2003 Buick Rendezvous Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Buick Rendezvous, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system8422.0%
- Engine6216.3%
- Brakes4511.8%
- Electrical4110.8%
- Visibility225.8%
- Suspension215.5%
- Steering174.5%
- Powertrain (other)164.2%
- Interior & seats123.1%
- Other / unspecified112.9%
- Transmission102.6%
- Body & structure92.4%
- Driver assistance82.1%
- Airbags71.8%
- Heating & air conditioning61.6%
- Tires & wheels51.3%
- Exterior lighting41.0%
- Seat belts10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
After filling the fuel tank there is a strong gas odor that is present until the tank is almost empty. When walking around the vehicle or loading/unloading the vehicle, the strong gas odor is always present. This vehicle was at a dealership and they took it to the local personal auction company where i bid on it and bought it along with household items.
I purchased this vehicle in 2013, and a few years later, I began smelling gas. After doing my due diligence, I found out that there is a recall for this issue, because the check inlet valve at the top of the tank where the filler neck connects to the tank is cracked. Great, NO, only CERTAIN Rendezvous were covered, and even though mine has the exact same issue, they refuse to cover it and replace the tank. Well, apparently, there were SO MANY complaints by other Rendezvous owners that were also not "included" in the recall, the recall was expanded to ALL Rendezvous', BUT with the stipulation that it had to have less than 150,000 miles on it, which by THAT TIME, my car WAS over that mileage. So now I'm still driving with gas leaking out of my car, A KNOWN AND ADMITTEDLY UNSAFE DEFECT, because just to purchase that gas tank is over $1,000, not including the labor to drop the tank and replace it, approximately 3-4 hours labor. My disability check cannot afford that, so I have been FORCED to continue driving an unsafe car because they are refusing to repair THEIR DEFECT. And I'm not the only one. I've seen NUMEROUS videos of mechanic's shops BEGGING GM to cover this. And I take my grandchildren to school in this car. At least if the car does blow up one day because they wont' fix THEIR OWN SAFETY issue, I'll have ONE more record of trying to get it fixed and the request being ignored. I'm putting all this information in a file that will go to my daughter and attorney, as well as anyone else's attorney that is injured or killed because of not being repaired. All I was is to drive a car with gas not leaking out of my tank as I drive. I cover ALL the other repairs that it needs. I don't think this is too much to ask, especially since it won't cost the dealership anywhere near $1500 to fix, and any price would be far less than it will cost GM in a wrongful death suit.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY. FURTHERMORE, THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,200.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND STALLED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND RESUMED DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A FOURTH TIME TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, AND SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. *TT *TR
I HAVE PROBLEMS TRYING TO GET THE DASH LIGHTS INCREASE IN BRIGHTNESS USING THE VARIIABLE CONTROL ON THE INTERIOR DURING A NORMAL DAYTIME ESPECIALLY WHEN I TRY TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER (DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN OF THE DASH WHICH CAN BLOCK EXTERIOR LIGHT FROM ILLUMINATING THE DIAL ESPECIALLY AROUND 10:45 AND 11:15 AM MST.) ESP. WHEN I'M DRIVING
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WHITE/TERRIBLE SMELLING SMOKE CAME ROLLING OUT OF THE VENTS INSIDE MY VEHICLE. IT WAS SO BAD THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER, AS IT WAS BURNING MY THROAT/NOSE/EYES AND MADE ME DIZZY- THIS WAS IN A MATTER OF JUST A FEW SHORT MINUTES. NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS OR OTHER SIGNS OF VEHICLE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED AT THAT TIME; HOWEVER, THIS WAS A VERY ALARMING SAFETY SITUATION FOR MY CHILDREN, WHO WERE ALSO IN THE VEHICLE...! THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, ALONG WITH THE POLICE AND A TOW TRUCK; AS I OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT WILLING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER! DISTURBINGLY, MY INSURANCE COMPANY (GE*CO) HAS BEEN VERY UNWILLING TO ASSIST ME THROUGH THIS DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE; NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL NO LONGER BE A CUSTOMER OF GE*CO'S EVER AGAIN- AND I WILL NEVER STOP WARNING MY FAMILY/FRIENDS/THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE DANGERS OF THIS TYPE OF SITUATION, ALONG WITH HIGHLY ADVISING THEM TO NOT PUT THEIR LIVES AT RISK BY HAVING GE*CO AS AN INSURANCE COMPANY!!!!!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE FRONT, DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW, THE WINDOW WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW GUIDES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE WINDOW GUIDES WERE REPLACED AGAIN. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW EXHIBITED THE EXACT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 10/01/2010. *LJ UPDATED 10/04/10*JB
