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2007 Buick Rainier Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Buick Rainier has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Exterior lighting recall repair parts unavailable.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Buick Rainier.

Reported to NHTSA

Exterior lighting recall repair parts unavailable

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

7 NHTSA complaints · 2015-08 → 2016-04

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10816212
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) IN 2015. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE HDM SERVICE PART WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECCURED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10789306
“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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY FOR THE RECALL REPAIR BEYOND A REASONABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10853342

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear air suspension failure

SUSPENSION

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-08 → 2023-11

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10897506
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11384755
“Rear air suspension went out in 2018 and rear end fell down causing severe handling difficulty. Had to replace rear air suspension with conventional shocks because parts were not available in a timely manner and vehicle could not be driven safely without rear suspension”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11557359

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Exterior door handle and latch failure

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2011-06 → 2013-05

“WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE EXTERIOR. THE DOOR WOULD ONLY OPEN FROM THE INTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A SECOND TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10409084
“UNABLE TO OPEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE IN ANY MANNER. THIS IS STARTING TO HAPPEN TO OTHER DOORS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10512795
“UNABLE TO OPEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE IN ANY MANNER. STARTING TO ALSO HAPPEN TO BACK PASSENGER ON DRIVER SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10513188

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel gauge and level sender inaccuracy

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2011-05 → 2012-10

“FUEL GAUGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WILL COME ON, THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WILL SOUND AN AUDIBLE ALERT AND WILL SHOW LOW FUEL INDICATOR. WHEN YOU HAVE A FULL TANK OF GAS IT WILL SHOW A FULL TANK AND STAY THERE UNTIL YOU USE ABOUT 1/8TH OF A TANK AND THEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10430509
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING BECAUSE THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL WHEN IN FACT IT WAS EMPTY. IN ADDITION, THE GAUGE WOULD READ THAT THE TANK WAS EMPTY WHEN IT WAS FULL TO CAPACITY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10398771
“MY WIFE WAS STRANDED WITH NO GAS EVEN THOUGH THE GAS GAUGE SAID 1/2 FULL - TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID SENDER UNIT WAS BAD, THEY SAID IT WAS ALL TOO COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10401228

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Driver-door power window and electrical failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY

5 NHTSA complaints · 2012-09 → 2012-12

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BY DEPRESSING THE WINDOW SWITCH, THE WINDOW WOULD STOP MIDWAY UP AND HE WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY CLOSE IT BY PULLING ON THE GLASS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10487162
“SHORT CIRCUIT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED OVERHEATING WHICH CAUSED DOOR LOCKS AND POWER WINDOWS TO SMOKE, PRODUCE ODOR IN CAR AND SHOW SIGNS OF FIRE DAMAGE ON DOOR. ALL WARNING SIGNS WERE LIT ON DASHBOARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10475284
“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH , BURNING FUMES STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ELECTRONICS IN THE DOOR PANEL WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10477144

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Shift lock failure preventing ignition key removal

POWER TRAIN

2 NHTSA complaints · 2013-03 → 2016-08

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE GEAR WOULD NOT LOCK. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10503443
“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 MAJOR PROBLEM!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10897507

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

CVT Fluid (Encore GX / Envista FWD)

Every 45,000 mi

FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

4 crashes 1990–2024

How the 4 occupant deaths break down

2

driver deaths

2

passenger deaths

4

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2018 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

0

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Buick Rainier reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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