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2004 Buick Rainier

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Rainier.

Body SUV

The 2004 Buick Rainier is a midsize SUV built on a truck-based platform, requiring 6 quarts of 5W-30 API-rated engine oil for maintenance. Positioned within Buick's model history spanning 2003 to 2007, the 2004 model year recorded the highest owner complaints of the entire production run at 158 total filings, with the Electrical System emerging as the primary concern among owners, while two recalls were issued for the model year. This complaint volume stands in stark contrast to the 2003 model's single documented complaint, making the 2004 Rainier an outlier in the nameplate's reliability track record during this period. For researchers evaluating the Rainier platform, the 2004 model year represents a year requiring particular scrutiny regarding its electrical system components when assessing long-term ownership costs and dependability.

Model year2007 2006 2005 2004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731179. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP255-60R17OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731179 alt 12731172
Engine air filter	19239713
Fuel filter	19368932 discontinued
Spark plug	12681663 alt 12621258
Battery	88866121 alt 88866305
Front wiper blades	15214346
Serpentine belt	12576446 alt 12593774
Thermostat	12600171 alt 12561155

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	192.5 in
Overall width	75.6 in
Overall height	70.1 in
Wheelbase	113 in
Curb weight	4627 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	55/45

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Rainier of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.6–7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.60 sec — 2004 CXL

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2004	CXL 5.3L V8	7.60 sec	15.90 sec	290 hp	AWD
2004	CXL 5.3L V8	7.90 sec	15.81 sec	290 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	5
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4.3 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	7 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.5 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	103 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque	11 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Type	AC 41-981
Spark Plug Gap	0.042 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	Front A/C only, 1.90; front and rear A/C, 3.00. lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	Front A/C only, 7.40; front and rear A/C, 8.45. oz
Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	50.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	57.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	31 ft-lbs / 23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	110 ft-lbs / 148 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.14 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.14 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.08 in / 0.728 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.4

3.7 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18

11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 mi	Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Buick Rainier marks the generation's true launch year and its most troubled, with complaints surging to 158 from a single report in 2003 and exceeding the 103 logged in 2005. This spike coincides with three federal investigations and two recalls, while technical service bulletins jump from 82 to 653 — a volume that continues climbing through 2007 even as complaints decline. Electrical system issues dominate 2004 reports at 64 complaints, followed by exterior lighting and powertrain at 12 each, with nine crash and four fire complaints recorded. The data shows a classic first-year pattern: maximum owner-reported problems and manufacturer service responses, with recall activity shifting to later model years (peaking at seven in 2006). For a buyer, this means the 2004 carries the highest documented complaint density of the generation, and any prospective purchase should verify resolution of electrical and lighting campaigns specifically.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

653

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

158

Owner complaints

9 involved a crash · 4 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’03’04’05 ’06 ’07

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 158 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System64

Exterior Lighting12

Power Train12

Fuel System, Gasoline7

Fuel/Propulsion System6

Air Bags6

Vehicle Speed Control4

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

05V198000Exterior Lighting:Turn SignalReported 05/05/2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE…

04V527000Exterior Lighting:Brake LightsReported 01/11/2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 653 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP5601C	2025-07-18	Unknown Or Other	This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIP5358D	2025-02-19	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP4723J	2024-10-25	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIT5099H	2024-09-12	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5099H	2024-09-12	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Rainier. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 78 battery Vehicles taking 6 qt Engine oil filter 12731179 Engine air filter 19239713 Fuel filter 19368932 Spark plug 12681663

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Rainier take?

6 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Rainier have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.