2006 Buick Rainier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 8%of 91 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,741miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Buick Rainier, 8% of the 91 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,741 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“I would like to start by saying I love my 2006 Buick Rainier and do not want this experience to break my commitment to GM products. My problems began when my Rainier started having problems turning at low speeds and backing up. My 2006 Rainier only has a little over 56,000 miles, so as you can see my SUV has very little wear and has had all the regular schedule maintenances. I did experience the bumping noise periodically which I understand now is a precursor to the transfer case going out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10544981, filed 2013-09, 56,482 miles“There are two kinds of problems I brought to the attention of the service department several times since purchasing the vehicle but mechanics still cannot find what is causing the problems. First, my vehicle stutters when I back up and turn slowly or turn forward slowly. It does not do it every time, just occasionally so the mechanics do not experience it. Second, when stopped at a red light for a few seconds, my car feels like it has been hit in the back but when I look back to see if I've been bumped, there is no vehicle behind me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10466574, filed 2012-07, 38,000 miles“We have had numerous electrical and mechanical problems. The fan motor control module when out,then the module that controls the fuel indicator and display went bad. Now less than 6 months later the transmission has gone bad. It is only working in 2 & 3. No overdrive or first. This last problem suddenly started on 7/17/11. Our mechanic came and checked it out (he did not want us to drive it) and said the transmission was only working in second and third and we should not drive it and needs to be replaced or repaired. We are still paying for this car and for the last repairs on this car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10413651, filed 2011-07, 73,000 miles“Possible fire hazard and accident due to oil cooler line corroding out. Normal driving. Repair and replacement of oil lines. This was only by shear luck that this was not a serious accident or fire with injuries or death.”
NHTSA complaint #10353254, filed 2010-09, 38,000 miles“The contact owns a 2006 Buick Rainier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the air conditioner failed to operate. Additionally, the transmission emitted a loud whining noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the blower motor resister was replaced. The failure recurred after the repair was performed. The vehicle had not been repaired for most recent failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10552222, filed 2013-11, 102,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10234619Apr 6, 2023This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10228863Dec 13, 2022This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10227241Nov 18, 2022This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 Buick Rainier
35 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsEngine 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 29, 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