Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 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.
The 25 most recent of 45, in the owner's own words
THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE JUST STOPPED WORKING AFTER TAKING IT IN FOR ANALYSIS THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAVE CEASED TO WORK. PULLING INTO GAS STATION I RAMMED PARKING COLUMN IN FRONT OF STORE.
WHEN DRIIVING 2003 RENDEZVOUS WHEN TRYING TO STOP THERE IS A LOUD CRUNCHING SOUND AND THUMPING PULSATING FROM BRAKE AS IF IT IS FORCING IT BACK UP. I HAVE TO STUMP BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR TO STOP. MECHANIC CAN NOT TELL WHATS WRONG WITH IT. ALMOST DROVE INTO 4 LANES OF CROSS TRAFFIC. CAR WOULD NOT STOP. HAD BRAKES CHANGED AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND HEART POUNDS. MY ONLY SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION SO I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. ALSO WHEN MAKING A TURN AND USING BRAKES IT IS WORST. VERY FRIGHTENING AT ANY SPEED.
ON 3/13/2015 MY CAR HAD GONE TO A FIRESTONE LOCATION IN INDIANA DUE TO A CHECK GAUGES LIGHT ON.THEY REPLACED MY ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. MY VEHICLE WAS ONLY KICKING OUT 300 CCA. I TOOK MY CAR HOME AND PARKED IT. THE FOLLOWING DAY I PUT APPROXIMATELY 350 MILES OF INTERSTATE DRIVING ON MY TRUCK. WHEN ARRIVING HOME, I PARKED MY TRUCK. ON 3/15/15 I TOOK A SHORT 2 MILE DRIVE AND LOST MY BRAKES.I HAVE A SEVERE BACK PROBLEM, WHICH MAKES QUICK AND SUDDEN MOVES PAINFUL. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ON A WINDING ROAD AND IT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE TRUCK AT 40 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING TO MY BRAKES GOING OUT. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED IN TO THE SHOP AS I WAS NOT GOING TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE IT ANY FURTHER WITH NO BRAKES. I HAVE OWN MANY DIFFERENT MAKERS OF CARS AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. IF THERE WAS ANY KIND OF HINT IT WAS GOING , YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD HAVE CAUGHT IT 2 DAYS EARLIER WHEN IT WAS IN THE SHOP. I AM CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED AND EXPENSES LIKE THIS ARE VERY HARD TO ACCOMMODATE. *TR
I PURCHASED A USED 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS SEVERAL YEARS AGO FOR MY DAUGHTER. SINCE THE PURCHASE, SHE HAS HAD ISSUES WITH TRACTION WARNING LIGHT COMING ON, ACCOMPANIED BY A LOUD GRINDING NOISE, DIFFICULTY WITH BRAKING AND STEERING, ESPECIALLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. SHE HAS HAD THE CAR REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES, EACH TIME THE ISSUE RECURS. ON 9/28 SHE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, SHE COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO BRAKE EFFECTIVELY, HITTING CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THE TRACTION LIGHT HAD RECENTLY COME ON AGAIN, AND THE GRINDING NOISE RESURFACED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO NOTICED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR LOW BRAKE FLUIDS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES THAT CROSSED OVER FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WERE FRACTURED DUE TO RUST ON THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. UPDATED 09/05/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED WHICH CAUSED THE LEAK. THE RUST WAS HIDDEN UNDER THE SHIELD. UPDATED 12/4/2014 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND MAKING CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN ENGAGED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A PARKED VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE FAILURE BY SHIFTING INTO PARK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN MOTION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HIP, SHOULDER, KNEE AND ANKLE FROM THE IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED A LOCAL BODY REPAIR CENTER FO FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
REAR BRAKE LINE BROKE BECAUSE OF RUST. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR THEN LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID FOR REAR BRAKES AFTER A COUPLE STOPS. *TR
THE SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON, AND THE TRACTION OFF LIGHT IS ON, AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT IS ALSO ON. I WAS BACKING UP WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED, AND NOW THE LIGHTS ALL COME ON EVERYTIME I AM IN THE CAR. *TR
