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Fuel systemPart report

2006 Buick Rainier Fuel system Problems

Complaints
35about this part
Share
38%of 91 total for the year
Median mileage
64,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the fuel system of the 2006 Buick Rainier, 38% of the 91 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles.

Example complaints

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

“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

“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

“Approximately 6 months ago after getting gas at a gas station, I noted my gas gauge in my 2006 Buick Rainier to read empty despite having just filled it with gasoline. For a short time afterwards, my gas gauge fluctuated despite my gas levels. My check engine light also came on every time I filled up my tank. Still to this day, my gas gauge continues to read empty all the time despite filling it up with gas. Therefore, I never know exactly how much gas I truly have in my gas tank at a time and worry about running out of gas frequently.”

NHTSA complaint #10398702, filed 2011-05, 56,000 miles

“In november of 2010 I had to have my 2006 Buick Rainier's fuel level sending unit replaced due to to faulty readings. The cost of the repair was $410.69.”

NHTSA complaint #10398335, filed 2011-04, 66,739 miles

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20071026%
20063538%
20052726%
20041811%

Other parts of the 2006 Buick Rainier

Electrical system
17 complaints
Exterior lighting
12 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaints
Suspension
7 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
Electronic stability control
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Air bags
3 complaints
Engine
3 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Engine cooling
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 Buick Rainier

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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