2004 Buick Rainier: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Buick Rainier: 2 recalls, 158 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #04V527000 · 2004 · 871,473 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #05V198000 · 2005 · 286,478 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 10 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (83): the most common themes are electrical failure (18), warning light on (7), stalls / loses power (5).
- Exterior lights (21): the most common themes are electrical failure (6), noise or vibration (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (15): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (5), noise or vibration (3).
- Speed control / throttle (12): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2004 Buick Rainier has 158 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 5 Rainier model years for complaints (2.0× the average Rainier year). Complaints peaked in 2010 (19 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 63,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (1 complaints, 0 recalls), 2005 (103 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Buick Rainier.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Buick Rainier have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Buick Rainier. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Buick Rainier problems?
Owners have filed 158 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (83), exterior lights (21), transmission & drivetrain (15).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Buick Rainier get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (4.2 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Buick Rainier repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.