RoadVitals

2006 Buick Rainier Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
91
Latest Dec 9, 2025
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.
6
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Sep 1, 2006

What this page shows

Our database holds 91 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Buick Rainier. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 91 · page 1 of 4

BrakesSteering
Filed Dec 9, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Buick Rainer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel jerked independently without warning, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the brake pedal while depressing the brake pedal. The contact had taken the vehicle to two independent mechanics, where the wheel bearings and ball joints were replaced; however, the failure persisted. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11704072
Incident
Dec 11, 2024
Electrical
Filed Jun 12, 2023

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 ID
11526598
Incident
Jun 9, 2023
Mileage
168,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 26, 2022

During periods of time with ignition switch on, the wipers will loose the ability to both regulate speed and shut off. The wiper cover AC Delco/GM part number 19120931 will fail and loose control of the wipers (fail to shut off while driving). Because you cannot shut off the wipers, the driver's vision is obscured, and the noise from the wipers on the dry glass is very distracting. This will cause drivers attention to shift from focus on driving to manipulating the wiper switch. GM has not ordered a stock or replacement wiper covers from AC Delco, so trying to locate a fix for this problem is very hard. This is a GM design problem and is very expensive to fix. As a minimum GM needs to stock this part. All of these wiper covers will fail eventually, and accidents from this problem will occur.

NHTSA ID
11475864
Incident
Jul 5, 2022
Electrical
Filed Mar 20, 2022

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 ID
11457557
Incident
May 11, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Jan 26, 2022

In driving cross country, filled up the fuel tank and resumed travel when the fuel gauge immediately went to empty (I didn’t even have time to drive up the highway ramp back onto the highway). The alerts started ringing and blinking and dash board told me there was no fuel. I went to a gravel area and inspected the engine compartment, under the car and the interior to be sure I was not missing anything, then restarted the SUV. Could not find any issues anywhere, including leaking fuel. I took off the fuel cap and reattached it to be sure there was no problem there. I had no choice but to get on the highway and continue my journey. The problem continued for the following 1000 ish miles. When I got home I contacted my dealer and set up an appointment to look at vehicle. They found the vehicle needing a sensor kit which was a recall back a few years ago. I had the issue repaired which took 3 days. They may have the removed items. Attached please find the invoice from the repair that shows the message numbers, etc from the inspection prior to and during repair. Since this issue was a recall, but I understand not for my vehicle but for many similar SUV’s and Pickups of the same area of manufacture; I feel the same components were used in my vehicle and should be paid for and included in this recall. Attached please find the invoice if I can figure out how to get it attached to this type of format.

NHTSA ID
11448952
Incident
Nov 26, 2021
Filed Aug 17, 2021

When I fill my gas up my gas gauge goes to empty, the low fuel light comes on, and my check engine light comes on. I can run out of gas and another can hit me. This is very unsafe, not just for me but others. Buick needs to fix this before someone gets seriously hurt or killed. This is a law suit waiting to happen.

NHTSA ID
11429520
Incident
Aug 16, 2021
Visibility
Filed Oct 15, 2020

BUICK RAINIER 2006: WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND FLUID COME ON BY THEMSELVES. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE ON / OFF FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK. THEY CANNOT BE SHUT OFF BY CONTROLS. THEY MERELY START AND STOP AT RANDOM. IT HAPPENS BOTH ON VEHICLE START UP WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK AND WHILE DRIVING. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
11364509
Incident
May 1, 2020
Mileage
49,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSuspension
Filed May 10, 2020

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324044
Incident
May 10, 2020
Electrical
Filed Oct 31, 2019

DOOR LOCKS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. LATCHES WOULD NOT OPEN, COULD NOT CLOSE DOORS.

NHTSA ID
11277370
Incident
Oct 30, 2019
Mileage
120,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 11, 2018

MY WIPERS COME ON STEADY AND STARTS MY WINDSHEILD WASHER FLUID TO COME OUT. I PUT THEM IN A DELAYED SETTING AND THEY STILL COME ON FULL FORCE. I CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM ANYWHERE AND HAVE SMELT LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING.

NHTSA ID
11160750
Incident
Dec 6, 2018
Mileage
167,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 25, 2018

THE DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS WANT WORK AT ALL ..

