2002 Buick Rendezvous Brakes Problems

THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FOR 45 MINUTES ON TWO-LANE PAVED COUNTRY ROADS. I DROVE THE FIRST 15 MINUTES, WITH ONE OF MY SONS DRIVING THE OTHER 30 MINUTES WHILE I WAS A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. WE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND SWITCHED DRIVERS SO ANOTHER SON COULD BEGIN A DRIVING LESSON WITH ME. WHEN HE BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE HE SAID THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL RIGHT AND NOTICED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOLD HIM TO PULL BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND RELEASE THE HOOD SO I COULD CHECK FOR AN OVERHEATING ENGINE, EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS IN THE CENTER OF THE VISIBLE RANGE. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD I SAW A SIX-INCH WIDE AREA OF FLAMES TO THE RIGHT OF THE ALTERNATOR. I TOLD MY SONS TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND ASKED ONE OF THEM TO CALL 911 ON HIS CELLPHONE AND THE OTHER TO GO TO THE NEAREST BUILDING, ABOUT 75 YARDS AWAY, AND LOOK FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. IN THE MEANTIME, I OPENED THE REAR VEHICLE HATCH TO LOOK FOR SOMETHING I COULD USE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. FINDING NOTHING USEFUL, I RAN TO THE BUILDING MY FIRST SON HAD APPROACHED FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND FOUND HIM INSIDE THE OUTER DOOR OF A LOCKED LOBBY AREA. WE BOTH RAN TO THE NEXT BUILDING ABOUT 100 YARDS AWAY WHERE WE LOCATED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE. I ESTIMATE THIS TOOK LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE THE FLAMES WERE ABOUT TWELVE INCHES WIDE, STILL ONLY TO THE RIGHT OF THE ALTERNATOR. I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY PUT OUT THE FIRE, BUT HAD TO AIM MUCH DEEPER INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAN THE VISIBLE FLAME AREA TO STOP ALL FLAMES. WHEN THE DEALER LATER CHECKED THE VEHICLE I WAS TOLD IT APPEARED THAT A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE HAD SPRAYED BRAKE FLUID ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STARTED THE FIRE. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR LEAKS OR BRAKE ISSUES OBSERVED.

NHTSA ID

10903410

Incident

Aug 20, 2016

Mileage

165,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING THE BUICK RENDEZVOUS 2002 HOME THE BRAKES BEGAN TO NOT RESPOND. AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND DRIVING DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY, THE SUV HAD SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE BUICK RENDEZVOUS WAS TURNED OFF BUT CONTINUED TO EXPELLED LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE UNDER THE ENGINE AREA. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE ENGINE AREA CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE BOZRAH FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED WITHIN 15 MINUTES OR SO THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE.

NHTSA ID

10891970

Incident

Jul 15, 2016

Mileage

15,500 mi

MY ALL WHEEL DRIVE & ANTI- LOCK BRAKES HAVE GONE OUT. THIS COULD PROVE VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WE LIVE IN AN AREA OF VERY HARSH WINTERS

NHTSA ID

10761935

Incident

Sep 7, 2015

Mileage

117,000 mi

MY 2002 RENDEZVOUS ALMOST HAD A CRASH BECAUSE OF INSTANT BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO A RAPTURE OF THE ORIGINAL BRAKE-LINE. I HAD THE BRAKE LINE REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY AND WAS TOLD ALL MY ORIGINAL BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I CONTACTED GM WITH THIS ISSUE , GOT A CASE NUMBER [XXX], AND WAS TOLD BY [XXX]( THE HIGHEST RANKED RESOLUTION OFFICER ) GM DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS A LATENT DEFECT ISSUE AND WILL NOT CORRECT THE BRAKE LINE PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10701637

