Complaints
158
Crashes
14
Fires
9
Injuries
6
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2005 Buick Rainier Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#132 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:78,033 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:2
#220 complaints
Gasoline Fuel System
Avg mileage:63,490 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#312 complaints
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Avg mileage:80,539 mi
Considering a 2005 Buick Rainier?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2005 Buick Rainier.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 32 | 1 | 2 | 78,033 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 20 | 1 | 1 | 63,490 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 12 | — | — | 80,539 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 7 | — | — | 111,553 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | — | — | 102,550 mi | |
| Airbags | 6 | 4 | — | 87,440 mi | |
| Instrument Cluster | 6 | — | — | 75,800 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 5 | — | — | 93,166 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | — | — | 78,840 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | 1 | 2 | 119,000 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Brakes | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 1 | — | — | — |
Electrical Faults
32
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
78,033
Gasoline Fuel System
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
63,490
Headlight/Taillight Failures
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,539
Suspension Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
111,553
Unintended Acceleration
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
102,550
Airbags
6
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,440
Instrument Cluster
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,800
Electronic Stability Control
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,166
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,840
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
119,000
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Interior Lighting
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2005 Buick Rainier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Buick Rainier Years
2005 Buick Rainier — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2005 Buick Rainier reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2005 Buick Rainier has 158 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 32 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2005 Buick Rainier?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (32 complaints, avg 78,033 mi); Gasoline Fuel System (20 complaints, avg 63,490 mi); Headlight/Taillight Failures (12 complaints, avg 80,539 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 2005 Buick Rainier?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 82,538 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2005 Buick Rainier?
NHTSA complaints for the 2005 Buick Rainier include 14 crash-related reports, 9 fire reports, 6 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 2005 Buick Rainier have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2005 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 2005 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 2005 Buick Rainier
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99