FAILURE OF FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR
2004 Buick Rainier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Buick Rainier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 91.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Rainier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
133 reports with mileage · 25 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
158 reportsFAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER. QUIT WORKING AT ABOUT 32,000 MILES. *TR
I BOUGHT THIS CAR MONDAY AND THE DEALER STATED IT HAD ALL SCHEDULED SERVICE, INCLUDING THE 130K MILE SERVICE ON FEBRUARY 26, 2011. WE DROVE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE BEAUTIFULLY, AND APPEARED TO BE IMMACULATELY MAINTAINED. UNTIL I DROVE TO WORK THIS MORNING, AND THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED GOING HIGHER AND …
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I BOUGHT THIS CAR MONDAY AND THE DEALER STATED IT HAD ALL SCHEDULED SERVICE, INCLUDING THE 130K MILE SERVICE ON FEBRUARY 26, 2011. WE DROVE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE BEAUTIFULLY, AND APPEARED TO BE IMMACULATELY MAINTAINED. UNTIL I DROVE TO WORK THIS MORNING, AND THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED GOING HIGHER AND HIGHER, REACHING 80 MPH, EVEN THOUGH I HAD SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IT APPEARED NORMAL FOR THE FIRST 30 MPH, THEN STUCK AT 40, EVEN THOUGH I WAS FOLLOWING TRAFFIC IN A 70 MPH ZONE. IT STAYED AT 40 MPH, EVEN AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM IN GM CARS, AND WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED AS THE RESULT OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THERE ARE SEVERAL TSBS RELATED TO THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGES, OR OTHER INSTRUMENTS IN THIS CLUSTER. I FIND IT UNFORGIVABLE THAT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS ALLOWED AN UNSAFE CONDITION EXIST IN VIRTUALLY AN ENTIRE BRAND OF CARS FOR OVER 7 YEARS AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. THIS ALLOWED THE DEALER TO SELL THE CAR, KNOWING ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT NOT REQUIRED BY LAW, TO DISCLOSE IT. AND SHOULD I BE ON THE HIGHWAY, DRIVING ALONG AT 90 MPH, WHEN MY SPEEDOMETER SAYS 60, NOBODY IS SAFE. NOT ME, NOT THE OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD, CERTAINLY NOT PEDESTRIANS, SINCE THE BRAKING DISTANCE IS OBVIOUSLY FAR LONGER THAN MY SPEEDOMETER LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT IS. HOW MANY MILLIONS OF DEFECTIVE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE ROAD IN THE LAST 7 YEARS? HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOUR 5 YEAR-OLD RODE A BICYCLE INTO THE STREET AS I DROVE BY? THINKING I WAS GOING 30, BUT REALLY GOING 60? THIS ISN'T JUST AN INCONVENIENCE, IT IS A FATALITY WAITING TO HAPPEN. YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY, AND THE MORAL RESPONSIBILITY, TO FIX IT. RECALL THESE CARS BEFORE SOMEBODY DIES. *TR
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN MY BUICK RAINIER. IT STARTED WITH THE SPEEDOMETER WHICH WAS EITHER TO FAST OR SHOWING BELOW ZERO AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT STARTED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO BUT AT THAT TIME IT HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO MIGRATE TO OTHER GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PA…
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I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN MY BUICK RAINIER. IT STARTED WITH THE SPEEDOMETER WHICH WAS EITHER TO FAST OR SHOWING BELOW ZERO AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT STARTED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO BUT AT THAT TIME IT HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO MIGRATE TO OTHER GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL-- THE OIL PRESSURE READS ANYWHERE FROM 50 TO THE 80 OR PEG, THE TACK WILL READ BELOW ZERO AT HIGHWAY OPERATING SPEEDS AND THE VOLT METER READS 14+. THESE PROBLEMS HAPPEN INDIVIDUALLY OR SEVERAL AT ONCE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT AS A PROBLEM AND OFFER NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR $370 FOR PARTS AND LABOR AT $92/HOUR - APPROXIMATELY $600. I CONTACTED GM ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS IN CERTAIN VEHICLES DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME BUT MY VEHICLE IS NO INVOLVED. IF YOU RESEARCH THIS ON THE INTERNET YOU WILL FIND SEVERAL SITES WITH DISCUSSIONS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, INCLUDING THIS SITE. I THINK THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED WITH A MANDATED GOVERNMENT RECALL. I HAD AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE XT AND THERE WAS A RECALL AND FREE REPLACE FOR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TR
ERRATIC WINDSHIELD WIPER OPERATION. WHEN YOU TURN THE WIPERS ON FOR USE THEY IMMEDIATELY GO TO "NORMAL" MODE OF OPERATION AND CAN BE SWITCHED TO "HIGH SPEED" AND BACK TO NORMAL BUT WILL NOT GO TO "DELAY" OR TURN OFF. THEN THEY MAY STAY ON FOR DAYS BEFORE THEY WILL STOP ON THEIR OWN. THEY DO NOT TRUN OFF WITH THE SWITCH. THIS…
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ERRATIC WINDSHIELD WIPER OPERATION. WHEN YOU TURN THE WIPERS ON FOR USE THEY IMMEDIATELY GO TO "NORMAL" MODE OF OPERATION AND CAN BE SWITCHED TO "HIGH SPEED" AND BACK TO NORMAL BUT WILL NOT GO TO "DELAY" OR TURN OFF. THEN THEY MAY STAY ON FOR DAYS BEFORE THEY WILL STOP ON THEIR OWN. THEY DO NOT TRUN OFF WITH THE SWITCH. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS BUT IS GETTING WORSE. *TR
WHEN DRIVING ON SLICK/SNOWY CONDITIONS THE FRONT WHEELS DO NOT GOT INTO 4WHEEL DRIVE. BECAUSE OF THIS OUR SUV DID A 180 ON A CURVE WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH. TOOK SUV IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD TRANSFER CASE AND REAR DIFF FLUIDS CHANGED OUT BUT TECH HEARD GRINDING NOISE IN FRONT DIFFS AND HAD TO TAKE TO DEALER TO FIND OUT CAMSHAFT AND …
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WHEN DRIVING ON SLICK/SNOWY CONDITIONS THE FRONT WHEELS DO NOT GOT INTO 4WHEEL DRIVE. BECAUSE OF THIS OUR SUV DID A 180 ON A CURVE WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH. TOOK SUV IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD TRANSFER CASE AND REAR DIFF FLUIDS CHANGED OUT BUT TECH HEARD GRINDING NOISE IN FRONT DIFFS AND HAD TO TAKE TO DEALER TO FIND OUT CAMSHAFT AND SLEEVE NEED REPLACED. SUV ONLY HAS 64,000 MILES AND WE'VE OWNED FOR 2-1/2 YRS. *TR
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 BUICK RAINIER STOPS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS NO PATTERN AS TO WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT HAS HAPPENED IN ALL TYPES OF WEATHER AND ALL TEMPERATURES. SOMETIMES IT SAYS I'M GOING FASTER THAN I AM, SOMETIMES IT SAYS I'M GOING SLOWER. SOMETIMES IT STOPS WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND THIS…
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THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 BUICK RAINIER STOPS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS NO PATTERN AS TO WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT HAS HAPPENED IN ALL TYPES OF WEATHER AND ALL TEMPERATURES. SOMETIMES IT SAYS I'M GOING FASTER THAN I AM, SOMETIMES IT SAYS I'M GOING SLOWER. SOMETIMES IT STOPS WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH RAINIERS. I'M WONDERING WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED? THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 100,000 MILES ON IT NOW, BUT THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A FEW YEARS. *TR
NO PARTICULAR EVENT JUST DRIVING AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING A FEW WEEKS LATER GAS GAUGE STOPPED ONCE IN AWHILE THE SPEEDOMETER STARTS BUT IS INACCURATE ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS GOING . MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR SAME PROBLEM . TRIED TO HAVE THE DEALER CO OPERATE AND FIX THE DEFECT BUT GOT NOWHERE NEED HELP AS …
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NO PARTICULAR EVENT JUST DRIVING AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING A FEW WEEKS LATER GAS GAUGE STOPPED ONCE IN AWHILE THE SPEEDOMETER STARTS BUT IS INACCURATE ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS GOING . MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR SAME PROBLEM . TRIED TO HAVE THE DEALER CO OPERATE AND FIX THE DEFECT BUT GOT NOWHERE NEED HELP AS THIS IS A EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE FIX ON A FAULTY PART THAT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL AS IT IS A UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR
SPEEDOMETER FAILING AND/OR WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 BUICK RAINIER AND THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE OTHER GAUGES DON'T WORK I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING OR HOW MY CAR IS RUNNING ITS BEEN LIKE THAT A LITTLE AFTER I GOT IT AND IT WORKS SOME TIMES BUT SOMETIMES IT DON'T I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE A CAR LIKE MINE AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM TO. *TR
Official recalls
205V198000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
May 5, 2005
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.
04V527000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
Nov 1, 2004
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
3RQ17002 · 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.
EA07009 · Fuel Pump Module Leaks Gasoline
Opened Jul 10, 2007 · Closed Aug 28, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
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.
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