Incident

Mar 20, 2015

Mileage

108,784 mi

CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME, WAS ROOM TO STOP IN TIME, HOWEVER ABS SYSTEM KICKED IN & PREVENTED VEHICLE FROM STOPPING - IT ONLY SLOWED IT DOWN. ROAD WAS CLEAR & DRY, NO NEED FOR ABS BRAKES. BRAKE PADS & REAR ROTORS WERE LESS THAN 3 WEEKS OLD & FRONT TIRES WERE ONLY 3 DAYS OLD AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. TESTED BRAKES BY REMOVING ABS FUSE & CAR STOPS GREAT - FAULT IN ABS SYSTEM. ALSO, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON SOLID RED & STAYS ON AT ALL TIMES NOW. ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY ABS SYSTEM IMPROPER SETUP OR MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10650200

Incident

Oct 23, 2014

Mileage

155,000 mi

WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A USED DEALERSHIP IN OCT. 2013. JUST OVER A MONTH LATER WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHT CAME ON, THE DASH SAYING ABS DISABLED. AS THIS COMES IF YOU ARE SLOWING DOWN YOU LITERALLY HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKE TO STOP. THIS IS SCARY ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO COME TO A STOP BEHIND SOMEONE AND YOU ARE NOT SURE IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH DISTANCE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU. THIS LIGHT LIKES TO COME ON WHILE WE ARE DRIVING ROUGHLY 65 ON THE INTERSTATE AS WELL, NOT REALLY EFFECTING DRIVING JUST STOPPING. WE HAVE ALREADY PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED IN DECEMBER OF 2013 WAS TOLD IT WAS A BAD ABS SENSOR ON THE FRONT WHEEL. WELL HERE WE ARE ONLY A FEW MONTH LATER AND ITS HAPPENING ALL OVER AGAIN. WE FIGURED WE WOULD LOOK INTO RECALLS BEFORE WE GO AND PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN BECAUSE IT'S LOOKING LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10595659

Incident

Dec 9, 2013

Mileage

130,000 mi

1ST OCCASION (3/11/11): I WAS DRIVING EAST BOUND ON A FREEWAY, IN THE RIGHT LANE, AND AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR. I ALSO HAD MY TWO YOUNG BOYS (AGES 4 AND 7) IN THE CAR WITH ME. I HAD TO BRAKE SUDDENLY WHEN TRAFFIC BACKED UP UNEXPECTEDLY AND IT WAS AT THAT MOMENT MY BRAKES FAILED AND I HAD TO VEER OFF THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND UP ONTO THE EMBANKMENT AND FORTUNATELY DID NOT CRASH INTO ANOTHER CAR. I HAD MINIMAL BRAKE POWER. MY REGULAR REPAIR SHOP WAS ABOUT 3 MILES AWAY AND WAS ABLE TO VERY SLOWLY DRIVE MY CAR THERE. THE BRAKE LINE ON ABS PUMP TO RIGHT WHEEL HAD TO BE REPLACED. 2ND OCCASION (2/28/13): I WAS DRIVING EAST BOUND IN THE RIGHT LANE OF A BUSY ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS GOING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD TO BRAKE HARD FOR TRAFFIC BACKED UP AT AN INTERSECTION. AGAIN, MY BRAKES FAILED AND FORTUNATELY THERE WAS ENOUGH DISTANCE FOR ME STOP BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD MINIMAL BRAKE POWER. AT THE INTERSECTION I TURNED RIGHT, HEADING SOUTH BOUND AND THEN WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARK MY CAR. THIS TIME I HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY REPAIR SHOP. THE SAME BRAKE LINE FAILED ' THE BRAKE LINE ON THE ABS PUMP TO RIGHT WHEEL HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10588341

