RoadVitals

2002 Buick Rendezvous Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
45
Latest Nov 3, 2011
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 486 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Buick Rendezvous submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 45 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming suspension

The 25 most recent of 45, in the owner's own words

Suspension
Filed Nov 3, 2011

VEHICLE HANDLED VERY POORLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING BROKEN IN 1 PLACE, LEFT REAR BROKEN IN 2 PLACES. AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENTS HAD MORE WINDINGS. BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW - GETS NORMAL USE, NO ACCIDENTS, NEVER RUN OVER ANYTHING, E.G. CURB. MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING OF SAME ISSUE ONLINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10434073
Incident
Oct 12, 2011
Mileage
140,000 mi
EngineSuspensionTransmission
Filed Nov 9, 2010

I PURCHASED A USED 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS IN APRIL OF 2004 FROM A GM DEALERSHIP (ABOVE). IT IS AN AWD V6 CXL SUV. MY CAR MANUAL SPECIFICALLY STATES NOT TO USE ANYTHING OTHER THAN DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE FROM GM OR THE DEALERSHIP OR DEXCOOL REGARDING THE PROBLEMS ON THIS VEHICLE AND DEXCOOL. EVEN AFTER THE LAWSUIT AGAINST GM IN 2008 I DID NOT GET NOTIFIED IN ANY WAY, AND THE DEALERSHIP NEVER TOLD ME TO STOP USING DEXCOOL, SO I HAVE BEEN CONTINUING TO EXPERIENCE ENGINE PROBLEMS! WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR IT HAD 37,591 MILES ON IT. I PAID JUST UNDER $20,000 FOR IT. ON 12/8/05 I DID A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. FOUR MONTHS LATER, ON MARCH 9, 2006, THE CAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING OIL AND COOLANT, AND THE FRONT TIMING COVER SEAL WAS LEAKING. IT ALSO NEEDED FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. AT THAT TIME THEY TOLD ME THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING ALL OVER EVERYTHING AND WAS GETTING INTO THE TRANSMISSION (AND THE BRAKES, TOO, I THINK.) HAD TO HAVE ANOTHER TRANSMISSION FLUSH DONE AND I THINK COOLANT FLUSH DONE - COST WAS $222. I HAD 3 ESTIMATES DONE FOR THE REST OF THE WORK AND THEY RANGED FROM $3,300, TO 1700 TO $1,380. IT COST ME $89 AND $73 FOR TWO OF THE ESTIMATES. HAD WORK DONE AT 4TH SHOP ON 4/20/06, COST ME $730. ON AUGUST 22, 2007, I HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE GASKET DONE AGAIN AS WELL AS A COOLANT FLUSH; COST ME $492. ON AUGUST 11, 2009 I HAD TO HAVE THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACED AS IT WAS LEAKING PLUS OTHER WORK; TOTAL WAS $257. I WAS TOLD ABOUT A YEAR AGO THAT THE INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL AND COOLANT AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE CAR DID NOT PASS INSPECTION IN JUNE, 2010; ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. IS THAT A RESULT OF THE DEXCOOL COOLANT CONTAMINATING THE TRANNY? OTHER WORK NEEDED IS STEERING RACK (AGAIN), AIR COMPRESSOR, & REAR AIR SHOCKS. THE COOLANT LEAKING HAS CAUSED THE FAILURE OF MANY OF THE PARTS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE FIXED ON THIS CAR, NOT JUST THE GASKET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10365117
Incident
Dec 8, 2005
Fuel systemSuspension
Filed Sep 5, 2010

BUICK RENDEZVOUS 2002 MODEL CX FWD FUEL LEAKING WHERE FILLER NECK ATTACHES TO GAS TANK. REAR SPRING BROKEN; VEHICLE NOT USED FOR TOWING OR HEAVY LOADS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10353933
Incident
Aug 30, 2006
Mileage
92,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+4 more
Filed Jun 16, 2010

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
Suspension
Filed Jun 17, 2009

THE COMPLAINT IS THE LACK OF AVAILABILITY OF A PART FROM GM FOR MY VEHICLE, A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WITHOUT THESE REPLACEMENT PARTS, MY VEHICLE IS UNSAFE, UNABLE TO PASS INSPECTION AND MY TIRES ARE WEARING OUT CONSIDERABLY FASTER. MY MECHANIC HAS BEEN TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER AND THAT I HAVE BEEN PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10274183
Incident
Apr 24, 2009
Mileage
89,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 20, 2009

