2002 Buick Rendezvous complaints

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REBOOTS OR BECOMES INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING. REPLACED BODY CONTROL MODULE TWICE AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. SERVICE DEALER CANNOT SEEM TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND THEY DON'T GET ANY READINGS OFF THE SYSTEM. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AND THEY CANNOT RESOLVE IT. *JB

I HAVE BEEN HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES BUT THEY CAN NOT FIND NOR FIX THE PROBLEM. HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS JUST COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING. RIGHT NOW OF 8/8/06 ITS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR: 1. ALL EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL LIGHTS INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS AND BACK LIGHTS TURN OFF EVEN WHILE CAR IS IN DRIVE. TURNS OFF FOR ABOUT 6 SECONDS. DROVE COUPLE OF NIGHTS WHEN THIS OCCURRED 1 INCIDENT ON MAJOR HIGHWAY WHILE MERGING, ALMOST AN ACCIDENT. LEFT IN PURE DARKNESS. HAPPENS ANYTIME OF THE DAY. SAFETY ISSUE THAT GM SERVICE HAS NOT YET FIXED. 2. CAR GOES ON LIKE A SECURITY MODE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON INDICATOR STAYS ON, RADIO NOT WORK, AC NOT WORK, WINDOWS AND DOORS LOCK, CLOCK STOPS. EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL LOCKS UP. TOOK THIS TO THE SHOP MANY TIMES AND STILL NOT FIXED. BCM CHANGED IN 2004 TO TRY TO FIX THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BUT DID NOT WORK. 3. 1ST TIME ONLY SUV COMPLETELY WON'T START. LAST DRIVEN WAS JULY 31ST 06 AND IT WORKED FINE, IT SAT IN THE GARAGE AFTER. NEXT DAY OF WANTING TO USE IT WAS AUG. 5TH 06 WOULD NOT START AND TRIED TO JUMP CHARGE IT BUT DID NOT WORK. HAD TO GET IT TOWED OUT OF OUR GARAGE. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED FOR THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT IT HAS BEEN HAVING. SO FAR, NO LUCK ON WHAT'S THE CAUSE OF IT AGAIN. THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL LIGHT ISSUE SHOULD REALLY BE ADDRESSED FOR THIS IS SOMETHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT THEREFORE IT MAY BE TOO LATE

MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT ON JULY 2, 2006. SHE WAS A PROMISING MICRO-BIOLOGIST WHOM WORKED ON CURES FOR OVARIAN CANCER. SHE WAS RAN OFF A ROAD BY ANOTHER DRIVER AND SENT INTO A LINE OF TREES IN OUR BUICK RENDEZVOUS (2002 CX). THE DRIVER-SIDE HEADLIGHT MADE DIRECT CONTACT WITH ONE TREE AND THE FORCE OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ALLOWING IT TO BE "RIPPED" OFF THE HINGES. THEREBY, EXPOSING HER TO THE NATURAL ELEMENTS AND MAKING HER VULNERABLE TO STRIKE A SECOND TREE THAT BROKE EVERY BONE IN HER FACE AND KILLED HER. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE WHEN THE 2002 RENDEZVOUS WAS TESTED, IT RECEIVED 3 TO 4 STARS AND THE CONSISTENT PROBLEM THAT AROSE, BASED UPON THE ARTICLE THAT I READ, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPENS DURING AN OFFSET FRONTAL ACCIDENT. WE WERE NEVER SENT ANY INFORMATION WHERE BUICK WAS LOOKING INTO THIS DEFECT AND IT ONLY HAD A RECALL ON THE REAR HATCH THAT WE HAD TO HAVE FIXED IN 2003. IF THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN CORRECTED OR AT LEAST ADDRESSED, I SINCERELY BELIEVE THE OUTCOME OF THE ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FOR ME. *NM

REAR WIPER IN 2002 RENDEZVOUS TURNING ON WHEN THE BUTTON WAS NOT DEPRESSED. FOLLOWED BY, ALL LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO SECURITY/LOCKED MODE. SECURITY MODE KEEPS ALL CABIN LIGHTS ON, BUT ALL THE OTHER LIGHTS STILL FLICKER. RESOLUTION NOT FOUND AS OF YET. *JB

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

I HAVE A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS THAT JUST RECENTLY STARTED HAVING ABS AND TRACTION ACTIVE ISSUES. THIS ONLY OCCURS AT SLOW SPEEDS SUCH AS PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, GOING THROUGH DRIVE THRU'S, ETC. WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES COME ON AND THE PEDAL VIBRATES AND IT TAKES THE CAR LONGER TO STOP. WHEN THE ABS KICKS IN, IT SOMETIMES THEN ACTIVATES THE "TRACTION ACTIVE" LIGHT. I ALSO NOTICE THIS HAPPENING WHEN DRIVING ON DOWNGRADES OR SMALL HILLS THAT I'M TRAVELING AT SLOW SPEEDS. I ALSO SOMETIMES HEAR A RUBBING SOUND WHEN THE TRACTION ACTIVATION LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY FIRST SAID IT WAS BECAUSE I HAD TWO DIFFERENT BRANDS OF TIRES - SO I REPLACED THEM AND THAT DIDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE ABS SENSOR/WHEEL BEARING, BUT THEY STATE IT'S FINE. AFTER READING SEVERAL OF THE SAME ISSUES ON THIS SITE, I FEEL THERE IS DEFINITELY A FAULTY ISSUE WITH THE ABS SENSOR. MY CAR HAS 73,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

PURCHASED 02 RENDEZVOUS CXL AWD LAST FALL FROM DEALER. LAST WEEK VEHICLE STARTED ACTING LIKE IT WAS CONSTANTLY RUNNING IN 4WD OR DRAGGING AND WE NOTICED A WHINNING NOISE IN THE REAR END. TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER, WAS TOLD THAT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS SHOT AND THE RIGHT ONE WAS STARTING TO GO BAD. ESTIMATED COST OF OVER $1,000. $303 FOR EACH WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSY (AUTO PART STORE MAX PRICE OF $134 EA) 1.4 HR LABOR FOR EACH SIDE (MANAGER SAID HIS MECHANIC COULD HAVE EACH SIDE DONE IN AN HOUR). EQUALS $606 ($338 IN PROFIT) IN PARTS AND $400 IN LABOR FOR 2 HOURS OF WORK. VEHICLE HAS 79,000 MILES AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO REPLACED EVERY 30-40,000 MILES. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE VEHICLE''S HEAD AND INTAKE GASKET LEAKED WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO SPILL ON THE DRIVEWAY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ON 06/13/06, THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 06/15/06. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A LEAKING HEAD GASKET AND INTAKE GASKET, BUT COULD NOT REPAIR IT IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THERE WERE OTHER VEHICLES WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. ON 06/18/06, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR A SCHEDULED REPAIR ON 06/19/06. THE CONTACT PAID FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE DEFECT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE SAME MODEL.

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS DETERIORATED AND STARTED LEAKING ON MY 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND ON MY 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON MY MOTHER'S 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU. ALL OF THE VEHICLES CITED HAD LESS THAN A 100K MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE BUICK BEING THE LATEST VICTIM HAD 67K WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED. THE GASKET FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE AND POTENTIAL FIRE. *NM

GAS GAUGE WORKS ERRATICALLY...WITH DRIVER'S MENU STATING GAS GALLONS USED AT 13 GALLON. THE GAUGE SHOWS FULL, THEN FLOPS BACK AND FORTH FROM 1/2 FULL TO FULL. WHEN THE VEHICLE FUEL REACHES LESS THAN 1/2 FULL THEN THE GAUGE GOES NUTS. HOW MUCH GAS DOES THIS VEHICLE HAVE ONCE THIS OCCURS? WHAT IS THE CORRECTIVE ACTION? *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A SHORT TIME, IT FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART AND WHEN THE ENGINE RESTARTED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ITEMS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE ON-STAR, POWER WINDOWS, AIR CONDITIONER, AND POWER LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE AT ALL. THE SECURITY SYSTEM ALERT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED A MODULATOR IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE COIL HAD BURNED OUT AND THE COIL AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN STORMY WEATHER, THERE WAS A LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A HILLSIDE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE POLICE WERE ON SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. AN INSURANCE ADJUSTOR DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE BODY DAMAGE. UPDATED 5/22/2006 - *NM

I HAVE A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS THAT HAD BEEN HAVING SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. LIGHTS WOULD SHUT OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD, SECURITY LOCKING THINGS UP, DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ON ITS OWN. ON APRIL 6TH, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN DRAGGING THEIR FEET AND NOW TELL ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN 232 REPORTS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSING FIRES IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AS MINE. THEREFORE THEY NOW ARE CALLING IN A PYRO TEAM? I JUST WONDER IF BUICK SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING IS THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY PROBLEMS.*JB

TWO SAFETY RELATED ISSUES WITH MY 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS CXL. THE FRONT HUB ABS SENSORS FAILED AT 51,000 MILES (LEFT SIDE) AND 58,500 MILES (RIGHT SIDE). DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNTIL ACTUAL FAILURE AND ERROR CODE. MEANWHILE, THE BRAKES ARE VERY ERRATIC AT LOW SPEEDS. OFTEN LONG STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE THE PEDAL PULSATES SEVERELY. VEHICLE PULLS SEVERELY TO ONE SIDE. DEALER REPLACED A WHEEL HUB THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. THEY REWIRED THE ABS SENSOR ON THE OTHER FRONT WHEEL THE SECOND TIME. IT WAS CORRECTED WHEN FINALLY DIAGNOSED BUT, PARTICULARLY WITH THE FIRST INCIDENT, WE HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH UNSAFE BRAKES UNTIL THE ERROR CODE WOULD REGISTER AND THE DEALER WOULD PERFORM THE REPAIRS. SECOND ISSUE INVOLVES THE AWD REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. MOANING NOISES START IN THE REAR END, ESPECIALLY IN LOW SPEED TURNS SUCH AS PARKING LOT MANEUVERS. OCCURRENCE INCREASES IN SEVERITY AND FREQUENCY FAIRLY QUICKLY. THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE BY THE DEALER. ONCE AT 27,000 MILES AND ONCE AT 55,000 MILES. THIS IS A $3,000+ REPAIR AND IS NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY. WHY DOES THE REAR DRIVE AXLE CONTINUE TO FAIL? IF IT SHOULD FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY, IT WILL POSE A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IF HIGHWAY SPEEDS ARE INVOLVED AND THE VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTABLE. NOT ONLY IS SAFETY INVOLVED BUT THE VERY HIGH COST OF REPLACEMENT IS UNACCEPTABLE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *JB

WE PURCHASED A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND BEEN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. ALL EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL LIGHTS COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF FOR 6-8 SECONDS AND TURNS BACK ON. WE WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIX BUT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE. BEEN IN THE SHOP OVER 5 TIMES AND PROBLEM STARTED COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE AND CONTINUES TILL THIS DAY. WE PURCHASED IN OCT. 2001. DEALER CHANGED BCM AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. THIS IS A GREAT ISSUE THAT NEEDS ATTENTION! COUPLE OF NIGHTS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY LIGHTS ALL SHUT OFF AND HIGHWAY NOT LIT, EXTREMELY TERRIFYING!! HAPPENS ANYTIME OF THE DAY & ANY WEATHER CONDITION. *JB

@ 81,000 MILE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, HEAD GASKET AND FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPEED SENSOR NEEDED REPLACED! RECENTLY THE WINDOW HAS COME OFF THE TRACK AND THE SWITCH FOR THE SUNROOF IS NO LONGER WORKING! PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!*JB

TRANSMISSION WAS KICKING IN AND OUT AND FOUND OUT FROM TRANSMISSION DEALER THAT THE ELECTRICAL CARRIAGE WAS BURNT AND REPAIRED/REPLACED. NOW THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK, AIR CONDITIONER QUIT AND SENSOR FOR REVERSING QUIT AS WELL. WE ARE WONDERING IF THIS CARRIAGE ISSUE WOULD CONTROL THESE OTHER ISSUES? THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ISSUES THAT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM, THAT APPEARS TO BE SENSOR/ELECTRICAL RELATED. WE HAVE ALSO HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES LATELY WHERE THE CAR WOULD STALL. WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT THE BATTERY WAS FINE. *JB

VEHICLE'S RPMS KEPT RACING WHEN GAS WAS PRESSED. EVENTUALLY FELT A SLIPPING IN GEAR WHEN CAR WAS IN DRIVE. SOON IT STARTED HAPPENING IN REVERSE. TOOK IN TO DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND A TEST DRIVE AND WAS TOLD NO ERROR CODES CAME UP AND NOTHING WAS WRONG. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN AND ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF LATER - GEAR SHIFTING GOT MUCH ROUGHER AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN INITIALLY PUT INTO DRIVE, THEN WOULD JUMP INTO GEAR - BUT WOULD JUMP OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING! BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER SERVICE COMPANY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 54,000 MILES ON IT AND IS USED MOSTLY FOR LOCAL DRIVING. I HAVE HEARD ABOUT 4 OTHERS WHO HAVE RENDEZVOUS STATE THAT THEY ARE HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITHIN THE PAST MONTH. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING EXTENSIVE TRANSMISSION WORK - SHOULDN'T HAPPEN ON SUCH LOW MILEAGE. BUICK SHOULD BE MADE TO LOOK INTO. *JB

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

DASH INSTRUMENTS AND REMOTE ACCESS CLICKER FAILED. WE HAD NO SPEEDOMETER OR ANY OTHER ENGINE INDICATORS AND COULD ONLY GAIN ACCESS WITH KEY IN DOOR LOCK. AFTER ONE WEEK DELAY WAITING FOR A NEW CLUSTER IT WAS REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER, SAME PROBLEM AND DEALER AGAIN REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. UPON PICKING CAR UP FROM THE DEALER IT WAS DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED IN FRONT OF GARAGE. NEXT DAY SAME PROBLEM AGAIN BUT, WHEN DOOR WAS UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY, SMOKE WAS OBSERVED INSIDE. AS SOON AS 911 CALL WAS MADE, CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AND BLEW OUT WINDOWS, AND SUNROOF 10 FEET INTO THE AIR. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED (LOCATED ONLY 1/4 MILE AWAY) CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND SUBSEQUENTLY TOTALLY DESTROYED. IF IT HAD NOT BURNED, WE'D HAVE RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.*AK

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.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING FOR 10 MINUTES THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED AIR WAS GETTING INTO THE RADIATOR COOLANT AND THE HEAD GASKETS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

AT A SLOW TURNING SPEED THE BRAKES GIVE OUT AND YOU HAVE TO RE-PUMP THE BRAKES FOR THE BRAKES TO WORK AGAIN . ALSO WHEN YOU MAKE A TURN IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMTHING IS STRAINING ( SOUNDS LIKE A BUNCH OF DYING COWS ARE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR ) HAD THE CAR IN TWICE AND WAS TOLD I AM TURNING THE CAR TO HARD AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES ! I HAVE ALMOST HAD TWO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES AND THE MOANING UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR IS GETTING WORSE .THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THEY END OF APRIL 2005. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHILE STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *AK

PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTERS FROZE, ALLOWING PARKING BRAKE TO BECOME NON-FUNCTIONAL. VEHICLE FAILED STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS FLICKERING AND CLICKING COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. ALL OF THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO IDLE. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WENT INTO GEAR, IT WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK FOOT OFF THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC , WHO REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE COMPUTER REPROGRAMMED. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, THERE WERE OTHER COMPONENTS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE WHICH THE DEALERSHIP STATED WERE RELATED TO THE AFOREMENTIONED FAILURE. ALSO, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THEY COULD BE DIAGNOSED. *AK

MY BUICK RENDEZVOUS WITH 65,000 MILES HAD IT'S THIRD MAJOR REPAIR IN 4 MONTHS. THIS TIME THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF THIS. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE DUE TO EXCESSIVE COST. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, AND THEY REPAIRED THE WINDOW. THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED ON THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE ON THE REAR WINDOW DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *AK UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB

OUR 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS BEGAN ACTING UP SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. ONCE WHEN IT HAPPENED, WE CALLED THE BUICK HOTLINE NUMBER ON THE WINDOW STICKER & THE ONSTAR PEOPLE. BUICK GUY SAID SORRY NOT UNDER WARRANTY & A CERTIFIED CENTER WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AS IT WAS HAPPENING. ONSTAR COULDN'T OFFER ANY ADVICE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BUICK FOR A RECALL/LATCH REPAIR, WE ASKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM & WERE TOLD UNLESS THEY SAW THE PROBLEM RIGHT THEN THEY COULDN'T HELP. OBVIOUSLY, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR & IT WAS STARTING AND RUNNING LIKE IT SHOULD. THE PROBLEM: PULLED INTO A NON-BUICK GARAGE TO GET VEHICLE INSPECTED. WHEN MECHANIC WAS DONE HE PULLED THE CAR OUT OF THE BAY & PARKED IT TURNING OFF ENGINE. I GOT IN TO LEAVE & ENGINE CRANKED BUT WOULDN'T START. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE IN OUR DRIVEWAY BUT WE THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE. THE MECHANICS COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT SO WE LEFT IT THERE FOR THEM TO WORK ON. WHEN STAFF WENT TO START THE CAR AN HOUR LATER IT RAN JUST FINE. ANOTHER TIME, MY FINGER SLIPPED WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION KEY SO I WENT TO TURN IT A SECOND TIME. THE CAR WOULD NOT START, OR IF IT DID IT WOULD STOP, AS IF CHOKING OUT & NOT GETTING GAS TO THE ENGINE. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES THEN GAVE IT 30 MINUTES TO SIT & IT THEN STARTED. ANOTHER TIME WE PULLED UP TO A GAS PUMP, GOT GAS, GOT BACK IN, & THE SAME PROBLEM...HAD TO LET VEHICLE SIT WHERE IT WAS FOR 20 MINUTES WITHOUT CRANKING THE IGNITION THEN IT STARTED FINE. AGAIN: ON A WEEKEND WHILE SHOPPING, PULLED INTO A PARKIN

FOLLOWING A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT TIGHTEN INSTANTLY WHICH CAUSED SEVERE INJURY TO BOTH DRIVER (BROKEN SHOULDER) AND PASSENGER (INTERNAL CHEST INJURY). *NM

INCIDENTS. MY 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS HAS HAD 3 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, THE LAST ONE THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED. PER SERVICE TECH. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, WITH NO WARNING CAR STALLED, TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED FAULTY THEFT DETERRENT UNIT AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. CAR THEN STALLED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, TOWED TO DEALER, WHO SAID THEIR WAS A INTERNAL FAULT IN THE FUEL PUMP HARNESS AND CAR IS FIXED. CAR STALLED AGAIN AT 55 MPH. *NM

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 HAV

DT: 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS SUV. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON OCTOBER 3, 2005. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND CALLED MY MANUFACTURER, AND THEY ASKED QUESTIONS THAT DID NOT PERTAIN TO THIS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED TO SEE IF IT COULD BE FIXED. THIS WAS THE FIRST ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES. WAS KNOCKED ON CONSCIOUS, WHEN THE CONSUMER WOKE UP HE WAS IN THE AMBULANCE ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL, AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ALSO INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. TOOK PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAD ALL THE ORIGINAL PARTS. THE CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 2003. THE ONLY DAMAGE MADE WAS TO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED WHY AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING. *AK

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS CONSUMER RETURNED FROM A TRIP AND FOUND BATTERY DEAD. NEXT MORNING CONSUMER GAUGES WERE NOT WORKING. *TS THE DEALER INSTALLED A MODULE TO CORRECT THE GAUGE PROBLEM. THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE DEALER INSTALLED ANOTHER MODULE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT PROBLEM WAS THE AIR CONDITION BLOWING HOT AIR, IT WAS SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE INCORRECT MODULE WAS INSTALLED. THE DEALER THEN NOTIFIED THE CONSUMER THAT THE RADIO KEPT THE AIR CONDITION FROM WORKING AND A NEW RADIO WAS NEEDED. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS JUMP STARTED DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY, HE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ALL TYPES OF PROBLEMS. *JB

SAFETY HAZARD: CRACKED FUEL TANK LEAKING GASOLINE/GASOLINE VAPORS ON 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON CITY/HIGHWAY PAVEMENT AND HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY CRASH OR DRIVEN ON ROUGH OR OFFROAD TERRAIN. NOTE THAT ON NOV. 10, 2003 BUICK ISSUED A RECALL ON 2004 RENDEZVOUS FOR CRACKED FUEL TANKS. SEE NHTSA RECALL ID NUMBER 03V454000. WE NOTICED STRONG GASOLINE ODORS IN OUR GARAGE BEGINNING IN MID-SEPTEMBER. ON SEPTEMBER 30, WE COULD NOT START THE CAR AND HAD A BUICK DEALER TOW THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO IDENTIFY THE REASON FOR THE NO START AND CHECK FOR GASOLINE FUMES. THE DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED A BAD CELL IN THE CAR'S BATTERY, WORN FUEL LEVEL SENSORS AND A CRACKED FUEL TANK. THIS COMPLAINT ONLY DEALS WITH THE CRACKED FUEL TANK UNLESS NHTSA'S INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIES A LINK BETWEEN THE OTHERS. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM DON STEIN BUICK IN OVERLAND PARK, KS AND TOWED TO JOHN BAILEY BUICK IN BUFORD, GA. ON TODAY, OCT 5, 2005, I WILL BE PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE GAS TANK. I HAVE ASKED THE BAILEY DEALERSHIP TO MAKE THE CRACKED GAS TANK AVAILABLE FOR MY REVIEW AND TRANSPORT. I INTEND TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE TANK PRIOR TO ACCEPTING CUSTODY OF IT. THE NHTSA HOTLINE REPRESENTATIVE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF NHTSA HAS ANY CHAIN OF CUSTORY PROCEDURES FOR CONVEYING THE CRACKED TANK TO NHTSA CUSTODY. (NOTE: I DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT PURCHASE DATE BUT DO KNOW THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JULY 2002. I HAVE LISTED JULY 15, 2002 AS AN APPROX. DATE.). *NM

A/C CONDENSER FAILURE IN 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. IN LATE JULY 2005, I NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT BLOWING COLD AIR. IN AUGUST, THE CAR DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM, AND DETERMINED THAT THE A/C CONDENSER FAILED, AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,000. I REFUSED SERVICE. THIS CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD, AND IS GARAGED AND DRIVEN IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE A/C IS USED FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. WHY WOULD THIS PART FAIL AFTER 18 MONTHS OF USE? WHEN LOOKING AT THE NHTSA WEB SITE LISTING OF REPORTED PROBLEMS, I FOUND MANY INSTANCES OF THIS CONDENSER FAILURE IN THE 2002 RENDEZVOUS, PONTIAC AZTEK, AND THE CHEVY VENTURE VAN. ALL OF THESE CAR MODELS HAVE THE SAME CONDENSER PART INSTALLED. IS THERE ANY TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM? *NM

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THE CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND FELT A VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE HE ALSO HEARD A SLIGHT NOISE IN FELT THE VIBRATION BUT THE COMPUTER DIDN'T DETECT A FAILURE. HE BELIEVES THE PROBLEM MAY BE A FAULTY ABS SENSOR. *NM

THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR ON OUR 2002 RENDEZVOUS. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CONDENSER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $800.00 AND THAT THE INTAKE GASKET ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE ENDED UP HAVING BOTH REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $1500.00 TO US. WHEN HAVING REPAIRED WE WERE TOLD THAT BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE VERY COMMON ON GM VEHICLES. WE WERE PAST WARRANTY SO THE DEALER WAS OF NO HELP WITH THE COST. AFTER REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE, IT APPEARS THAT BOTH OF THESE PARTS ARE FAILING AND GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. *JB

DT: 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS - THE PART THAT ATTACHES TO THE GAS TANK OR THE FILLER TUBE BROKE OFF. WHILE DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD GOING ABOUT 55 MPH THE FILLER TUBE BROKE OFF AND ALL THE GAS SLOWLY LEAKED OUT OF THE CAR IN FIVE MINUTES. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND IT IS BEING REPAIRED NOW. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE GAS TANK PROBLEM THE REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT GIVE ANY REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. *AK UPDATED 3/3/2006 - *NM

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS, FAILURE TO RESTART AFTER FUELING OR OTHER SHORT DURATION SHUT OFFS IN HOT WEATHER. *JB

