Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Buick Rainier, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 8 | 21% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 11% |
| Suspension | 3 | 8% |
| Power train | 3 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 5% |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 5% |
| Visibility | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 5% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Window motors and window controls failing. I replaced two window motors at in 2017, at dealer because they failed, then the rear passenger window motor failed in 2020 and was replaced at mechanic shop with factory repl
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
BOTH TRAILING ARMS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION HAVE FAILED TO DUE TO RUST. THE FAILURE OF AT LEAST ONE OF THE TWO TRAILING ARMS OCCURRED WHEN TRAVELING ACROSS A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT LOW SPEED WHILE ON A LONG DISTANCE TRIP. THE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
AROUND JANUARY 2016, THE REAR END WAS BASICALLY SITTING ALMOST ON THE REAR TIRES--THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT PUMP THE REAR END UP. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, IT WAS FINE. THEN AROUND MARCH 2016, SAME THING HAPPENED. IN JUNE 201
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THIS PROBLEM STARTED AND HAS OCCURED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE 2015. WHEN I SHIFT THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK, IT DOES NOT RELEASE, THE IGNITION WILL NOT CUT COMPLETELY OFF SO THAT YOU CAN TAKE THE KEYS OUT. THIS HAS BEEN A MA
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO SUPPLY THE PART FOR THE REPAIR FOR LONGER THAN 18 MONTHS. T
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RAINIER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED TH
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING HAZARDOUS NIGHT DRIVING. RECALL ISSUED BUT GM HAS NO FIX YET! HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE CHECKED WITH LOCAL DEALER AND STILL NO FIX AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RAINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) IN 2015.
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2007 Buick Rainier. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 headlam
Risk: Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
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
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
Risk: The protective coating may not eliminate the risk that the circuit board could short and result in a fire, even while the vehicle is unattended.
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,
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 corro
Risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outsid
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 i
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,
Risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outsid
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,
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 8 of them (21%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2007 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.