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE: LEFT REAR SPRING DISCOVERED BROKEN. RIGHT FRONT SPRING FOUND BROKEN IN 2008. HIGHLY UNUSUAL THAT SPRINGS WOULD BREAK. IF SPRINGS BREAK WHILE DRIVING, BROKEN SPRING COULD PUNCTURE TIRE AND CAUSE ACCIDENT. SUSPECT POOR DESIGN OF SPRING OR SUBSTANDARD METAL OR WRONG SPRING USED BY MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10269550
Incident
May 19, 2009
Mileage
121,000 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system+2 more
Filed Apr 30, 2009

I HAVE A 2002 BUICK RENED. I HAVE HAD AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE CAR OVERHEATING AND NO AC. I HAVE HAD THE AC REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TEMP GAUGE, THE THERMOSTAT, THE WATER-PUMP, 2 BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, THE FUEL SENSOR, ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSOR AND THE FUEL PUMP. I ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR ALL REPAIRS BUT NO I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PARTS. THESE REPAIRS HAVE COSTS ME AT LEAST $5000K IF NOT MORE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10267354
Incident
Jan 15, 2009
EngineSuspension
Filed Jul 31, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHEN HE USED THE AIR CONDITIONER. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER BUT BECAUSE OF THE COSTS, HE DECIDED TO HAVE A FRIEND REPAIR IT. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE STILL OCCURRED. THE OTHER ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE WAS THAT IT DID NOT GET THE FUEL MILEAGE THAT IT WAS SUPPOSED. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE, A GRUMBLING NOISE TO BE EXACT. HE CHANGED REAR END FLUID BUT COULD STILL HEAR NOISE. THE NOISE WOULD BE HEARD WHEN HE TURNED RIGHT OR LEFT. HE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR HIS VEHICLE (02V222000, 07V349000, 07E021000) BUT WHEN HE CONSULTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, HE WAS TOLD VERY CONFLICTING STORIES ABOUT WHETHER THE RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE EXISTED AND IF THEY HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. AT THIS TIME, THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE RECALLS COULD AFFECT HIS VEHICLE AND HOW TO GET THE ISSUES REMEDIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/11/08*JB

NHTSA ID
10236496
Incident
Dec 17, 2007
Mileage
107,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSuspension
Filed Jul 28, 2008

MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH REGARD TO 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS: WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ONBOARD COMPUTER ($900), LEFT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY ($1100) AND A/C CONDENSER ($1300). AMONG OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO DESIGN DEFECTS, THE ODOMETER IS LOCATED INSIDE THE ONBOARD COMPUTER, SO THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR 5 DAYS WHILE THE PART WAS SHIPPED TO CALIFORNIA (FROM VIRGINIA) FOR REPAIR. RECALLS HAVE NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR THESE PARTS, THOUGH THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON WEB FORUMS (RECOMMEND INITIATING GOOGLE SEARCH FOR "2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS COMPLAINT"). *TR

NHTSA ID
10236127
Incident
Jul 15, 2008
Mileage
49,000 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed Jun 28, 2008

WE HAVE A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AT ONLY 86K MILES AND NOW THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER HAS FAILED. THESE ARE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS AND THERE SEEM TO BE MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE ... BUICK SHOULD FIX THESE AS THEY ARE A COMMON OCCURRENCE! *TR

NHTSA ID
10232607
Incident
Oct 13, 2007
Mileage
86,000 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed Mar 31, 2008

GENERAL MOTORS 3.4 LITER ENGINE FAILURE AT 83,000 MILES. FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY FAILURE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10222980
Incident
Feb 25, 2008
Mileage
83,054 mi
Heating & air conditioningEngineSuspension
Filed Feb 28, 2008

AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT AT 41,000 MILES---CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE FRONT WHEEL-BEARING WENT OUT AT 80,000---CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE INTAKE GASKET BLOWN AT 89,000---CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10219587
Incident
Aug 26, 2004
Mileage
88,000 mi
Body & structureEngineSuspension+1 more
Filed Sep 16, 2007

