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Buick RainierModel year report

2006 Buick Rainier Problems

Complaints
91filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
74,000miles, 72 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 5.3L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Buick Rainier (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report an erratic fuel gauge — the needle dropping to empty after a fill-up or bouncing between readings — which led some to run out of fuel; several describe a dealer replacing the fuel level sensor. A second common theme is headlights that dim, flicker or go out while driving, and door-mounted power window and lock switches that stop working. Most reports come in between roughly 35,000 and 125,000 miles.

  1. Fuel system

    Fuel gauge reads empty or erratic (fuel level sensor)

    • 37 complaints (41%)
    • median 63,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (29 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 7 quotes)
    • filed 2010–2022

    Complaints describe the gauge dropping to empty right after refueling, bouncing between full and empty, or staying on empty regardless of tank level, sometimes with the low-fuel light and check-engine light on. Several owners say the vehicle stalled or ran out of fuel because the reading was unreliable, and that they now track mileage between fill-ups instead. According to the complaints, dealers diagnosed a failed fuel level sensor or sending unit in the tank and quoted replacement, with owners noting the cost was not covered once the vehicle was past a mileage threshold. A few mention refueling was also affected, with the pump shutting off before the tank was full. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 120,000 miles, often first noticed immediately after filling the tank.

    What to check: Fill the tank during a test drive and watch whether the gauge settles at full, then note whether the check-engine light returns. Ask whether the in-tank fuel level sensor has been replaced and keep trip-meter records as a backup.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Erratic fuel gauge beginning in aug, 2010. Always fails after complete fillup. Sometimes operates below 3/4 tank. Currently not operating at all for past 90 days. It is showing low-fuel warning light irreguardless of the amount of fuel in the tank, the gauge needle remains on empty. There is no way to know how much fuel I have or when my 2006 Buick Rainier will run out of fuel.”

    NHTSA complaint #10398863, filed 2011-05, 58,000 miles

    “My 2006 Buick Rainier has a gas gauge that does not register any fuel in the tank. When the problem began the gauge would go up to the whatever level of fuel was in the tank but now it registers empty all the time. I have taken the vehicle to repair shop and found out this is a pervasive general motors problem with these types of vehicles. The repair is going to cost between $300.00 and $400.00 to repair.”

    NHTSA complaint #10408571, filed 2011-06, 108,000 miles
  2. Exterior lighting

    Headlights dim, flicker or cut out while driving

    • 11 complaints (12%)
    • median 104,000 mi at 9.9 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2022

    Owners describe low beams that shut off or flicker while driving at highway speeds and come back on after a short time, sometimes with high beams behaving the same way. Some reports mention a bulb replacement that did not hold, a melted headlight socket, or melted contact points at the headlight module reaching into the fuse box. Complaints note that dealers were contacted about the headlamp driver module; a recall covering this symptom exists, and several owners state parts were unavailable for weeks after the notice arrived. Generally reported from about 100,000 miles upward, often at highway speed at night.

    Recall 15V5190001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether recall 15V519000 (headlamp driver module) has been completed and get it in writing. Check both low and high beams on a night test drive and look at the headlight connectors and fuse box for heat damage.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My car has an intermittent headlight problem. The head lights will go off when driving the vehicle and stay off from 10 to 30 seconds. I do turn on the fog lamps and pull over when safe to stop.”

    NHTSA complaint #10312157, filed 2010-02, 36,000 miles

    “Regarding exterior lighting- while driving at night -the headlights will suddenly go off & stay off for a period of time.sometimes they will come back on & stay & other times just stay off. It was not happening every time,but now seems to do it more frequently. I'm afraid to drive it at night.”

    NHTSA complaint #10811731, filed 2015-12, 116,000 miles
  3. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Power window, door lock and door module failures

    • 5 complaints (5%)
    • median 100,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2012–2017

    Complaints describe power windows that stop going up or down, door locks that will not release electronically or manually, and an entire driver's door going dead. Some owners link it to fluid getting into the master switch module in the driver's door, and a few report a burned or melted switch after a burning smell. Several say the part was on order or the repair ran a few hundred dollars, and complaints note the recall repair was delayed by parts availability. Reported across a wide mileage range, roughly 45,000 to 130,000 miles, often after rain or damp weather.

    Recall 15V599000Recall 14V404000Recall 13V248000Recall 12V406000

    What to check: Ask whether the driver's door switch recall work was done and which campaign number applies. Operate every window and lock from both the master switch and each door, and look for corrosion or a burnt smell at the switch.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Driver's door module, power door lock and power window switches function intermittently and became inoperative. I took it to dealership and this was the problem. $422 to fixed. Waiting on part, as it was ordered today. 8-21-12 nothing on the drivers side door works, the whole door is dead.”

    NHTSA complaint #10471822, filed 2012-08, 100,000 miles

    “Vehicle idling in driveway while I went inside to retrieve cell phone. Came out and smoke in vehicle and electrical fire smell. Pull exterior of power window panel up and saw switch burned and melted on one corner.”

