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Buick Rainier 2004

The 2004 Buick Rainier came with 2 engines: 4.2 L 6-cylinder, 5.3 L 8-cylinder. It gets 15 to 16 MPG combined depending on the engine, per the EPA. 2 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.

Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD AWD
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Buick Rainier
Representative photo of the Rainier. It may show a different year or version. Photo: IFCAR · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped

Specs

Engine
4,200 cc
6
Cylinders6
TransmissionAutomatic · 4 speeds
DrivetrainAWD
Dimensions (L × W × H)4,890 × 1,920 × 1,780 mm (192.5 × 75.6 × 70.1 in)
Wheelbase2,870 mm (113.0 in)
Curb weight2,099 kg (4,627 lb)
Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

Dimensions and weight: Canada's official specifications (NHTSA vPIC).

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Safety

Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.

NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2004 Buick Rainier 4-DR.
🇺🇸 Local data
Rollover★★★★★
NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2004 Buick Rainier 4-DR. w/SAB
🇺🇸 Local data
Rollover★★★★★

Fuel economy (MPG)

🇺🇸 Local data
City
14 MPG
Highway
19 MPG
Combined
16 MPG
Emissions
345 g/km
CO₂

By version

EngineTransmissionDrivetrainCityHighwayCombined
4.2 L 6-cylinder Automatic · 4 speeds AWD 14 MPG 19 MPG 16 MPG
4.2 L 6-cylinder Automatic · 4 speeds Rear-wheel (RWD) 14 MPG 19 MPG 16 MPG
5.3 L 8-cylinder Automatic · 4 speeds AWD 13 MPG 17 MPG 15 MPG
5.3 L 8-cylinder Automatic · 4 speeds Rear-wheel (RWD) 14 MPG 18 MPG 16 MPG

EPA figures for each version sold in the U.S.

Recalls

2 campaigns🇺🇸 Local dataNHTSA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL 05V198000 · 2005-05-05 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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.

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS 04V527000 · 2004-11-01 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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.

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.

4 campaigns🇨🇦 CA dataTransport Canada

It may not apply to vehicles sold in your country. Check with your VIN at the source.

Other 2019420 · 2019-08-21 · Transport Canada
Details

Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempered. If the window breaks, the glass may separate into large pieces instead of very small ones. Note: This is a voluntary recall that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Safety Risk: Glass that breaks in to large pieces could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify consumers by mail and instruct them to inspect the designation code marked on the rear window glass. Products affected by this recall have the designation “DOT 287” along with the lettering “VMR” (Replacement Market) and a date code that is before July 2019. This information is printed on the bottom corner of the glass. Consumers should contact Vitro's customer service at 1-412-995-6457 or argbacklites@vitro.com to arrange for replacement of the glass.

Lights And Instruments 2005131 · 2005-05-02 · Transport Canada
Details

On certain vehicles, the directional/hazard signals may not operate as designed. Actuation of the turn signal or hazard lights will cause them to illuminate and remain illuminated (not flash as intended). Drivers may not be able to clearly signal their intentions to turn, change travel lanes or potentially warn others of an impaired vehicle operating condition. Correction: Dealers will replace the turn signal/hazard flasher module.

Lights And Instruments 2004390 · 2004-10-29 · Transport Canada
Details

On certain 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. The loss of one or both of the tail lamps/stop lamps could reduce the vehicle's visibility to following drivers and fail to warn others that the vehicle is braking and/or is stopped, which could lead to a vehicle crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect the tail lamp/stop lamp assemblies and, if necessary, replace them.

Brakes 2004088 · 2004-03-09 · Transport Canada
Details

On certain vehicles, the brake hoses are not labelled with a designation that identifies the manufacturer of the assembly as required by CMVSS 106. This non-compliance has no effect on the performance of the involved brake hose assemblies. Correction: Since this does not pose a safety risk, no corrective action is required.

Common problems

40 reports🇺🇸 Local data

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2019-04-15 · NHTSA

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,…

AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Crash 1 injured 2018-05-31 · NHTSA

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 S…

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2018-05-17 · NHTSA

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…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2018-04-26 · NHTSA

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 PROB…

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2018-02-21 · NHTSA

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. …

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2017-12-22 · NHTSA

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

STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 2017-12-21 · NHTSA

TRANSFER CASE SHIFT MODULE CONTROL MODULE

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER 2017-07-22 · NHTSA

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 REPOR…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2017-07-14 · NHTSA

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2017-05-02 · NHTSA

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 G…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 2016-08-20 · NHTSA

I TRIED TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED TODAY IN VIRGINIA BUT IT FAILED DUE TO THE DUMMY LIGHTS ON IN THE DASH BOARD ABS AND BRAKE. THE DEALER COULD NOT COMM WITH COMP BUT CHANGED THE FUSE FOR THE CIG LIGHTER THEN THE CODES READ EBCM MODULE FAULT.. IN 2014 MY RUNNING HEADLIGHTS WOULD JUST GO OUT.. NO LIGHTS UNTIL I PUT ON HI…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2016-07-10 · NHTSA

AFTER HEADLIGHTS ARE ON FOR A LONG TIME THEY WILL GO OFF.

All 40 reports, grouped by component

Questions

What engine does the 2004 Buick Rainier have?
The 2004 Buick Rainier came with 2 engines: 4.2 L 6-cylinder, 5.3 L 8-cylinder.
What is the fuel economy of the 2004 Buick Rainier?
It gets 15 to 16 MPG combined depending on the engine, per the EPA.
Does the 2004 Buick Rainier have recalls?
2 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Exterior Lighting (2005-05-05).
What are the common problems of the 2004 Buick Rainier?
40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Electrical System.

Other years

Which Buick Rainier year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year

Other models by Buick

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