2003 Buick Rendezvous complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE IT TO A NEARBY MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS MIXING WITH MOTOR OIL BECAUSE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FRACTURED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000. UPDATED 05/06/08. *LJ UPDATED 05/06/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. ON JUNE 22, 2004, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5 AND 15 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN WOBBLING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWO OR THREE TIMES. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH. THE REAR AND A SIDE WINDOW WERE SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR THIRTY MINUTES BEFORE THE CRASH OCCURRED. GM SERVICED THE HEADLIGHTS AND PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE APPROXIMATELY FIVE MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACT IS STILL UNDER A DOCTOR'S CARE AND HAS CARPHAL TUNNEL IN BOTH ARMS DUE TO THE CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,000. UPDATED 05/05/08 *BF UPDATED 05/05/08

2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. SPORADIC BRAKE NOISE AND BRAKING PROBLEMS WITH ACCOMPANYING WARNING MESSAGES REQUIRED SERVICE ASSESSMENT. DIAGNOSIS WAS DEFECTIVE HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY ON RIGHT REAR. REPAIRED AT COST OF $340.00. SIX HUNDRED MILES LATER, SAME PROBLEM, SAME REPAIR REQUIRED. NOW, THREE WEEKS LATER, I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. EACH TIME, IT SEEMS A DIFFERENT WHEEL IS INVOLVED. I HAVE BEGUN INVESTIGATING AND IT APPEARS BUICK HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH THEIR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES. IT SEEMS A RECALL IS IN ORDER. *TR

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES AND ROTORS IN MY 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS TWICE NOW - ONE AT 36,000 MILES AND AGAIN JUST RECENTLY AT 73,000 MILES. I HAD TO HAVE $1200 WORTH OF WORK ON THE TRANSMISSION AT 62,000 MILES BECAUSE A GASKET WAS LEAKING AND CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE ANTI-FREEZE. BUICK KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAD CHANGED THE DESIGN IN 2003, BUT AFTER I HAD PURCHASED MY VEHICLE. NOW, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES ARE LEAKING. DIDN'T THEY NOTICE THAT WHEN I HAD THE TRANSMISSION WORK DONE OR DID THEY CAUSE IT? MECHANIC SAYS IT HAS BEEN LEAKING A LONG TIME. *TR

I AM HAVING TO REPLACE MY FUEL TANK ON 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS SINCE I COULD SMELL IT LEAKING FUEL AND MAKING NOISE. THIS IS COSTING ME 850.00. I NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE CAUSES THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILS. ALSO, THE POWER SOURCE OUTLETS DO NOT WORK AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS MUST BE MADE IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. GENERAL MOTORS COULD NOT ASSIST HER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED 100,000 MILES AND DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIR SERVICE. THE BUICK DEALER WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS, THEREFORE SHE IS UNABLE TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THE PAPERWORK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF UPDATED

FUEL TANK INLET CONNECTION TO FUEL TANK HAS FRACTURED, ALLOWING VAPORS AND FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE AREA AROUND THE JOINT IS MOIST WITH FUEL, AND LEAKING DROPLETS MAKE A SPOT ON THE DRIVEWAY UNDERNEATH FUEL TANK. SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO RECALL NUMBER 07V349000 (RENDEZVOUS 2002-2004) BUT DEALER SAYS RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE, THE FUEL WOULD LEAK COMPLETELY OUT OF THE GAS TANK. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS - ENGINE GASKETS, WHEEL BEARINGS, AWD, REAR DIFFERENTIAL, A/C CONDENSER AND ON AND ON. CAR IS A LEMON. *TR

2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS WITH A FAILED BRAKING SYSTEM. CONSUMER HAD THE BRAKING SYSTEM REPAIRED. PRIOR TO GETTING IT FIXED TWO COMPANY'S TOLD HER THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED JUST ABOUT EVERY TIME SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES WHEN GOING DOWN A SLIGHT GRADE, SHE WOULD EXPERIENCE BACKWARD PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS STILL MOVING AFTER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. FINALLY, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SOON AFTER, THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED TO BE THE POWER BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSULATION FROM THE RIGHT FRONT SPEED SENSOR AND SURROUNDING WIRING CONTAINED AN OPEN CIRCUIT. *JB

