I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 YEARS AND THE SPEEDOMETER HAS NOT WORKED FOR 2.5 YEARS NOW. IT WILL WORK IF I RESET THE BATTERY OR TURN THE KEY OVER UNTIL THE NEEDLE GOES BACK TO 0. I AM TOLD THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS BAD AND I SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS ALSO. PLEASE HELP. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS COVERED AT A GM DEALERS…
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I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 4 YEARS AND THE SPEEDOMETER HAS NOT WORKED FOR 2.5 YEARS NOW. IT WILL WORK IF I RESET THE BATTERY OR TURN THE KEY OVER UNTIL THE NEEDLE GOES BACK TO 0. I AM TOLD THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS BAD AND I SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS ALSO. PLEASE HELP. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS COVERED AT A GM DEALERSHIP FOR FREE. THE VEHICLE ALSO SPUTTERS AND I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND HAD THE INJECTORS LOOKED AT. IF YOU CAN PLEASE EMAIL ME OR CONTACT ME I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564869
125,000 miles · Sep 12, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT SHOWING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. IT WILL GO FAR BEYOND FULL AND WAY BELOW EMPTY. OVER THE COURSE OF A MILE IT CAN GO FROM FULL TO EMPTY OR ALL BETWEEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424709
78,500 miles · May 6, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other
THE FIRST INCIDENT WE RAN OUT OF FUEL WITH THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWING WE STILL HAD FUEL IN THE TANK. NEXT INCIDENT, THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE INDICATED A VERY HIGH OIL PRESSURE READING, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. TOOK THE CAR HOME AND DROVE ANOTHER VEHICLE UNTIL I COULD DO SOME TESTING ON THE VEHICLE. OI…
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THE FIRST INCIDENT WE RAN OUT OF FUEL WITH THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWING WE STILL HAD FUEL IN THE TANK. NEXT INCIDENT, THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE INDICATED A VERY HIGH OIL PRESSURE READING, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. TOOK THE CAR HOME AND DROVE ANOTHER VEHICLE UNTIL I COULD DO SOME TESTING ON THE VEHICLE. OIL GAUGE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. IN APRIL OF 2010 I WAS DRIVING EXITING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ONTO A FOUR LANE ROAD AND THE SPEEDOMETER READING BECAME INACCURATE. I WAS TRAVELING FASTER THAN THE INDICATED SPEED. AFTER STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION THE SPEEDOMETER NEVER MOVED FROM ZERO WHEN I WAS MOVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS OCCURS AFTER A BRIEF PERIOD OF DRIVING. MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN TO INFORM ME THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. GAUGES SUCH AS FUEL GAUGE, OIL PRESSURE, TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER ARE NOT TRUSTWORTHY AND GIVE INACCURATE READINGS. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ITEM TO REPLACE AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE YOU CANNOT DETERMINE YOUR SPEED AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.
NHTSA ODI #10400313
65,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2004 BUICK RAINIER HAS A GAS LEAK. I'M TOLD THAT THE PLASTIC TANK IS THE SAME ONE USED WITH THE GMC ENVOY, THE GMC TRAILBLAZER, OLD BRAVADIER AND PERHAPS OTHERS. THE FILLER PIPE WELDING BREAKS NEAR THE PLASTIC TANK AND GAS ESCAPES. THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OTHER GMC OWNERS. THIS COULD BE A THE C…
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MY 2004 BUICK RAINIER HAS A GAS LEAK. I'M TOLD THAT THE PLASTIC TANK IS THE SAME ONE USED WITH THE GMC ENVOY, THE GMC TRAILBLAZER, OLD BRAVADIER AND PERHAPS OTHERS. THE FILLER PIPE WELDING BREAKS NEAR THE PLASTIC TANK AND GAS ESCAPES. THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OTHER GMC OWNERS. THIS COULD BE A THE CAUSE OF FATAL FIRES BUT GMC WOULD RATHER IGNORE THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343919
117,000 miles · May 12, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. HE STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT HAVE AN EXPLANATION FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000 AND THE CURRENT MI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. HE STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT HAVE AN EXPLANATION FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 9/1/10 *CN RECEIVED PICTURED. UPDATED 09/21/10. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10330106
85,000 miles · Jan 31, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT THE FILLER INLET. THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL ON CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT'S WHICH SHARE MANY OF THE SAME COMPONENTS. THERE IS A SMELL OF FUEL IN MY GARAGE AND IT IS CLEARLY VISIBLE ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. WHY WOULDN'T GM COVER ALL VEHICLES OF THE SAME BUILD AND NOT JUST THE TRAILBLAZER? I AM…
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FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT THE FILLER INLET. THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL ON CHEVY TRAILBLAZER EXT'S WHICH SHARE MANY OF THE SAME COMPONENTS. THERE IS A SMELL OF FUEL IN MY GARAGE AND IT IS CLEARLY VISIBLE ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. WHY WOULDN'T GM COVER ALL VEHICLES OF THE SAME BUILD AND NOT JUST THE TRAILBLAZER? I AM AFRAID MY CAR WILL CATCH FIRE OVERNIGHT OR WHILE MY WIFE AND TODDLER ARE INSIDE IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10303484
97,400 miles · Jan 27, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
2004 BUICK RAINIER WITH 97,000 MILES AND NO HISTORY OF ACCIDENT, DAMAGE OR SERVICE ISSUES PASSED STATE OF ARIZONA EMISSIONS TEST IN DECEMBER 2009, INCLUDING EVAPORATION TESTING. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS DIAGNOSED BY CODE AS AN EVAPORATION ISSUE. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER THE V…
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2004 BUICK RAINIER WITH 97,000 MILES AND NO HISTORY OF ACCIDENT, DAMAGE OR SERVICE ISSUES PASSED STATE OF ARIZONA EMISSIONS TEST IN DECEMBER 2009, INCLUDING EVAPORATION TESTING. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS DIAGNOSED BY CODE AS AN EVAPORATION ISSUE. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCEPT GAS, INSTEAD THE GAS PUDDLED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE PUMP TO AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE GAS TANK IN THE AREA OF THE GAS FILLER NECK. THE DEALER ALSO CONFIRMED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE AREA. DEALER INDICATES THAT THE GAS TANK AND FILLER NECK NEED TO BE REPLACED. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN YET. *CN
NHTSA ODI #10302630
144,000 miles · Dec 16, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE WELDING FROM THE FILLER NECK HAD BECOME LOOSE AND CAUSED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATEL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE WELDING FROM THE FILLER NECK HAD BECOME LOOSE AND CAUSED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 144,000.
NHTSA ODI #10296066
29,000 miles · Oct 16, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE "ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL PRESENT OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE "ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL PRESENT OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
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
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