WHEN FIRST ACCELERATING, THE CAR STALLED OUT AND THE BATTERY DIED. AFTER BRAKING TO SHIFT BACK INTO PARK AND RESTARTING, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE AGAIN. BESIDES THE ACCELERATION ISSUE, WHEN DRIVING AND THEN BRAKING WHEN COMING TO A STOP, IT FEELS AS IF SOMETHING IS PREVENTING THE CAR FROM BRAKING CREATING A GRINDING SENSATION. AFTER THE INITIAL "GRINDING", AWD IS DISABLED ALONG WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENS JUST ABOUT EVERY TIME THE RENDEZVOUS IS DRIVEN. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WILL START TO LOCK UP AND CAUSE IT HARD TO STOP THIS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE MESSAGE COMES UP THAT THE TRACTION IS OFF. ONCE THE TRACTION SYSTEM DISABLES ITSELF THE BRAKE WILL WORK PROPERLY. IF A BUMP IS HIT THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND CONTINUALLY DINGS UNTIL YOU TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT. *TR
THE SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON, AND THE TRACTION OFF LIGHT IS ON, AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT IS ALSO ON. I WAS BACKING UP IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS OCCURRED, AND NOW THE LIGHTS ALL COME ON AS SOON AS I START THE CAR. *TR
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I TRIED TO STOP MY CAR AND THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR STARTED SMOKING, AND I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN LOW SO IT WOULD SLOW DOWN. AND WHEN IT SLOWED I FINALLY GOT IT TO STOP. THE MECHANIC SAID THE CAR WAS PUT TOGETHER FUNNY AND THAT THE BRAKE LINE CORRODED CAUSE ITS OVER THE EXHAUST. I DIDN'T GET HURT BUT I COULD HAVE, BUT IF IT WERE SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO SLOW DOWN A CAR, OR A NEW DRIVER IT COULD HAVE BEEN BAD. *TR
WE DROVE 6.4 MILES FROM OUR RELATIVES HOUSE TO A RESTAURANT. WHEN I PARKED, MY WIFE NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSANGERS SIDE. I TOLD HER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND I RELEASED THE HOOD LATCH. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD THE FLAMES WERE VISIBLE. I CALLED 911, PRIOR TO FD ARRIVAL THE FLAMES WERE PUT OUT BY SOMEONE FROM THE RESTAURANT. THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED OUT AND THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CATCHING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON FIRE. THE RESPONSE FROM BUICK VIA CLAIMS ADMISINSTRATOR BRYAN SCHWARTZ THEY CLAIM NO LIABILITY DUE TO BRAACH OF WARRANTY. I CLAIM THIS BRAKE LINE SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED OUT AFTER ONLY 60,000 MILES. AT 59,411 MILES THIS VEHICLE WAS SERVICED @ VYLETEL BUICK INCLUDED IN THIS SERVICE WAS A MULTI-POINT VEHICLE INSPECTION INCLUDING THE BRAKE SYSTEM (ALSO INCLUDING LINES,HOSES AND PARKING BRAKE) NO ISSUES WERE NOTED. *TR
OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD THREE FRONT HUBS REPLACED AND THE SADDLE FOR THE TRACTION SYSTEM. ALL DONE AT THE ADVISE OF A BUICK DEALER. THIS PAST YEAR I TELEPHONED BUICK AND REQUESTED THEIR HELP, AS I FELT BUICK SHOULD KNOW HOW TO CORRECT THIS RECURRING PROBLEM, BUT TO NO AVAIL. BOTH THE ANTILOCK BRAKES AND THE TRACTION SYSTEMS ARE OFF, AND THE CAR SOUNDS AS IF IT IS RAW METAL ON METAL. I AM AGAIN OCCASIONALLY HEARING THE GRINDING NOISE, WHICH USUALLY INDICATES ANOTHER PROBLEM (WITH SUBSTANTIAL COST) IS ON THE WAY. *KB
I WAS PARKED ON A HILL FACING UP WARDS. I MADE A U TURN IN THE STREET TO GO DOWN THE HILL AS I ALWAYS DO. AS I APPROACHED THE STOP SIGN I LOST ALL PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WENT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN BUT NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A VERY SLOW STOP. WHILE I CONTINUED DRIVING TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND NOW THE "LOW BRAKE FLUID" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WARNING CHIMES WERE RINGING CONSTANTLY. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID HITTING HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS CAUSING THE SMOKE. I COULD SEE BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING UNDER THE VEHICLE TOO BUT UNDER THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE LINE AND SAID THAT THE LINE RUNS UP TO THE FIRE WALL BEHIND THE TOP OF THE ENGINE AND THAT HE DIDN'T WANT TO WORK ON IT. "REAL NICE". I HAVE TO FIND A SHOP WHO IS COMPETENT TO DO THIS JOB. I WOULD HAVE NO DOUBT BEEN IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD I BEEN ON THE FREEWAY WHILE THIS HAPPENED. FROM READING SOME OTHER SIMILAR ISSUES ONLINE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. APPARENTLY ALL THESE BRAKE LINES RUN UP TO THE FIRE WALL WHERE INSTALLATION HOLDS MOISTURE AND CAUSES FAILURE. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE. IF THE LINE WASN'T IN OR CLOSE TO INSULATION THIS WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. *TR *KB
BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINE ON FIREWALL ABOVE EXHAUST PIPE. I WAS ABLE TO BRING CAR TO FULL STOP USING EMERGENCY BRAKE. BECAUSE OF LIGHT TRAFFIC AND LOW SPEED MAJOR ACCIDENT WAS AVOID. BRAKE LINE FIXED BY SHELTON BUICK DEALER IN ROCHESTER HILLS AND PRICE WAS $429.70. I'M FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF GM VEHICLES.
