What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2005 Buick Rainier

Typical pattern

4.4% of complaints about the 2005 Buick Rainier came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2005 vehicle — around the middle of the 245 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (38 complaints), typically at 7.6 yr or about 75,000 miles.

Complaints
158
Median age at failure
7.3 yr
Median mileage
68,500 n=126
Crash / fire / tow
11.4% of reports
Safety recalls
1

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
38 reports · 75,000 mi
7.6 yr
5.3%
Fuel system
20 reports · 60,000 mi
6.3 yr
5%
Exterior lighting
15 reports · 60,000 mi
10.7 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

05V035000 2005-02-03
Visibility:windshield

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.

IF A CRASH OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

In owners’ own words

Exterior lighting 9,000 mi 2.2 yr in service
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEAD LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY JERKED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting 30,809 mi 3.4 yr in service
HEADLIGHTS DIM WITH HEATED SEATS ON AND WITH HEATER ON. IN COLD WEATHER. NOTICE LIGHTS DIM AT NIGHT AND VOLT GAUGE GOES DOWN AND THEN BACK TO NORMAL. DO NOT WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND PAY FOR DIAG WHEN THERE IS A TECH BULLETIN OUT. AND I KNOW I WILL BE TOLD THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IT. I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR MUCH ONLY AT NIGHT, HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. I HOPE THERE WILL BE SOME KIND OF RECALL THAT COMES OUT. BUT GM DOESN'T CARE. *TR
Exterior lighting 28,426 mi 2.3 yr in service
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.
Electrical system mileage not reported 3.4 yr in service
SPEEDOMETER STARTED STICKING, AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME, BUT FROM WHAT I CAN TELL SO FAR IT IS EXPENSIVE TO FIX OR EVEN FIND A USED ONE. WHAT AN AGGRAVATING THING TO GO WRONG ON A NEWER VEHICLE THAT CLEARLY HAS TO BE AT THE FAULT OF MANUFACTURER. *TR

Other Rainier model years

200620052004

How to read this