ALL 4 OF MY WHEEL BEARINGS WENT BAD BEFORE 60,000 MILES, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BUICK STATING THEY ARE OFFERING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS UP TO 60,000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT DIAGNOSED UNTIL I HAD 63,000 MILES, THOUGH 4 MONTHS AGO WHEN I ASKED MY MECHANIC ABOUT THE LOAD NOISE COMING FROM MY VEHICLE I WAS TOLD IT WAS FROM MY NEW TIRES AND I JUST NEEDED TO WEAR THE TREAD AND THE NOISE WOULD STOP. IT GOT WORSE AND I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO 3 MECHANICS. THE FIRST 2 BOTH SAID IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR EVEN 1 WHEEL BEARING TO GO BAD WITH THIS LITTLE OF MILES AND THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN HOW ALL MY WHEEL BEARINGS COULD BE SHOT. THEY STATED WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE NOISE 4 MONTHS AGO IT IS MOST LIKELY THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED BECAUSE NO ONE WOULD HAVE EVEN CONSIDERED WHEEL BEARINGS PROBLEMS IN A VEHICLE THIS NEW. ONE OF THE MECHANICS SHOOK MY TIRE IN FRONT OF ME A HALF AN INCH, STATING "THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE". THE LETTER I RECEIVED FROM BUICK CLAIMED THIS WAS NOT RECALLED BECAUSE IT DID NOT POSE A SAFETY CONCERN. I DID HAVE THE FRONT 2 RECENTLY REPLACED AND THE DEALER/BUICK PAID FOR HALF THE COST, BUT REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS BECAUSE THAT WAS NOT AN ISSUE ON THE LETTER I RECEIVED. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS WAS REPORTED ON A NEWS STATION AND OVER 272,000 PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED BY THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. WHEN THE SPARE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE, THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM HAD TO BE DISABLED. IRONICALLY, THE NOISE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. ONCE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE WAS REACTIVATED AND THE NOISE RETURNED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A DINGING NOISE AND THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CONTACT DROVE OFF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES LOCKED, WHICH CAUSED THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THIS WAS IMPOSSIBLE. THEY STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT ALL WHEEL DRIVE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND A CODE WAS RECEIVED FOR THE ABS LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

GAS TANK IS EMITTING FUMES. GAS PUMP LINE CRACK, LEADING TO FUEL SETTLING AT THE O'RING RELEASES COMPONENT. NOW O'RING HAS BECOME CORREDED. CANNOT REPLACE O'RING SINCE IT IS CONNECTED TO THE TANK. GAS PUMP AND LINE REPLACED; NOW THE GAS TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE FAULTY GAS PUMP. GM HAS A RECALL ON BOTH 07E021000 AND 07V349000; WHICH HAS BEEN REPORTED IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND HE MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.

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 VA

I BOUGHT A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS IN JULY 2006. I HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVERSIDE WINDOW FIX IMMEDIATELY THANK GOD THE DEALER FIXED IT FOR ME AND NOW HERE WE ARE IN SEPTEMBER 2007 AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE WONT GO DOWN AND I LIVE ON DISABILITY AND I HAVE SEEN ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO HEAT OR AIR STOPS WHEN YOU ARE SITTING AT A LIGHT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. ON AUGUST 22, 2007, THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND HE DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FUEL TANK FRACTURE. SHE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GENERAL MOTORS DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION AND THEY CONFIRMED THE FUEL TANK FRACTURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,300.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED A LOT OF FUEL. SHE FOUND A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE WELD BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL FILLER FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE FILLER PIPE CONNECTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK, BUT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER MADE THE REPLACEMENT AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,737. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS WITH 87,000 MILES. I STARTED SMELLING A SWEET BURNING SMELL THROUGH THE VENT. I AM BEING TOLD THAT MY INTAKE VALVE IS LEAKING AND THE WATER PUMP NEEDS REPLACING. THIS WILL APPARENTLY COST APPROXIMATELY $2,650.00. MY FATHER OWNS THE EXACT SAME CAR AND HAD THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM ARISE IN HIS 2001 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. IT COST HIM SIGNIFICANTLY LESS. THE DEALERS ALL KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT IS HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED AS A RECALL THEREFORE THEY CAN CHARGE FOR IT. MY FATHER'S DEALERSHIP IN DAYTON, OHIO KNEW ABOUT IT AND WHEN I BROUGHT MINE INTO THE DEALERSHIP IN ALEXANDRIA, VA THE SERVICEMEN LAUGHED BECAUSE THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

