2005 Buick Rainier: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 103 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (25% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 103 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Power steering leaks, the gas gauge and other gauges don't work, most the electrical don't work inside the car, makes a weird noise when it backs up and the engine revs when it's starts and sometimes when it drives and goes faster even when you are not hitting the gas”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2019
“Power steering leaks, the gas gauge and other gauges don't work, most the electrical don't work inside the car, makes a weird noise when it backs up and the engine revs when it's starts and sometimes when it drives and goes faster even when you are not hitting the gas, the gas tank blows out gas when we are pumping gas like it's full but it's not, the window cracked from a little peddle and the wheels and hubs go bad really fast.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2019
“Electronic brake and traction control module communication. Loud banging, awd light came on, code showed the about reason. (electronic brake and traction control module communication)”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jan 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“I"ve had problem after problem in this buick since 2103. I have taken it to lynch dealer ship and complaining about same noise no resolution as of yet. I've fixed fuel gauge, both tie rods, swag bar, wheel bearing, brakes, rotor blower, on and on spent already $ 7,000 to fix it. . Now the mechanic says "oh", maybe its the differential which will cost $3200. But maybe! For those wanting to get a buick rainier please dont as you will not stop fixing it!!! Piece of junk! This differential could have caused my life and someone else's. I was driving it on 12/14/17 heard a loud pounding noise trouble turning to right side and braking. When I wanted to break truck would not stop.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick rainier. While operating the vehicle, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and made the steering wheel very difficult to turn in either direction. Also, a whining type noise was present when turning the steering wheel. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 162,000.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick rainier. While driving 65 mph, the headlights failed without warning. The failure occurred two more times. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (modern chevrolet located at 5955 university pkwy winston-salem, north carolina 27105) where it was diagnosed that the low beam module failed. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v519000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The contact was informed that NHTSA determined which vehicles to include in recalls and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 53,800. Updated 09/01/17*lj *cn”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2017
“My 2005 buick rainer speed meter stop working also my fuel gage, oil gage, rpm gage and temp gages all have stop working correctly.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jun 2016
“Our low beam lights quit working without warning. Sometimes they come back on at other times they do not and you have to hit the high beams or even the fog lights. Not a good thing to happen. Car is always in motion at night when failure happens. This has happened many times over last couple of years. Not sure how many times. Not always noticeable depending on if you are in city lighting or in country. Daylight running lights, high beams and fog lights seem to work but not low beams.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick rainier. While driving at approximately 20 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2015
“This car needs to be recalled completely shutting down with no engine light on. This car driving on hwy shuts off no warning”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Oct 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
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 2005 Buick Rainier reliable?
NHTSA has 103 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2005 Buick Rainier. The most complained-about area is electrical system (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Buick Rainier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 68,750 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Buick Rainier have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning visibility:windshield. 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.