Model year guide

2004 Buick rainier

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Buick rainier is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 43 on record.

2004 Buick rainier at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints158
Combined15–16 mpg
Typical price$3,107

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2004 Buick rainier recalls 2

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal NHTSA Campaign #05V198000 · 05/05/2005

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.

Fix: 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 …

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights NHTSA Campaign #04V527000 · 01/11/2004

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 5 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2004 Buick rainier common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 158 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

2004 Buick rainier safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2004 Buick Rainier 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2004 Buick rainier MPG & running costs

Combined15–16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway18 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,263

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2004 Buick rainier worth?

Low
$1,300
Typical price
$3,107
High
$5,200

From 43 comparable 2004 Buick rainier listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Buick rainier costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,315
Fuel only$21,315
Per mile$0.28

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Buick rainier trims & engines on record

Trims
CXL · 4x2 6c cxl · CXL Plus
Engines
4.2L 6-cyl · 5.3L 8-cyl

2004 Buick rainier vehicles on record

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Other Buick rainier model years

2007 2006 2005

2004 Buick rainier — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Buick rainier have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Buick rainier. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Buick rainier?

Across all 158 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, exterior lighting, power train.

What is the 2004 Buick rainier safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2004 Buick rainier crash-test ratings of frontal 3★, side 5★, rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Buick rainier get?

The 2004 Buick rainier has U.S. EPA estimates of 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

How much is a 2004 Buick rainier worth?

Comparable 2004 Buick rainier listings run roughly $1,300–$5,200, typically around $3,107 (from 43 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.