I OWN A 2003 BUICK RENDZVOUS. I AM EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAK FROM THE GAS TANK FILLER PIPE, AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACTION #RQ06009. *JB

03' BUICK REDERZVOUS (WITH 65000 MILES) BEING TOLD LEAKING OF LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WHILE BEING SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKES. GIVEN ESTIMATES OF $1200 FOR THE REPAIR JOB. TO ITS CREDIT BUICK IS HELPING WITH THE TAB (ENDED UP OF PAYING 400 OUT OF POCKET). WHILE DEALER WAS DOING THE INTAKE JOB, HE CAME BACK TO SAY THE WATER PUMP IS ALSO LEAKING WHICH COSTS ABOUT ADDITIONAL 350 FOR THE FIX. *JB

03' BUICK RENDEZVOUS. AXLE ASSEMBLY (FRONT) FAILED AT 60,000/4 YEARS. REPAIRED AT BUICK DEALERSHIP THAT COSTS ~600 PARTS PLUS LABOR. WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE A SEVERE SAFETY RISK IF NOT FIXED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE LEAK REPAIRED. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THE 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS IS UNDER RECALL # 03V454000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE) FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE COULD NOT BE REIMBURSED SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE 2003 MODEL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

BRAKE FAILURE ON A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS, 36,440 MILES DUE TO RUSTED THROUGH BRAKE LINE AT FIREWALL ABOVE EXHAUST. MY WIFE WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER; NOT WARRANTY; VERY EXPENSIVE; TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR REPAIR. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. HE FIRST BECAME AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHEN HE SMELLED GAS IN THE GARAGE FROM THE FILLER HOSE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY TIGHTENED THE HOSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,000.

MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM LITTLE APPLE TOYOTA IN MANHATTAN, KS ON JUNE 2, 2006. THE VEHICLE WE PURCHASED WAS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND THIS WAS DONE THROUGH TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORPORATION. WE EXPLAINED TO THE GENTLEMEN NAMED TIM THAT WE WOULD BE MAKING A FEW TRIPS BACK AND FORTH FROM KANSAS TO TEXAS. ALSO, MY HUSBAND WANTED PEACE OF MIND WITH HIM DEPLOYING TO IRAQ THAT WE WOULD BE SAFE. WE WERE INFORMED BY HIM THAT THIS VEHICLE WOULD BE ACCEPTED EVEN UNDER THE MILES PROGAM AND THAT OUR VEHICLE WOULD MEET AND EXCEED THOSE. WE TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND HEARD SOME GRINDING AND HE SAID THAT THEY WOULD PUT ON NEW BRAKES THAT THIS WAS PROBABLY THE CAUSE. SO ANYWAY WE HAVE IT A YEAR TO DATE AND I AM MAKING A TRIP TO KANSAS WHEN IT GOES HAYWIRE. I TAKE IT TO LITTLE APPLE WHO WILL NOT HELP ME AND THEY SEND IT TO STAGG HILL TRANSMISSION WHO TELLS ME IT'S GOING TO BE $4,000 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THAT ALL MY WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACED, BUT THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO FIX THAT. I GUESS BOTTOM LINE IS THAT NO ONE WANTS TO MAKE GOOD ON A VEHICLE THAT WE HAVE ONLY HAD FOR 1 YEAR. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULDN'T JUST GO OUT AT 24,000 MILES. I WENT TO A SITE AND FOUND OTHERS COMPLAINING OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BUICK RENDEZVOUS. I THINK THEY NEED TO BE LOOKED INTO MORE CAREFULLY. I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND ANYONE BUY ONE. NOW I AM STRANDED, CAR LESS, AND MY HUSBAND IS DEPLOYED AND CAN'T HELP TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE THE BUICK RENDEZVOUS 2003 INVESTIGATED. *TR

