Buick Rainier Complaints (2004)
158 consumer complaints on file.
- #10445575January 27, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS TURNED ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE AIR BAG, THE SEAT BELT, AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT READING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,868.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10436507November 20, 2011POWER TRAIN
I HAVE A 2004 BUICK RAINIER GM MODEL. THE CAR IS IN PARK YET THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SAYS IT IS IN DRIVE SO NOW THE CAR WILL NOT START. I READ AN ARTICLE DATED NOVEMBER 15, 2011 THAT SAID THAT NHTSA WAS TO INVESTIGATE GM MODELS FOR FAULTY GEAR SHIFTERS. THIS WAS IN THE WASHINGTON POST AND WAS BY A ERICK AYAPANA. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HAVE SOMEONE ADVISE ME ON WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND SOON. MY CAR WILL NOT SHIFT, TURN OVER OR ANYTHING. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO ASAP! THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER DIDN'T NEED MY KEY AND SAID THE CAR ROLLED LIKE IT WAS STILL IN GEAR. I JUST GOT THIS CAR THIS PAST MAY 2011 AND I AM VERY UPSET. I NEED TO KNOW WHO IN MY AREA I CAN SPEAK WITH THAT CAN HELP ME FIX THIS PROBLEM EVERYTHING ELSE ON THE CAR IS WORKING AND THIS APPEARS TO BE THE PROBLEM: FAULTY GEAR SHIFTER---GM. ## VIN FAILED ## 2004 BUICK RAINIER ##
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10435093November 9, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. SPEEDOMETER IS SAYING 120MPH WHEN ONLY GOING 25. IT WOULD ADJUST ITSELF FOR A DAY BUT THEN IT WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND NOW STAYING AT 120 MORE OFTEN. THIS STARTED AT THE END OF MAY. FOR A FEW YEARS NOW THE HATCH WINDOW LOCK IS A PROBLEM. CAN'T OPEN IT BECAUSE I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH GETTING IT LOCKED AGAIN WITHOUT SLAMMING IT. HAVE ALSO HAD CONDENSATION IN MY HEAD AND REAR LIGHTS SINCE I'VE GOTTEN IT. WHY THEY HAVE YET TO RECALL ABOUT THE SPEEDOMETER IS CRAZY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN CHILDREN OR THE ELDERLY ARE INVOLVED! THE COST TO FIX THE CLUSTER ALONE IS 455.80$ (CHEAPEST). THIS SHOULD NOT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY WHEN MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THE RAINIERS ARE ALL MALFUNCTIONING IN THE SAME WAY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10425383September 14, 2011EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ABOVE, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10425156September 13, 2011SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A BROKEN AXLE ACTUATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIR WAS ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND WAS DISCONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED THE CONTACT A DISCOUNT TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED AS NON-DRIVABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,749.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10424709September 12, 2011FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT SHOWING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. IT WILL GO FAR BEYOND FULL AND WAY BELOW EMPTY. OVER THE COURSE OF A MILE IT CAN GO FROM FULL TO EMPTY OR ALL BETWEEN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10408266June 19, 2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NOISES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD; RATTLE, JINGLE, CLUNK; CONSTANT. SOUNDS LIKE METAL IN A WASHING MACHINE, BUT FINE DRIVEABILITY AND COMFORTABLE SOUNDING HIGHWAY DRIVING. DRIVING IN PARKING GARAGE IS NOISY WHEN ACCELERATING, AND QUIET WHEN COASTING. NOISE IS QUIETER WHEN AC IS OFF. NOISE IS LOUDER WHEN ACCELERATING, OR AT IDLE. AFTER 30 MINUTE DRIVE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AUTO STORE GAVE CODES THAT SHOWED REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE COOLING FAN CLUTCH OR EV FAN MOTOR. LESS THAN 70K MILES.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10399867May 10, 2011FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED AND DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL BUT AN INDICATOR FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD STATING THAT THE FUEL WAS LOW AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD FIVE MILES TO EMPTY. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10400313May 6, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE FIRST INCIDENT WE RAN OUT OF FUEL WITH THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWING WE STILL HAD FUEL IN THE TANK. NEXT INCIDENT, THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE INDICATED A VERY HIGH OIL PRESSURE READING, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. TOOK THE CAR HOME AND DROVE ANOTHER VEHICLE UNTIL I COULD DO SOME TESTING ON THE VEHICLE. OIL GAUGE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. IN APRIL OF 2010 I WAS DRIVING EXITING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ONTO A FOUR LANE ROAD AND THE SPEEDOMETER READING BECAME INACCURATE. I WAS TRAVELING FASTER THAN THE INDICATED SPEED. AFTER STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION THE SPEEDOMETER NEVER MOVED FROM ZERO WHEN I WAS MOVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS OCCURS AFTER A BRIEF PERIOD OF DRIVING. MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN TO INFORM ME THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. GAUGES SUCH AS FUEL GAUGE, OIL PRESSURE, TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER ARE NOT TRUSTWORTHY AND GIVE INACCURATE READINGS. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ITEM TO REPLACE AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE YOU CANNOT DETERMINE YOUR SPEED AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10395172April 7, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD BECOME STUCK AT 40 MPH AND SPORADICALLY, WOULD NOT RETURN TO ZERO WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE STEPPER MOTOR IN THE SPEEDOMETER HAD FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE 71,488.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10389996March 13, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER. QUIT WORKING AT ABOUT 32,000 MILES. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10389997March 13, 2011SUSPENSION:FRONT
