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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2006 Buick RainierRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 91 owner complaints for the 2006 Buick Rainier. Most complaints involve fuel system, gasoline (25) and electrical system (17). The EPA rates it 16–17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–17mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Sep 2015
Owner complaints
91
Top: fuel system, gasoline
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy vehicles, and 2006 GMC Envoy XL and Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT vehicles. Fluid may enter 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 to become inoperative. Previously, the affected vehicles may have had their master power window switch module treated with a protective coating, instead of having it replaced.

VisibilityReported Sep 24, 2015NHTSA 15V599000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.

Exterior lightingReported Aug 14, 2015NHTSA 15V519000

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Remedy pending

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.

VisibilityReported Jul 2, 2014NHTSA 14V404000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

91 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2006 – Dec 2025
  1. Fuel system, gasoline25
  2. Electrical system17
  3. Exterior lighting12
  4. Fuel system, other8
  5. Suspension7
  6. Power train7
  7. Visibility/wiper6
  8. Fuel/propulsion system4
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Rainier model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004158
2005103
200691
200738
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel system, gasoline

25 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2012Fuel system, gasolineODI 10451441

Electrical system

17 reports4 fires
“The contact owns a 2006 Buick Rainier. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in his driveway, the contact attempted to use the remote starter key fob to unlock the doors, but the doors failed to unlock. The contact stated that he manually unlocked the doors. The contact stated that he manually attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The anti-theft warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being lifted onto the tow truck, he was informed by the tow truck driver that the driver’s side wiring harness had melted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness had melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer nor manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2023Electrical systemODI 11526598

Exterior lighting

12 reports1 fire
“TL* 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2017Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperODI 11021740
All 2006 Rainier problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl · 4.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Rainier 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142017$3,800523
Rainier 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$4,000555
Rainier AWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142016$4,000555
Rainier AWD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142016$4,000555
  • Rainier 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Rainier 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Rainier AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Rainier AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Buick Rainier as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 1686
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Rainier questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Buick Rainier have?

7 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Buick Rainier problems?

Owners filed 91 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel system, gasoline (25), electrical system (17), exterior lighting (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Buick Rainier get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Buick Rainier at 16–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026