2006 Buick Rainier problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Buick Rainier, most often about electrical system. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
8
Recalls
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
108,500 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 3 of 8 complaints (38%).
  • Visibility & Wipers (2) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (1) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 108,500 mi.
  • The 2006 Buick Rainier has 5 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It has the most serious complaint record of all 3 Buick Rainier model years we track.

2006 Buick Rainier problems by category

  • Electrical System
    3 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    1 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    1 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Brakes
    1 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system3
Visibility/wiper2
Fuel/propulsion system1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Steering1
Suspension1
Unknown or other1
Electronic stability control (esc)1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k130k–60k60k–100k100k–150k1150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2006 Buick Rainier complaints that list mileage.

2006 Buick Rainier recalls (5)

  • Recall 15V599000Sep 24, 20159,932 vehicles
    VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy vehicles, and 2006 GMC Envoy XL and Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT vehicles. Fluid may enter into the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board, causing window switches to become inoperative. Previously, the affected vehicles may have had their master power window switch module treated with a protective coating, instead of having it replaced.

    Risk: The protective coating may not eliminate the risk that the circuit board could short and result in a fire, even while the vehicle is unattended.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new driver's door switch module, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15700.

  • Recall 15V519000Aug 14, 2015429,170 vehicles
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.

    Risk: Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.

  • Recall 14V404000Jul 2, 2014184,611 vehicles
    VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.

    Risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the part number on the door module, and install a new door module if necessary, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. An interim letter was mailed to owners in August 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-955-9007 (SAAB), and 1-800-255-6727 (Isuzu). GM's number for this recall is 14309. NOTE: This recall provides a new remedy for all vehicles covered by recall 13V-248. Vehicles whose modules were modified but not replaced as part of the previous recall remedy must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign.

  • Recall 13V248000Jun 13, 2013193,652 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

    General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.

    Risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.

    Remedy: Owners will be contacted and dealers will test the driver's door module. If the module is functioning properly, a protective coating will be applied. If the module is not functioning properly, it will be replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners, Isuzu and Saab will contact their respective owners. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463, Isuzu owners at 1-800-255-6727, and Saab owners at 1-800-955-9007. GM's campaign number is 12180. This recall is an expansion of recall 12V-406.

  • Recall 12V406000Aug 16, 2012278,174 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

    General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, SAAB 9-7x, and Isuzu Ascender vehicles, originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.

    Risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.

    Remedy: Parts for this recall are expected to available in March 2013. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners when parts are available. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. Isuzu owners will be notified by Isuzu Motors when parts are available. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727. SAAB owners will be notified by SAAB Cars North America when parts are available and for inquiries, owners may call SAAB customer service at 1-800-955-9007.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • RQ17002Opened Apr 24, 2017Closed Mar 29, 2021

    Loss of Headlights

    The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by Gene…

  • EA12004Opened Jun 11, 2012Closed Jun 21, 2013led to recall 12V406000

    Driver's Master Power Window Switch

    On August 15, 2012 General Motors (GM) announced a regional recall action (12V-406) involving model year (MY) 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender and MY2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the salt belt states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The recall remedy requires the inspection and repair or replacement…

  • PE11014Opened Apr 25, 2011Closed Sep 23, 2011

    Fuel level gauge system failure

    The office of defects investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by General Motors (GM) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 5,089 unique reports indicating an inaccurate fuel level reading while driving.General Motors stated that this condition occurs when the contacts of the fuel sensor wear prematurely.Most of the complaints indicated an empty fuel gauge reading after filling the tank.Less than 10 percent of theODI complaints involved an engine stall incident.During this investigation, GM developed a remedy procedure and issued special covera…

  • DP10001Opened Jan 7, 2010Closed May 23, 2011

    Fuel Level Gauge System Failure

    The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summari…

Recent 2006 Buick Rainier complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Dec 9, 2025VABrakesSteering
    The contact owns a 2006 Buick Rainer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel jerked independently without warning, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the brake pedal while depressing the brake pedal. The contact had taken the vehicle to two independent mechanics, where the wheel bearings and ball joints were replaced; however, the…
    NHTSA complaint #11704072 · source
  2. Filed Jun 12, 2023168,000 miMATowedElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2006 Buick Rainier. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in his driveway, the contact attempted to use the remote starter key fob to unlock the doors, but the doors failed to unlock. The contact stated that he manually unlocked the doors. The contact stated that he manually attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The anti-theft warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being…
    NHTSA complaint #11526598 · source
  3. Filed Jul 26, 2022CAVisibility & Wipers
    During periods of time with ignition switch on, the wipers will loose the ability to both regulate speed and shut off. The wiper cover AC Delco/GM part number 19120931 will fail and loose control of the wipers (fail to shut off while driving). Because you cannot shut off the wipers, the driver's vision is obscured, and the noise from the wipers on the dry glass is very distracting. This will cause drivers attention to shift from focus on driving to manipulating the wiper…
    NHTSA complaint #11475864 · source
  4. Filed Mar 20, 2022TNElectrical System
    Low beam lights go off intermittently while driving and eventually come back on. This does not affect high beams or any other lights on the vehicle. But causes a serious danger to my needing to drive at night due to my job.
    NHTSA complaint #11457557 · source
  5. Filed Jan 26, 2022COFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    In driving cross country, filled up the fuel tank and resumed travel when the fuel gauge immediately went to empty (I didn’t even have time to drive up the highway ramp back onto the highway). The alerts started ringing and blinking and dash board told me there was no fuel. I went to a gravel area and inspected the engine compartment, under the car and the interior to be sure I was not missing anything, then restarted the SUV. Could not find any issues anywhere, including…
    NHTSA complaint #11448952 · source
  6. Filed Aug 17, 2021IAOther / Unknown
    When I fill my gas up my gas gauge goes to empty, the low fuel light comes on, and my check engine light comes on. I can run out of gas and another can hit me. This is very unsafe, not just for me but others. Buick needs to fix this before someone gets seriously hurt or killed. This is a law suit waiting to happen.
    NHTSA complaint #11429520 · source
  7. Filed Oct 15, 202049,000 miKYVisibility & Wipers
    Buick rainier 2006: windshield wipers and fluid come on by themselves. When this occurs, the on / off function does not work. They cannot be shut off by controls. They merely start and stop at random. It happens both on vehicle start up when vehicle is in park and while driving. It is very difficult to see to drive.
    NHTSA complaint #11364509 · source
  8. Filed May 10, 2020WIDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemSuspension
    We bought a buick rainier 2006 and it has had nothing but electrical, door problems and door handle problems. It has a faulty back window wiper. Suspension issues and a voting under body carriage. I bought it from a dealer and none of these recall issues where taken care of, and these recalls date back to 2015 i bought the rainer in march 2018.
    NHTSA complaint #11324044 · source

Compare the 2006 Buick Rainier with another vehicle →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology