← New search

2004 Buick Rainier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Buick Rainier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 91.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

133 reports with mileage · 25 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports4 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

158 reports
95,000 miles · Jun 4, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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 …

Read full complaint

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?

NHTSA ODI #10723414

129,848 miles · May 27, 2015
Electrical System

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 A…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10721777

80,000 miles · Feb 10, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SOCKET MELTED CAUSING THE LIGHT TO SHAKE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LAMP MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE LIGHT. THE …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SOCKET MELTED CAUSING THE LIGHT TO SHAKE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LAMP MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10682590

52,000 miles · Sep 24, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat BeltsCrashInjury

A PERSON RAN TWO STOP SIGNS AND ENTERED VEHICLE PATH. THE TWO VEHICLES HIT HEAD ON AND THIS VEHICLE MADE IMPACT AT 40 MPH AFTER IT DECELERATED FROM 43 MPH. THE TWO VEHICLE HIT HEAD ON WITH NEAR PERFECT EVEN IMPACT, BASED UPON THIRD PARTY VISUAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLES DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AT A MAX…

Read full complaint

A PERSON RAN TWO STOP SIGNS AND ENTERED VEHICLE PATH. THE TWO VEHICLES HIT HEAD ON AND THIS VEHICLE MADE IMPACT AT 40 MPH AFTER IT DECELERATED FROM 43 MPH. THE TWO VEHICLE HIT HEAD ON WITH NEAR PERFECT EVEN IMPACT, BASED UPON THIRD PARTY VISUAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLES DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AT A MAX SDM RECORDED VELOCITY CHANGE RATE OF -14.07 (MPH) AND A ALGORITHM ENABLED TO MAXIMUM SDM RECORDED VELOCITY CHANGE OF 127.5 MSEC. DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HEAD KNOCKING THE PERSON OUT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ONSTAR WAS NOT NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. COMPUTER SHOWS THE SEATBELT WAS WORN BY DRIVER. WHEN THE ONSTAR WAS MANUALLY ACTIVATED BY THE DRIVER WHEN HE CAME TOO, THE GPS SHOWED THE VEHICLE FURTHER NORTH UP THE ROAD CAUSING INCORRECT POLICE DIVISION BEING CALLED. VEHICLE WAS GOING UP HILL WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING DOWNHILL. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS A SUBARU. VEHICLE COMPUTER DATA WAS RETRIEVED BY A BOSCH CRASH DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL USING VERSION 8.0 SOFTWARE. I HAVE A COPY OF THIS DATA. GM REPORTS THAT THE COMPUTER WAS CORRECT NOT TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS AND NOT CALL FOR HELP USING ONSTAR. THE VEHICLE HAD A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION DUE TO A FAULT WITH THE FAN SPEED CALIBRATION SETTING OFF A WARNING LIGHT. WE HAD COMPLAINED THAT THINGS WERE NEVER CORRECT AFTER THIS MODIFICATION OF THE SOFTWARE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS COMPLAINING THAT COMPUTERS WERE DOING STRANGE THINGS AFTER THIS FIRMWARE MODIFICATION. VEHICLE VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638830

52,000 miles · Sep 24, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat BeltsCrash

A PERSON RAN TWO STOP SIGNS AND ENTERED VEHICLE PATH. THE TWO VEHICLES HIT HEAD ON AND THIS VEHICLE MADE IMPACT AT 40 MPH AFTER IT DECELERATED FROM 43 MPH. THE TWO VEHICLE HIT HEAD ON WITH NEAR PERFECT EVEN IMPACT, BASED UPON THIRD PARTY VISUAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLES DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AT A …

Read full complaint

A PERSON RAN TWO STOP SIGNS AND ENTERED VEHICLE PATH. THE TWO VEHICLES HIT HEAD ON AND THIS VEHICLE MADE IMPACT AT 40 MPH AFTER IT DECELERATED FROM 43 MPH. THE TWO VEHICLE HIT HEAD ON WITH NEAR PERFECT EVEN IMPACT, BASED UPON THIRD PARTY VISUAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLES DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AT A MAX SDM RECORDED VELOCITY CHANGE RATE OF -14.07 (MPH) AND A ALGORITHM ENABLED TO MAXIMUM SDM RECORDED VELOCITY CHANGE OF 127.5 MSEC. DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HEAD KNOCKING THE PERSON OUT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ONSTAR WAS NOT NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. COMPUTER SHOWS THE SEATBELT WAS WORN BY DRIVER. WHEN THE ONSTAR WAS MANUALLY ACTIVATED BY THE DRIVER WHEN HE CAME TOO, THE GPS SHOWED THE VEHICLE FURTHER NORTH UP THE ROAD CAUSING INCORRECT POLICE DIVISION BEING CALLED. VEHICLE WAS GOING UP HILL WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING DOWNHILL. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS A SUBARU. VEHICLE COMPUTER DATA WAS RETRIEVED BY A BOSCH CRASH DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL USING VERSION 8.0 SOFTWARE. I HAVE A COPY OF THIS DATA. GM REPORTS THAT THE COMPUTER WAS CORRECT NOT TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS AND NOT CALL FOR HELP USING ONSTAR. THE VEHICLE HAD A SOFTWARE MODIFICATION DUE TO A FAULT WITH THE FAN SPEED CALIBRATION SETTING OFF A WARNING LIGHT. WE HAD COMPLAINED THAT THINGS WERE NEVER CORRECT AFTER THIS MODIFICATION OF THE SOFTWARE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS COMPLAINING THAT COMPUTERS WERE DOING STRANGE THINGS AFTER THIS FIRMWARE MODIFICATION. VEHICLE VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638828

83,900 miles · Sep 24, 2014
Electrical System

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638627

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2014
Steering

WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNING IT SEEMED LIKE MY TIRES LOCKED UP AND MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE UNLESS I STRAIGHTENED MY STEERING WHEEL A LITTLE. IT DOES THE SAME THING WHEN PULLING FORWARD AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE OR DOING A U-TURN. WHEN I TOUCH THE GAS TO MAKE IT GO THE CAR JUMPS A LITTLE AND MAKES POPPING NOIS…

Read full complaint

WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND TURNING IT SEEMED LIKE MY TIRES LOCKED UP AND MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE UNLESS I STRAIGHTENED MY STEERING WHEEL A LITTLE. IT DOES THE SAME THING WHEN PULLING FORWARD AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE OR DOING A U-TURN. WHEN I TOUCH THE GAS TO MAKE IT GO THE CAR JUMPS A LITTLE AND MAKES POPPING NOISES AND MY TIRES SQUEAL A LITTLE ALSO. SINCE THIS STARTED I'VE NOTICED MY GAS MILEAGE GOING DOWN. I'VE HEARD A FEW OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627781

97,244 miles · Aug 19, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

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,…

Read full complaint

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626431

141,000 miles · Aug 15, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED AS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR AND THE A…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED AS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR AND THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ODI #10622521

16,000 miles · Aug 15, 2014
SeatsVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER OPENING THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW, THE WINDOW COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER OPENING THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW, THE WINDOW COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT WOULD BECOME VERY HOT TOO THE TOUCH BEFORE THE SEAT WARMER COMPLETELY FAILED ALTOGETHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

NHTSA ODI #10622467

Official recalls

2

05V198000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

May 5, 2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

04V527000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

Nov 1, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

RQ17002 · 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.