IllustrationGAS GAUGE FAILED READS LESS THAN 1/8 TANK. WARNING FOR LOW FUEL ALARM COMES ON EVEN AFTER FULL FILL-UP. CHECK EMISSION LIGHT PERIODICALLY TURNS ON. *TR
2005 Buick Rainier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 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
90–25K
1525–50K
2150–75K
1375–100K
19100–150K
5150K+
82 reports with mileage · 21 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 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. 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.
6 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
20 reportsNO GAS GAUGE, IT READS EMPTY EVEN WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. LOW FUEL LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON, AND WHEN I AM TRULY GETTING LOW ON FUEL, IT MAY BOUNCE TO AN AREA BETWEEN E AND 1/4 TANK MARK. I AM HAVING TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE MILES I DRIVE AND HOPE THAT THE MPG AT 15.9 IS ACCURATE SINCE NOTHING ELSE SEEMS TO BE. *TR
THIS JUST STARTED WITH MY LAST FILL UP OF GAS. THE GAUGE IS STARTING TO GO UP AND DOWN. NOT SURE IF GAS GAUGE IS CORRECT. *TR
VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE STARTED FLUCTUATING FROM FULL TO EMPTY, AND VEHICLE WOULD PAUSE WHILE ACCELERATING. DEALER PRICED REPAIR AT $535. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AT 47,500 MILES AND NOW FUEL GAUGE IS STUCK ON EMPTY. VEHICLE STILL RANDOMLY HESITATES ON ACCELERATION. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON GM RANIERS, TRAILBLAZERS, YUKONS…
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VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE STARTED FLUCTUATING FROM FULL TO EMPTY, AND VEHICLE WOULD PAUSE WHILE ACCELERATING. DEALER PRICED REPAIR AT $535. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AT 47,500 MILES AND NOW FUEL GAUGE IS STUCK ON EMPTY. VEHICLE STILL RANDOMLY HESITATES ON ACCELERATION. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON GM RANIERS, TRAILBLAZERS, YUKONS, ETC. GM HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM/DEFECT FOR SOME TIME WITH NO RESPONSE.
GAS GAUGE IS ERRATIC, GOES FROM EMPTY TO FULL AND FULL TO EMPTY LEAVING YOU WITH NO IDEA HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE. WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR TURNING, VEHICLE LUNGES OR STALLS. ALSO, LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF WITH NO WARNING AND TAKES TIME TO RE-LIGHT. LOW BEAMS ALSO TEND TO FLICKER TO DIM.
WE FILLED UP THE SUV AND THE GAS GAUGE DID NOT REGISTER THAT THE TANK WAS FULL. AFTER A WHILE THE GAUGE SLOWLY MOVED UP AND SHOWED THAT THE TANK WAS FULL. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF THAT, THE GAUGE NOW DOES NOT MOVE OFF OF EMPTY AT ALL. OFTEN TIMES THE GAS REMINDER SIGNAL GOES OFF LETTING US KNOW THAT THE TANK IS EMPTY, HOWEV…
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WE FILLED UP THE SUV AND THE GAS GAUGE DID NOT REGISTER THAT THE TANK WAS FULL. AFTER A WHILE THE GAUGE SLOWLY MOVED UP AND SHOWED THAT THE TANK WAS FULL. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF THAT, THE GAUGE NOW DOES NOT MOVE OFF OF EMPTY AT ALL. OFTEN TIMES THE GAS REMINDER SIGNAL GOES OFF LETTING US KNOW THAT THE TANK IS EMPTY, HOWEVER WE HAD JUST FILLED UP THE TANK. *TR
GAS GAUGE IS INACCURATE- DOES NOT READ GASOLINE LEVEL CORRECTLY 2005 BUICK RAINIER. *TR
FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS INACCURATE READINGS, GIVING FALSE "LOW FUEL" WARNINGS IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILL UP AND DROPPING TO E UNPREDICTABLY AT OTHER TIMES, CAUSING GREAT CONSTERNATION AT BEING "RUN OVER" ON THE FREEWAY OR STRANDED WITHOUT PROPER WARNING. THE GAUGE SEEMS TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN AT WILL. THIS IS AN '05 BUICK RAINIER, UNDER…
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FUEL GAUGE REGISTERS INACCURATE READINGS, GIVING FALSE "LOW FUEL" WARNINGS IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILL UP AND DROPPING TO E UNPREDICTABLY AT OTHER TIMES, CAUSING GREAT CONSTERNATION AT BEING "RUN OVER" ON THE FREEWAY OR STRANDED WITHOUT PROPER WARNING. THE GAUGE SEEMS TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN AT WILL. THIS IS AN '05 BUICK RAINIER, UNDER 47K MILES, SISTER VEHICLE TO CHEVY TRAILBLAZER AND GMC ENVOY WHICH ARE ALREADY DOCUMENTED WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH DRIVING VEHICLE. SEEMED TO BE OVER ROAD. SEVERAL EVALUATIONS AT CAR DEALERSHIP, DIFFERENT FIXES WITHOUT RESOLUTIONS. FINALLY THE AIR SYSTEM WHICH REGULATES THE BALANCE, HEIGHT ETC STOPPED FUNCTIONALLY. THE CAR SITS LOW TO THE GROUND. I FIRST STARTED COMPLAINING OF UNUSUAL NOISES FROM THE SPEAKERS OF T…
