2005 Buick RAINIER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
103 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
68,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 82 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 103 complaints (31.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 11.7% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 6.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 6.8% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 5.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 32 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 20 |
| Exterior Lighting | 12 |
| Suspension | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 5 |
Electrical System: 32; Fuel System, Gasoline: 20; Exterior Lighting: 12; Suspension: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Air Bags: 6; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 6; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 19 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 19; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 21 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 19 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2005: 5; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 4; 2009: 8; 2010: 9; 2011: 19; 2012: 10; 2013: 5; 2014: 11; 2015: 13; 2016: 5; 2017: 5; 2018: 2; 2020: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10112752 · 2005-03-08 (March 8, 2005)
ON FEBRUARY 18, 2005 APPROXIMATELY 6:25 AM WAS TRAVELING WEST ON QUAIL MEADOW DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 65 FEET FROM STOP SIGN A BUS MADE A TURN INTO MY LANE COMING FROM INTERSECTING STREET. MOVED OVER TO RIGHT ONTO THE CURVE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE CAUGHT THE EDGE OF A GUTTER WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET FROM WHERE CARE ENTERED THE CURVE. WHEN THE TIRE HIT THE EDGE OF THE GUTTER THAT WAS ROUNDED, THE TIRE BLEW THROWING THE CAR TO THE RIGHT AND THE OVERHEAD AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING SEAT BELTS TO GRAB TIGHT AROUND M…
Owner-reported narrative. 167 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114719 · 2005-03-25 (March 25, 2005)
INSTRUMENT PANEL HARD TO READ DURING TWI-LIGHT WHEN HEAD LIGHTS ARE ON. .K. DURING DAYLIGHT AND COMPLETE DARK. HE SILVER BACKGROUND BLENDS IN WITH THE WHITE LIGHTS OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LEAVING NO CONTRAST.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10114719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124111 · 2005-06-03 (June 3, 2005)
STEP ON BRAKE GRINDING NOISE WOULD NOT STOP THIS HAPPENED OVER 2 WK TIME CAR AT DEALER NOW POP NOISE INTERMINTENT IDLE PROBLEM 3 RD TIME BACK TO DEALER HAVE CONTACTED MANUFACTIOR HAVE 2 CASE REPORTS ON 1 CLOSED A NEW ONE OPENED
Owner-reported narrative. 11,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138673 · 2005-10-05 (October 5, 2005)
DT: THE CONSUMER BOUGHT A NEW BUICK RAINIER IN 2005 AND SHE WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH WAS VERY SMALL. THE CONSUMER MISSED HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL A FEW TIMES, AND THIS SCARED HER. THE CONSUMER TALKED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY KNEW OF A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD MAKE ADJUSTMENTS FOR HANDICAPPED PEOPLE. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT HANDICAPPED AND THOUGHT IT WAS UNFAIR THAT SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR AN ADJUSTMENT. *AK (11/17/05) *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 149 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139152 · 2005-10-09 (October 9, 2005)
INSTRUMENT PANEL HARD TO READ WHEN SUNLIGHT CREATES SHADOWS OR AT TWILIGHT. IT TAKES LONGER THAN IT SHOULD TO READ THE DISPLAY, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO TAKE HIS/HER EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10139152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10172912 · 2006-11-08 (November 8, 2006)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10172912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10200177 · 2007-08-20 (August 20, 2007)
BRAKES FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE ROTORS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10200177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10203656 · 2007-09-21 (September 21, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED NORMALLY. HE IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO A MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT ALL 4 BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE PITTED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE PADS TO FAIL. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THEY STATED THAT THE PITTING WAS DUE TO THE BRAKES OVERHEATING. THE REAR BRAKES AND PADS WERE REPLACED IN JULY OF 2007. THE FRONT BRAKES AND PADS WILL BE REPLA…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,237 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203656 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
05V035000 · Visibility:Windshield
Reported: 2005-02-03 (February 3, 2005)
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.
Consequence: IF A CRASH OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