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.
The worst 2004 Buick Rainier problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical83
- Lights22
- Fuel system18
- Transmission15
- Acceleration12
- Airbags10
- Engine6
- Suspension6
- Body5
- Visibility5
- Brakes4
- Steering4
- Seat belts3
- Driver assistance2
- Locks2
- Seats2
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Buick Rainier
Recalls 2
Exterior lighting: turn signal
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 on august 4, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, isuzu at 1‑800‑255‑6727, buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, and oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537.
Recall number 05V198000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 04V527000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2004 Buick Rainier
Defect investigations
Loss of Headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at under the identification numbers in the attached document.
RQ17002
Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
During the course of this ea investigation, odi observed that the majority of the complaints (88%) and warranty claims (94%) were reported for vehicles that are registered for use in the salt belt region of the us.this area includes 20 states in the northeast, mid atlantic and the midwest regions and the district of columbia.consumers in the salt belt region reported to odi that they could smell fuel vapors in their vehicles while driving.upon further examination of their vehicles, they discovered that fuel vapors were coming out of the top of the fuel tank. This condition is caused by corrosion of the return and sender lines of the fuel pump module.water and road salt collect on top of the fuel pump leading to small pinholes appearing on the fuel lines.fuel may leak and collect on top of the module and/or spill onto the ground.the data evaluated under this investigation reflect a relatively low frequency of occurrence that largely arises in salt belt states.gm has extended the warranty on the subject component to ten years or 120,000 miles.further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted at this time; accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.for additional information select document search.
EA07009
Brake lamp failure
Gm states that some brake/tail lamp bulbs can prematurely become inoperative due to malfunctioning brake/tail lamp sockets.on march 2, 2004, gm initiated a 6-year/72,000 mile special policy for 989,487 subject vehicles to inspect and replace the rear brake/tail lamp bulb socket assemblies.on april 4, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe04-032) based on consumer complaints alleging brake lights not operating when the brake pedal is depressed.on august 3, 2004 odi upgraded pe04-032 to an engineering analysis (ea04-021).by letter dated october 27, 2004 gm notified the federal safety agency that it will conduct a safety recall (the federal safety agency # 04v527) covering subject vehicles that were not already repaired under gm's special policy.my 2004 subject vehicles built after august 8, 2003 contain improved brake lamp assemblies and are not included in the recall.gm dealers will install the improved brake lamp assembly on subject vehicles built on august 8, 2003 and earlier.the action taken by gm is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.accordingly, this investigation is closed.
EA04021
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Buick Rainier 653
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire...
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
2004 Buick Rainier crash test ratings
Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Rainier 4-DR. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | 4 |
| Buick Rainier 4-DR. w/SAB | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | 4 |
2004 Buick Rainier fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2L 6‑cyl | RWD | 14 | 19 | 16 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | RWD | 14 | 18 | 16 |
| 4.2L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 19 | 16 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 13 | 17 | 15 |
What 2004 Buick Rainier owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 buick rainier. After parking the vehicle, a fuel odor was noticed outside the vehicle. Once the contact entered the vehicle, the odor was stronger. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed that the fuel lines were rotted and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact about the extended warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 109,722.
Low beam headlights failure both at the same time. Occurred on two separate occasions. First time a year or so ago, low beam relay replaced by best recollection
Transfer case shift module control module
Low beams on lighting goes out for no apparent reason. This has happened two times in the last two weeks. Dealership says they just can't find anything wrong. Although they had another vehicle there with same problem. This seems to be a recurring problem with gm SUV's. My 1994 gmc did the same thing and I heard reports of other gmc's doing the same thing. Not good on interstates at night.
Low beam lights go out when right turn signal is applied and returns to center position. A/c cooling fan does not cool compressor enough to run A/C at low speeds causing pressure to build up in feron receiver. Car is at idle or low speed.
I've been having sporadic flickering low beam issues with this car since I bought it, and have spent untold hours and time trying to figure it out including taking it to the dealer. (I work nights.) last week the low beams failed on the way home from work at midnight. Researched it, and finally saw the recall for gms and subsequently an ap story about widening the recall that was dated april 29. (I work at a newspaper and saw the wire story). I bought and replaced the module myself last week, and things are working well now and seem to be fixed. However, the dealer informs me that this car has not been included in the gm recall for failing headlight modules, so I can not get my money back for the module. This make and year model should be added to the recall. Please be aware that other models and years than have been recently recalled, are having this issue. It truly is a safety issue and up until last week, I was always wondering when my headlights would fail. Not a nice feeling when you work nights.
Compare the 2004 Buick Rainier
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Questions about the 2004 Buick Rainier
Is the 2004 Buick Rainier reliable?
Owners have filed 158 complaints about the 2004 Buick Rainier, 1.7 times a typical Rainier model year.
What is the 2004 Buick Rainier year score?
The 2004 Buick Rainier scores 54 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Buick Rainier: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Buick Rainier?
Electrical system, with 83 complaints, typically around 59,142 miles. Next is lights (22).
How many recalls does the 2004 Buick Rainier have?
2 recalls, covering exterior lighting.
Is the 2004 Buick Rainier safe in a crash?
The 2004 Buick Rainier was crash tested, but no overall score was published. Partial scores: rollover 4 out of 5.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Buick Rainier get?
Official estimates for the 2004 Buick Rainier range from 15 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.2L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 14 city and 19 highway.
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