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HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH DRIVING VEHICLE. SEEMED TO BE OVER ROAD. SEVERAL EVALUATIONS AT CAR DEALERSHIP, DIFFERENT FIXES WITHOUT RESOLUTIONS. FINALLY THE AIR SYSTEM WHICH REGULATES THE BALANCE, HEIGHT ETC STOPPED FUNCTIONALLY. THE CAR SITS LOW TO THE GROUND. I FIRST STARTED COMPLAINING OF UNUSUAL NOISES FROM THE SPEAKERS OF THE CAR. APPROXIMATELY 9 MONTHS AGO. DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW WHAT THAT COULD BE. NOW I AM TOLD THE COMPRESSOR AND THE SHOCK SYSTEM IS GONE. THE COST TO FIX IS 3000.00 I HAVE FOUND A COMPANY WHO HAS AN ADAPTIVE KIT WITH CONVERSION TO STANDARD SHOCK SYSTEM. THIS COMPANY TELLS ME THAT THEY ARE SEDMOMG 15 TO 20 OF THESE KITS OUT A WEEK. GMC DOES NOT OFFER ANY OPTIONS. MY CONCERN IS THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MULTIPLE MONTHS WITHOUT THE DEALERSHIPS ABILITY TO FIND THE PROBLEM IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE CAR WAS RENDERED UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT WAS HARD TO STEER AND DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN YOUR OWN LANE. ADDITIONALLY, THE GAS GAGE HAS GONE BADE, APPROXIMATELY 50,000, THE FIRST RAINIER I HAD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH GETTING THE FUEL INTO THE TANK. TRADED THE 2004 FOR 2005 BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. NOW THIS GAS TANK THE GAUGE IS DEFECTIVE. *TR
FUEL GAUGE READING INCORRECT. DEALER REPLACED SENSOR AND HAD TO DRAIN/REMOVE GAS TANK TO REPLACE. WHILE THIS WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY (55,000 MILES, I WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY APPROXIMATELY $550. *TR
Official recalls
105V035000 · Visibility:windshield
Feb 3, 2005
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A CRASH OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, 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.
PE11014 · Fuel Level Gauge System Failure
Opened Apr 25, 2011 · Closed Sep 23, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other; Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
The office of defects investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by General Motors (GM) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 5,089 unique reports indicating an inaccurate fuel level reading while driving.General Motors stated that this condition occurs when the contacts of the fuel sensor wear prematurely.Most of the complaints indicated an empty fuel gauge reading after filling the tank.Less than 10 percent of theODI complaints involved an engine stall incident.During this investigation, GM developed a remedy procedure and issued special coverage bulletin instructing dealers to install a new design fuel level sensor.The bulletin was sent to dealers on August 10, 2011 and the owner letter mailing began on August 15, 2011.See the investigative file for copies of GM's bulletin and owner letter.This preliminary evaluation is closed.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Other
The office of defects investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by General Motors (GM) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 5,089 unique reports indicating an inaccurate fuel level reading while driving.General Motors stated that this condition occurs when the contacts of the fuel sensor wear prematurely.Most of the complaints indicated an empty fuel gauge reading after filling the tank.Less than 10 percent of theODI complaints involved an engine stall incident.During this investigation, GM developed a remedy procedure and issued special coverage bulletin instructing dealers to install a new design fuel level sensor.The bulletin was sent to dealers on August 10, 2011 and the owner letter mailing began on August 15, 2011.See the investigative file for copies of GM's bulletin and owner letter.This preliminary evaluation is closed.
Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
The office of defects investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by General Motors (GM) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 5,089 unique reports indicating an inaccurate fuel level reading while driving.General Motors stated that this condition occurs when the contacts of the fuel sensor wear prematurely.Most of the complaints indicated an empty fuel gauge reading after filling the tank.Less than 10 percent of theODI complaints involved an engine stall incident.During this investigation, GM developed a remedy procedure and issued special coverage bulletin instructing dealers to install a new design fuel level sensor.The bulletin was sent to dealers on August 10, 2011 and the owner letter mailing began on August 15, 2011.See the investigative file for copies of GM's bulletin and owner letter.This preliminary evaluation is closed.
DP10001 · Fuel Level Gauge System Failure
Opened Jan 7, 2010 · Closed May 23, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other; Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Other
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.
Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.