Model year guide

2006 Buick Rainier

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2006 Buick Rainier is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 19 on record.

2006 Buick Rainier at a glance

Safety recalls7
Owner complaints91
Combined16–17 mpg
Typical price$3,963

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

2006 Buick Rainier recalls 7

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #15V519000 · 14/08/2015

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.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls NHTSA Campaign #15V599000 · 24/09/2015

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 …

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new driver's door switch module, free of charge. The recall began on November 2, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's num…

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls NHTSA Campaign #14V404000 · 02/07/2014

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 switche…

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the part number on the door module, and install a new door module if necessary, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. An interim letter was mailed to owners in August 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts…

Electrical System NHTSA Campaign #12V406000 · 16/08/2012

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, SAAB 9-7x, and Isuzu Ascender vehicles, originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode…

Fix: Parts for this recall are expected to available in March 2013. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners when parts are available. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. Isuzu owners will be notifie…

Electrical System NHTSA Campaign #13V248000 · 13/06/2013

General Motors (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 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…

Fix: Owners will be contacted and dealers will test the driver's door module. If the module is functioning properly, a protective coating will be applied. If the module is not functioning properly, it will be replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GM…

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #05V552000 · 07/12/2005

CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.

Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-9…

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections NHTSA Campaign #05V455000 · 05/10/2005

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT IS NOT TO SPECIFICATION. UNDER EXTREME STEERING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL FULLY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE BRAKING, THE HOSE MAY FRACTURE AND LEAK FLUID.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING HOSE(S) FOR TWO SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THEM IF REQUIRED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727,…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. 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.

2006 Buick Rainier common problems

Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — 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.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
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.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2006 Buick Rainier safety ratings

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

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2006 Buick Rainier 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2006 Buick Rainier MPG & running costs

Combined16–17 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,138

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 2006 Buick Rainier worth?

Low
$2,500
Typical price
$3,963
High
$6,400

From 19 comparable 2006 Buick Rainier listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2006 Buick Rainier costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,690
Fuel only$20,690
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.

2006 Buick Rainier trims & engines on record

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

2006 Buick Rainier vehicles on record

Other Buick Rainier model years

2006 Buick Rainier — frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Buick Rainier have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2006 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 2006 Buick Rainier?

Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, visibility/wiper, air bags.

What is the 2006 Buick Rainier safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2006 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 2006 Buick Rainier get?

The 2006 Buick Rainier has U.S. EPA estimates of 16–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

How much is a 2006 Buick Rainier worth?

Comparable 2006 Buick Rainier listings run roughly $2,500–$6,400, typically around $3,963 (from 19 vehicles).

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