Incident

Mar 11, 2011

Mileage

90,000 mi

HAD BATTERY REPLACED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. AFTER TWO DAYS THE CAR WOULD NOT START BATTERY WAS DEAD. AFTER THE 3RD BATTERY WE TOOK THE CAT TO THE DEALER. THET CHECKED EVERYTHING SAID IT WAS THE BATTERY AGAIN!!! SO WE HAD IT REPLACED AT THAT TIME. WE ALSO HAD THEM FIX THE ABS FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 5 YEARS. THE CAR WAS AT HOME TWO DAYS LATER WOULD NOT START! HAD IT CHECKED THIS TIME IT WAS A MODULE AND THEN THE DASH CLUSTER WNET OUT WHILE THEY WERE FIXING THE CAR. STILL SAME PROBLEMS TOOK THE CAR OUT AGAIN THIS TIME AFTER GM CALLED US. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR THREE WEEKS, SAID IT WAS A SHORT IN THE STEREO. NOW 1 WEEK LATER CAR IS DEAD AGAIN!!!!! *TT

NHTSA ID

10582994

Incident

Nov 27, 2013

Mileage

70,000 mi

GOT ABS & TCS LIGHTS AND EITHER "TRACTION SYSTEM ACTIVE" OR "SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM". TWO DTC CODES C0036 & C0245. CK'D LEFT WHEEL SENSOR PER BUICK SERVICE MANUALS BY DISCONNECTING CONNECTOR AT WHEEL HUB & CK'D OK. NO PROBLEM AGAIN FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. RECENTLY GOT SAME LIGHTS ABT & TCS AND MASTER LIGHT (CK TRACTION SYSTEM). ALSO, CONCURRENT GOT A THUMPING SOUND FROM LEFT FRONT OF VEHICLE OVER BUMPS & WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. ALSO, WHEN TURNING LEFT/RIGHT THE ABS PUMP WOULD TURN ON (FELT THRU STEERING WHEEL). SCAN TOOL CONFIRMED LEFT WHEEL SOLENOID ACTIVATED DURING TEST DRIVE. CK'D THE FRONT WHEEL SENSORS AC VOLTAGE OUT PUT PER BUICK SERVICE MANUALS & FOUND LEFT WHEEL SENSOR OUTPUT AT 150 MVAC AND RIGHT WHEEL SENSOR AT 120MVAC FOR "APPROX" SAME WHEEL SPEED; SPEC IS 100MVAC WHEN "SPINNING WHEEL" (NO SPEED OF WHEEL IN SPEC!). OTHER SENSOR CKS (OPEN, SHORTS TO GROUND, SHORT TO VOLTAGE, SHORTED TOGETHER) ALL OK. DURING LONG TRIP (400MILES) PROBLEM (ABS,TCS, ETC) LIGHTS NEVER CAME ON. PROBLEMS THAT OCCURRED DURING LOCAL/SHORT TRIPS TOTALLY WENT AWAY DURING LONG TRIP???? SOOOOO WHAT TO DO??? PLAN TO CHANGE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HUB AS THUMPING IN FRONT END DURING BRAKING (BEARINGS?) HASN'T GONE AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10543132

Incident

Jan 3, 2012

Mileage

110,345 mi

NOTE: "SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM SOON" "ANTI-LOCK", AND THE "TRACTION" LIGHTS LIGHTS BEGAN TO COME ON, THEN OFF. OCASSIONALLY ,THERE WOULD BE A VIBRATION ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I HAD MY SON-IN-LAW DRIVE IT BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS OCCURED. NEST TIME I WAS DRIVING ALL THESE LIGHTS CAME ON THEN OFF AND THE BRAKES MADE THE VIBATION. I DROVE IT TO THE GARAGE WHERE I BUY MY TIRES AND WHERE THEY DO SERVICE VEHECLES AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK OUT ALL THESE PROBLEMS. HE DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCKS BUT NO LIGHTS CAME ON NOR DID THE BRAKES VIBRATE. HE PULLED A WHEEL BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. A FEW DAYS LATER THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND CAUSED ME TO REAR-END THE CAR AHEAD WHO WAS STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT. MY SUV WAS TOTALLED BUT THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT AFTER MY PROBLEM, I DISCOVERED A FORUM ON LINE AND THERE ARE BLOGS DESCRIBING THE ABS, TRACTION SYSTEM PROBLEM IN THE BUICK SUV SO WHY DID GM FAIL TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES? I WONDER IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY MAJOR INJURIES OR EVEN DEATHS AS THE RESULT OF THE BRAKES FAILING? *TR

