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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Tires complaints

2 reports
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6,050 miles · Mar 18, 2009
Tires

ALL FOUR TIRES CONTINUOUSLY DEFLATE. WITHIN 3 - 4 DAYS THE TIRE PRESSURE CAN GET AS LOW AS 10 LBS OF PRESSURE. I MUST ADD PRESSURE ANYTIME I WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR DAMAGE THIS IS NOT THE PROBLEM. APPEARS THE TIRES ARE LEAKING AROUND THE RIMS. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE OUR PURCHASE O…

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ALL FOUR TIRES CONTINUOUSLY DEFLATE. WITHIN 3 - 4 DAYS THE TIRE PRESSURE CAN GET AS LOW AS 10 LBS OF PRESSURE. I MUST ADD PRESSURE ANYTIME I WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN CHECKED FOR DAMAGE THIS IS NOT THE PROBLEM. APPEARS THE TIRES ARE LEAKING AROUND THE RIMS. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE OUR PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN OCT OF 2005. OUR SMALL TOWN DEALERSHIP HAS NOT TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT HAVE ONLY STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE RIMS. SINCE WE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE INFREQUENTLY AND HAVE OTHER VEHICLES FOR TRANSPORTATION WE HAVE CHOSEN TO LIVE WITH THE INCONVENIENCE UP TO THIS POINT. THE VEHICLE, TODAY HAS LESS THAN 40K MILES ON IT. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I THE CONSUMER SHOULD INCUR THE EXPENSE OF CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE ADVISE HOW I SHOULD PROCEED WITH RECONCILING THIS PROBLEM. I'VE ALSO SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT UNDER ODI #10262250. AS I ALSO HAVE A SPEEDOMETER ISSUE WHICH JUST STARTED OCCURRING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262255

167 miles · Mar 8, 2005
Air BagsTires

ON FEBRUARY 18, 2005 APPROXIMATELY 6:25 AM WAS TRAVELING WEST ON QUAIL MEADOW DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 65 FEET FROM STOP SIGN A BUS MADE A TURN INTO MY LANE COMING FROM INTERSECTING STREET. MOVED OVER TO RIGHT ONTO THE CURVE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE CAUGHT THE EDGE OF A GUTTER WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY …

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ON FEBRUARY 18, 2005 APPROXIMATELY 6:25 AM WAS TRAVELING WEST ON QUAIL MEADOW DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 65 FEET FROM STOP SIGN A BUS MADE A TURN INTO MY LANE COMING FROM INTERSECTING STREET. MOVED OVER TO RIGHT ONTO THE CURVE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE CAUGHT THE EDGE OF A GUTTER WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET FROM WHERE CARE ENTERED THE CURVE. WHEN THE TIRE HIT THE EDGE OF THE GUTTER THAT WAS ROUNDED, THE TIRE BLEW THROWING THE CAR TO THE RIGHT AND THE OVERHEAD AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING SEAT BELTS TO GRAB TIGHT AROUND ME, AND I MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR BETWEEN A LIGHT POLE AND A BRICK FENCE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE WHEEL, TIRE, AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE, HEADLINER, SEAT BELTS, AIRBAG SENSORS AND THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE AIR BAG MODULES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3800.00. OEM PARTS WERE REPLACED. WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO ORDER ANOTHER AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE BECAUSE THE FIRST ONE THEY RECEIVED WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10112752

Official recalls

1

05V035000 · 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

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.

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.