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EMITTED AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
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
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. *TT *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
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ALL OF A SUDDEN NO MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU ARE DRIVING AND THE TEMPARTURE OF CAR IT SLIPS WHILE IN DRIVE OUT OF GEAR AND STARTS IN GEAR WHEN IT WANTS TO WHICH IS BAD ON HIGHWAY GOING 55-70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN CARS ARE BEHIND YOU AND YOU CAN NOT GO ANY SPEED BUT COAST AND IS GETTING WORSE
AWD DISABLED ITSELF AND THE ANTILOCK CAME ON AND HAVE STARTED TO STAY ON THEN WHEN I MAKE TURNS THE CAR STARTS SCREACHING REALLY LOUD SO I JUST RECENTLY LEARNED OF A RECALL FOR THIS SO WHAT CAN I DO
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT WHEN SHE ADJUSTED HER SEAT, THE TRACK RAN OVER A CORD IN THE WIRING HARNESS THAT CREATED A FIRE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE OPTIONAL HEAT/COOLER INTEGRATED SEATS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SEAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE WIRING IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,000.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WENT OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR DAYS. THE ALRM DIDN'T WORK, THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION, THE AC DID NOT COOL PROPERLY, THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE WHEN IT WAS NOT NEEDED, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULDN'T CANCEL, THE DOORS WOULDN'T UNLOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK. UPDATED 12/29/06. *JB
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
AWD DISABLED ITSELF AND THE ANTILOCK CAME ON AND HAVE STARTED TO STAY ON THEN WHEN I MAKE TURNS THE CAR STARTS SCREACHING REALLY LOUD SO I JUST RECENTLY LEARNED OF A RECALL FOR THIS SO WHAT CAN I DO
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
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
UNDETECTED SAFETY HAZARD WITH 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS..SPENT OVER 11,000 WITH REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE ON THIS SUV AND NOW OVER 5000 DOLLARS TRYING TO FIND THE REASON FOR THE VEHICLE TO KEEP SHUTTING DOWN AFTER APPX. 40 MILES OF STOP AND GO TRAFFIC..HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS OF BEING HIT WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN 5 TIMES TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL..CAN NOT AFFORD TO TRADE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TOO..IT LOSES POWER TOO WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS..THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE IT WHEN THEY DRIVE IT..I HAVE HAD 2 OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM..I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY BIG CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND OTHERS TOO. *TR
WHEN SNOW BUILDS UP IN WHEEL WELLS THE AWD BECAME DISABLED AND SPUN OUT IN ROAD, HAVE FAILED WITH MUD, BUILD UP AS WELL HAD REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE OWNING VEHICLE. ALSO FEEL THAT THE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS HAVE DANGEROUS BLIND SPOT THAT COULD BE A PROBLEM. *TR
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ABS AND THE SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE FUEL GAUGE WAS GIVING INACCURATE READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER THE SEAT HAD CORRODED DUE TO THE INTERNAL LEAKAGE OF THE AC UNIT. AS A RESULT, THE CARPET CREATED MOLD DUE TO THE WETNESS AND THE FLOOR BOARD WAS CORRODED AS WELL. THE MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE WAS DISABLED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
REAR LIFTGATE HANDLE SWITCH NO LONG WORKS TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR. KEY FOB STILL WORKS BUT CONCERNED THIS WILL FAIL ALSO FOR THE REAR LIFTGATE ACCESS AND EGRESS. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL TRACTION CONTROL, ABS I HAVE REPLACED BOTH FRONT HUBS BARINGS WITH ABS SENSORS TWICE IN 1 YEAR. STILL THE TRACTION CONTROL COMES ON WHEN IAM ABOUT TO STOP OR TURN
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The gas gage has been off since I bought it in September 2018. I run out of gas right before 1/4 of a tank and when I fill it it goes about 1/4 over the full line. The passenger seat side airbag went off closing the door May 2019.
