Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Buick Rainier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Having difficulty with driving vehicle. Seemed to be over road. Several evaluations at car dealership, different fixes without resolutions. Finally the air system which regulates the balance, height etc stopped functionally. The car sits low to the ground. I first started complaining of unusual noises from the speakers of the car. Approximately 9 months ago. Dealership did not know what that could be. Now I am told the compressor and the shock system is gone. The cost to fix is 3000.00 I have found a company who has an adaptive kit with conversion to standard shock system. This company tells me that they are sedmomg 15 to 20 of these kits out a week. GMC does not offer any options. My concern is this has been a problem for multiple months without the dealerships ability to find the problem in a timely manner. …
Three years ago the fuel sensor on my Buick rainer failed. GM has issued a bulletin on the repair that covers 50% of the cost. I view this as an acknowledgement from GM that there is an issue with the sensor. I took the vehicle to a Buick dealer and they informed me that the out of pocket expense to repair this item is around $200. After numerous calls to customer service I gave up on trying to get GM to cover 100% of the cost. After talking to your office I understand that the engineers are still looking into this issue. Do you know when this will be resolved?
I have been doing research and I have noticed that there are many people that are dealing with the same issues I am which includes gas gauge failure (false readings) and speedometer reading incorrectly. The amount of people dealing with these issues should be enough to place a recall on those clusters I would think. I have never had so many problems with a 2005 vehicle before like I have had with my 2005 Buick Rainier. I have ran out of gas many times because of this issue leaving me stranded on the side of the road. Something has to be done.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Rainier. The contact stated the fuel gauge on the vehicle was providing inaccurate fuel level readings. When refueling to maximum capacity, the fuel gauge would read the fuel tank as empty or half full. The contact took the vehicle in for a routine oil change when he was informed of an open investigation into the fuel gauge failure, but the contact was not told what caused the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 85,000. Updated 8/30/11 updated 09/28/11
Malfunction of fuel level sensor. In September of 2009, the fuel gauge in our 2005 Buick Rainier began registering empty at all times, even when the fuel tank is full. The problem has been diagnosed as having to do with a malfunctioning fuel pump module assembly. This problem seems to be happening with GM vehicle of this type include the Rainier, blazer, jimmy and so. I believe this is systematic problem through this family of vehicles and is dangerous as the fuel gauge will not accurately read the fuel level.
Fuel gauge registers inaccurate readings, giving false "low fuel" warnings immediately after fill up and dropping to e unpredictably at other times, causing great consternation at being "run over" on the freeway or stranded without proper warning. The gauge seems to bounce up and down at will. This is an '05 Buick Rainier, under 47K miles, sister vehicle to Chevy trailblazer and GMC envoy which are already documented with this problem.
Power steering leaks, the gas gauge and other gauges don't work, most the electrical don't work inside the car, makes a weird noise when it backs up and the engine revs when it's starts and sometimes when it drives and goes faster even when you are not hitting the gas, the gas tank blows out gas when we are pumping gas like it's full but it's not, the window cracked from a little peddle and the wheels and hubs go bad really fast.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Rainier. The contact stated that the fuel gauge sensor read zero despite the fuel tank being empty or full. The contact also stated during the failure the low level light indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer, and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 85,376.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Fuel System complaints in other Rainier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2005 Buick Rainier?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2005 Buick Rainier, 26% of the model year's 103 complaints. The component named most often is storage › fuel gauge system (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Buick Rainier fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2005 Buick Rainier, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Buick Rainier fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.