NHTSA ID

10473979

Incident

Aug 17, 2012

Mileage

165,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ANTI THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AFTER THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ID

10458666

Incident

Jul 30, 2010

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO THEN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS AND THE HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HUBS WERE REPLACED BUT ALSO FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,765. KMJ

NHTSA ID

10441553

Incident

Mar 1, 2011

Mileage

66,000 mi

NO BRAKES, BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND BURST, DUE TO IT BEING UNDER FIRE WALL, ACCORDING TO THE MECHNAIC THE FIRE WALL GETS WET AND THIS CAUSES RUST TO SET IN. THE BRAKE LINE WAS NOT VISIBLE TO MECHANIC TO DO AN INSPECTION DURING REGULAR SAFETY CHECKS. SINCE THE LINE WAS NOT VISIBLE THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL IF IT IS VIABLE. THANKFULLY WE FELT THE BRAKES GO SOFT AND STOPPED SAFELY. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN, AND AM NOT SURE HOW MANY MORE CARS ARE DESIGNED IN A SIMILAR MANNER.

NHTSA ID

10421968

Incident

Aug 20, 2011

Mileage

98,120 mi

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHEN PRESSING BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATES AND IT IS HARDER TO BRAKE. ALSO WHEN YOU MAKE A TURN YOU FEEL VIBRATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10404101

Incident

May 26, 2011

Mileage

135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN THE AWD WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE JERKED ABNORMALLY AS THE BRAKE LOCKED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES BEFORE RELEASING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID

10402997

Incident

May 27, 2011

Mileage

140,000 mi

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR FAILED WHICH CAUSED EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN STOPPING. IN ADDITION, THIS SENSOR CAUSED THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE AND CREATED DIFFICULTY IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE. IN SOME INSTANCES THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD DEPRESS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. BUICK WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART. AS A RESULT, I PAID $700 FOR THE REPAIR ON THIS PART. *TR

NHTSA ID

10386816

Incident

May 1, 2005

Mileage

55,000 mi

MY 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE A FEW MONTHS AGO. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY TRAVELING ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR AND WAS WITHIN A MILE OF HOME. THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT. THIS CAR WAS STORED IN A GARAGE WHEN NOT DRIVEN AND HAS BEEN IN FLORIDA FOR TWO YEARS. THE BUICK DEALERSHIP IMPLIED THAT THIS IS JUST COMMON WEAR AND TEAR. THERE WAS NO WARNING, AND NO REPAIR SHOP THAT DID WORK ON THE CAR EVER INDICATED THIS RUSTING OF THE BRAKE LINE WAS HAPPENING. CAR HAD ABOUT 100,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE ALSO BEEN THROUGH THREE CONTROL MODULES, LUCKILY COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO, BECAUSE I GOT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AT TIME OF PURCHASE, THE AIR CONDITIONING, THE HEAD GASKET AND VARIOUS OTHER PROBLEMS WERE COVERED. THIS 2002 MODEL DEFINITELY HAS SOME SPECIFIC AND EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEMS. LATELY, IT'S CALMED DOWN. GREAT CAR FOR COMFORT, AND ROOMY FOR CARRYING HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. TOO BAD TOYOTA DIDN'T MAKE IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10375372

