Buick Rainier Problems by Year
NHTSA has 391 owner complaints and 10 safety recalls on file for the Buick Rainier, across 5 model years (2003–2007). The 2004 model year has the most complaints (158). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Buick Rainier years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Rainier year: 2004. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2004 Rainier: 158 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2005 Rainier: 103 complaints, 1 recall
- 2006 Rainier: 91 complaints, 7 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Buick Rainier problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 146 | 5 | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 62 | 4 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 54 | 4 | 1 |
| Power Train | 28 | 4 | 2 |
| Suspension | 24 | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 21 | 3 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 20 | 3 | 11 |
| Fuel System, Other | 18 | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 15 | 4 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 13 | 3 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 13 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 13 | 4 | 1 |
| Visibility | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 11 | 3 | 3 |
| Visibility/wiper | 10 | 4 | 1 |
| Engine | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Buick Rainier problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2004: electrical system (83)
All Buick Rainier model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Rainier | 38 | 5 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2006 Rainier | 91 | 7 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | More complaints than other years |
| 2005 Rainier | 103 | 1 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2004 Rainier | 158 | 2 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2003 Rainier | 1 | 0 | — | Electrical System |
More from Buick: all Buick models · Buick VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Rainier years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2004 (158) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Rainier year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Buick Rainier?
Electrical System, with 146 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Buick Rainier have?
10 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.