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Electrical systemPart report

2004 Buick Rainier Electrical system Problems

Complaints
83about this part
Share
53%of 158 total for the year
Median mileage
60,071miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 83 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Buick Rainier, 53% of the 158 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,071 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My 2004 Buick Rainier has an issue with the electrical system where the battery keeps being drained by a dead short in the system and rendering the car useless sporadically. Unfortunately, the professionals I have talked to don't seem to know the answer to the problem and I don't want to keep throwing good money after bad in my attempt to resolve it.”

NHTSA complaint #10538486, filed 2013-09, 90,000 miles

“Power door locks and window locks are inoperative. Have lost all power in the door locks and windows as well as the radio and the heater. I was trapped in my car this morning for about 5 minutes with the windows up and the heater was blowing out hot air. I was unable to stop that as I couldn't turn off the car or open the doors, I pried the door lock open and was able to get out of the car.”

NHTSA complaint #10626431, filed 2014-08, 97,244 miles

“1) fuel gauge - the fuel gauge has done a 180, the needle is now upside down. And doesn't work really. I searched the internet and found out the there is a recall on 2005- 2007 Buick rainiers but not on my 2004. Maybe with my complaint, maybe it will include 2004 models. 2) drives door lock - the car key will no longer open the car door. I can only open the door with the remote button.”

NHTSA complaint #10467527, filed 2012-07, 79,000 miles

“I have an intermittent problem with my low-beam headlights not working. All the other lights work fine. Both low beams will suddenly go out, but sometimes will start working again after a few minutes. Other times it may take several hours before they will work.”

NHTSA complaint #10638627, filed 2014-09, 83,900 miles

“I own a 2004 Buick Rainier v-8 and the speedometer has stopped working. It will be functioning properly and then suddenly it will show 120 MPH. Sometimes it will work properly but then it goes to 120 MPH again. I wouldn't normally file a report for this but after research on the internet I see where there are dozens of owners reporting the same problem with the same vehicle. I am in the process of getting it fixed.”

NHTSA complaint #10312721, filed 2010-02, 58,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2007718%
20061719%
20053837%
20048353%

Other parts of the 2004 Buick Rainier

Exterior lighting
21 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Buick Rainier

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology