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.

2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,625 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2006 Buick Rainier Owner Comments

problem #4

Nov 262021

Rainier

  • miles

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

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 leaking fuel. I took off the fuel cap and reattached it to be sure there was no problem there. I had no choice but to get on the highway and continue my journey. The problem continued for the following 1000 ish miles. When I got home I contacted my dealer and set up an appointment to look at vehicle. They found the vehicle needing a sensor kit which was a recall back a few years ago. I had the issue repaired which took 3 days. They may have the removed items. Attached please find the invoice from the repair that shows the message numbers, etc from the inspection prior to and during repair. Since this issue was a recall, but I understand not for my vehicle but for many similar SUV-€™s and Pickups of the same area of manufacture; I feel the same components were used in my vehicle and should be paid for and included in this recall. Attached please find the invoice if I can figure out how to get it attached to this type of format.

- New Castle, CO, USA

problem #3

Feb 032017

Rainier

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Buick Rainier. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle jerked violently without warning. In addition, the power windows were jammed and would not wind up or down. The contact stated that the vehicle also leaked fuel onto the ground. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #2

Jun 072012

Rainier 6-cyl

  • 84,500 miles
The fuel sensor for my 2006 Buick Rainier started to malfunction approximately two years ago. I had it diagnosed by GM dealer, king Chevrolet Buick GMC of longmont, Colorado and they informed me the car needed a new fuel sensor. The fuel gauge indicates the tank is empty, when actually full. We decided not to correct the problem, due to the cost. The Buick ran out of gas numerous times throughout the last 2 years. Three days ago the car stalled on interstate 25 with passengers on board. We towed it back to king Chevrolet Buick GMC, longmont, co. And now diagnosed with a faulty fuel pump with an estimated cost of $1400 to correct the fuel pump/sensor problem. Each time the car was diagnosed by the GM dealer, not a word was mentioned by staff/technicians about the known fuel component failure. I discovered this issue after searching the internet, yesterday. I find it hard to believe that this serious safety hazard is not publicly acknowledged by GM Corp and its dealers and a recall for these vehicles has not occurred. Seems GM Corp and king Chevrolet Buick GMC have no concern for consumer safety.

- Longmont, CO, USA

problem #1

Feb 202009

Rainier

  • 65,000 miles
The fuel gauge stopped working and the check engine light came on at about 65K miles in February 2009. I took the vehicle to the dealer where I purchased and was told that the fuel sensor inside the gas tank had failed and that the repair would not be covered under warranty because the 60K miles had been exceeded. Not being able to afford this costly repair has forced me to continue to use the trip meter on the odometer as a way to estimate my fuel level. It is now 4 years later and I have never received any notice of recall or service notice from the manufacturer or dealer. The vehicle now has over 125K miles and apparently no longer qualifies for the offer from GM of splitting the repair cost with the customer. I have not received any notification from GM or my dealer of any offer of assistance with this issue. GM obviously installed faulty equipment and the fact that they expect their so called valued customer to pay at all for correcting this type of issue is not good business practice. I guess that I'm not that valued a customer as I brought this issue to their attention in 2009, repair was denied under warranty and I have never received any service notice regarding this issue.

- Baker City, OR, USA

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