Most common 2005 Buick Rainier problems
Share of the 103 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Buick Rainier complaints by model year
Best Rainier years: 2007. Years to avoid: 2004. Compare all years →
2005 Buick Rainier recalls (1)
Visibility › Windshield
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, 'windshield mounting.' the windshield urethane bead May not have adhered to the body in certain areas during the cure process.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the windshield free of charge. The recall began on March 10, 2005. Owners May contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2005 Buick Rainier:
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.
Fuel level gauge system failure
The office of defects investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by General Motors (GM) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 5,089 unique reports indicating an inaccurate fuel level reading while driving.General Motors stated that this condition occurs when the contacts of the fuel sensor wear prematurely.Most of the complaints indicated an empty fuel gauge reading…
Fuel Level Gauge System Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than…
What 2005 Buick Rainier owners say
Electrical system all 38 →
Passenger door panel caught on fire when the care wasn't used for over 15 hours. The window and door locks weren't working on that side and the window was up prior to the fire. The fire caused the window to drop down and a passing tow truck thankfully saw the flames.
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.
Fuel & propulsion system all 27 →
Fuel gauge started displaying erratic gas level displays. Soon, when tank was filled, it would show empty. On one occasion it left us stranded on the interstate. I had no warning, the engine died, and I had to safely navigate from the fast lane on the far left to the shoulder on the right. Luckily, I avoided other traffic contact while doing this. I asked my mechanic and he thought it was the sensor in the tank. He said the Chevy trail blazers were notorious for this. I checked carcomplaints.com and saw where my vehicle, a 2005 Buick Rainier, was also in this grouping. My mechanic thought the manufacturer had offered some financial assistance in making the repairs. I am about to find out. They should! I see there has been a petition for the NHTSA to investigate and consider a recall. I think they should. …
I have various types of problems with my 2005 Buick Rainier. I have owned it for about 6 years now and it currently has a little over 93,000 miles on it. I am reported the problems to you so that you can document the problems to your list and I am also hoping that you can let me know if there is a recall for these issues? 1. AWD is not working. When there was snow on the ground. It caused me to ditch my car when I was turning a corner at a very low speed. There was a car coming towards me, but missed my car. Thank goodness it did not injure someone, myself or my car. The rear also slides when it is wet/raining outside. I'm scared to drive it when it is wet outside...especially when there is snow on the ground. 2. My drivers side door caught on fire. I just seen that my door could have been covered by a recall, but I didn't know that then. I paid for another door and installation. 3. …
Lights
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 NHTSA 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.
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?!
2005 Buick Rainier engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Buick Rainier a good car?
Based on 103 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Rainier rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Rainier at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Buick Rainier?
The electrical system — 38 complaints, 37% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (27) and lights (17).
How many recalls does the 2005 Buick Rainier have?
There is 1 recall for the 2005 Buick Rainier, the most recent from February 3, 2005 (windshield). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Buick Rainier?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2004. See the full Buick Rainier years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Buick Rainier problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 68,000 miles; 29% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.