repaired · 2017 Q1
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Risk. The protective coating may not eliminate the risk that the circuit board could short and result in a fire, even while the vehicle is unattended.
2006 Buick RainierProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 91 owner complaints about the 2006 Buick Rainier, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-519 the manufacturer reports only 47% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 9, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Buick Rainier has problems
91 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
25Fuel system, gasoline
17Electrical system4 crash/fire/injury
12Exterior lighting1 crash/fire/injury
8Fuel system, other
7Suspension
7Power train1 crash/fire/injury
6Visibility/wiper
4Electronic stability control (ESC)
4Fuel/propulsion system
2510 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline | 25 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 17 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 1 |
| Fuel system, other | 8 | 0 |
| Suspension | 7 | 0 |
| Power train | 7 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 4 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 |
| 10 other systems | 25 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2006 Buick Rainier recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which…
repaired · 2016 Q1
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Risk. A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury.
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Show 3 more recalls
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.
Best & worst years
2006 vs. every other Rainier year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Rainier median. How we score
'04'05'06'07
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2006 Buick Rainier safety ratings
2006 Buick Rainier 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (19.1% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2006 Buick Rainier, and the recalls they led to.
- Fuel Level Gauge System FailureNo recall
- Driver's Master Power Window SwitchLed to recall 12V-406
- Fuel level gauge system failureNo recall
- Loss of HeadlightsNo recall
In owners' words
What Rainier owners report
Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY SHOWED EMPTY AFTER FILLING AND THEN ABOUT 10 MILES LATER SHOWED FULL. SHORTLY LATER EMPTY AGAIN. THE ERRATIC FUEL READINGS CONTINUE TO DATE. THIS MALFUNCTION IS CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. BUICK IS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE FUEL GAUGE. *TR
THIS TUESDAY AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, MY 2006 BUICK RAINIER TURNED OFF AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT WAS FREEZING COLD AND WE WERE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER AND NO ONE WAS HURT. COME TO FIND OUT I RAN OUT OF GAS. I…
FILLED UP AT THE GAS STATION ONE DAY. STARTED MY RAINIER AND THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WAS ON. DROVE FOR A BIT AND THE GAS GAUGE APPEARED TO START WORKING AGAIN. OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS THE GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE RANDOMLY. THEN ONE DAY, WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND MY…
Own a 2006 Rainier?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.