Incident

Jul 6, 2010

Mileage

105,000 mi

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2004, AND OVER THE PAST YEARS WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FOLLOWING: BOTH FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES (WITH SPEED SENSORS), INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER (ONE YEAR AGO). JUST WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FOLLOWING: TIE-ROD, RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, HEAD GASKET, AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AGAIN. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 86,000 MILES ON IT TO DATE. THE ONLY THING THAT WE HAD THE BUICK DEALER WORK ON WAS THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE REST OF THE WORK WAS PERFORMED BY TIRE DEALERSHIP, RADIATOR SHOP, AND AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR GARAGE. NOW, THE ABS LIGHT IS ON AGAIN MEANING THAT ONE OF THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES ARE OUT (REPLACED BY BUICK THEMSELVES) AND OUR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING. AND, ALSO, THE AIR-BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. I HAVE NOTICED QUITE A LONG LIST OF COMPLAINTS OVER THE INTERNET CONCERNING ALL THE ABOVE PROBLEMS OTHERS HAVE HAD AS WELL WITH THIS MODEL BUICK WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM OF WHICH BUICK WILL NOT DEAL WITH NOR STEP UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY AUTO-REPAIRMEN THAT THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS COME IN WITH PROBLEMS WITH THE 3400 MODEL ENGINE. I HAVE CONTACTED BUICK CONCERNING THE AIR-BAG PROBLEM, AND THEY ACT AS THOUGH THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS AND DENY ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK INTO IT, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ISSUED A RECALL ON THE AIR BAG INFLATOR FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL, JUST NOT FOR MY VIN#. OVER THE YEARS THAT WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE INVESTED QUITE A SUM OF MONEY INTO REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE, AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT! I BELIEVE THAT WITH ALL THE NHTSA SAFETY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE AIR BAGS SYSTEM, BUICK SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE! ALL THE OTHER UNIQUE PROBLEMS WITH THIS ENGINE HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BY US, AND IS TOO LATE TO EXPECT ANY HELP

NHTSA ID

10375759

Incident

Oct 1, 2010

Mileage

85,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY AND WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKE. I HAD GOOD PRESSURE AT FIRST, BUT THEN LOST ALL BRAKE PRESSURE. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COAST TO A STOP. AFTER GETTING THE CAR HOME, I FOUND A HOLE THAT HAD RUSTED THROUGH THE BRAKE LINE LEADING TO THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS. A BRAKE LINE SHOULD NOT RUST THROUGH ON A CAR THAT IS UNDER 10 YEARS OLD....ACTUALLY THEY SHOULD NEVER RUST THROUGH, THEY ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF A SAFETY SYSTEM. USE QUALITY STEEL, BRAKES ARE NOT A GOOD PLACE FOR CAR COMPANIES TO SKIMP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10374623

Incident

Jan 1, 2011

Mileage

158,000 mi

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MONEY PIT. SEEMS THAT AS USUAL OUR LATEST EXPENSE (101,000) IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALLS, DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING DATE OF THE VEHICLE. SMELLED GAS FOR A WEEK, THEN NOTICED GAS GAUGE FLUCTUATING, NEVER SHOWING EMPTY EVEN THOUGH TRIP ODOMETER SHOWED IT HAD ALMOST AN EMPTY TANK. MECHANIC STATED CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK, BUT CAR WAS MANUFACTURED BEFORE THE RECALL DATE, SO BUICK DID NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS. HAVE RECENTLY ALSO EXPERIENCED LOSS OF ALL POWER TO CIGARETTE LIGHTERS, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FELL DOWN AND ENTIRE REGULATOR UNIT WAS REPLACED. BACK HATCH HANDLE FELL OFF, AGAIN. REARVIEW MIRROR ALSO FELL OFF. AC FAN WILL NO LONGER BLOW AT HIGHEST SETTING. THESE ARE ALL MINOR COMPARED TO THE FAULTY ABS SENSOR, LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL, AC CONDENSER, TIE RODS, 2 REPLACED BATTERIES, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, ROTORS. AND THOSE REPAIRS ARE JUST FROM THE LAST 3 YEARS.... *TR

NHTSA ID

10336666

Incident

Jun 16, 2010

Mileage

101,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES SUDDENLY ENGAGED ON DRY PAVEMENT. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE BRAKES AND REAPPLIED THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE THEM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED OFTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO TEST DROVE IT AND NOTICED THE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,500.

