Buick

Rainier (1st)

2004-2007 · Midsize SUV · 3 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.3)
390 NHTSA Complaints
10 Recalls
14 Fire Reports
16 Crash Reports
📋 Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
4/5 (19.1% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

LM4

5.3L 8-cyl
⚠️ Caution (3.3)
36 complaints 18.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
20
fuel system
4
exterior
4
transmission
3
safety systems
3

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (20 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (4 complaints)
Exterior Issues (4 complaints)

LH6

5.3L 8-cyl
Avoid (1.9)
43 complaints 14.3 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
13
fuel system
12
body
6
exterior
6
engine
4

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (13 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (12 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (6 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Buick Rainier regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (121 complaints)
electrical critical
Fuel System Issues (72 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Exterior Issues (41 complaints)
exterior critical
Suspension Issues (17 complaints)
suspension critical
Safety Systems Issues (16 complaints)
safety_systems critical

Recalls (10)

15V599000Sep 23, 2015serious
Visibility

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy vehicles, and 2006 GMC Envoy XL and Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT vehicles. Fluid may enter 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 to become inoperative. Previously, the affected vehicles may have had their master power window switch module treated with a protective coating, instead of having it replaced.

15V519000Aug 13, 2015serious
Exterior Lighting

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.

14V404000Feb 6, 2014serious
Visibility

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.

13V248000Jun 12, 2013serious
Electrical System

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.

12V406000Aug 15, 2012serious
Electrical System

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, SAAB 9-7x, and Isuzu Ascender vehicles, originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.

05V552000Jul 11, 2005serious
Equipment

CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.

05V455000May 9, 2005serious
Steering

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.

05V198000May 4, 2005serious
Exterior Lighting

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.

05V035000Mar 1, 2005serious
Visibility

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING.' THE WINDSHIELD URETHANE BEAD MAY NOT HAVE ADHERED TO THE BODY IN CERTAIN AREAS DURING THE CURE PROCESS.

04V527000Jan 10, 2004serious
Exterior Lighting

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2004-2007 Buick Rainier problems?

The 2004-2007 Buick Rainier has accumulated 390 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Fuel System, Exterior. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Buick Rainier engine is most reliable?

The 2004-2007 Buick Rainier was offered with 3 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 4.2L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2004-2007 Buick Rainier a good used car?

The 2004-2007 Buick Rainier can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 390 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2007 Buick Rainier have?

The 2004-2007 Buick Rainier has 390 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2004-2007 Buick Rainier?

There are 10 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2004-2007 Buick Rainier vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Buick Rainier?

Before buying a used Buick Rainier, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Fuel System, Exterior, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Rainier?

The 2007 Buick Rainier received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (19.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 390 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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