general problems of the 2004 Buick Rainier

Low beam lights go out when right turn signal is applied and returns to center position. A/c cooling fan does not cool compressor enough to run a/c at low speeds causing pressure to build up in feron receiver. Car is at idle or low speed.

Drivers side door electrical fire - very similar to recall 15700 -fluid entered into the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board, causing window switches, locks, etc to become inoperative. Also resulted in an electrical fire. Vehicle was unattended in a parking lot and window was open just an inch. Upon return to car window was up and door would not open with remote. Opened vehicle with key and noted horrible smell of electrical fire and all drivers side door electrical features were inoperative.

Have noticed after a heavy and driving rain that the electrical systems acts up. We call it crazy car! all the dash lights blink & flash, bells ding and gauges fluctuate while the vehicle is at rest and on the move. We shut the engine off, sit for a minute and restart only to get the same thing. That may happen for the entire ride duration or we may get no dash lights at all. It appears to me that there is a short or a moisture that creates this happening because after a few days of good sunny weather where the water has evaporated from the roadways, our beloved rainer comes back to normal. We still experience the dimming of the headlights as we are driving at night when we are cruising with no gas pedal application at around the 32 mph marking which is rather annoying as other drivers feel as if we are flashing them. We see a down surge in the battery gauge drop for 14 volts to 11 volts and then come back up. Sometimes this can happen once or twice during a 10 mile ride or as many as 50! we wonder, when, OH, when will gm pay attention to these complaints or are we just talking into the wind?.

After parking my vehicle and shutting the engine off the daytime running lights did not turn off automatically. There is no switch in the cabin to turn them off and they did not turn off on their own. I had to disconnect the battery to shut the lights off and prevent the battery from draining completely. I looked at the fuses and relays next to the battery and noticed that the solid state relay number 46 controlling hdm was bulged out on one side and smelled like burnt electronics. I swapped relay 45 into the 46 position and reconnected the battery and the daytime running lamps did not illuminate with the different relay in place. I noticed the NHTSA campaign id number:14v755000, in my case it would not shut off after the relay failed. I have never reported any vehicle problems like this before but wonder if a wider recall may need to be considered.

I have an intermittent problem with my low-beam headlights not working. All the other lights work fine. Both low beams will suddenly go out, but sometimes will start working again after a few minutes. Other times it may take several hours before they will work.

Power door locks and window locks are inoperative. Have lost all power in the door locks and windows as well as the radio and the heater. I was trapped in my car this morning for about 5 minutes with the windows up and the heater was blowing out hot air. I was unable to stop that as I couldn't turn off the car or open the doors, I pried the door lock open and was able to get out of the car.

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 pressure light illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic where they stated that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

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 rendering the car useless sporadically. Unfortunately, the professionals I have talked to don't seem to know the answer to the problem and I don't want to keep throwing good money after bad in my attempt to resolve it.

I just bought a Buick Rainier 2004. I was driving it and stopped at a red light and the speed odometer never went back to 0. Took it to a shop and they tried to reset it . No luck . The shop told me that they have gotted a lot of them with the same problem. Must have it taken out and sent to be fixed. I think this is a safty problem it its happening to a lot of cars and suvs. Is their any recall on this . Will their be any recalls on this . I went on line and read a lot of complaints about the same problem I am having . Can you advise me what to do . Thank you for your time.

Speedometer and tachometer step motors malfunction and do not go back down upon deceleration. My speedo will show I'm doing 40 mph while stopped and sometimes peg out while driving in the neighborhood. This creates an unsafe situation with speed management in all types of driving conditions.

The contact owns a 2004 Buick Rainier. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, she smelled an odor of burning wires. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was notified and an appointment was scheduled to have the vehicle examined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.

Electrical – my 2004 Buick Rainier has had a problem for a few years now with the intermittent dimming of the headlights. As best as I can figure out, it happens noticeably at night when I am coasting at 30-32 mph. The battery voltage meter will drop down to around 11, causing the lights to dim and then go back up. It mostly happens when there is moisture in the air, it is not generally an issue during the months of Jan-Mar where it is crisp and drier. I start my vehicle and let it run for about a minute or more before driving the vehicle and during my night time travel, it may happen 3 times or more than a dozen times. There does not seem to be a drain on the power or handling of the vehicle. I find this disconcerting whereas my lights are noticeably dimming to other vehicles on the road. It may appear to other drivers that I am indicating with the “flashing” of the headlights that they can cut out in front of me or make the turn from a side street. I have had a few close calls in this regard but I drive knowing that it could be an issue. It only appears to be a problem when I am coasting and not applying pressure to the gas pedal.

