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.

2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,667 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 accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2006 Buick Rainier Owner Comments

problem #6

Jul 052022

Rainier

  • miles

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

During periods of time with ignition switch on, the wipers will loose the ability to both regulate speed and shut off. The wiper cover AC Delco/GM part number 19120931 will fail and loose control of the wipers (fail to shut off while driving). Because you cannot shut off the wipers, the driver's vision is obscured, and the noise from the wipers on the dry glass is very distracting. This will cause drivers attention to shift from focus on driving to manipulating the wiper switch. GM has not ordered a stock or replacement wiper covers from AC Delco, so trying to locate a fix for this problem is very hard. This is a GM design problem and is very expensive to fix. As a minimum GM needs to stock this part. All of these wiper covers will fail eventually, and accidents from this problem will occur.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #5

May 012020

Rainier

  • 49,000 miles
Buick Rainier 2006: Windshield wipers and fluid come on by themselves. When this occurs, the on / off function does not work. They cannot be shut off by controls. They merely start and stop at random. It happens both on vehicle start up when vehicle is in park and while driving. It is very difficult to see to drive.

- Walton, KY, USA

problem #4

Dec 062018

Rainier

  • 167,000 miles
My wipers come on steady and starts my windsheild washer fluid to come out. I put them in a delayed setting and they still come on full force. I cannot find the problem anywhere and have smelt like something is burning.

- Shelbyville, IN, USA

problem #3

Feb 202018

Rainier

  • miles

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

Takata recall wiper blades and washer fluid come on by themselves. Happen to my wife today on her way to school and she was terrified because it was hard for her to see plus it was raining. Also I read there was a recall on this issue back in 2004 for the trailblazers.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #2

Sep 062017

Rainier

  • 178,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Buick Rainier. While driving various speeds, the headlights failed to illuminate. The contact called luther brookdale (6701 brooklyn blvd, brooklyn center, mn 55429, phone number: (763) 515-2412) and was informed that the part needed for the repair would be available in six to eight weeks. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V519000 (exterior lighting) and 14V404000 (visibility); however, the parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Maple Grove, MN, USA

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problem #1

Nov 172014

Rainier

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Buick Rainier. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V404000 (visibility) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

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