2007 BUICK RAINIER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Window motors and window controls failing. I replaced two window motors at in 2017, at dealer because they failed, then the rear passenger window motor failed in 2020 and was replaced at mechanic shop with factory replacement, this rear passenger window is seldom used, but rear passenger window motor failed again in 2023 and was replaced again at mechanic shop. Drivers window motor now needs to be replaced. Window controls are intermittant. The components were replaced by dealer and by third-party mechanic. There is no warning prior to failure other than rolling down a window and not being able to get it back up at all, which poses a hazard in torrential rain and damages vehicle; or not being able to roll a window down when needed. The first replacement was under warranty. The rest have been out of pocket and have caused other damage due to rain. I feel the entire window operating system should have been recalled, driver side controls and all of the operting motors. This is a dangerous and expensive continuing problem. Never had this problem with any GM vehicle before the 2007 Rainer. Rear air suspension went out in 2018 and rear end fell down causing severe handling difficulty. Had to replace rear air suspension with conventional shocks because parts were not available in a timely manner and vehicle could not be driven safely without rear suspension. Had similar issue with air suspension on 2004 Buick SUV, where the air suspension went haywire and caused handling issues. (Vehicle was returned to dealer and exchanged for one with a conventional suspension.) Was told by dealer the air suspension problem was fixed on later models after 2004, but apparently not. Would not have purchased a vehicle with air suspension had I known it still had these issues.

Window motors and window controls failing. I replaced two window motors at in 2017, at dealer because they failed, then the rear passenger window motor failed in 2020 and was replaced at mechanic shop with factory replacement, this rear passenger window is seldom used, but rear passenger window motor failed again in 2023 and was replaced again at mechanic shop. Drivers window motor now needs to be replaced. Window controls are intermittant. The components were replaced by dealer and by third-party mechanic. There is no warning prior to failure other than rolling down a window and not being able to get it back up at all, which poses a hazard in torrential rain and damages vehicle; or not being able to roll a window down when needed. The first replacement was under warranty. The rest have been out of pocket and have caused other damage due to rain. I feel the entire window operating system should have been recalled, driver side controls and all of the operting motors. This is a dangerous and expensive continuing problem. Never had this problem with any GM vehicle before the 2007 Rainer. Rear air suspension went out in 2018 and rear end fell down causing severe handling difficulty. Had to replace rear air suspension with conventional shocks because parts were not available in a timely manner and vehicle could not be driven safely without rear suspension. Had similar issue with air suspension on 2004 Buick SUV, where the air suspension went haywire and caused handling issues. (Vehicle was returned to dealer and exchanged for one with a conventional suspension.) Was told by dealer the air suspension problem was fixed on later models after 2004, but apparently not. Would not have purchased a vehicle with air suspension had I known it still had these issues.

BOTH TRAILING ARMS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION HAVE FAILED TO DUE TO RUST. THE FAILURE OF AT LEAST ONE OF THE TWO TRAILING ARMS OCCURRED WHEN TRAVELING ACROSS A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT LOW SPEED WHILE ON A LONG DISTANCE TRIP. THE 2007 BUICK RAINIER HAD A HISTORY OF BEING IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE USE OF SALT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WAS THE LIKELY CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILING OF THE TRAILING ARMS RESULTED IN CONSIDERABLE VIBRATIONS AT LOW SPEEDS UP TO ~40 MPH. THE FAILING OF THE TRAILING ARMS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE LOST OF REPLACEMENT SPRINGS IF A SIGNIFICANT BUMP HAD BEEN HIT WHILE DRIVING. NOTE: REPLACEMENT SPRINGS ARE OFTEN NECESSARY AFTER THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG SPRINGS, AS WAS THE CASE FOR THIS VEHICLE. FORTUNITLY, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BEFORE ANY ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

AROUND JANUARY 2016, THE REAR END WAS BASICALLY SITTING ALMOST ON THE REAR TIRES--THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT PUMP THE REAR END UP. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, IT WAS FINE. THEN AROUND MARCH 2016, SAME THING HAPPENED. IN JUNE 2016, SAME THING HAPPENED BUT ONLY DOWN FOR ABOUT A DAY. THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS THE OTHER DAY, AUGUST 18, 2016--TODAY IS AUGUST 21, 2106 BUT THEY HAVE NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE READ OVER 100 THREADS OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED--IT SEEMS TO AFFECT THE RAINIER AND ENVOY AND TRAILBLAZERS, AMONG THE ONES I'VE READ. WHY SHOULDN'T GM HAVE TO FIX THIS ISSUE? I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A CONVERSION YOU CAN DO, BUT THAT WILL COST ABOUT $400+ TO DO THAT--RIGHT NOW WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE BAGS OR THE PUMP, BUT THE PUMP SEEMS TO WORK, JUST NOTHING HAPPENS. WE NOTICED THIS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, BUT IT STAYED THE SAME IN MOTION--VERY DANGEROUS--THE TOP OF THE BODY STARTED SCRAPING THE WHEEL TODAY WHILE DRIVING AND IT REALLY HAS SCARED ME.

THIS PROBLEM STARTED AND HAS OCCURED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE 2015. WHEN I SHIFT THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK, IT DOES NOT RELEASE, THE IGNITION WILL NOT CUT COMPLETELY OFF SO THAT YOU CAN TAKE THE KEYS OUT. THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM! THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICE IS PARKED, TRYING TO CUT OFF/TAKE KEYS OUT OF IGNITION. SOMETHING IS NOT RELEASING SO THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WILL LOCK AND YOU CAN TAKE THE KEYS OUT. THIS STARTED BEFORE 100,00 MILES BUT IT WAS ONLY A FEW TIMES UNTIL LAST YEAR, AT ABOUT 150K MILES. NOW I HAVE 205K MILES.