Which Buick Rainier year should I avoid?

NHTSA data does not assign an Avoid verdict to any Rainier year. The 2005 model year has the highest complaint index (100) with 103 complaints, mostly tied to the electrical system, so it warrants extra scrutiny.

What is the best Buick Rainier year?

No Rainier year earns a Good or Best verdict in this dataset. The 2007 model year has the lowest complaint index (0) and fewest complaints (38), but it also carries 5 recall campaigns.

What are the most common problems on the Buick Rainier?

Across all model years, the electrical system accounts for 90 complaints (39%) and the fuel system accounts for 72 complaints (31%), making these the two largest problem areas.

Does the Buick Rainier have recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 total recall campaigns across the 2005-2007 Rainier, with 2006 alone carrying 7 recall campaigns, though none are do-not-drive recalls.

At what mileage do Buick Rainier problems typically show up?

Median mileage at failure is 68,000 for 2005, and 74,000 for both 2006 and 2007, based on NHTSA complaint data.

Buick Rainier Best and Worst Years (2005–2007)

No Buick Rainier year carries an official Avoid, Good, or Best verdict in this dataset. The 2005 model year has the highest complaint index (100) and most complaints (103), led by electrical system issues, while 2007 has the lowest complaint index (0) but five recall campaigns.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Model years: 3; 2005–2007
NHTSA complaints: 232
Recall campaigns: 8
Crashes reported: 7
Fires reported: 10
Top problem area: Electrical System

Rainier Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Buick Rainier problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	No verdict	100	103	6	3	1	Electrical System	16	—
2006	No verdict	50	91	1	5	7	Fuel System	16	—
2007	No verdict	0	38	0	2	5	Electrical System	16	—

Most common Buick Rainier problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System90 (39%)
Fuel System72 (31%)
Engine24 (10%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires21 (9%)
Brakes18 (8%)
Structure & Body16 (7%)
Visibility & Wipers16 (7%)
Transmission & Powertrain13 (6%)
Other12 (5%)
Airbags10 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

Which Buick Rainier year should I avoid?: NHTSA data does not assign an Avoid verdict to any Rainier year. The 2005 model year has the highest complaint index (100) with 103 complaints, mostly tied to the electrical system, so it warrants extra scrutiny.
What is the best Buick Rainier year?: No Rainier year earns a Good or Best verdict in this dataset. The 2007 model year has the lowest complaint index (0) and fewest complaints (38), but it also carries 5 recall campaigns.
What are the most common problems on the Buick Rainier?: Across all model years, the electrical system accounts for 90 complaints (39%) and the fuel system accounts for 72 complaints (31%), making these the two largest problem areas.
Does the Buick Rainier have recalls?: NHTSA lists 8 total recall campaigns across the 2005-2007 Rainier, with 2006 alone carrying 7 recall campaigns, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
At what mileage do Buick Rainier problems typically show up?: Median mileage at failure is 68,000 for 2005, and 74,000 for both 2006 and 2007, based on NHTSA complaint data.