Complaints
205
Crashes
17
Fires
5
Injuries
23
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Buick Rainier Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#152 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:98,354 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:2
#227 complaints
Instrument Cluster
Avg mileage:54,963 mi
#314 complaints
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Avg mileage:113,755 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Buick Rainier.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 52 | 2 | 2 | 98,354 mi | |
| Instrument Cluster | 27 | — | — | 54,963 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 14 | — | — | 113,755 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 12 | 2 | — | 54,152 mi | |
| Airbags | 9 | 6 | — | 103,907 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 8 | — | — | 89,862 mi | |
| Fuel System | 7 | — | — | 100,561 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 6 | — | — | 17,259 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 6 | — | — | 80,511 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | 94,512 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Electrical Faults
52
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
98,354
Instrument Cluster
27
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,963
Headlight/Taillight Failures
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
113,755
Unintended Acceleration
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
54,152
Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
103,907
Gasoline Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,862
Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,561
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
17,259
Transmission / Drivetrain
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,511
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
94,512
Automatic Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Buick Rainier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Buick Rainier Years
2004 Buick Rainier — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Buick Rainier reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2004 Buick Rainier has 205 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 52 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Buick Rainier?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (52 complaints, avg 98,354 mi); Instrument Cluster (27 complaints, avg 54,963 mi); Headlight/Taillight Failures (14 complaints, avg 113,755 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Buick Rainier?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 83,959 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Buick Rainier?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Buick Rainier include 17 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 23 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Buick Rainier have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 Buick Rainier as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2004 Buick Rainier?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Buick Rainier reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Buick Rainier
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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