NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
158 reports150,471 miles · Apr 15, 2019
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MINUTES. WHEN THE LIGHTS TURNED BACK ON, THE LIGHTING WAS DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO J.D. BYRIDER (5101 NEW BERN AVE, RALEIGH, N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MINUTES. WHEN THE LIGHTS TURNED BACK ON, THE LIGHTING WAS DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO J.D. BYRIDER (5101 NEW BERN AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27610) WHERE THEY REPLACED THE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT DRIVER MODULE ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,471.
NHTSA ODI #11196567
Mileage unknown · May 31, 2018
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND THE CONTACT REMAINED IN A COMA FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HEAD, WHICH CAUSED WALKING COMPLICATIONS AND A LOSS OF FEELING IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BODY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUFFERED A LOSS OF SIGHT IN THE RIGHT EYE DUE TO A CRUSHED SKULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11099015
174,000 miles · May 17, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
I NOTICED IN NOVEMBER OF 2016 MY BUICK RAINNER WAS SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE AFTER I GOT OUT AND LEFT IT RUNNING WHILE I WAS DROPPING STUFF AT HOME FROM WORK. WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY VEHICLE I DIDN'T SMELL ANYTHING, BUT COULD SMELL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I WENT ABOUT ANOTHER 10 MILES LATER TO MY DESTINATION AND PARK. 20 MINS LATER WENT…
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I NOTICED IN NOVEMBER OF 2016 MY BUICK RAINNER WAS SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE AFTER I GOT OUT AND LEFT IT RUNNING WHILE I WAS DROPPING STUFF AT HOME FROM WORK. WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY VEHICLE I DIDN'T SMELL ANYTHING, BUT COULD SMELL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. I WENT ABOUT ANOTHER 10 MILES LATER TO MY DESTINATION AND PARK. 20 MINS LATER WENT BACK OUT AND CRANK MY VEHICLE AND COULD SMELL A STRONG GAS ODOR COMING THRU VENTS ON THE INSIDE OF MY SUV. I GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER MY HOOD AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I WALKED TOWARD THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE THE GAS SMELL WAS EVEN STRONGER. I CHECKED THE FUEL / GAS TOP TO SEE I LEFT IT OFF BUT IT WASN'T. THEN I LOOKED UNDER MY VEHICLE AND NOTICE FUEL WAS POURING OUT AROUND MY GAS TANK AND NOTICE A BIG WET SPOT ON THE GROUND UNDER THE TANK. WHEN I CUT OFF THE VEHICLE I NOTICE THE GAS COMING FROM AROUND THE TANK HAS STOP. HAD MY VEHICLE TOOKEN TO A LOCAL GM/ BUICK DEALER. THE DID A INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AND SAID WHAT EVER THE PROBLEM WAS IT WAS AT THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. SO GAVE THEM PERMISSION TO WORK ON IT AND FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. TWO DAYS LATER THE DEALER CALL ME AND SAID THAT THE GAS LINES GOING INTO THE TOP OF THE TANK WHERE FUEL PUMP GOES INTO THE TANK GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THEM. THEY COULDN'T TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT CAUSES MY LINES TO START LEAKING AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. ( AFTER READING THIS NHTSA REPORT IN 2008 ON THE CAUSE AND GM/ BUICK EXTENDED A WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS OR 120,000 WARRANTY). I'M TOTALLY UPSET ABOUT THIS BECAUSE NHTSA SHOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM TEN YEARS AGO INSTEAD OF CLOSING THE INVESTIGATION AS LONG AS BUICK MAKES EXTEND WARRANTY FIX. THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE AND TOOK TWO DAYS TO ARRIVE. AFTER THE PARTS ARRIVE AND TWO DAYS MORE TO WORK ON IT. I HAD A $1200 BILLS THAT I HAD TO PAY A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.
NHTSA ODI #11096442
116,400 miles · Apr 26, 2018
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING LAST NIGHT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE HIGH BEAMS STILL WORKED. THIS IS ABOUT THE SIXTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I CHANGED OUT THE HEADLIGHT RELAY JUST BEFORE THIS OCCURRED AS I HAD SEEN A RECALL ON 2006 AND 2007 RAINIERS SHOWING THIS AS THE PROBLEM. AFTER…
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HEADLIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING LAST NIGHT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE HIGH BEAMS STILL WORKED. THIS IS ABOUT THE SIXTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I CHANGED OUT THE HEADLIGHT RELAY JUST BEFORE THIS OCCURRED AS I HAD SEEN A RECALL ON 2006 AND 2007 RAINIERS SHOWING THIS AS THE PROBLEM. AFTER A SHORT TIME THE HIGH BEAMS ALSO WENT OUT. I PARKED AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF FOR A WHILE AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE HIGH BEAMS WERE WORKING AGAIN BUT NOT THE LOW BEAMS. I WAS DOING A COMBINATION OF STREET AND HIGHWAY DRIVING AND IT APPEARS TO BE UNRELATED TO ANY ROAD CONDITIONS AS THIS HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS.
