Is your car affected?
Check by VIN to confirm the
exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Exterior lighting: turn signal
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
Exterior lighting: brake lights
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Risk and remedy
Risk: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Canadian recalls (4)
Show 4 Canadian recalls
Other
2019-08-21 · campaign 2019-420
Issue:
This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempered. If the window breaks, the glass may separate into large pieces instead of very small ones.
Note: This is a voluntary recall that is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Safety Risk:
Glass that breaks in to large pieces could create a risk of injury.
Corrective Actions:
The company will notify consumers by mail and instruct them to inspect the designation code marked on the rear window glass. Products affected by this recall have the designation “DOT 287” along with the lettering “VMR” (Replacement Market) and a date code that is before July 2019. This information is printed on the bottom corner of the glass. Consumers should contact Vitro's customer service at 1-412-995-6457 or argbacklites@vitro.com to arrange for replacement of the glass.
Lights and instruments
2005-05-02 · campaign 2005-131
On certain vehicles, the directional/hazard signals may not operate as designed. Actuation of the turn signal or hazard lights will cause them to illuminate and remain illuminated (not flash as intended). Drivers may not be able to clearly signal their intentions to turn, change travel lanes or potentially warn others of an impaired vehicle operating condition. Correction: Dealers will replace the turn signal/hazard flasher module.
Lights and instruments
2004-10-29 · campaign 2004-390
On certain vehicles, vibration and heat may cause the tail lamp/stop lamp bulb to loosen in its socket. If this occurs, the bulb may flicker and eventually become inoperative. The loss of one or both of the tail lamps/stop lamps could reduce the vehicle's visibility to following drivers and fail to warn others that the vehicle is braking and/or is stopped, which could lead to a vehicle crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect the tail lamp/stop lamp assemblies and, if necessary, replace them.
Brakes
2004-03-09 · campaign 2004-088
On certain vehicles, the brake hoses are not labelled with a designation that identifies the manufacturer of the assembly as required by CMVSS 106. This non-compliance has no effect on the performance of the involved brake hose assemblies. Correction: Since this does not pose a safety risk, no corrective action is required.
Owner complaints (158)
Owners filed 158 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Buick Rainier (9 crashes, 4 fires, 10 injuries reported). Among 5 model years of this model, it ranks #1 for the most complaints (median 91).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Electrical system | 83 | |
| Exterior lighting | 21 | |
| Power train | 15 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | |
| Air bags | 10 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 9 | |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Buick Rainier.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2004 Buick Rainier 4-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | 4★ |
| 2004 Buick Rainier 4-DR. | – | – | – | 4★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2004 Buick Rainier version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Rainier 2WD 4.2 L Automatic 4-spd | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Rainier 2WD 5.3 L Automatic 4-spd | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Rainier AWD 4.2 L Automatic 4-spd | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Rainier AWD 5.3 L Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.