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2006 Buick Rainier lights problems

12 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 101,000.

owner complaints
12
of this car's complaints
13%
typical mileage
101,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Headlights
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Buick Rainier lights problems in other years

2004200520062007

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Buick Rainier lights

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Headlights 14

Related recalls

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported August 14, 2015 · 429,170 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.
Risk
Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑762‑2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.

Recall number 15V519000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Loss of HeadlightsOpened April 24, 2017, closed March 29, 2021

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

What 2006 Buick Rainier owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 6, 2017 · Lights, Visibility · 178,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 buick rainier. While driving various speeds, the headlights failed to illuminate. The contact called luther brookdale (6701 brooklyn blvd, brooklyn center, mn 55429, phone number: (763) 515-2412) and was informed that the part needed for the repair would be available in six to eight weeks. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 15v519000 (exterior lighting) and 14v404000 (visibility); however, the parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Mar 28, 2016 · Lights · 139,607 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 buick rainier. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the low beam headlights failed without warning. The contact stated that the high beam lights were activated in order to view the road. The contact also stated that the contact points for the headlight module melted into the fuse box and also damaged some of the fuses. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v519000 (exterior lighting). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,607. ....updated 0711/16 *bf

Filed Mar 4, 2016 · Lights · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 buick rainier. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v519000 (exterior lighting). The part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Updated 05/17/16*lj updated 06/09/16.

Filed Dec 28, 2015 · Lights · 124,500 miles · VT

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 buick rainier. While driving 50 MPH, the exterior lighting dimmed as if they were not on and started flickering. The contact activated the high beam lights, which also dimmed and flickered. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v755000 (exterior lighting); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 124,500. ...updated 02/04/16 *bf

Filed Dec 22, 2015 · Lights · 116,000 miles · FL

Regarding exterior lighting- while driving at night -the headlights will suddenly go off & stay off for a period of time.sometimes they will come back on & stay & other times just stay off. It was not happening every time,but now seems to do it more frequently. I'm afraid to drive it at night.

Filed Dec 9, 2015 · Lights · 100,000 miles · IN

When driving at night in the middle of a drive the headlights and drl failed. The next day they worked. This is similar to the federal safety agency id# 10724629. Called buick at (800) 521-7300 and she said my complaint was recorded as service request 8-1699743903. She also informed me that even though some 2006 buick rainers were recalled that my VIN was not included in the recall. I am experiencing the exact problem of other rainers and should be included in the recall. I informed buick of this. Please contact bucik to demand the same.

Filed Aug 26, 2015 · Lights · 101,000 miles · FL

While driving at night, the headlights go out. Leaving only the brights or fog lights operatable. They some times will come back on, but other times not at all. This is sporatic, with no rythme or reason. Driving at night for over a half hour with only your brights is extremely dangerous. Other motorists flash their lights at you if you have your brights on, or if only the fog lights are on, other motorists will flash their lights also. Driving with only the fog lights in rural areas, then being blinded by on coming vehicles is a nightmare. I drive to work at 5:30 am, always in the dark, on rural roads with no streetlights. When the head lights go out, while I am on a curve, and I have a semi barreling at me at 60mph, all I can say, is I'm thankful I can tell the story. I can only hope, the next time I have my brights on, because nothing else is working, the motorist coming towards me has had a good day, and doesn't come after me with a road rage mentality.

Filed Jun 10, 2015 · Lights · 108,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 buick rainier. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the headlights shut off and failed to illuminate. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v755000 (exterior lighting); however, the parts needed were unavailable to perform the repairs. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable about of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

Filed May 27, 2015 · Lights · 100,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 buick rainier. While driving at 45 MPH, the low beam head lamps failed to function intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v75500 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Feb 26, 2015 · Lights · 100,000 miles · PA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 buick rainier. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the passenger side low beam headlight blew out. The contact replaced the bulb; however, the failure recurred and the headlight socket melted. The contact repaired the vehicle. The failure recurred on the driver side low beam headlight. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v755000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Questions about the 2006 Buick Rainier lights

Does the 2006 Buick Rainier have lights problems?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the lights of the 2006 Buick Rainier, 13% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2006 Buick Rainier lights problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 101,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Buick Rainier lights?

Yes, 1 recall: 15V519000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Buick Rainier have the most lights problems?

The Buick Rainier model years with the most lights complaints are 2004 (22 complaints), 2005 (17 complaints) and 2006 (12 complaints).

Other 2006 Buick Rainier problems

Fuel system 35Electrical 17Visibility 9Suspension 7Transmission 7Engine 5Body 4Driver assistance 4Airbags 3Locks 3Steering 3Acceleration 2Brakes 1

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