The most-reported Rainier run is 5GADT13S952 (2005 builds) with 12 complaints, 4.4× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 33% of reports; 2004 is the worst model year at 3.4 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for Rainier model years 2004–2007.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Buick Rainier has 120 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 15% of every Rainier complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5GADT13S952•••••• | 2005 | 2 | 2 | |
| 5GADT13S742•••••• | 2004 | 2 | — | |
| 5GADT13S242•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 5GADT13S342•••••• | 2004 | — | 1 | |
| 5GADT13S442•••••• | 2004 | — | 1 | |
| 5GADT13S562•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| 5GADT13S142•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 5GADT13S552•••••• | 2005 | 1 | — | |
| 5GADT13S642•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 5GADT13S852•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5GADT13S842•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| 5GADS13S342•••••• | 2004 | — | — |
Each of the other 108 Rainier runs has 6 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Buick Rainier the gap between build years is 2×: a 2004 car draws 3.4 complaints per run, a 2007 one 1.7.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 32 | 19 | — | |
| 2006 | 79 | 31 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 90 | 34 | 6 | |
| 2004 | 122 | 36 | 8 |
Heaviest year here is 2004 at 3.4 complaints per run; lightest is 2007 at 1.7.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 33% of everything Buick Rainier owners report: Electrical System, 118 of 323 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 | 9 | |
| Fuel System | 1 | 1 | |
| Gasoline | 1 | 1 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | |
| Power Train | 2 | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 11 | — | |
| Suspension | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 10 recall campaigns on the Buick Rainier; the 6 below cover build years 2006 to 2007. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 15V519000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 2006–2007 |
| 15V599000 | Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls | 2006–2007 |
| 14V404000 | Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls | 2006–2007 |
| 12V406000 | Electrical System | 2006–2007 |
| 13V248000 | Electrical System | 2006–2007 |
| 05V552000 | Equipment:other:labels | 2006 |
15V519000 was opened in 2015 on cars built from 2006: 9 years on the road before the recall.
The Rainier against its rivals
The Rainier draws 2.7 complaints per production run; the Ford Freestyle 7.6. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Rainier | 323 | 120 | 4.6% | |
| Ford Freestyle | 2,936 | 386 | 3.1% |
How serious were they
Of the 323 reports on the Buick Rainier, 4.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Buick Rainier | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 323 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 15 (4.6%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 11 (3.4%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Buick Rainier share of that is 323 complaints over 120 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Buick Rainier VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 323 NHTSA complaints from 120 Rainier runs and 10 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Rainier production run has the most complaints?
5GADT13S952, a 2005 build, with 12 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical Rainier run has 2.7.
Which Rainier years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2004 is heaviest at 3.4 complaints per run and 2007 lightest at 1.7.
Does the Rainier get more complaints than the Ford Freestyle?
No: 2.7 complaints per production run for the Rainier against 7.6 for the Ford Freestyle.
How many Rainier complaints involve a crash?
4.6% of 323 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 11 involved a fire.
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