK WHERE FUEL PUMP GOES INTO THE TANK GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THEM. THEY COULDN'T TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT CAUSES MY LINES TO START LEAKING AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. ( AFTER READING THIS NHTSA REPORT IN 2008 ON THE CAUSE AND GM/ BUICK EXTENDED A WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS OR 120,000 WARRANTY). I'M TOTALLY UPSET ABOUT THIS BECAUSE NHTSA SHOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM TEN YEARS AGO INSTEAD OF CLOSING THE INVESTIGATION AS LONG AS BUICK MAKES EXTEND WARRANTY FIX. THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE AND TOOK TWO DAYS TO ARRIVE. AFTER THE PARTS ARRIVE AND TWO DAYS MORE TO WORK ON IT. I HAD A $1200 BILLS THAT I HAD TO PAY A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

NHTSA ID 11096442 · filed May 17, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, A FUEL ODOR WAS NOTICED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR WAS STRONGER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE ROTTED AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,722.

NHTSA ID 11074102 · filed Feb 21, 2018
All 18 reports naming fuel system

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND THE CONTACT REMAINED IN A COMA FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HEAD, WHICH CAUSED WALKING COMPLICATIONS AND A LOSS OF FEELING IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUFFERED A LOSS OF SIGHT IN THE RIGHT EYE DUE TO A CRUSHED SKULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11099015 · filed May 31, 2018

TRANSFER CASE SHIFT MODULE CONTROL MODULE

NHTSA ID 11055966 · filed Dec 21, 2017
All 14 reports naming driver assistance

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND THE CONTACT REMAINED IN A COMA FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HEAD, WHICH CAUSED WALKING COMPLICATIONS AND A LOSS OF FEELING IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUFFERED A LOSS OF SIGHT IN THE RIGHT EYE DUE TO A CRUSHED SKULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11099015 · filed May 31, 2018

A PERSON RAN TWO STOP SIGNS AND ENTERED VEHICLE PATH. THE TWO VEHICLES HIT HEAD ON AND THIS VEHICLE MADE IMPACT AT 40 MPH AFTER IT DECELERATED FROM 43 MPH. THE TWO VEHICLE HIT HEAD ON WITH NEAR PERFECT EVEN IMPACT, BASED UPON THIRD PARTY VISUAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLES DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AT A MAX SDM RECORDED VELOCITY CHANGE RATE OF -14.07 (MPH) AND A ALGORITHM ENABLED TO MAXIMUM SDM RECORDED VELOCITY CHANGE OF 127.5 MSEC. DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HEAD KNOCKING THE PERSON OUT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ONSTAR WAS NOT NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. COMPUTER SHOWS THE SEATBELT WAS WORN BY DRIVER. WHEN THE ONSTAR WAS MANUALLY ACTIVATED BY THE DRIVER WHEN HE CAME TOO, THE GPS SHOWED THE VEHICLE FURTHER NORTH UP THE ROAD CAUSING INCORRECT POLICE DIVISION BEING CALLED. VEHICLE WAS GOING UP HILL WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING DOWNHILL. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS A SUBARU. VEHICLE COMPUTER DATA WAS RETRIEVED BY A BOSCH CRASH DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL USING VERSION 8.0 SOFTWARE. I HAVE A COPY OF THIS DATA. GM REPORTS THAT THE COMPUTER WAS CORRECT NOT TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS AND NOT CALL FOR HELP USING ONSTAR. THE VEHICLE HAD A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION DUE TO A FAULT WITH THE FAN SPEED CALIBRATION SETTING OFF A WARNING LIGHT. WE HAD COMPLAINED THAT THINGS WERE NEVER CORRECT AFTER THIS MODIFICATION OF THE SOFTWARE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS COMPLAINING THAT COMPUTERS WERE DOING STRANGE THINGS AFTER THIS FIRMWARE MODIFICATION. VEHICLE VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10638830 · filed Sep 24, 2014
All 10 reports naming airbags

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS MAKING ON U-TURN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THEN I CONTINUED TO PROCEED, MY BACK TIRES WAS STUCK. THEY STARTED SLIDING ON THE ROAD, THEY WOULD NOT TURN. DRIVING STRAIGHT FORWARD IS FINE. ONLY MAKING TURN AND PARKING ISVERY DIFFICULT. I HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC, HE SAID THAT MY TRUCK IS STUCK IN 4WD. ALSO MY CV JOINT SEAL HAS A LEAK.