IN JAN 2011, FRONT RIGHT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY AND SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED WITH OEM PART. IN JUNE 2011, THE PART HAD FAILED AGAIN. PER MECHANIC, FAULT IS DUE TO SPEED SENSOR NOT RETURNING CORRECT SPEED WHEN SPEED IS < 8 MPH. PER MECHANIC, THIS WIILL INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN IT OCCURS. *TR
MY 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS HAS A ABS PROBLEM WHERE IT ENGAGES COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN WHENEVER THE OUTSIDE TEMP IS MORE THAN 50 DEGREES. WHILE DRIVING, I HEAR A HUMMING NOISE AT VARIOUS TIME DURING MY DRIVE AND WHEN I PUSH THE BRAKES THE ABS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED AND THE PETAL PULSES AND A GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD. ALTHOUGH, THE ABS LIGHT DOES NOT LIGHT UP ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS IS CONSTANT THROUGHOUT THE MONTHS OF MAY THROUGH OCTOBER SINCE THE TEMP IS ABOVE 50 DEGREES DURING THE DAY. I HAVE HAD BOTH FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES AND WIRE HARNESS REPLACED WITH NO AVAIL. THEN, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, THE AWD SYSTEM DISABLES ANYTIME I HAVE TIRE(S) SPINNING. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND NOT ONE SEEM TO HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT CAN BE WRONG. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE FINDING AN ALARMING AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM CONCERNING THEIR RENDEZVOUS, BUT NO SOLUTION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WAS ENGAGING INDEPENDENTLY AND AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS INSPECTED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND AS A LAST RESORT, THE CONTACT COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED THE ABS SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
I JUST FOUND THIS LINK TODAY. I HAVE BEEN HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS OUT OF MY 03 RENDEZVOUS. I HAD MY BRAKES CHANGED, AND EVERYTHING HAS WENT TO HELL. THE BRAKES RATTLE, MY AWD DISABLED, AND MY ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON. I HAD THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY LOOKED AT IN AUGUST 2010. ONCE THE ROTORS WERE TURNED IT SEEMED TO HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEMS. SINCE THE WARM WEATHER HAS RETURNED, THE PROBLEMS HAS STARTED BACK. IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS, I AM LOOKING INTO POSSIBLE INTAKE MANIFOLD BEING REPLACED OR REPAIRED DUE TO ANTIFREEZE LEAKAGE. ANY HELP WILL BE USEFUL. THANKS! *TR
BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINE ON FIREWALL ABOVE EXHAUST PIPE. THOSE 2 BRAKE LINES ARE SHIELDED TOGETHER BY A HEAT SHIELDED INSULATION WHICH IN RETURN KEEPS IN MOISTURE AND CORRODES BRAKE LINES,VERY POOR DESIGN. CALLED GM TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL AND SEE IF THEY CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FINANCIALLY ,WAITING FOR ANSWER. THIS IS GOING TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND EXPENSIVE ONE,ON TOP OF BEING A DANGEROUS ONE. HAVE TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER BRAKE LINES,IF ONE CORRODED THE OTHER ONE WILL FOLLOW. *TR
LOSING OIL AND WATER EVERYDAY TEMP. GAUGE SHOWING HOT. NOW TRAC AND ANTI BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. BRAKE PEDAL IS GOT A JUMPING MOVEMENT. WE GOT OUR 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS A COUPLE YEARS AGO. *TR
THIS HAS OCCURRED ON AND OFF SINCE PURCHASING MY 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS IN JANUARY 2005. USUALLY OCCURS WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPS ARE WARMER, SPRING THRU FALL, NOT IN THE WINTER. AT SLOW SPEEDS ( 10 TO 20 MILES/HOUR) WHEN BRAKING AND/OR TURNING STEERING WHEEL WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, A GRINDING/CRUNCHING NOISE IS HEARD AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES FEELS LIKE YOU ARE CRUSHING SOMETHING WITH YOUR FEET. BRAKES DO NOT WORK IMMEDIATELY. ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT, SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT, AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE OFF INDICATOR LIGHTS ALL COME ON AND STAY ON AFTER THE BRAKING AND NOISE STOPS. WARNING LIGHTS SOMETIMES STAY ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTERWARDS. JUST BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE CAN EVEN CAUSE THIS TO OCCUR. RECENTLY I HAD AN INSTANCE WHEN DRIVING AT 10 TO 15 MILES/HOUR AND COULD NOT STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FOUR-WAY STOP AFTER I SLAMMED BRAKES TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP CANNOT NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG. HAVE HAD IN FOR SERVICE FOR THIS THREE TIMES AND ONLY ERROR SHOWING UP WAS RIGHT FRONT SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTION BUT UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM WHILE IN FOR SERVICE. I LEFT DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN A MILE IT STARTED AGAIN. I KEEP DRIVING THE CAR BUT AM FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIX IT, AND PRAY I DON'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR HIT A PEDESTRIAN BECAUSE I CANNOT STOP. BRAKES DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM AT DRIVING SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. *TR
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.
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