Model year guide

2005 Buick Rainier

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2005 Buick Rainier is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 22 on record.

2005 Buick Rainier — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2005 Buick Rainier at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints103
Combined15–16 mpg
Typical price$3,614

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

2005 Buick Rainier recalls 1

Visibility:windshield NHTSA Campaign #05V035000 · 03/02/2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, 'WINDSHIELD MOUNTING.' THE WINDSHIELD URETHANE BEAD MAY NOT HAVE ADHERED TO THE BODY IN CERTAIN AREAS DURING THE CURE PROCESS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, 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.

2005 Buick Rainier common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 103 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.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
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.

2005 Buick Rainier safety ratings

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

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2005 Buick Rainier 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2005 Buick Rainier MPG & running costs

Combined15–16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway19 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 2005 Buick Rainier worth?

Low
$2,100
Typical price
$3,614
High
$5,800

From 22 comparable 2005 Buick Rainier listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2005 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.

2005 Buick Rainier trims & engines on record

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

2005 Buick Rainier vehicles on record

2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S652306435 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S052108238 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier 4x2 6c cxl5GADS13S752224958 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S152201446 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13SX52312271 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S352249806 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GAET13M152226594 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S052230016 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S852318232 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GAET13M752245120 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S852341008 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S652204343 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S352168921 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S252175679 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S252176198 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S452203255 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S752111931 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GAET13M252245946 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GADT13S152208316 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GAET13M952176964 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GAES13M352258658 2005 Buick Rainier 2005 Buick Rainier CXL5GAET13M252159682

Other Buick Rainier model years

2007 2006 2004

2005 Buick Rainier — frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Buick Rainier have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2005 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 2005 Buick Rainier?

Across all 103 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, fuel system, gasoline.

What is the 2005 Buick Rainier safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2005 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 2005 Buick Rainier get?

The 2005 Buick Rainier has U.S. EPA estimates of 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

How much is a 2005 Buick Rainier worth?

Comparable 2005 Buick Rainier listings run roughly $2,100–$5,800, typically around $3,614 (from 22 vehicles).

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