NHTSA ODI #11090229
109,722 miles · Feb 21, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, A FUEL ODOR WAS NOTICED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR WAS STRONGER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE ROTTED AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, A FUEL ODOR WAS NOTICED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR WAS STRONGER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE ROTTED AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,722.
NHTSA ODI #11074102
200,000 miles · Dec 22, 2017
Exterior Lighting
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILURE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. FIRST TIME A YEAR OR SO AGO, LOW BEAM RELAY REPLACED BY BEST RECOLLECTION
NHTSA ODI #11056167
5,000 miles · Dec 21, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
TRANSFER CASE SHIFT MODULE CONTROL MODULE
NHTSA ODI #11055966
114,000 miles · Jul 22, 2017
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper
LOW BEAMS ON LIGHTING GOES OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY JUST CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. ALTHOUGH THEY HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE THERE WITH SAME PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH GM SUV'S. MY 1994 GMC DID THE SAME THING AND I HEARD REPORTS OF OTHER…
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LOW BEAMS ON LIGHTING GOES OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY JUST CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. ALTHOUGH THEY HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE THERE WITH SAME PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH GM SUV'S. MY 1994 GMC DID THE SAME THING AND I HEARD REPORTS OF OTHER GMC'S DOING THE SAME THING. NOT GOOD ON INTERSTATES AT NIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #11010081
113,000 miles · Jul 14, 2017
Electrical System
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.
NHTSA ODI #11005370
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2017
Electrical System
I'VE BEEN HAVING SPORADIC FLICKERING LOW BEAM ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT, AND HAVE SPENT UNTOLD HOURS AND TIME TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT INCLUDING TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. (I WORK NIGHTS.) LAST WEEK THE LOW BEAMS FAILED ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK AT MIDNIGHT. RESEARCHED IT, AND FINALLY SAW THE RECALL FOR GMS AND SUBS…
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I'VE BEEN HAVING SPORADIC FLICKERING LOW BEAM ISSUES WITH THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT, AND HAVE SPENT UNTOLD HOURS AND TIME TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT INCLUDING TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. (I WORK NIGHTS.) LAST WEEK THE LOW BEAMS FAILED ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK AT MIDNIGHT. RESEARCHED IT, AND FINALLY SAW THE RECALL FOR GMS AND SUBSEQUENTLY AN AP STORY ABOUT WIDENING THE RECALL THAT WAS DATED APRIL 29. (I WORK AT A NEWSPAPER AND SAW THE WIRE STORY). I BOUGHT AND REPLACED THE MODULE MYSELF LAST WEEK, AND THINGS ARE WORKING WELL NOW AND SEEM TO BE FIXED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMS ME THAT THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE GM RECALL FOR FAILING HEADLIGHT MODULES, SO I CAN NOT GET MY MONEY BACK FOR THE MODULE. THIS MAKE AND YEAR MODEL SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT OTHER MODELS AND YEARS THAN HAVE BEEN RECENTLY RECALLED, ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. IT TRULY IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND UP UNTIL LAST WEEK, I WAS ALWAYS WONDERING WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL. NOT A NICE FEELING WHEN YOU WORK NIGHTS.
NHTSA ODI #10983108
NHTSA investigations
3RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights
Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
EA07009 · Fuel Pump Module Leaks Gasoline
Opened Jul 10, 2007 · Closed Aug 28, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
DURING THE COURSE OF THIS EA INVESTIGATION, ODI OBSERVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS (88%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (94%) WERE REPORTED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGISTERED FOR USE IN THE SALT BELT REGION OF THE US.THIS AREA INCLUDES 20 STATES IN THE NORTHEAST, MID ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST REGIONS AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.CONSUMERS IN THE SALT BELT REGION REPORTED TO ODI THAT THEY COULD SMELL FUEL VAPORS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THEIR VEHICLES, THEY DISCOVERED THAT FUEL VAPORS WERE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE RETURN AND SENDER LINES OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.WATER AND ROAD SALT COLLECT ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP LEADING TO SMALL PINHOLES APPEARING ON THE FUEL LINES.FUEL MAY LEAK AND COLLECT ON TOP OF THE MODULE AND/OR SPILL ONTO THE GROUND.THE DATA EVALUATED UNDER THIS INVESTIGATION REFLECT A RELATIVELY LOW FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE THAT LARGELY ARISES IN SALT BELT STATES.GM HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SUBJECT COMPONENT TO TEN YEARS OR 120,000 MILES.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH.
EA04021 · Brake Lamp Failure
Opened Aug 3, 2004 · Closed Nov 4, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
GM STATES THAT SOME BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULBS CAN PREMATURELY BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE/TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.ON MARCH 2, 2004, GM INITIATED A 6-YEAR/72,000 MILE SPECIAL POLICY FOR 989,487 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES.ON APRIL 4, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-032) BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.ON AUGUST 3, 2004 ODI UPGRADED PE04-032 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-021).BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 27, 2004 GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 04V527) COVERING SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER GM'S SPECIAL POLICY.MY 2004 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 8, 2003 CONTAIN IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY ON SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT ON AUGUST 8, 2003 AND EARLIER.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.