THE FIRST INDICATION OF THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE WHEN THE HEATER WAS TURNED ON, IT WOULD NOT GET WARM OR HOT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, WHICH IS A $900 REPAIR. WHAT THEY DID NOT TELL ME WAS THAT, WHEN THIS GASKET LEAKS COOLANT, IT WILL MIX WITH THE ENGINE OIL AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO BLOW OR SEIZE. IN RESEARCHING ON-LINE, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM THAT BOTH GENERAL MOTORS AND BUICK ARE WELL AWARE OF. IN FACT, GM SENT OUT AN INTERNAL SERVICE BULLETIN IN JULY 2001 STATING THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT WHEN BROUGHT IN TO THE SERVICE DEPT., IT SHOULD BE FIXED. ONLY THEY WILL NOT RECALL THE DEFECTIVE PART OR PAY FOR OR REIMBURSE CONSUMERS FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! THERE ARE THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE STATING THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM, YET GM REFUSES TO RECALL IT! THERE IS A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT IN CANADA FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND A PETITION FOR GM TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PART IN THE U.S. GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PART THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DECEIVING CONSUMERS ABOUT ALL ALONG. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR CONTINUING TO SELL VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM AND NOT SO MUCH AS DO A RECALL. I WANT TO GM TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AS WELL AS RECALL THE PART. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT OVER $700 IN REPAIRS TO THE CAR, INCLUDING WHEEL BEARING SENSORS, BRAKES, AND A GAS-LINE LEAK. THESE ARE ALSO WELL-KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE BUICK RENDEZVOUS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAS TANK IS LEAKING IN THE WELDING SEAM, WHERE THE CHECK VALVE IS WELDED INTO THE TANK. HE HAS NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL, NOTHING CAN BE DONE UNLESS THE CONTACT AGREES TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER COVERT BUICK CLAIMED WATER INTRUSION INTO FUEL PUMP/GAUGE HARNESS CAUSED CORROSION AND CIRCUIT FAILURE. REPLACED HARNESS AND CLAIMED REPAIRS TO PREVENT FURTHER WATER INTRUSION. FOUR DAYS AFTER COMPLETION OF REPAIR "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. DEALER NOW CLAIMS WATER INTRUSION FROM PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND IS SEARCHING FOR SOURCE OF WATER. DEALER WAS ADVISED OF POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH FILLER PIPE/FUEL TANK INTERFACE BUT DISCOUNTED THIS AS CAUSE. DEALER IGNORED REQUEST BY CUSTOMER TO EXAMINE DAMAGED PARTS TO DETERMINE IF METAL CORRODED BY WATER OR INSULATION DESTROYED BY HYDROCARBON EXPOSURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. ONCE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TRAVELING UPHILL, IT SLOWED DOWN AND THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE POWER BOOSTER BOX BURNED UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE ROTORS ONCE WITHIN THE PAST YEAR. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000.

ENGINE RAN HOT. SERVICE REPAIRED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. ALL COOLENT WAS LOST, BUT NO LEAK WAS FOUND UNDER CAR. GASKET WAS REPLACED. *AK

HAD TO REPLACE LEAKING INTAKE GASKET @ 56,000 MILES ON 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICES SAID THIS FAILURE WAS TO BE EXPECTED ON A VEHICLE WITH 50,000 MILES. TRADED RDV ONE YEAR LATER WHEN HEAD GASKET FAILED. *JB

