VehicleVerdict

2004 Buick Rainier problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 205 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Rainier year — the 2004 model ranks #1 of 5 Rainier years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 23 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 42% of all reports (86 of 205), far ahead of lighting at 22.

205

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

23

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Rainier years?

Rainier NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted205 complaints2003: 1 complaints2004: 205 complaints2005: 158 complaints2006: 117 complaints2007: 44 complaints
Rainier NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rainier years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Buick Rainier problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System8642%
Lighting2211%
Fuel System189%
Transmission157%
Speed Control126%
Airbags126%
Engine63%
Suspension63%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Body & Structure52%
Steering42%
Brakes42%
Seat Belts31%
Other21%
Seats21%
Latches & Locks21%
Tires & Wheels10%

Does the 2004 Buick Rainier have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V198000LightingMay 5, 2005 · 286,478 units

Defect

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

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.

04V527000LightingNovember 1, 2004 · 871,473 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE SMELLED AN ODOR OF BURNING WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE EXAMINED. THE MANUFACTURER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 8, 2012 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, BUT STOPPED. VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR. THE OTHER DRIVER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HE DID NOT SEE THE BRAKE LIGHTS FROM BEHIND. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE HOME. WILL CALL THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN APPOINTMENT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 16, 2004 · crash

“2004 BUICK RAINIER SPEEDOMETER & GAS GAUGE WENT HAYWIRE AT 43,000 MILES. THE NEEDLES POINTED RANDOMLY AND THE GAS GAUGE SHOWED 180 DEGREES OFF THE MARKINGS, POINTING STRAIGHT DOWN. COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO STATED THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE UNIT FOR A $100 DEDUCTIBLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 1, 2007

“I WAS MAKING ON U-TURN ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THEN I CONTINUED TO PROCEED, MY BACK TIRES WAS STUCK. THEY STARTED SLIDING ON THE ROAD, THEY WOULD NOT TURN. DRIVING STRAIGHT FORWARD IS FINE. ONLY MAKING TURN AND PARKING ISVERY DIFFICULT. I HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC, HE SAID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 11, 2016

“CAR IS 2004 BUICK RAINIER WITH AWD. LESS THAN 2000 MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT. TEMP 0 F, 4" FRESH SNOW. RETURNING HOME AT 5:00 P.M., TURNED INTO 100' LONG DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED TOWARD GARAGE. BECAUSE OF SNOW IN DRIVEWAY, HAD TO ACCELERATE TO REACH FRONT OF GARAGE WHEN NORMALLY I JUST COAST BECAUSE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 20, 2004 · crash

2004 Buick Rainier — common questions

Is the 2004 Buick Rainier reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 205 complaints put the 2004 model at #1 of 5 Rainier years. It is one of the Rainier years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Rainier problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (86 complaints), lighting (22 complaints), fuel system (18 complaints).

Does the 2004 Buick Rainier have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Buick Rainier. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Buick Rainier under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Buick Rainier years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rainier years to avoid are 2004. The cleanest record among Rainier years belongs to 2003.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.