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…
Read full complaint
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 ODI #11096442
109,722 miles · Feb 21, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
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…
Read full complaint
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 ODI #11074102
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR A VOLUNTARY RECALL AND DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE I…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR A VOLUNTARY RECALL AND DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INLET CHECK VALVE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE GLUED TOGETHER AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY DUE TO PART UNAVAILABILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10852032
92,643 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED YOU CAN SMELL GASOLINE CAN PARK CAR IN GARAGE DUE TO OUR WATER HEATER RECEIVED NOTICE FROM G M IN NOVEMBER 2015 (G M SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM,14423) CAN'T GET NOWHERE WITH G M SINCE NOVEMBER 2015
NHTSA ODI #10846425
24,000 miles · Nov 3, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.
NHTSA ODI #10787928
124,000 miles · Oct 25, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System
WHEN I PARK MY 2004 BUICK RAINIER IN MY GARAGE THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WHICH IS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH AND ULTIMATELY FOUND THAT THE 2004 GM ENVOY (SISTER VEHICLE) HAD A RECALL DUE TO A SIMILAR ISSUE AND THAT GM CONFIRMED IN 2008 THAT THE 2004 BUICK RAINIER FUEL LINE CAN RUST AND…
Read full complaint
WHEN I PARK MY 2004 BUICK RAINIER IN MY GARAGE THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WHICH IS GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH AND ULTIMATELY FOUND THAT THE 2004 GM ENVOY (SISTER VEHICLE) HAD A RECALL DUE TO A SIMILAR ISSUE AND THAT GM CONFIRMED IN 2008 THAT THE 2004 BUICK RAINIER FUEL LINE CAN RUST AND CAUSE THIS CONDITION. ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND GM EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS AND 120,000 MILES THERE WAS NO NOTICE TO CONSUMERS THAT I AM AWARE OF. MY TRUCK IS 9 YEARS OLD BUT HAS 128,000 MILES. I WILL GO TO THE DEALER THIS WEEK TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP. HISTORICALLY THE DEALER HAS BEEN LESS THAN HELPFUL WITH PROBLEMS AS I DID NOT PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM THEM. BEING UNEMPLOYED I WOULD RATHER FIX MY TRUCK AT THIS TIME AS A NEW CAR IS NOT A REASONABLE SOLUTION. ANY SUGGESTIONS YOU CAN OFFER TO HELP ME WOULD BE APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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…
Read full complaint
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
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3
RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights
Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
DURING THE COURSE OF THIS EA INVESTIGATION, ODI OBSERVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS (88%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (94%) WERE REPORTED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGISTERED FOR USE IN THE SALT BELT REGION OF THE US.THIS AREA INCLUDES 20 STATES IN THE NORTHEAST, MID ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST REGIONS AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.CONSUMERS IN THE SALT BELT REGION REPORTED TO ODI THAT THEY COULD SMELL FUEL VAPORS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THEIR VEHICLES, THEY DISCOVERED THAT FUEL VAPORS WERE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE RETURN AND SENDER LINES OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.WATER AND ROAD SALT COLLECT ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP LEADING TO SMALL PINHOLES APPEARING ON THE FUEL LINES.FUEL MAY LEAK AND COLLECT ON TOP OF THE MODULE AND/OR SPILL ONTO THE GROUND.THE DATA EVALUATED UNDER THIS INVESTIGATION REFLECT A RELATIVELY LOW FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE THAT LARGELY ARISES IN SALT BELT STATES.GM HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SUBJECT COMPONENT TO TEN YEARS OR 120,000 MILES.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH.
EA04021 · Brake Lamp Failure
Opened Aug 3, 2004 · Closed Nov 4, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
GM STATES THAT SOME BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULBS CAN PREMATURELY BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE/TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.ON MARCH 2, 2004, GM INITIATED A 6-YEAR/72,000 MILE SPECIAL POLICY FOR 989,487 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES.ON APRIL 4, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-032) BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.ON AUGUST 3, 2004 ODI UPGRADED PE04-032 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-021).BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 27, 2004 GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 04V527) COVERING SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER GM'S SPECIAL POLICY.MY 2004 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 8, 2003 CONTAIN IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY ON SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT ON AUGUST 8, 2003 AND EARLIER.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
2004 Buick Rainier Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration