Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (32.9% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Electrical System complaints here are 4.6× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 52 · 32.9% | not available | — |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel | 27 · 17.1% | not available | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 14 · 8.9% | Recalled | Recall 05V198000 · Recall 04V527000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 · 7.6% | not available | — |
| Air Bags | 9 · 5.7% | not available | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 8 · 5.1% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 158 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 05V198000 · 2005 · reported 05/05/2005
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V527000 · 2004 · reported 11/01/2004
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE OIL…”NHTSA complaint 10544198 — filed 09/18/2013 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“MY 2004 BUICK RAINIER HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHERE THE BATTERY KEEPS BEING DRAINED BY A DEAD SHORT IN THE SYSTEM AND…”NHTSA complaint 10538486 — filed 09/03/2013 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“I JUST BOUGHT A BUICK RAINIER 2004. I WAS DRIVING IT AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE SPEEDOMETER NEVER WENT BACK TO 0.TOOK…”NHTSA complaint 10536616 — filed 08/22/2013 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 52 of 158 NHTSA complaints (32.9%), followed by electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (27), exterior lighting (14), vehicle speed control (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
158 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 10 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 05V198000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
