Is the 2004 Buick Rainier a bad year?
157 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Rainier years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Buick Rainier are in line with other Rainier years. Electrical system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Rainier owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 61,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 82 (52%) | 44k–89k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 21 (13%) | 46k–114k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 18 (11%) | 52k–102k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 15 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 12 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 9 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 61,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 157 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Apr 2019.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2004 Buick Rainier: 2
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. 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.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Buick: 154
Repair instructions Buick sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Buick Rainier. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific cylinder head and location
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Loss of Headlights
Fuel pump module leaks gasoline
Brake lamp failure
Neighbouring years
2005 Rainier: 103 complaints, keep it.
Every Buick Rainier year
2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · All Rainier years side by side
Other Buick models: Buick Century · Buick Enclave · Buick Encore · Buick Encore GX · Buick Envision · Buick LaCrosse · Buick LeSabre · Buick Lucerne · Buick Park Avenue · Buick Regal · Buick Rendezvous · Buick Terraza · Buick Verano. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Buick Rainier a bad year?
157 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Rainier years. At 61,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Buick Rainier?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (82), exterior lighting (21), fuel system (18), transmission and drivetrain (15), speed control (12).
How many recalls does the 2004 Buick Rainier have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 05V-198), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 04V-527). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.