NHTSA ID

10329343

Incident

Dec 10, 2009

Mileage

70,500 mi

2002 RENDEZVOUS. ABS INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON AND THIS SYSTEM IS SUPPOSE TO BE DISABLE BUT THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM KEEP ACTIVATE WHILE DRIVING ON A DRY ROAD. THIS CAUSE BRAKING STOP DISTANCE TO BE LONGER AND POSSIBLE CAUSING ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10326105

Incident

Jun 15, 2009

Mileage

90,000 mi

MAIN BRAKE LINE BETWEEN FRONT BRAKES RUSTED THROUGH AND ALL BRAKES WERE LOST INSTANTLY. ACCORDING TO BRAKE MECHANIC, THE LINE RUNS UNDER THE FIREWALL AND HAS INSULATION WRAPPED AROUND THE LINE. THE INSULATION RETAINS MOISTURE AND ALLOWS IT TO START THE RUST PROCESS. BRAKE FAILURE WOULD BE SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING. BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED IN THIS SITUATION WHEN VEHICLE WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF A PARKING STALL AND BRAKES WERE APPLIED. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH LITTLE OR NO BRAKE RESPONSE. MY WIFE AND GRANDSON WERE IN THE CAR. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED WITH THE SUDDEN AND TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10324842

Incident

Apr 9, 2010

Mileage

128,158 mi

I OWN A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS WITH 86,000 MILES. EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM, HAVING IT FIXED OVER & OVER. ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY VEHICLE BEGAN OVERHEATING ALL THE TIME. SINCE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED TAKING IT THOUGH THE DEALERSHIP I AM SURE WOULD COST ME MUCHO BUCKS WHICH I DO NOT HAVE. MY NEIGHBOR IS A TOP LICENSED MECHANIC WHO HAS WORKED FOR A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR 30 PLUS YEARS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WORK WITH HIM ONE DAY LAST WEEK TO SEE IF HE COULD LOCATE THE PROBLEM.. HE INFORMED ME I HAD A LEAK IN MY INTAKE MANIFOLD AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HE CHECKED TO SEE IF GM HAD ANY RECALLS FOR THE PROBLEM, LOW AND BEHOLD THEY DID NOT. AFTER TELLING ME HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE IT, I NEARLY PASSED OUT. I AM A SINGLE WOMAN AND SINCE THE ECONOMY HAS FALLEN I HAVE HAD TO TAKE 3 PAY CUTS AT WORK. IT WAS EITHER TAKE THE PAYCUTS OR LOOK FOR A NEW JOB. I CAN HARDLY EVEN I HAVE PAY MY MORTGAGE, LET ALONE PAY FOR A MAJOR ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE. I PURCHASED GM CARS BEFORE WITH NO PROBLEMS . I BELIEVE GM SHOULD STAND UP FOR THEIR VEHICLES AND FIX THE ISSUE FOR ME. I NOW UNDERSTAND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10281203

Incident

Jul 12, 2009

Mileage

86,000 mi

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS WITH APPROX. 80K MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY, THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED TOTALLY. I WAS (BARELY) ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE SAFELY DUE TO THE RELATIVELY LOW SPEED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. IT IS PURE LUCK THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT OR FATALITY. THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A RUSTED OUT FRONT BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT BEHIND THE ENGINE AND AGAINST THE FIREWALL. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS ON A LIFT. THE RUPTURED BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED BY SHELTON PONTIAC AT A COST OF $620. WHEN GM WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE, THEY TOOK THE POSITION THAT RUST WAS NORMAL AND IT WAS THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO INSPECT THE BRAKE LINES AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM OR TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR COST IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10273220

Incident

Dec 15, 2008

Mileage

82,000 mi