    NHTSA complaint #10458243, filed 2012-05, 149,000 miles
  4. Electrical system

    Engine stalls or will not start (ignition switch, throttle

    • 7 complaints (8%)
    • median 86,182 mi at 8.6 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2006–2023

    Owners report the engine quitting without warning at any speed, sometimes restarting on its own and sometimes requiring a shift to neutral and a restart, with a security or safety-lock light coming on. Others describe repeated no-start conditions where the engine cranks but will not catch. According to complaints, dealers were sometimes unable to reproduce the problem and replaced the ignition switch, coolant temperature sensor or throttle body as attempts, with mixed results. Reported from very low mileage up to about 170,000 miles, with no consistent pattern by age.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch or throttle body has been replaced and whether any stalling was ever diagnosed. Test several cold and warm starts and check that the security light goes out normally after starting.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The engine quits unannounced and the safety lock dash light illuminates. This can occur anytime regardless of speed. If at highway speed, the car will restart on itself. At low speed, I have to put the tranny in neutral and restart the engine. The dealer cannot find the source of the problem but suspects the ignition switch. The problem is what is causing this issue?”

    NHTSA complaint #10557715, filed 2013-12, 72,364 miles

    “The contact stated since july 13, 2006, the vehicle stalled without warning at speeds below 20 MPH. The vehicle restarted each time and was taken to the dealership. The dealership was unable to determine a problem, but replaced the ignition switch and coolant temperature sensor in a repair attempt. The problem persisted.”

    NHTSA complaint #10167215, filed 2006-09, 8,556 miles

Buying note. Check the fuel gauge behavior on a full tank and confirm the headlamp and driver's door recall campaigns were completed, since those account for most of what owners report here. A pre-purchase inspection that covers the rear air suspension and a scan for stored codes is worthwhile on higher-mileage examples.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 91 consumer complaints for the 2006 Buick Rainier. 72 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 74,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 5 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 763 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (3), Steering (3), Engine cooling (2), Other or unknown (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Brakes (1), Equipment (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “I was just informed of a recall on my above listed vehicle. Please note that my fuel gauge was not reading correctly as it was displaying empty while the tank was full. I brought the vehicle to my GM dealer immediately to diagnose and repair. It was determined that the fuel sender needed to be replaced. The total repair cost me $571.77 which included parts and labor. Who do I need to send a claim to in order to be reimbursed as this repair is now considered a recall?”

NHTSA complaint #10399022, filed 2011-05, 119,085 miles

Electrical system: “The air conditioning and heating controls had not been working and /or working erratically. We took the vehicle to the local dealership for repair. They claimed that they couldn't find any problem. We also asked them to fix the recall item, door switch, and were told there was no recall on our vehicle eventhough we had received notice from GM by mail. On march 14, 2015 I was driving on the interstate when the air conditioner suddenly started working full force. Within 10 minutes I smelled an electric fire and white smoke started coming into the cab from above and below the dash. …”

NHTSA complaint #10712209, filed 2015-04, 106,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “While driving at night, the headlights go out. Leaving only the brights or fog lights operatable. They some times will come back on, but other times not at all. This is sporatic, with no rythme or reason. Driving at night for over a half hour with only your brights is extremely dangerous. Other motorists flash their lights at you if you have your brights on, or if only the fog lights are on, other motorists will flash their lights also. Driving with only the fog lights in rural areas, then being blinded by on coming vehicles is a nightmare. …”

NHTSA complaint #10759500, filed 2015-08, 101,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “My wipers come on steady and starts my windsheild washer fluid to come out. I put them in a delayed setting and they still come on full force. I cannot find the problem anywhere and have smelt like something is burning.”

NHTSA complaint #11160750, filed 2018-12, 167,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

17% of the 72 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 54,414 and 102,000 miles.

3%0–103%10–2511%25–5033%50–7514%75–10032%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (72 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 74,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’0727’12’15’18’21’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Buick Rainier. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Rainier · sedan RWD/AWDnot rated3 / 4——4 · 19.1% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Buick Rainier version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Rainier 2WD4.2L 6-cyl4-speed automatic142016$4,200
Rainier 2WD5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic142017$3,950
Rainier AWD4.2L 6-cyl4-speed automatic142016$4,200
Rainier AWD5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic142016$4,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 2006 Buick Rainier → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 763 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 763 bulletins →

Other model years of the Buick Rainier

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20073874,0005—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20069174,0007—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200510368,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200415863,5002—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Buick Rainier model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Buick Rainier?

Owners of this model year most often report an erratic fuel gauge — the needle dropping to empty after a fill-up or bouncing between readings — which led some to run out of fuel; several describe a dealer replacing the fuel level sensor. The issues reported most often: Fuel gauge reads empty or erratic (fuel level sensor); Headlights dim, flicker or cut out while driving; Power window, door lock and door module failures.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Buick Rainier have?

NHTSA recorded 91 consumer complaints for the 2006 Buick Rainier as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Buick Rainier is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 35 complaints (38% of the total), followed by electrical system with 17.

Has the 2006 Buick Rainier been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Buick Rainier get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Buick Rainier (Rainier 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Buick Rainier reported?

Among the 72 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 74,000 miles and the middle half falls between 54,414 and 102,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.