NHTSA ID 10876110 · filed Jun 23, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE JERKED. IN ADDITION, AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENCODER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA ID 10748715 · filed Aug 14, 2015
All 8 reports naming powertrain (other)

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

POWER DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOW LOCKS ARE INOPERATIVE. HAVE LOST ALL POWER IN THE DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS AS WELL AS THE RADIO AND THE HEATER. I WAS TRAPPED IN MY CAR THIS MORNING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WITH THE WINDOWS UP AND THE HEATER WAS BLOWING OUT HOT AIR. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THAT AS I COULDN'T TURN OFF THE CAR OR OPEN THE DOORS, I PRIED THE DOOR LOCK OPEN AND WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10626431 · filed Aug 19, 2014

1) FUEL GAUGE - THE FUEL GAUGE HAS DONE A 180, THE NEEDLE IS NOW UPSIDE DOWN. AND DOESN'T WORK REALLY. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THE THERE IS A RECALL ON 2005- 2007 BUICK RAINIERS BUT NOT ON MY 2004. MAYBE WITH MY COMPLAINT, MAYBE IT WILL INCLUDE 2004 MODELS. 2) DRIVES DOOR LOCK - THE CAR KEY WILL NO LONGER OPEN THE CAR DOOR. I CAN ONLY OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE REMOTE BUTTON. *TR

NHTSA ID 10467527 · filed Jul 24, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AIR SUSPENSION ? IT SEEMS AS IF THE AIR SUSPENSION IS RUNNING CONTINUALLY AND COULD CAUSE A DRAIN ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AFTER I STOP THE CAR IT HUMS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME NEAR THE DRIVERS DOORS AND WILL EVENTUALLY STOP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10604723 · filed Jun 20, 2014

FRAME ROT ? I BROUGHT MY 2004 BUICK RAINIER IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD THE MECHANIC CHECK THE STATUS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME NEAR THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS ROTTED THROUGH. THE STEEL DESIGN OF THE FRAME IS ?CUPPED? NEAR THE REAR WHEELS AND THERE WAS NO DRAIN HOLE IN THE AREA TO ALLOW THE ROAD WATER AND DEBRIS TO ESCAPE. HE ADVISED THAT IF I WERE TO GO OVER A POTHOLE OR HIT A BUMP THAT THE REAR WHEEL WOULD CAVE INWARD AND CAUSE A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HE WELDED ON A STEEL PLATE TO STABILIZE THE AREA AND DRILLED A HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR FRAME ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND UNDERCOATED THE AREAS TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL DAMAGES. THE COST OF THE STEEL PLATE REPAIR, UNDERCOATING AND LABOR WAS $180. *TR

NHTSA ID 10604720 · filed Jun 20, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NOISES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD; RATTLE, JINGLE, CLUNK; CONSTANT. SOUNDS LIKE METAL IN A WASHING MACHINE, BUT FINE DRIVEABILITY AND COMFORTABLE SOUNDING HIGHWAY DRIVING. DRIVING IN PARKING GARAGE IS NOISY WHEN ACCELERATING, AND QUIET WHEN COASTING. NOISE IS QUIETER WHEN AC IS OFF. NOISE IS LOUDER WHEN ACCELERATING, OR AT IDLE. AFTER 30 MINUTE DRIVE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AUTO STORE GAVE CODES THAT SHOWED REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE COOLING FAN CLUTCH OR EV FAN MOTOR. LESS THAN 70K MILES.