FAILURE OF FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10390708March 9, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT THIS CAR MONDAY AND THE DEALER STATED IT HAD ALL SCHEDULED SERVICE, INCLUDING THE 130K MILE SERVICE ON FEBRUARY 26, 2011. WE DROVE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE BEAUTIFULLY, AND APPEARED TO BE IMMACULATELY MAINTAINED. UNTIL I DROVE TO WORK THIS MORNING, AND THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED GOING HIGHER AND HIGHER, REACHING 80 MPH, EVEN THOUGH I HAD SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED OVER. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IT APPEARED NORMAL FOR THE FIRST 30 MPH, THEN STUCK AT 40, EVEN THOUGH I WAS FOLLOWING TRAFFIC IN A 70 MPH ZONE. IT STAYED AT 40 MPH, EVEN AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM IN GM CARS, AND WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED AS THE RESULT OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THERE ARE SEVERAL TSBS RELATED TO THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGES, OR OTHER INSTRUMENTS IN THIS CLUSTER. I FIND IT UNFORGIVABLE THAT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS ALLOWED AN UNSAFE CONDITION EXIST IN VIRTUALLY AN ENTIRE BRAND OF CARS FOR OVER 7 YEARS AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. THIS ALLOWED THE DEALER TO SELL THE CAR, KNOWING ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT NOT REQUIRED BY LAW, TO DISCLOSE IT. AND SHOULD I BE ON THE HIGHWAY, DRIVING ALONG AT 90 MPH, WHEN MY SPEEDOMETER SAYS 60, NOBODY IS SAFE. NOT ME, NOT THE OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD, CERTAINLY NOT PEDESTRIANS, SINCE THE BRAKING DISTANCE IS OBVIOUSLY FAR LONGER THAN MY SPEEDOMETER LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT IS. HOW MANY MILLIONS OF DEFECTIVE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE ROAD IN THE LAST 7 YEARS? HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOUR 5 YEAR-OLD RODE A BICYCLE INTO THE STREET AS I DROVE BY? THINKING I WAS GOING 30, BUT REALLY GOING 60? THIS ISN'T JUST AN INCONVENIENCE, IT IS A FATALITY WAITING TO HAPPEN. YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY, AND THE MORAL RESPONSIBILITY, TO FIX IT. RECALL THESE CARS BEFORE SOMEBODY DIES. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10379438January 28, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY
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. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10379477January 28, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN MY BUICK RAINIER. IT STARTED WITH THE SPEEDOMETER WHICH WAS EITHER TO FAST OR SHOWING BELOW ZERO AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT STARTED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO BUT AT THAT TIME IT HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO MIGRATE TO OTHER GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL-- THE OIL PRESSURE READS ANYWHERE FROM 50 TO THE 80 OR PEG, THE TACK WILL READ BELOW ZERO AT HIGHWAY OPERATING SPEEDS AND THE VOLT METER READS 14+. THESE PROBLEMS HAPPEN INDIVIDUALLY OR SEVERAL AT ONCE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT AS A PROBLEM AND OFFER NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A REPLACEMENT OR REPAIR. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR $370 FOR PARTS AND LABOR AT $92/HOUR - APPROXIMATELY $600. I CONTACTED GM ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS IN CERTAIN VEHICLES DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME BUT MY VEHICLE IS NO INVOLVED. IF YOU RESEARCH THIS ON THE INTERNET YOU WILL FIND SEVERAL SITES WITH DISCUSSIONS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, INCLUDING THIS SITE. I THINK THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED WITH A MANDATED GOVERNMENT RECALL. I HAD AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH A 2003 CADILLAC ESCALADE XT AND THERE WAS A RECALL AND FREE REPLACE FOR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10372669December 28, 2010POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
WHEN DRIVING ON SLICK/SNOWY CONDITIONS THE FRONT WHEELS DO NOT GOT INTO 4WHEEL DRIVE. BECAUSE OF THIS OUR SUV DID A 180 ON A CURVE WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH. TOOK SUV IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD TRANSFER CASE AND REAR DIFF FLUIDS CHANGED OUT BUT TECH HEARD GRINDING NOISE IN FRONT DIFFS AND HAD TO TAKE TO DEALER TO FIND OUT CAMSHAFT AND SLEEVE NEED REPLACED. SUV ONLY HAS 64,000 MILES AND WE'VE OWNED FOR 2-1/2 YRS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10372506December 27, 2010ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 BUICK RAINIER STOPS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS NO PATTERN AS TO WHEN THIS OCCURS, IT HAS HAPPENED IN ALL TYPES OF WEATHER AND ALL TEMPERATURES. SOMETIMES IT SAYS I'M GOING FASTER THAN I AM, SOMETIMES IT SAYS I'M GOING SLOWER. SOMETIMES IT STOPS WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH RAINIERS. I'M WONDERING WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED? THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 100,000 MILES ON IT NOW, BUT THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A FEW YEARS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10369072December 3, 2010ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NO PARTICULAR EVENT JUST DRIVING AND SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING A FEW WEEKS LATER GAS GAUGE STOPPED ONCE IN AWHILE THE SPEEDOMETER STARTS BUT IS INACCURATE ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS GOING . MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR SAME PROBLEM . TRIED TO HAVE THE DEALER CO OPERATE AND FIX THE DEFECT BUT GOT NOWHERE NEED HELP AS THIS IS A EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE FIX ON A FAULTY PART THAT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL AS IT IS A UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10365064November 8, 2010ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPEEDOMETER FAILING AND/OR WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10358552September 30, 2010ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
I HAVE A 2004 BUICK RAINIER AND THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE OTHER GAUGES DON'T WORK I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING OR HOW MY CAR IS RUNNING ITS BEEN LIKE THAT A LITTLE AFTER I GOT IT AND IT WORKS SOME TIMES BUT SOMETIMES IT DON'T I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE A CAR LIKE MINE AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM TO. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0