NHTSA ID
11090168
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
141,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Feb 21, 2018

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 ID
11073982
Incident
Feb 20, 2018
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed Sep 6, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CALLED LUTHER BROOKDALE (6701 BROOKLYN BLVD, BROOKLYN CENTER, MN 55429, PHONE NUMBER: (763) 515-2412) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 14V404000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11021740
Incident
Sep 6, 2017
Mileage
178,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 20, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. MY SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT IS COMING AND ON AND GOING OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. REASON UNKNOWN. THIS IS HAPPENING WHILE THE SUV IS IN MOTION, IN DRIVE, ON HIGHWAYS AND SIDE ROADS TRAVELING ANYWHERE FROM 25MPH TO 65MPH. I AM GRAVELY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS. I CANNOT RISK ANYTHING HAPPENING, THERE ARE CHILDREN INVOLVED. I WENT TO THE GM RECALL WEBSITE AND ENTERED MY VIN# AND MY PARTICULAR MAKE/MODEL/YEAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND I AM REQUESTING THAT IT BE ADDED FOR THOSE OF US WHO OWN THEM. PLEASE RESPOND, I AM VERY CONCERNED.

NHTSA ID
11000327
Incident
Jun 16, 2017
Mileage
109,760 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 20, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. "SERVICE AIRBAGS" MESSAGE KEEPS POPPING UP. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND PASSENGERS. THIS IS HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE IN MOTION, IN DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND BACK ROADS. THE MESSAGE COMES ON AND GOES OFF SPORADICALLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I CHECKED MY VIN# ON THE GM WEBSITE/RECALL LIST BUT MY PARTICULAR MAKE/MODEL/YEAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I HAVE CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND PASSENGERS. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. THE SERVICE AIRBAG MESSAGE HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR THE LAST 2 DAYS.

NHTSA ID
11000323
Incident
Jun 19, 2017
Mileage
6 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 12, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK RAINIER. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE HANDLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ID
10985113
Incident
May 1, 2013
Mileage
78,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemVisibility
Filed Feb 24, 2017

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 ID
10956820
Incident
Feb 3, 2017
Mileage
105,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 30, 2016

REAR OF CAR DROPS TO JUST ABOVE TIRES WHEN CAR SITS FOR A FEW HOURS. AIR SUSPENSION PUMPS IT BACK UP AFTER CAR IS STARTED. AIR SUSPENSION IS LEAKING....UNSAFE TO DRIVE.CAR HAS 94000 MILES

NHTSA ID
10871447
Incident
May 13, 2016
Mileage
94,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 9, 2016
Fire reported

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 ID
10854557
Incident
Apr 9, 2016
Mileage
131,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED IN ORDER TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CONTACT POINTS FOR THE HEADLIGHT MODULE MELTED INTO THE FUSE BOX AND ALSO DAMAGED SOME OF THE FUSES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,607. ....UPDATED 0711/16 *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
10852073
Incident
Mar 21, 2016
Mileage
139,607 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/17/16*LJ UPDATED 06/09/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10839967
Incident
Mar 4, 2015
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 28, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING DIMMED AS IF THEY WERE NOT ON AND STARTED FLICKERING. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS, WHICH ALSO DIMMED AND FLICKERED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL 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 FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,500. ...UPDATED 02/04/16 *BF *CN

NHTSA ID
10816491
Incident
Nov 26, 2015
Mileage
124,500 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 22, 2015

REGARDING EXTERIOR LIGHTING- WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT -THE HEADLIGHTS WILL SUDDENLY GO OFF & STAY OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.SOMETIMES THEY WILL COME BACK ON & STAY & OTHER TIMES JUST STAY OFF. IT WAS NOT HAPPENING EVERY TIME,BUT NOW SEEMS TO DO IT MORE FREQUENTLY. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ID
10811731
Incident
Nov 2, 2015
Mileage
116,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 15, 2015

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 ID
10810540
Incident
Sep 11, 2015
Mileage
53,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 9, 2015

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A DRIVE THE HEADLIGHTS AND DRL FAILED. THE NEXT DAY THEY WORKED. THIS IS SIMILAR TO NHTSA ID# 10724629. CALLED BUICK AT (800) 521-7300 AND SHE SAID MY COMPLAINT WAS RECORDED AS SERVICE REQUEST 8-1699743903. SHE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT EVEN THOUGH SOME 2006 BUICK RAINERS WERE RECALLED THAT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT PROBLEM OF OTHER RAINERS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I INFORMED BUICK OF THIS. PLEASE CONTACT BUCIK TO DEMAND THE SAME.

NHTSA ID
10809166
Incident
Dec 2, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi

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.

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