2004 Buick Rainier problems
Owners have filed 205 complaints about the 2004 Buick Rainier with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 41% of them, far more than any other system, ahead of exterior lighting at 10.2%.
Complaints205
Crashes17
Fires5
Injuries23
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 41.0% · 84
Exterior lighting 10.2% · 21
Power train 7.3% · 15
Air bags 5.9% · 12
Vehicle speed control 5.9% · 12
Fuel system, gasoline 4.4% · 9
Fuel/propulsion system 3.4% · 7
Engine and engine cooling 2.9% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 17 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire and 23 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 3 model years of the Buick Rainier in this data, 2004 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 13 in the last three years against 44 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 64,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2004 Buick Rainier. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the speedometer failed. The contact also stated that the oil pressure light illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic where they stated that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000. Electrical system · reported at 170,000 miles
Power door locks and window locks are inoperative. Have lost all power in the door locks and windows as well as the radio and the heater. I was trapped in my car this morning for about 5 minutes with the windows up and the heater was blowing out hot air. I was unable to stop that as I couldn't turn off the car or open the doors, I pried the door lock open and was able to get out of the car. Electrical system · reported at 97,244 miles
Erratic windshield wiper operation. When you turn the wipers on for use they immediately go to "normal" mode of operation and can be switched to "high speed" and back to normal but will not go to "delay" or turn off. Then they may stay on for days before they will stop on their own. They do not trun off with the switch. This has been a problem for about 6 months but is getting worse. Electrical system · reported at 70,132 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…