This Preliminary information communicates provides information to the technician on the use of R-99 or R-95 Renewable diesel fuel.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Buick Rainier fuel system problems
moderate 31 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
When does it fail?
Of the 31 fuel system complaints filed for the 2006 Buick Rainier, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Fuel system accounts for 34% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 31 fuel system complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system 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.
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or P0455 Set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible cause of engine oil consumption, misfire, cylinder leakage or blow by. Technician will need to inspect the engine for Cylinder damage or scoring, An out of round cylinder bore, Dirt intrusion, and Catalytic Converter failure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates the use of Winter grade fuel during the warm months of 2020 and the potential rivability issues that it can cause. The ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant reductions in driving and fuel use. Due to the surplus of winter grade fuel sitting in storage (pipelines/stations) the EPA is waiving the fuel vapor requirement. This will extend the use of winter fuel into the summer months. The drivability concerns should not be single events but should be multiple occurrences associated with hot days.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report the fuel gauge on 2006 Rainiers reading empty when the tank is full, then fluctuating wildly—sometimes bouncing between empty and full while driving, sometimes sticking permanently on empty after weeks or months of erratic behavior. The problem typically emerges between 50,000 and 76,000 miles. During refueling, the gauge often reads empty immediately after fill-up, sometimes triggering the low-fuel warning and check engine light simultaneously. As the failure progresses, the gauge becomes unreliable across all fuel levels. One owner also reports the fuel pump shutting off before the tank reaches half full. Multiple owners ran out of gas on highways despite the gauge showing adequate fuel—a serious safety hazard, especially with passengers. A few owners had to replace the fuel level sending unit inside the tank at costs of $300–$572. One owner discovered that an acquaintance who owned four of these vehicles as company cars found all four developed the same fault. NHTSA investigation PE11014 was initiated regarding this fuel gauge system issue. Dealers acknowledged awareness of the defect; GM offered partial recall coverage requiring owners to pay roughly half the repair cost.
Same Buick Rainier fuel system reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel gauge erratic/inaccurate readings
Fuel gauge fluctuates randomly, displays incorrect fuel level relative to actual tank contents, or becomes completely unresponsive. Commonly reads empty when tank is full or vice versa. Owners report gauge bouncing between empty and full while driving or sitting parked. Issue often worsens over time until gauge reads empty continuously regardless of actual fuel level.
When: Typically occurs between 50,000–76,000 miles; failures begin weeks to months before becoming constant
Symptoms owners cite: Gauge reads empty when tank is full or recently filled; Gauge reads full when tank is near empty; Gauge fluctuates erratically while driving or at rest; Low-fuel warning light illuminates incorrectly or continuously; Gauge eventually sticks on empty permanently; Check engine light or service engine light comes on during fill-ups
Codes mentioned: P0463 (fuel level sensor circuit high), P0462 (fuel level sensor circuit low)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel level sender unit replacement; dealer costs range $300–$571.77 including parts and labor. Several owners cite $500+ repair bills.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Action Number PE11014 referenced in one complaint (fuel system, fuel gauge system investigation). Some owners mention GM offering to pay half repair costs via partial recall coverage; owners dispute this as inadequate for a design defect.
Fuel pump shutoff before tank full
During refueling at gas station, fuel pump shuts off prematurely before tank reaches full capacity. Occurs alongside inaccurate gauge readings, suggesting fuel level sensor malfunction may prevent pump from recognizing tank fullness.
When: Occurs during refueling; mileage approximately 50,000
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel pump shuts off before tank is half full; Inability to fill tank to stated capacity
Stalling/running out of gas due to gauge failure
Vehicle stalls or runs out of fuel while driving because owner relied on inaccurate fuel gauge and did not recognize low fuel level. One owner reports gauge showed more fuel than actually present, causing engine stall while driving. Multiple owners report running out of gas on highways despite gauge showing adequate fuel.
When: Occurs during normal driving after gauge failure has developed
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls due to fuel depletion; Vehicle runs out of gas unexpectedly; Low-fuel warning does not activate appropriately
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; safety hazard. Owners forced to use trip odometer to estimate fuel level instead of relying on gauge.
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Filled up at the gas station one day. Started my rainier and the gas gauge read empty and the low fuel light was on. Drove for a bit and the gas gauge appeared to start working again. Over the next couple of weeks the gauge would fluctuate randomly. Then one day, with my children in the car and my gas gauge telling me I had plenty of fuel, I ran out of gas on a very busy street. I was…
Filled fuel tank and gas gauge went to empty, turning on the low fuel light and the check engine light. The fuel gauge indicator bounces from empty to full. After a few miles the fuel gauge needle stays in range but as I get closer to needing gas it does not read accurately and I cannot tell for sure if I might run out of gas. My concern is running out of gas when in heavy traffic, fearing for…
Fuel gauge works erratically. When the gas tank is filled completely the fuel gauge reads low and dings the "low fuel" alarm. Gauge then climbs toward full as you speed up and then repeatedly drops to the low fuel alarm. The faulty fuel level could leave you stranded on the highway with no gas if you are not tracking your fuel level. *tt
Fuel gauge stopped working. Gauge became erratic reporting low/no fuel when tank was filled. Fuel gauge continuously bounces between full and empty. Behavior continues to exist. Can't rely on fuel gauge to determine when a fill up is required. Currently calculating mileage to next fill up by tracking mileage. Flashing low fuel light is distracting. *tr
Had fuel system trouble with your 2006 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 fuel system problem on the 2006 Buick Rainier?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 31 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 55,000 and 76,051 miles, with the median around 60,514. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 76,051. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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/2006/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.