BUICK RENDEZVOUS 2002 FAILURE WITH BLOWN TRANSFER CASE & TRANSMISSION, MAIN EXHAUST PIPE LOOSE FROM HEAD, REAR END NOISE, PASSENGER DOOR STICKS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10203130
Incident
Apr 1, 2007
Mileage
109,000 mi
BrakesElectricalSuspension
Filed Jul 21, 2007

BEARINGS AND SENSOR ON ANTI LOCK WENT OUT. CAR STOPPING, LOCKING UP, NOT RE-STARTING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10197127
Incident
Mar 28, 2006
Mileage
58,000 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Jun 15, 2007

WHEEL BEARINGS NEED REPLACEMENT. FUEL PUMP WAS BAD. REPLACED TIRES AND BRAKES 3 TIMES SINCE I HAV E OWNED THE VEHICLE 2 YEARS. INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING, CAUSING THE CAR TO BE SLUGGISH AND NOT START SOMETIMES. ABS LIGHTS CAME ON FREQUENTLY. THE CAR WAS A BIG NIGHTMARE. WISH I NEVER WOULD OF BOUGHT A BUICK RENDEZVOUS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10193450
Incident
Jun 9, 2007
Mileage
60,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningEngineSuspension
Filed Mar 13, 2007

I PURCHASED MY 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS CXL IN EARLY 2003. BY 2004 I HAD TO HAVE THE A/C CONDENSER REPLACED, THE SHOCKS & STRUTS REPLACED AND NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C. THEN IN SUMMER OF 2006 THE CAR ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING AND THE CAR STALLED OUT WITH SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD, ETC. HAD IT TOWED TO BUICK, THEY SAID THE ENGINE HAD A LEAK SOMEWHERE AND WATER LEAKED INTO THE OIL...HUH? ANYWAY, OF COURSE EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, I WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT. THE OPTION WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE FOR $6,000. THIS VEHICLE WAS ALREADY PAID OFF AND WORTH ABOUT $14K PRIOR TO THE ENGINE BLOWING UP. I ENDED UP SELLING IT FOR $3K. IS THIS NORMAL? I THINK NOT. I SUBMITTED MY CASE TO SEVERAL "LAWYER" CLAIMING TO SPECIALIZE IN THIS TYPE OF RIP OFF ACTIVITY BY CAR MANUFACTURERS BUT THEY SAID IT WASN'T WORTH IT TO THEM TO PURSUE IT. MAYBE IF SOMEONE HAD DIED IT WOULD BE WORTH MORE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BUICK AT LEAST ADMIT POOR MANUFACTURING AND REFUND ME SOME OF MY MONEY. I TOOK A LOSS OF $11K ON THIS VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10184934
Incident
Jun 29, 2006
Mileage
86,000 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Oct 13, 2006

THREE SAFETY RELATED ISSUES WITH MY 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS CXL. THE ABS SENSORS FAILED WHICH WAS A DIFFICULT PROBLEM TO DIAGNOSE AS THE PROBLEM WAS ACTUALLY CAUSED BY WATER IN THE INSULATION TO THE SENSOR WIRING HARNESSES. I'M NOW BEING NOTIFIED OF A FRONT WHEEL BEARING PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT YET REACHED A FORMAL RECALL. SECOND ISSUE INVOLVES THE AWD REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY (DIFFERENTIAL). MOANING NOISES START IN THE REAR END, IN LOW SPEED TURNS SUCH AS PARKING LOT MANEUVERS. OCCURRENCE INCREASES IN SEVERITY AND FREQUENCY FAIRLY QUICKLY. THE REAR AXLE IS TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. BUT I NOTICE THAT THIS IS NOT A RANDOM OR UNUSUAL PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL BUICK. I WOULD THINK THAT BOTH OF THESE ISSUES DUE TO THEIR RATE OF OCCURRENCE WOULD TRIGGER A FORMAL RECALL. WHY DOES THE REAR DRIVE AXLE CONTINUE TO FAIL? IF IT SHOULD FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY, WILL IT POSE A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IF HIGHWAY SPEEDS ARE INVOLVED AND THE VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTABLE? *NM

NHTSA ID
10170723
Incident
Oct 6, 2006
Mileage
45,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 19, 2006

