CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Buick Rainier has a lot going for it and just a few issues that keep it from making our "best vehicles" list.

The good news is the SUV has a quiet interior (thanks to triple door seals, acoustic laminate glass, and thicker sound-absorbing pads), a low number of overall complaints, and a RWD system which offers good balance and handling.

Unfortunately, it received poor safety ratings in crash tests, owners report that the gas gauge is unreliable, and there was a large recall for melting power window switches.

So close, Buick. So close.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,582 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Buick Rainier brakes problems

brakes problem

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2006 Buick Rainier Owner Comments

problem #4

May 102020

Rainier 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Wausau, WI, USA

problem #3

Feb 102014

Rainier 6-cyl

  • 122,499 miles
I had involved car accident which from they called throttlebody due to (tps...shift by wire) you can find in ask.com encyclopedia *(see bottom) that I experienced which I had. It was running in reverse and hit steel post that protect gas meter while I tried brake but engine and tranny was in full idle and I tried change to into drive while it still in full idle and my brake cant stop until I hit emergency brake and turn engine off by key switch. I did some research and found I'm not alone and my insurance (national general which used be gmac) pushed my car into totaled that they used by Nevada law and body shop trying to send this car to dealer for testing but never happen cuz of totaled processing. Which leave me puzzled and found out that my car sold to body shop and repaired and sold other people. My worry is if they not testing throttle and other people who bought this car may face risk which I had. *disadvantages the cost of dbw systems is often greater than conventional systems.that fall under the category of safety critical systemswhich are recommended to be developed under standards like iso 26262 which require extensive changes in the development process generally taken for developing other traditional systems..

- Sparks , NV, USA

problem #2

Mar 262014

Rainier 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Buick Rainier 2006, [xxx], I have had trouble with my SUV turning off while driving many times. Also, it will not start after several attempts until it just wants to. Now, it has completely stopped starting and is sitting in a parking lot after trying to start over 5 hours, I am so upset and stranded. My VIN does not appear on recall list for switch, but that is the trouble I am having. What do I do now? information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Ellabell, GA, USA

problem #1

Aug 202012

Rainier 6-cyl

  • 47,829 miles
We own a 2006 Buick Rainier. The contact received a recall noticed for NHTSA campaign id number: 12V406000 (visibility: Power window devices and controls). The contact stated that the recall had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repaired. The contact stated that the repairs needed to be done as soon as possible since the driver door failed to unlocked electronically or manually. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000 and the approximate current mileage was 47,829 with in 9days of repair drivers side door would not open.. called GM and dealer but it seems no one thinks it has anything to do with repair. Work\ed fine until repair an auto has little mileage. They blamed it on living near the beach, I don't. owner of dealership call stated he would take care of paying us back but it has been well within a time to mail a check. GM keeps calling to see if dealer paid. It is funny a door works great prior then can not open 9 days after return. Had similar problem with tires, auto serviced every 3,000 miles by dealer we purchased auto and tires worn down within less then 28,000 and they stated tires are not covered by warranty. You protects the disabled and seniors? nobody because they think we can afford theses cost. We can't.

- Cocoa, FL, USA

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