This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that intermittently the cruise control is inoperative or that it will not set around or over 70 mph. Technician will need to insure that all four tires are the same size, brand and have similar wear. Verify the Power Control Module and Electronic Brake Control Module tire calibrations are correct. Technician will now check the Instrument Panel Cluster, Power Control Module and Electronic Brake Control Module data for the wheel speeds at 70 MPH or above and write down the difference for each set of speed data. Technician will need to use a Global Positioning System to determine actual speed and co
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Buick Rainier cruise control problems
moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
When does it fail?
Of the 4 cruise control complaints filed for the 2005 Buick Rainier, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
While driving at around 50 MPH the speedometer went down to zero. After stopping and starting again it went to 120 and stayed there. Starting the car now it stays at 120 MPH and does not return to zero. This is very scary and dangerous. I have found out that this happened to several gm cars. We also found out that it will cost $500.00 to $600.00 dollars to repair. I think someone needs to…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2005 Buick Rainier?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2005 Buick Rainier?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 85,200 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Buick/Rainier.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.