MODEL BUICK, YEAR 2003 TYPE RENDEZVOUS AND UNABLE TYPE ABOVE. NO REPAIRS PRIOR EXCEPT REPAIR ON ACCIDENT IN ARLINGTON TX EARLY 2005 NO RECEIPTS FIX G M C AUTO REPAIR OFF COOPER RD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS - ENGINE GASKETS, WHEEL BEARINGS, AWD, REAR DIFFERENTIAL, A/C CONDENSER AND ON AND ON. CAR IS A LEMON. *TR
OWNER PURCHASED 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS IN JULY, 2007. AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST, 2007, WITH APPROXIMATELY 80K MILES ON IT, THE VEHICLE'S ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE GAS GAUGE BEGAN FLUCTUATING ERRATICALLY. UPON INSPECTION AT THE LOCAL GM SERVICE CENTER, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER DESIGN FLAW RELATED TO THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IN WHICH THE CONDENSATION DRAIN WAS MADE FORWARD FACING, WHICH WHILE DRIVING AT MODERATE TO HIGH SPEEDS, WOULD PREVENT THE CONDENSATION TO DRAIN PROPERLY WHILE RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONING DUE TO WIND RESISTANCE. THIS CAUSED THE CONDENSATION (WATER) TO POOL INSIDE THE VEHICLE, CAUSING MULTIPLE VALVES TO RUST, VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS TO MALFUNCTION, AND RESULTED IN A MUSTY MILDEW SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CARPET WAS BECOMING SATURATED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BUICK REMEDIED THE PROBLEM FOR THE 2005 AND NEWER MODELS. THEREFORE, THE REMEDY PROVIDED WAS THAT THE ORIGINAL A/C CONDENSATION DRAIN WAS REPLACED TO MATCH THAT OF THE 2005 AND NEWER RENDEZVOUS. THIS REMEDY ALONE WOULD HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE HAD BUICK ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW (WHICH THEY CLEARLY RECOGNIZED AS EVIDENCED BY THE DESIGN MODIFICATION ON THE 2005 AND NEWER MODELS), HOWEVER SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS NOT OBSERVABLE UNTIL SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE HAD BEEN DONE (INCLUDING MULTIPLE RUSTED VALVES THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AND SEVERAL HOURS OF LABOR), THE REPAIR ENDED UP COSTING THE CONSUMER OVER $1,000. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 03 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. IN 4/05 ONE OF THE FRONT TIRE HUBS WAS DEFECTIVE CAUSING A LOUD NOISE. NOW ON 11/10/05 I HAD TO TAKE THE BUICK IN FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. AGAIN I WAS HEARING A NOISE BECAUSE BOTH FRONT TIRE HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONE WAS REPLACED IN 4/05, IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE PARTS WARRANTY THEREFORE, I WOULD ONLY INCUR THE COST OF ONE HUB. WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE MAN. WHY TIRE HUBS WOULD BE FAILING ON A 2 YR. OLD CAR WITH ONLY 44,500 MILES, HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY EXPLANATION EXCEPT WEAR AND TEAR. I CONTACTED OTHER LOCAL GENERAL MOTOR DEALERS TO FIND OUT IF THEY HAD SEEN SIMILAR REPAIRS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD YES! THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND PONTIAC AZTEC'S COMING IN FOR REPAIR AND NEEDING FRONT AND REAR TIRE HUBS REPLACED. THEY ARE SEEING AT LEAST ONE TO TWO VEHICLES PER WEEK NEEDING THESE SAME REPAIRS. THIS SOURCE SAID HE WAS TOLD BY HIS DISTRICT MANAGER THAT THERE WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE HUBS THAT GENERAL MOTORS WAS GETTING FROM A SPECIFIC MANUFACTURER AND THAT THEY WERE NOW CHANGING MANUFACTURERS. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY DEALER AND ASKED HIM TO INITIATE CALLS TO HIS DIST. MANGERS. AND LOOK INTO THE PARTS AND WHAT MANUFACTURER THEY WERE COMING FROM. I DIDN'T WANT THE SAME MANUFACTURERS PARTS USED ON MY VEHICLE AGAIN. HE SAID HE WOULD TRY TO GET SOME ANSWERS BUT COULDN'T IMAGINE THERE WOULD BE ANY CHANGE IN PART NUMBERS (WHICH WOULD INDICATE A CHANGE IN MANUFACTURER) HE CALLED ME BACK, HE FOUND OUT THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAD A NEW PART NUMBER COMING OUT FOR THE TIRE HUBS AND THAT THEY HAD CHANGED SUPPLIERS. HE FELT THAT THIS CONFIRMED MY INFO. & AGREED TO THE REPAIR AT NO COST TO ME. HOWEVER I AM STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THE REMAINING 2 REAR TIRE HUBS ON MY VEHICLE THAT STILL HAVE THE OLD MANUFACTURER HUBS ON. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE OTHER OWNERS OF BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND PONTIAC AZTECS THAT COULD BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND HAVE A TIRE HUB BREAK. *JB
THE REAR TIRE EQUIPMENT ON THE 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS ARE CUPPING AND EGGING.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CUPPED TIRES PRODUCED A VIBRATION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED WITH 11000 MILES ON IT. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE PROBLEMS TRYING TO GET THE DASH LIGHTS INCREASE IN BRIGHTNESS USING THE VARIIABLE CONTROL ON THE INTERIOR DURING A NORMAL DAYTIME ESPECIALLY WHEN I TRY TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER (DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN OF THE DASH WHICH CAN BLOCK EXTERIOR LIGHT FROM ILLUMINATING THE DIAL ESPECIALLY AROUND 10:45 AND 11:15 AM MST.) ESP. WHEN I'M DRIVING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE HORN ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE PERSISTED UNTIL THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 11/20/14*LJ UPDATED 5/4/2015 *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE PASSENGER AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELTS WERE LATCHED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE WEBBING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .