2004 Buick Rainier Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 158 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the body and structure of the 2004 Buick Rainier, 3% of the 158 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Frame rot ? I brought my 2004 Buick Rainier in for service and had the mechanic check the status of the braking system. He discovered that the frame near the rear driver side wheel was rotted through. The steel design of the frame is ?cupped? Near the rear wheels and there was no drain hole in the area to allow the road water and debris to escape. He advised that if I were to go over a pothole or hit a bump that the rear wheel would cave inward and cause a potentially serious accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10604720, filed 2014-06, 82,300 miles“At dawn or dusk the speedometer fades out and the driver was unable to determine how fast she was going. The dealer stated there was no solution at this time. Gm suggested that this was an engineering design problem. The speedometer and the odometer would fade away when it was dusk or dawn while the vehicle was in motion. The problem was first noticed in june 2004. The consumer marked march 22, 2005 as the incident date.”
NHTSA complaint #10115683, filed 2005-04, 200 miles“The contact stated the vehicle's speedometer has inadequate lighting. While driving in the day time the lighting in the dash is not adequate enough to light the speedometer making it difficult for the consumer to see the speed the vehicle is traveling. The vehicle was taken to the dealership. Updated 2/27/2006 -”
NHTSA complaint #10148756, filed 2006-01, 1,000 miles“2004 Rainier experiencing intermittent popping noise. The dealer indicated that the noise was normal. The brakes made a grinding noise and the vehicle would not stop. This occurred three times. The driver heard wind noise while driving. The consumer also heard idling noises.”
NHTSA complaint #10125853, filed 2005-06“The vehicle's engine has been sputtering, missing and surging since it was purchased. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to find the cause of the problem. The vehicle battery failed. Water leaked through the front driver's side floor. Water also leaked into the vehicle by the hood release lever when raining. The passenger's side fender rattled. Headlight assembly seemed loose. Rack and pinion leaked.”
NHTSA complaint #10111149, filed 2005-01Related service bulletins
- 10213818May 31, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10197294May 12, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
Body and structure: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Buick Rainier
83 complaintsExterior lighting
21 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsSuspension
6 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