2005 Buick Rainier: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Dec 15, 2022 · Lights, Visibility · 107,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2005 Buick Rainier. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front windshield wipers and wiper fluid spray activated independently and failed to turn off. The contact also stated that occasionally the headlights would inadvertently turn off; requiring the vehicle to be restarted before the vehicle regained headlight functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced the headlight failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V519000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

Filed Oct 18, 2017 · Lights · 168,000 miles · FL

While driving down the interstate last night at about 70 MPH my low-beam headlights suddenly went off plunging the road ahead of me into pitch black darkness. Full beam and directional lights were still functioning, managed to safely pull of to the side of the interstate, and luckily was able to use my cell phone to determine that the solid state headlight relay had failed. Luckily there is a similar relay located in the fuse box that controls the engine fan that I was able to utilize and continue on my journey. Needless to say this was a very unnerving/scary experience and can't imagine what it would be like for a less experienced driver. I find it hard to believe that gm thought that a system that could affect both headlight simultaneously in this way was remotely even a good idea?!

Filed Jun 5, 2017 · Lights · 53,800 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick rainier. While driving 65 MPH, the headlights failed without warning. The failure occurred two more times. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (modern chevrolet located at 5955 university pkwy winston-salem, north carolina 27105) where it was diagnosed that the low beam module failed. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v519000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The contact was informed that the federal safety agency determined which vehicles to include in recalls and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was approximately 53,800. Updated 09/01/17*lj

Filed Sep 7, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 82,500 miles · NV

The drivers door master power switch shorts out - cannot roll down windows (of any kind), lights flicker and go out completely my headlights turn off completely while im driving!!!!! And has caused me to immediately pull over with no lights, no vision to turn them on manually!!! Unacceptable!!

Filed May 6, 2016 · Lights · 166,000 miles · MO

Our low beam lights quit working without warning. Sometimes they come back on at other times they do not and you have to hit the high beams or even the fog lights. Not a good thing to happen. Car is always in motion at night when failure happens. This has happened many times over last couple of years. Not sure how many times. Not always noticeable depending on if you are in city lighting or in country. Daylight running lights, high beams and fog lights seem to work but not low beams.

Filed Mar 15, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · MI

Our 2005 buick rainier started acting up this past summer when the blower stayed on when car shut off..now when we turn on the heater on the car hesitates and stalls out while driving! The volt gauge is maxed out...the passenger window doesn't work now? Now the blower doesn't work unless I fool with wires in the glovebox going to some black box? I also noticed front headlight always flickers when driving ..even replaced bulb! Always dimmer?? Now we smell wires burning from somewhere..so many problems !! Over 100;000 miles on it....

Filed Sep 21, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 52,600 miles · FL

On the evening of 9/5/2015 I was driving my 2005 buick rainier when the low beam headlights went out. I was able to drive to a safe location using my high beam headlights. When inspected by my local buick dealer (ferman buick) it was found that relay 46 (headlamp driver module) had burned up and damaged additional fuses and relays. The entire fuse box had to be replaced due to the damage. This case has been reported to gm (#8-1567980379). Gm currently has multiple years of buick rainier under recall for this exact problem, so I'm hoping they expand the recall to cover 2005.

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · Acceleration · GA

While driving my speedometer will read 120mph when in fact I'm only doing 65mph. It'll stay stuck at 60 and 120mph when the truck is turned off. I have to turn the engine off and on to reset it back to 0. One day it works fine, next day it's reading incorrectly. My oil gauge just stopped working all together. My headlights also flicker while I'm driving.

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · Acceleration · GA

My speedometer is not showing the accurate speed. The needle shoots to 100-120mph, when I am only doing 65 MPH. When I turn the truck off it will sit at 60mph or stay on 120mph. I have to turn the truck off and on to reset the speedometer. The oil gauge just stopped working. Also my headlights flicker while I am driving. The problem with the speedometer has been an ongoing issue.

Filed Feb 3, 2015 · Lights · 110,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 buick rainier. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights would intermittently operate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Nov 30, 2012 · Lights · 45,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick rainier. The contact stated that while driving at night, the low beam headlights failed. The contact attempted to reactivate the lights but to no avail. The contact had to hold the signal in order to have the high beams lights remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they advised that the relay needed to be replaced but the dealer did not have the parts available in order to complete the repair. The vehicle was repaired several months later. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed May 3, 2011 · Electrical, Fuel system · 28,426 miles · FL

Gas gauge is erratic, goes from empty to full and full to empty leaving you with no idea how much fuel you have. When slowing down or turning, vehicle lunges or stalls. Also, low beam headlights will go off with no warning and takes time to re-light. Low beams also tend to flicker to dim.