Gauges don't function right. Speedo reads too fast, too slow or not at all, fuel gauge reads twice as full. Needle pegged to stop as is the oil gauge needle. Buying this was the biggest mistake ever made.

1) fuel gauge - the fuel gauge has done a 180, the needle is now upside down. And doesn't work really. I searched the internet and found out the there is a recall on 2005- 2007 Buick Rainiers but not on my 2004. Maybe with my complaint, maybe it will include 2004 models. 2) drives door lock - the car key will no longer open the car door. I can only open the door with the remote button.

The contact owns a 2004 Buick Rainier. The contact stated the vehicle headlights turned on and off intermittently. The air bag, the seat belt, and the brake warning lights also illuminated. The speedometer displayed the incorrect reading. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 83,868.

I have a 2004 Buick Rainier. Spedometer is saying 120mph when only going 25. It would adjust itself for a day but then it was all over the place and now staying at 120 more often. This started at the end of may. For a few years now the hatch window lock is a problem. Can't open it because I have an issue with getting it locked again without slamming it. Have also had condensation in my head and rear lights since I've gotten it. Why they have yet to recall about the spedometer is crazy. This is a safety issue especially when children or the elderly are involved! the cost to fix the cluster alone is 455. 80$ (cheapest). This should not be my responsibility when most, if not all, of the Rainiers are all malfuctioning in the same way.

The contact owns a 2004 Buick Rainier. The contact stated that the speedometer would become stuck at 40 mph and sporadically, would not return to zero when the vehicle was at a complete stop. The dealer inspected the vehicle and advised that the stepper motor in the speedometer had failed. The failure mileage was 71,000 and current mileage 71,488.

Erratic windshield wiper operation. When you turn the wipers on for use they immediately go to "normal" mode of operation and can be switched to "high speed" and back to normal but will not go to "delay" or turn off. Then they may stay on for days before they will stop on their own. They do not trun off with the switch. This has been a problem for about 6 months but is getting worse.

It is a known fact by Buick/gm that there is a major issue with the instrument cluster/electrical make up of this vehicle. Hundreds of people are complaining of electrical issues with their vehicle, first and foremost is the failure of the instrument cluster. From what we have deducted so far, this is an electrical issue stemming from a ground short near the radio. We just can't pinpoint it yet. Some days the instrument cluster works, some not. Usually starts working on a wet day - indicating the ground short. There is no excuse for not recalling this, other than they realize how many would be involved. I spent thousands on this vehicle and now gm will not back their product. The problem didn't start until after the warranty was past, surprise surprise. I have to use a gps system with a speedometer to avoid speeding/getting fined. All the dealerships agree - the hours of labor to resolve this are beyond my pocketbook. Step up and acknowledge your fault in this, gm. Now.

Speedometer failing and/or working intermittently.

Speedometer sticks. Do not know how fast the vehicle is going.

We have a 2004 Buick Rainier. During the colder times, our speedometer tick, and it stops working completely, so you don't know how fast or slow you are going. As of this day its not working at all, this is a safety issue. Having no way to tell your speed, we could get a ticket, cause an accident. I have also noticed online, numerous people having the same problem. There needs to be a recall. We have not had it fixed. It would $600 to fix, and should not be charged to us, but to Buick for a malfunction.

No particular event just driving and speedometer stopped working a few weeks later gas gauge stopped once in awhile the speedometer starts but is inaccurate all of the instrument cluster is going . Many other complaints online for same problem . Tried to have the dealer CO operate and fix the defect but got nowhere need help as this is a extremely expensive fix on a faulty part that should have a recall as it is a unsafe situation.

2004 Buick Rainier speedometer works sporadically. Sometimes it works then other times it registers to high or to low. From what I've read this is a common occurrence on the Buick Rainier.