NHTSA ID 10408266 · filed Jun 19, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER WILL DISPLAY SPEEDS BETWEEN 20-120 MPH. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE FREEWAY, THE SPEED WILL DECREASE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT MUST LITERALLY STAND ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO MAINTAIN A STEADY SPEED. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT, THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO REV. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR JUNE 23, 2008 TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ID 10231608 · filed Jun 19, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LOW BEAMS ON LIGHTING GOES OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY JUST CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. ALTHOUGH THEY HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE THERE WITH SAME PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH GM SUV'S. MY 1994 GMC DID THE SAME THING AND I HEARD REPORTS OF OTHER GMC'S DOING THE SAME THING. NOT GOOD ON INTERSTATES AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ID 11010081 · filed Jul 22, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER OPENING THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW, THE WINDOW COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT WOULD BECOME VERY HOT TOO THE TOUCH BEFORE THE SEAT WARMER COMPLETELY FAILED ALTOGETHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

NHTSA ID 10622467 · filed Aug 15, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRAME ROT ? I BROUGHT MY 2004 BUICK RAINIER IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD THE MECHANIC CHECK THE STATUS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME NEAR THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS ROTTED THROUGH. THE STEEL DESIGN OF THE FRAME IS ?CUPPED? NEAR THE REAR WHEELS AND THERE WAS NO DRAIN HOLE IN THE AREA TO ALLOW THE ROAD WATER AND DEBRIS TO ESCAPE. HE ADVISED THAT IF I WERE TO GO OVER A POTHOLE OR HIT A BUMP THAT THE REAR WHEEL WOULD CAVE INWARD AND CAUSE A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HE WELDED ON A STEEL PLATE TO STABILIZE THE AREA AND DRILLED A HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR FRAME ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND UNDERCOATED THE AREAS TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL DAMAGES. THE COST OF THE STEEL PLATE REPAIR, UNDERCOATING AND LABOR WAS $180. *TR

NHTSA ID 10604720 · filed Jun 20, 2014

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER HAS INADEQUATE LIGHTING. WHILE DRIVING IN THE DAY TIME THE LIGHTING IN THE DASH IS NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH TO LIGHT THE SPEEDOMETER MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE THE SPEED THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPDATED 2/27/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID 10148756 · filed Jan 26, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TRANSFER CASE SHIFT MODULE CONTROL MODULE

NHTSA ID 11055966 · filed Dec 21, 2017

WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNING IT SEEMED LIKE MY TIRES LOCKED UP AND MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE UNLESS I STRAIGHTENED MY STEERING WHEEL A LITTLE. IT DOES THE SAME THING WHEN PULLING FORWARD AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE OR DOING A U-TURN. WHEN I TOUCH THE GAS TO MAKE IT GO THE CAR JUMPS A LITTLE AND MAKES POPPING NOISES AND MY TIRES SQUEAL A LITTLE ALSO. SINCE THIS STARTED I'VE NOTICED MY GAS MILEAGE GOING DOWN. I'VE HEARD A FEW OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10627781 · filed Aug 23, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AIR BAG SUSPENSION WILL NOT STAY AIR UP. CONSTANTLY HAVE TO WORK ON THE ABS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10578139 · filed Apr 7, 2014

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM; HOWEVER,THE CONTACT COULD NOT REMEMBER WHAT SPECIFICALLY WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ID 10219958 · filed Mar 3, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BLOW OUT OF TIRE ON INTERSTATE 90 IN MADISON AT 70 MPH. SIDEWALL OF TIRE DISINTEGRATED. NEARLY LOST CONTROL. TIRE WAS A GENERAL ALTIMAX HP, SIZE 255/60-17 ON A 2004 BUICK RENIER.. TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 30000 MILES. AND HAD BEEN ROTATED AND BALANCED.

NHTSA ID 10786534 · filed Oct 27, 2015

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD REPETITIVELY UNTIL THE FRONT WHEELS WERE STRAIGHTENED OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ISSUE WAS A RESULT OF THE DESIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE COMPUTER READING THAT ONE WHEEL WAS TRAVELING FURTHER THAN THE OTHER, AND COMPENSATING FOR THIS BY ENGAGING THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE.