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER THE OTHER DAY TO HAVE THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACE (PAID FOR BY GM) AND IN THE PROCESS, THE MECHANIC FOUND ANOTHER SERIOUS PROBLEM. I HAD BEEN HEARING A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. I JACKED THE REAR END OF THE CAR UP AND COULDN'T FIND THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT IT IS THE RIGHT REAR KNUCKLE THAT WAS MAKING THE NOISE. WHEN THEY GOT IT ON THE RACK, THEY FOUND THAT THE TIRE IS MOVING FRONT TO BACK ABOUT 2 INCHES. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT I WILL NEED TO GET IT FIXED ASAP AT A COST OF ABOUT $750. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO GET A SECOND OPINION. I GOT THE SAME DIAGNOSIS FROM THE SECOND MECHANIC WITH THE ADDITION OF "WE'VE NEVER SEEN ONE OF THESE GO BAD. YOU SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO REPLACE THIS PART" THEY WENT ON TO SAY THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DO THIS WORK BECAUSE IT IS EXTREMELY LABOR INTENSIVE AND NOT THEIR SPECIALTY. I AM GOING TO TAKE IT TO A FRAME SPECIALIST AND HAVE THE WORK DONE THERE. DID I MENTION THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE TWO WEEKS AGO?. *JB

NHTSA ID
10168599
Incident
Sep 15, 2006
Mileage
55,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 8, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WENT BAD. THE WHEEL BEARINGS MADE A LOUD SOUND AND WERE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10167723
Incident
Aug 7, 2006
Mileage
38,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+4 more
Filed Aug 27, 2006

I OWN A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FOR ME SINCE THE GET GO (2004). I HAVE NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS THAT ARE GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE AS OTHER OWNERS. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS STARTED AT OR AROUND 70000 MILES. THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS GO OFF WITH OUT WARNING AND FOR NO REASON FOR SOMETIMES UP TO A MINUTE (AND THIS HAS HAPPENED AT NIGHTIME) "MAJOR SAFTEY ISSUE" NO ONE CAN TELL US WHY THE VEHICLE DOES THIS. THE NOISE THAT COMES FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVEN AT 45 MPH OR MORE IS OUTRAGIOUS...IT MAKES AN AWFUL HUMMING SOUND SO LOUD THAT THE RADIO CAN'T BE HEARD. THE VEHICLE ALSO WILL NOT START AT TIMES AS WELL...FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON AT ALL...NOTHING CAN BE FOUND WRONG WITH IT ALL!!! IT WILL STALL OR WILL NOT START AT ALL AFTER SEVERAL STARTS AND TURN OFFS. IT HAS ALSO DONE THIS ON INCLINES OR AFTER FILLING AT THE GAS STATION ONCE AS WELL. IF YOU GO BACK AND TRY TO START THE VEHICLE IN ABOUT A HALF HOUR IT WILL START...I FIGURED THIS OUT AFTER CALLING A TOW TRUCK SEVERAL TIMES...AND BY THE TIME THEY GOT TO ME..THEY TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED. THE VEHICLE BURNS A QURT OF OIL EVERY 3000 MILES OR SO. NOW MY BRAKES ARE TO THE FLOOR WHICH I HAVE RECENTLY HAD IT TO THE SHOP AGAIN AND THE MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKES ARE FINE THAT I NEED MY ABS PUMP (MASTER CYLINDER) REPLACED IT IS LEAKING 800.00 +++ JUST FOR THE PART ALONE HMMMMM??? JUST ANOTHER ISSUE REPORTED LIKE ALL THE ABOVE FROM OTHER BUICK RENDEZVOUS 2002 OWNERS. OH AND ALSO MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BROKE AND THAT WILL BE COSTING ME 450.00. PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT SHUT CORRECTLY NOW AT ALL THE HINGES ARE MESSED UP ON THESE MODELS. THE DOOR GETS STUCK ALL THE TIME. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE PROBLEMS THAT OTHER BUICK RENDEZVOUS OWNERS OF THE 2002 MODELS ARE HAVING AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT ASAP. *JB

NHTSA ID
10166629
Incident
Aug 27, 2006
Mileage
60,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningEngineSuspension
Filed Jul 3, 2006