I OWN A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE ON 8/19/05 AND THEY FIXED WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS THE PROBLEM (R&R FUEL TANK CONNECTION TO CLEAN AND RE-SECURE, HAD WATER IN CONNECTOR). TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WAS $145.07. ON 8/26/05 THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, WE TOOK THE BACK TO THE SAME GARAGE AND THEY FOUND WATER AGAIN IN THE CONNECTOR AND DETERMINED THAT THE WATER WAS COMING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THEY DISCOVERED THE WATER WAS COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING DRAIN TUBE. AS LONG AS THE CAR WAS SITTING STILL THE A/C WOULD DRAIN PROPERLY, BUT AT SPEED THE FORCE OF AIR WOULD FORCE THE WATER BACK INTO THE INTERIOR UNDERNEATH THE SEATS WHERE MANY OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS ARE, THEREFORE SHORTING THEM OUT. THE SEATS HAD TO TAKEN OUT, THE CARPET HAD TO BE REMOVED AND DRIED OUT AND A NEW A/C DRAIN TUBE WAS INSTALLED. THE EVAPORATOR CASE WAS ALSO RESEALED. TOTAL FOR THIS REPAIR WAS $276.38 UPON ORDERING AND RECEIVING THE NEW DRAIN, THE MECHANIC WAS TOLD THAT THE PART HAD BEEN "UPDATED". THE UPDATED PART HAD A SLIGHT BEND IN IT NOW, AND THE OLD WAS JUST A STRAIGHT PIECE. MY COMPLAINT IS, IF A PIECE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ORIGINAL DESIGN AND I THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE PAY FOR THE DAMAGES OR REPAIRS DUE TO A FAULTY PART. THANK YOU. *NM

THE AIR CONDITIONER ON MY 2002 RENDEZVOUS STOPPED COOLING WHEN THE CAR HAD 60713 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CONDENSER HAD 2 HOLES IN IT AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REPAIR WAS COMPLETED AT A TOTAL COST OF $910. *NM

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEEDS. BASICALLY THE SAME THING THAT IS STATED WITH THE NEW RECALL FOR GMC! WHEN I UNPLUG THE SENSOR AND PLUG IT BACK IN THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY FOR A DAY, THEN THE PROBLEM LASTS FOR SEVERAL DAYS UNTIL THE SENSOR IS UNPLUGGED AGAIN. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ALL ELECTRICS SHUT OFF- ENGINE SEEMS TO KEEP RUNNING. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TROUBLING AT NIGHT. THERE IS A DING-DING BATTERY DISPLAY TURNS ON BRIEFLY THEN ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS, DASHBOARD, AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS SHUT DOWN FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE 3 OR 4 TIMES AND TO ME ON A VERY DARK ROAD. WE PURCHASED THE CAR USED AND HAD IT 3 WEEKS -THE DEALER REPLACED BATTERY WHICH TESTED BAD -THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF LABOR BUT WE HAD TO PAY FOR THE BATTERY. 3 DAYS LATER SAME ISSUE OCCURRED. *JB

RESTARTING AND DELAYED START ON 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. ONLY 7/1/05 STOPPED TO FILL GAS TANK. AFTER REFILL, THE CAR STARTED AND MAY HAVE MOVED NO MORE THAN 2 FEET. SHUT OFF AND WOULDN'T RE-CRANK FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. ON 7/5/05 TOOK THE CAR TO MASTER PONTIAC IN AUGUSTA, GA FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. ON 7/17/05, HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR. TOOK SOME FRIENDS HOME, SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR 5 MINUTES. TRIED TO RESTART AND CAR COULD NOT START. THEY TRIED FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE THEY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MASTER PONTIAC AUGUSTA GEORGIA. ON 7/18/05 THE CAR WAS STARTED IMMEDIATELY AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ON 7/22/05 AGAIN AT A GAS STATION THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER REFILLING. HAD TO PUSH IT OUT OF THE WAY AND WAIT 30 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START AGAIN. ON 7/23/05 (SATURDAY) CALLED MASTER PONTIAC AND TOLD SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE NIGHT BEFORE INCIDENT. HE STATED THAT THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS TO CALL THEM IMMEDIATELY. THOUGH I TRULY APPRECIATE THE OFFER, I PERSONALLY DON'T SEE HOW THIS WILL HELP, SINCE THEY IMMEDIATELY WILL TRY AND START THE CAR AND SOMETIMES ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WAIT 15-30 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. MASTER PONTIAC HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL, BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOTHING CAN BE FOUND. I SUPPLIED THE SERVICE MANAGER WITH A LISTING OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM EDMUNDS FORUM TO SHOW THEM I'M NOT MAKING UP THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DO NOT KNOW WHEN

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

AIR CONDITIONING NOT WORKING-CONDENSER CRACKED BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING ON 02 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. *JB