NHTSA ID 10170109 · filed Oct 6, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE A 2004 BUICK RAINIER THAT HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT WITH 28,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 64,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10244167 · filed Oct 1, 2008

THERE SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE WITH SPEEDOMETER CONTROL MODULE. THE DEALERS KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE, TRANSMISSION AND SPEEDOMETER REPAIR SHOPS KNPW ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS YOU ARE DRIVING AND THE SPEED REGISTERS DIFFERENT & SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID 10220296 · filed Mar 6, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

A PERSON RAN TWO STOP SIGNS AND ENTERED VEHICLE PATH. THE TWO VEHICLES HIT HEAD ON AND THIS VEHICLE MADE IMPACT AT 40 MPH AFTER IT DECELERATED FROM 43 MPH. THE TWO VEHICLE HIT HEAD ON WITH NEAR PERFECT EVEN IMPACT, BASED UPON THIRD PARTY VISUAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLES DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AT A MAX SDM RECORDED VELOCITY CHANGE RATE OF -14.07 (MPH) AND A ALGORITHM ENABLED TO MAXIMUM SDM RECORDED VELOCITY CHANGE OF 127.5 MSEC. DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HEAD KNOCKING THE PERSON OUT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ONSTAR WAS NOT NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. COMPUTER SHOWS THE SEATBELT WAS WORN BY DRIVER. WHEN THE ONSTAR WAS MANUALLY ACTIVATED BY THE DRIVER WHEN HE CAME TOO, THE GPS SHOWED THE VEHICLE FURTHER NORTH UP THE ROAD CAUSING INCORRECT POLICE DIVISION BEING CALLED. VEHICLE WAS GOING UP HILL WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING DOWNHILL. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS A SUBARU. VEHICLE COMPUTER DATA WAS RETRIEVED BY A BOSCH CRASH DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL USING VERSION 8.0 SOFTWARE. I HAVE A COPY OF THIS DATA. GM REPORTS THAT THE COMPUTER WAS CORRECT NOT TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS AND NOT CALL FOR HELP USING ONSTAR. THE VEHICLE HAD A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION DUE TO A FAULT WITH THE FAN SPEED CALIBRATION SETTING OFF A WARNING LIGHT. WE HAD COMPLAINED THAT THINGS WERE NEVER CORRECT AFTER THIS MODIFICATION OF THE SOFTWARE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS COMPLAINING THAT COMPUTERS WERE DOING STRANGE THINGS AFTER THIS FIRMWARE MODIFICATION. VEHICLE VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10638830 · filed Sep 24, 2014

A PERSON RAN TWO STOP SIGNS AND ENTERED VEHICLE PATH. THE TWO VEHICLES HIT HEAD ON AND THIS VEHICLE MADE IMPACT AT 40 MPH AFTER IT DECELERATED FROM 43 MPH. THE TWO VEHICLE HIT HEAD ON WITH NEAR PERFECT EVEN IMPACT, BASED UPON THIRD PARTY VISUAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLES DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AT A MAX SDM RECORDED VELOCITY CHANGE RATE OF -14.07 (MPH) AND A ALGORITHM ENABLED TO MAXIMUM SDM RECORDED VELOCITY CHANGE OF 127.5 MSEC. DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HEAD KNOCKING THE PERSON OUT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ONSTAR WAS NOT NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. COMPUTER SHOWS THE SEATBELT WAS WORN BY DRIVER. WHEN THE ONSTAR WAS MANUALLY ACTIVATED BY THE DRIVER WHEN HE CAME TOO, THE GPS SHOWED THE VEHICLE FURTHER NORTH UP THE ROAD CAUSING INCORRECT POLICE DIVISION BEING CALLED. VEHICLE WAS GOING UP HILL WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING DOWNHILL. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS A SUBARU. VEHICLE COMPUTER DATA WAS RETRIEVED BY A BOSCH CRASH DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL USING VERSION 8.0 SOFTWARE. I HAVE A COPY OF THIS DATA. GM REPORTS THAT THE COMPUTER WAS CORRECT NOT TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS AND NOT CALL FOR HELP USING ONSTAR. THE VEHICLE HAD A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION DUE TO A FAULT WITH THE FAN SPEED CALIBRATION SETTING OFF A WARNING LIGHT. WE HAD COMPLAINED THAT THINGS WERE NEVER CORRECT AFTER THIS MODIFICATION OF THE SOFTWARE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS COMPLAINING THAT COMPUTERS WERE DOING STRANGE THINGS AFTER THIS FIRMWARE MODIFICATION. VEHICLE VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10638828 · filed Sep 24, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER OPENING THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW, THE WINDOW COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT WOULD BECOME VERY HOT TOO THE TOUCH BEFORE THE SEAT WARMER COMPLETELY FAILED ALTOGETHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

NHTSA ID 10622467 · filed Aug 15, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

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