The first incident we ran out of fuel with the fuel gauge showing we still had fuel in the tank. Next incident, the oil pressure gauge indicated a very high oil pressure reading, leading me to believe something was wrong with the engine. Took the car home and drove another vehicle until I could do some testing on the vehicle. Oil gauge returned to normal operation. In April of 2010 I was driving exiting an interstate highway onto a four lane road and the speedometer reading became inaccurate. I was traveling faster than the indicated speed. After stopping at an intersection the speedometer never moved from zero when I was moving down the road. This occurs after a brief period of driving. Mechanics I have spoken to inform me this is a common occurrence with this model vehicle. Gauges such as fuel gauge, oil pressure, tachometer and speedometer are not trustworthy and give inaccurate readings. This is a very expensive item to replace and should be considered a safety hazard because you cannot determine your speed at any given moment.

Failure of speedometer. Quit working at about 32. 000 miles.

I have a 2004 Buick Rainier and the speedometer sticks on a regular basis. It ranges anywhere from 20-70 miles an hour while parked and 120 and over while driving. I can generally tell about how fast I am going and must keep an eye on my rpms. Well this is frustrating and very distracting while driving. This is definitely a safety concern for my family as well as everyone else on the road (because of the distraction). Also my cruise control does not work and the air conditioner will not blow out of the front vents. I have read other complaints of this nature and wonder when someone is going to do something about it. I cannot afford to pay for the extremely costly repair and believe that gm should recall and repair the numerous vehicles that this is affecting.

Speedometer stops working when car warms up. As I am driving with my two small children my speedometer will stop working and go below zero. Which becomes a hazard because I am unaware of how fast or slow I am going. My family as well as myself are in serious danger of getting into an accident because of this problem. It will not start working again until the next day. It has been happening quicker and quicker as the problem persists. I am also noticing a hot smell when the speedometer stops working. Buick refuses to help with this problem even though I have reported this before my extended warranty expired.

Malfunctioning speedometer- the speedometer stops working at random times while driving. It is dangerous to all travelers whether in car or those traveling alongside us. There is no way to tell when it goes out. The speedometer will just stick at a certain speed-it will then continue from that speed and at times shows that you are traveling at speeds well above the limit. I have also experienced where it drops 5 miles everytime its turned off but it also has reset itself at times. I do believe that with all the complaints I've seen supporting the same facts that this should be a mandatory recall and fix. I took the car to 2 different shops for help - shop 1 couldn't easily see how to fix & suggested it would be expensive, shop 2 (*Buick dealer) stated no idea on problem but would need complete panel replacement minimum price $700. In view of our economy and dealers wanting support I believe this should be addressed as a major problem due to all the complaints being very similar. Hard to pin down to a specific date and once started now occurs monthly. I have also experienced the problems with the lights dimming and the hard to read mileage display.

The contact owns a 2004 Buick Rainier. The speed odometer displayed inaccurate readings. When the driver is unable to identify the correct speed of the vehicle, excessive speed may be exhibited. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a technician concluded that the cause of the failure was due to an electrical shortage. The warranty expired and the contact was billed $500. 00 for the repair. The failure and current mileages were 30,000.

My husband and I purchased a used 2004 Buick Rainier with 33,000 miles last may 2008. One evening during the summer we were making a 20 minute trip and the speedometer just stopped working while en route. Since then the speedometer gets stuck while making 20+ minute trips and will only go down 5 mph each time you shut off the SUV and restart. So you have to shut off and restart several times before it reaches back down to zero and it will then operate okay for a little while until you make that 20+ minute trip again. Sometimes while just driving around town running errands it will get stuck. So I would say at least once a week it gets stuck. It's very frustrating when you have to watch your speed especially around the school zones. I often take my eyes off the roads to watch my rpm's and try to calculate how fast I'm going. I'm currently saving to have the problem fixed as I've heard of it being a very pricing item (instrument cluster) to have replaced. I've been doing some research on a possible recall for this item and I've found there have been many complaints and even a class action suit against gm for other SUV's similar to the Rainier but the Buick Rainier was not listed in this class action suit and no recalls have been made for this item on Buick Rainiers. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Instrument gauge cluster started working only sporadically March 08. Speedometer and tack have also failed to work about 25% of time in the past two weeks. On one occasion while driving about 15 mph through a neighborhood, the gas pedal failed to respond and the engine would only idle at 1000 rpm. After pulling over and restarting, the gas pedal returned to normal.

Speedometer began getting stuck and now does not give speed stays on zero or slowly moves up and gets stuck.

The speedometer reads erratically at rest pegged to 120 when driving. This occurs intermittently. When driving you do not have reliable display of your speed. Gm says this is not a safety issue, I disagree. It is a failure in a fundamentally important function of the vehicle and should be fixed. This began with onset of cold weather and continues to the present.