BROUGHT A NEW 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS CX FROM A DEALER. AT ABOUT 10,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT WERE BEYOND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. STARTING WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT AND OTHER PROBLEMS. THEY WERE REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY. BUT ABOUT 24,000 AND WITHOUT WARRANTY, THE CAR GOT OVERHEATED FOR A 15 MINUTES TRAFFIC JAM. TURNED OUT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE AC SENSOR WASN'T WORKING. REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING SENSOR. ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER, THE OTHER WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. JUST ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO AND 35,000 MILES LATER, THE OVERHEATED PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN, COMPOUNDED WITH THE A/C LINKAGE, AND THE ABS SENSOR WASN'T WORKING. I PAID $1,200 FOR FIXING THE OVERHEAT PROBLEM AND REPLACING THE ABS SENSOR. I DIDN'T FIX THE AC LINKAGE BECAUSE IT WOULD COST ME ANOTHER $900!! NOW I AM SO WORRY THAT ANOTHER MAJOR PROBLEM GOING TO HAPPEN ANYTIME SOON. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR. I AM HOPING GM WILL ISSUE A RECALL AND STOP CHEATING CONSUMERS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10161262
Incident
Jun 11, 2006
Mileage
14,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Feb 27, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SLIGHT THUMPING NOISE IN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE AREA AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING HAD SIGNIFICANT PLAY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - THE ROTORS WERE ALSO REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10151278
Incident
Feb 27, 2006
Mileage
26,560 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 20, 2006

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN DRIVING AROUND 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE LOCAL MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE FRONT HUB BEARINGS WERE WORN AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE HUB BEARINGS.

NHTSA ID
10148219
Incident
Jan 20, 2006
Mileage
35,000 mi
Fuel systemSuspension
Filed Oct 14, 2005
Crash reported

BOUGHT A USED 2002 RENDEZVOUS IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR. FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, OIL LIGHT ON. TOOK TO PENNZOIL. OIL CHANGED. TWO WEEKS LATER, LOW OIL LIGHT ON. TOOK BACK. LOW ON OIL. TOOK TO GARAGE, SAYS IT'S LEAKING FROM AROUND THE TRASNSFER CASE (THEY THINK) AND CAN'T FIX IT. NOW BIG PROBLEM: TRAVELING TO AN APPOINTMENT. HAD JUST FILLED GAS TANK ABOUT 30 MILES BEFORE, LOW FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY. STARTED SURGING AND IDLING SO FAST IT COULD DRIVE ITSELF. JUST QUIT AT 60 MILES AN HOUR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. CAUSED A SLIGHT FENDER BENDER, BUT NO ONE WAS HURT. EVERYONE AGREED IT WAS OK NOT TO CALL THE POLICE FOR A REPORT. (MISTAKE) CALLED ONSTAR. THEY SAID SOMETHING ABOUT A RELAY GETTING TOO HOT, PROBABLY CAUSING PART OF THE PROBLEM, BUT NOT ALL OF IT. HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC FRIEND. RELATED HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. HUSBAND TOOK IT OUT A FEW DAYS LATER TO SEE IF IT WAS ACTING ANY BETTER, DROVE JUST FINE AND THEN DID THE SAME THING. QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT HAVE NO MONEY. STRETCHED OUR BUDGET TO BUY RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR FAMILY. WAS TOLD BUICK WAS A RELIABLE AUTOMOBILE. HAS TURNED OUT TO BE THE WORST WE'VE EVER OWNED. ALSO, HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WHEEL BEARINGS CHANGED TWICE, AND WE'VE ONLY HAD IT SINCE DECEMBER. MECHANIC SAYS IT'S A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH RENDEZVOUS. THE ONES WE GOT TO REPLACE THE BAD ONES WERE EVEN BAD. HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO TURN. IT IS UNSAFE! I HAVE NO WAY TO TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN WITHOUT TAKING OUR TWO SMALLER CARS EVERYWHERE. I WOULD APPPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD PROVIDE. THANKS AND HAVE A BLESSED DAY! *JB

NHTSA ID
10139651
Incident
Oct 4, 2005
Mileage
91,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 11, 2005

LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED....REPLACED. ODOMETER FAILED AT 5000 MILES...REPLACED. ODOMETER FAILED AT 52000 MILES... REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10132412
Incident
Aug 10, 2005

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .