2004 Buick Rainier: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 158 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (46% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 158 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick rainier. The contact stated that the headlights turned off intermittently without warning. The contact stated that the headlights remained off for approximately six minutes. When the lights turned back on, the lighting was dim. The vehicle was taken to j.d. Byrider (5101 new bern ave, raleigh, nc 27610) where they replaced the replaced the headlight driver module on two different occasions, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,471.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2018
“Headlights fail intermittently while driving. While driving last night the low beam headlights went out. The high beams still worked. This is about the sixth time this has happened. I changed out the headlight relay just before this occurred as I had seen a recall on 2006 and 2007 rainiers showing this as the problem. After a short time the high beams also went out. I parked and turned the engine off for a while and when I restarted the high beams were working again but not the low beams. I was doing a combination of street and highway driving and it appears to be unrelated to any road conditions as this has happened on both highways and city streets.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick rainier. After parking the vehicle, a fuel odor was noticed outside the vehicle. Once the contact entered the vehicle, the odor was stronger. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed that the fuel lines were rotted and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact about the extended warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 109,722.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Low beam headlights failure both at the same time. Occurred on two separate occasions. First time a year or so ago, low beam relay replaced by best recollection”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2017
“Low beams on lighting goes out for no apparent reason. This has happened two times in the last two weeks. Dealership says they just can't find anything wrong. Although they had another vehicle there with same problem. This seems to be a recurring problem with gm suv's. My 1994 gmc did the same thing and I heard reports of other gmc's doing the same thing. Not good on interstates at night.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2017
“Low beam lights go out when right turn signal is applied and returns to center position. A/c cooling fan does not cool compressor enough to run a/c at low speeds causing pressure to build up in feron receiver. Car is at idle or low speed.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2017
“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 that my truck is stuck in 4wd. Also my cv joint seal has a leak.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2016
“Drivers side door electrical fire - very similar to recall 15700 -fluid entered into the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board, causing window switches, locks, etc to become inoperative. Also resulted in an electrical fire. Vehicle was unattended in a parking lot and window was open just an inch. Upon return to car window was up and door would not open with remote. Opened vehicle with key and noted horrible smell of electrical fire and all drivers side door electrical features were inoperative”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2016
“When vehicle is parked you can smell gasoline can park car in garage due to our water heater received notice from g m in november 2015 (g m special coverage program,14423) can't get nowhere with g m since november 2015”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick rainier. After the vehicle was repaired for a voluntary recall and driving at a low speed, the contact heard an abnormal noise underneath the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed fuel fumes emitting from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the inlet check valve fractured and needed to be glued together as a temporary remedy due to part unavailability. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Rainier by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Buick Rainier reliable?
NHTSA has 158 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Buick Rainier. The most complained-about area is electrical system (46% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Buick Rainier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,500 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Buick Rainier have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.