2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS @ 59000 MILES NEEDS REAR HEAD GASKET REPLACED. FIRST NOTICED AN OVERHEATED CONDITION. TOOK IT TO A MONROE SHOP AND WAS TOLD RADIATOR CAP WAS BAD. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND TOOK IT TO GM DEALERSHIP 2-02-07. TOLD THAT IT HELD PRESSURE AND NO LEAKS. FOUND ORANGE SNOW UNDER CAR 2-14-07. TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER AND TOLD IT IS LEAKING AT REAR HEAD GASKET. COST FOR REPLACEMENT IS $1500. CALLED BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY ARE HELPING. FOUND THAT CANADIANS ARE SUING GM FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE GASKET MATERIAL BREAKS DOWN WHEN DEX-COOL IS USED. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES COOLANT LEAK. ENGINE SEIZURE, GELLED OIL AND POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE CAN BE POSSIBLE RESULTS. I WOULD HATE TO BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE ENGINE SEIZED UP. COULD BE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. GM CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WILL COVER SOME OF THE COST OF THE REPAIR AND I WILL PAY A DEDUCTIBLE AMOUNT. I AM TAKING IT IN TO BE FIXED 2-16-07. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS CX/CSL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 5-10 MPH IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND THEN IT FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES, LANDING IN AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT HAD RAINED EARLIER THAT DAY, BUT THAT THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS AFTER THE RAIN STOPPED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND WAS CURRENTLY STILL UNDER THE CARE OF A DOCTOR. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED, HOWEVER, THEY NEVER CAME TO THE SCENE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO RESEARCH WAS DONE CONCERNING THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. *AK UPDATED 1/29/2007 - *NM

IN 11/05, AT APPROXIMATELY 43K MILES, MY 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS CXL REQUIRED A NEW INTAKE GASKET & THERMOSTAT AFTER THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY LOST ALL OF ITS ENGINE COOLANT AND I WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP. THIS WAS A CERTIFIED USED GM VEHICLE, BUT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 39K MILES SO I INCURRED AT $700+ REPAIR BILL. NOW, AT 59K MILES, I AM HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM; THE ENGINE COOLANT OVERHEATED, ALSO LEADING TO AN EMERGENCY STOP AND TOWING, AND THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS THAT THE SAME INTAKE GASKET HAS FAILED AGAIN. *JB

LEAKS ANTIFREEZE AND ANTIFREEZE GETTING INTO THE OIL. WILL REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE HORN WILL NOT ENGAGE UNLESS THE CONTACT PRESSED THE ICON. THIS INCIDENT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO GENERAL MOTORS, AND THAT WAS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT THAT WAS RELATED TO THE PLACEMENT OF THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE HORN. *AK UPDATED 02/22/07. *JB

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS CORRODED BY GM COOLANT AFTER A COUPLE YEARS. SPECIFIC TO COMBINATION OF FACTORY COOLANT AND FACTORY GASKET. MECHANIC REPLACED GASKET WITH ONE THAT DOESN'T CORRODE WHEN IN CONTACT WITH THE FACTORY COOLANT. THIS REQUIRED 6.5 HOURS OF LABOR PLUS PARTS TOTALING $600. *JB

INTAKE-MANIFOLD STARTED LEAKING AT 69,000 AND WILL COST ME $800.00. WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002-2003 BUICK RENDEVOUZ'S. *JB

I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE INTAKE GASKETS ON THE GENERAL MOTORS 3.4 LITER ENGINE. THE FAILURE MOST COMMON WITH 2002 AND 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. MY RENDEZVOUS HAD 40,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE GASKETS FAILED AND WAS OUT OF THE 36,00 MILE WARRANTY. THE FIRST INDICATION OF THE FAILURE WAS THAT MY HEATER WAS NOT BLOWING HOT AIR. I TOOK IT INTO A LOCAL SHOP AND THE MECHANIC SUSPECTED GASKET FAILURE BEFORE EVEN LOOKING AT THE CAR STATING THAT "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE AND WE REPAIR 2 OR 3 A MONTH IN OUR SHOP. THE PROBLEM IS YOU THINK YOU ARE JUST LOOSING (DEXCOOL) ANTIFREEZE FROM EVAPORATION DURING THE SUMMER BUT IN THE WINTER WHEN YOU TRY TO USE YOUR HEATER IT DOES NOT HEAT PROPERLY. THE ENGINE DOES NOT LEAK ANTIFREEZE ON THE GROUND, IT GOES INTO YOUR ENGINE OIL AND CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE IF NOT CAUGHT QUICKLY ENOUGH." I CALLED MY LOCAL BUICK DEALER TO SEE IF GM COULD HELP ME OUT SINCE MY CAR WAS ONLY 4.000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY SAID BRING IT IN AND THEY WILL LOOK AT IT. THEY CALLED ME BACK AND SAID IT WAS THE INTAKE GASKETS THAT FAILED AND IT WOULD COST ME $900 TO REPAIR. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND AFTER A WEEK OF NEGOTIATIONS, I FINALLY GOT MY CAR REPAIRED AT A REDUCED PRICE($360). NOW I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE DAMAGE THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO MY ENGINE AFTER HAVING ENGINE COOLANT CONTAMINATING MY ENGINE OIL. I WAS TOLD BY THE BUICK SERVICE TECH. THAT "NO COOLANT GOT INTO THE OIL. IT GOES OUTSIDE THE ENGINE." THA

