2004 BUICK RAINIER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

205

Owner Complaints

17 Crashes 5 Fires

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

39

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2004 BUICK RAINIER

The 2004 BUICK RAINIER has received a total of 205 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS. 39 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (52 complaints), Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel (27 complaints), and Exterior Lighting (14 complaints).

Recalls for the 2004 BUICK RAINIER

NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2004 BUICK RAINIER, potentially affecting up to 1,157,951 vehicles.

Recall 05V198000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

| 286,478 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS...

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Recall 04V527000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

| 871,473 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

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Owner Complaints for the 2004 BUICK RAINIER

205 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 BUICK RAINIER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Electrical System
Complaints: 52 2 Crashes 2 Fires 3 Injuries
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
Complaints: 27
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 14
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 12 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Air Bags
Complaints: 9 6 Crashes 7 Injuries
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 8
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 7
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 6
Power Train
Complaints: 6
Suspension
Complaints: 5
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 4
Structure
Complaints: 4
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 3 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 3
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive
Complaints: 3
Seat Belts
Complaints: 3 2 Crashes 3 Injuries
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
Complaints: 2
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 2
Steering
Complaints: 2
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 2
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 3 Injuries
Air Bagsfrontaldriver Sideinflator Module
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 3 Injuries
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 3 Injuries
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Power Traindriveline
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblypower Adjust
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpower Steering Fluid
Complaints: 1
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 1
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Visibility
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemfanmotor
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11196567 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | 150,471 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MINUTES. WHEN THE LIGHTS TURNED BACK ON, THE LIGHTING WAS DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO J.D. BYRIDER (5101 NEW BERN AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27610) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT DRIVER MODULE ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,471.
#11099015 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles Crash 1 Injury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND THE CONTACT REMAINED IN A COMA FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HEAD, WHICH CAUSED WALKING COMPLICATIONS AND A LOSS OF FEELING IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUFFERED A LOSS OF SIGHT IN THE RIGHT EYE DUE TO A CRUSHED SKULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
#11099015 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | | N/A miles Crash 1 Injury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND THE CONTACT REMAINED IN A COMA FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HEAD, WHICH CAUSED WALKING COMPLICATIONS AND A LOSS OF FEELING IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUFFERED A LOSS OF SIGHT IN THE RIGHT EYE DUE TO A CRUSHED SKULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
#11096442 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | 174,000 miles
I NOTICED IN NOVEMBER OF 2016 MY BUICK RAINNER WAS SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE AFTER I GOT OUT AND LEFT IT RUNNING WHILE I WAS DROPPING STUFF AT HOME FROM WORK. WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY VEHICLE I DIDN'T SMELL ANYTHING, BUT COULD SMELL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I WENT ABOUT ANOTHER 10 MILES LATER TO MY DESTINATION AND PARK. 20 MINS LATER WENT BACK OUT AND CRANK MY VEHICLE AND COULD SMELL A STRONG GAS ODOR COMING THRU VENTS ON THE INSIDE OF MY SUV. I GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER MY HOOD AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I WALKED TOWARD THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE THE GAS SMELL WAS EVEN STRONGER. I CHECKED THE FUEL / GAS TOP TO SEE I LEFT IT OFF BUT IT WASN'T. THEN I LOOKED UNDER MY VEHICLE AND NOTICE FUEL WAS POURING OUT AROUND MY GAS TANK AND NOTICE A BIG WET SPOT ON THE GROUND UNDER THE TANK. WHEN I CUT OFF THE VEHICLE I NOTICE THE GAS COMING FROM AROUND THE TANK HAS STOP. HAD MY VEHICLE TOOKEN TO A LOCAL GM/ BUICK DEALER. THE DID A INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AND SAID WHAT EVER THE PROBLEM WAS IT WAS AT THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. SO GAVE THEM PERMISSION TO WORK ON IT AND FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. TWO DAYS LATER THE DEALER CALL ME AND SAID THAT THE GAS LINES GOING INTO THE TOP OF THE TANK WHERE FUEL PUMP GOES INTO THE TANK GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THEM. THEY COULDN'T TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT CAUSES MY LINES TO START LEAKING AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. ( AFTER READING THIS NHTSA REPORT IN 2008 ON THE CAUSE AND GM/ BUICK EXTENDED A WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS OR 120,000 WARRANTY). I'M TOTALLY UPSET ABOUT THIS BECAUSE NHTSA SHOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM TEN YEARS AGO INSTEAD OF CLOSING THE INVESTIGATION AS LONG AS BUICK MAKES EXTEND WARRANTY FIX. THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE AND TOOK TWO DAYS TO ARRIVE. AFTER THE PARTS ARRIVE AND TWO DAYS MORE TO WORK ON IT. I HAD A $1200 BILLS THAT I HAD TO PAY A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.
#11090229 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | 116,400 miles
HEADLIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING LAST NIGHT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE HIGH BEAMS STILL WORKED. THIS IS ABOUT THE SIXTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I CHANGED OUT THE HEADLIGHT RELAY JUST BEFORE THIS OCCURRED AS I HAD SEEN A RECALL ON 2006 AND 2007 RAINIERS SHOWING THIS AS THE PROBLEM. AFTER A SHORT TIME THE HIGH BEAMS ALSO WENT OUT. I PARKED AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF FOR A WHILE AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE HIGH BEAMS WERE WORKING AGAIN BUT NOT THE LOW BEAMS. I WAS DOING A COMBINATION OF STREET AND HIGHWAY DRIVING AND IT APPEARS TO BE UNRELATED TO ANY ROAD CONDITIONS AS THIS HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS.

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Safety Rating for the 2004 BUICK RAINIER

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 BUICK RAINIER in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 BUICK RAINIER

General Motors, LLC has issued 39 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 BUICK RAINIER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

PIT3880A — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary information communicates a change in software in the PDM to prevent "wandering mirrors".

14423B — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Special Coverage Adjustment ? Fuel Tank Inlet Check Valve Fracture

PIT5480 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that intermittently the cruise control is inoperative or that it will not set around or over 70 mph. Technician will need to insure that all four tires are the same size, brand and have similar wear. Verify the Power...

14423 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

14423 - SPECIAL COVERAGE. SOME VEHICLES CONTAIN A FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV) THAT COULD FRACTURE. THE ICV IS LOCATED ABOVE THE FULL FUEL LEVEL. A FRACTURED ICV COULD ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK AS...

PIP4581B — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an engine rattle that star after the engine was repaired ant the repair required the crankshaft balancer removal and replacement. When the rattle noise is duplicated without the Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp and Service...

PIP4138N — ENGINE

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, engine misfire, and/or engine noise. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0300-P0308. If published Service Information diagnostics does not isolate the cause of this concern technician should check for...

3222 — POWER TRAIN

INTERMITTENT BOOM, RUMBLING NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TT UPDATED 2/27/08. *NJ

040603005 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PROPER CONNECTION INFORMATION TO AVOID BLOWN 125 AMP FUSE AND VARIOUS INTERIOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONDITIONS WHEN JUMP STARTING VEHICLE. *TT

050730031 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

4L60-E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC) SHUDDER, WATER IN TRANSMISSION (REPAIR TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE TRANSMISSION FILLER TUBE, LEVEL INDICATOR AND SEAL). *AK

050308014 — SUSPENSION

REVISED STABILIZER SHAFT REPLACEMENT. *TT

Showing 10 of 39 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 BUICK RAINIER

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the BUICK RAINIER

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Other BUICK Models

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