BUICK RENDEVOUS. 1ST WAS A 2002 CXL - PROBLEMS: REAR DIFFERENTIAL SLIPPED, PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE, AC CONDENSER BROKEN, REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF, BACK UP SENSORS SHUT DOWN VEHICLE - BECAUSE OF THIS FRIED ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED AT 30K. 2ND IS A 2003 CXL - PROBLEMS - REAR DIFFERENTIAL SLIPPING, PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR BROKEN, DRIVER 1 & 2 MEMORY BROKEN, ENGINE RUNNING HOT BECAUSE OF LEAK IN RADIATOR - AGAIN 30K *JB

FAILURE OF MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKETS, AND MANIFOLD CRACKED, BOTH AT 43,000 MILES. *JB

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

WITHIN THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDOW MOTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIE,BLOWER MOTOR, LOAD LEVELER. NOW THE POWER STEERING IS GOING AND THE 02 SENSOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. *NM

THE POWER STEERING IS GOING-MAKES A LOUD NOISE. *NM

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK INTO TRANSMISSION SHOP TO HAVE LOOKED AT TOLD IT MIGHT BE SENSOR SO TOOK IT TO ELECTRONIC SHOP WHO FIXED WIRING THAT HAD RUBBED IN HALF. STARTED TO NOT GO WHEN GAS PUSHED TOOK BACK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND TRANSMISSION OUT. *NM

EVERY SINCE I PURCHASES THIS CAR IT HAS A DEFECT WITH THE WINDOWS THEY COME OFF TRACK AND PARTS FALLS DOWN INSIDE THE WINDOW PANELS. IT WONT ALLOW YOU TO ROLL THE WINDOW NEITHER UP NOR DOWN. IN SOME CASES THE WINDOW HAS FALLEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACE, THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *NM

RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BUICK THAT MY 2003 RENDEZVOUS HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH PREMATURE WEAR OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE CHECKED BY THE PLACE I PURCHASED IT (QUALITY AUTO OF WARSAW IN) A WEEK BEFORE RECEIVING THE LETTER BECAUSE I HEARD A LOUD HUMM. WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN ON 9-8-06 FOR WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENTS BY SERVICE MANGER MATT DILLEY, BUT ON 9-5-06 MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE SHEARED THE STUDS OFF AND THE TIRE FLEW OVER THE CAR AT 50 MPH, AND CRASHED INTO A FARMERS FIELD. NOW BUICK STATES IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT AND WILL NOT PAY ME OR MY INSURANCE FOR REPAIRS. *JB

I HAVE AN 03 BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ($875) WAS IDENTIFY BY THE DEALERSHIP AS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM AT THE SAME TIME MY FRONT HUB BEARINGS WERE FIXED AT JUST OVER $400 BY THE BUICK DEALERSHIP IN NEW JERSEY. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK MY MONEY GLADLY AND LATER THAT DAY I FIND OUT IN THIS FORUM MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THE SERVICE MANAGER/DEALERSHIP WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THE NOTICE POSTED BY GM. I FEEL USED AND ABUSE AT THIS POINT AND MY VEHICLE IS STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH LEAKING COOLANT/OVERHEATING EVEN AFTER GETTING THE PROBLEM FIXED. ALL I WANT FROM GM IS JUSTICE FOR ALL US WHO WORK HARD EACH DAY AND HAVE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEIR COMPANY AND PRODUCTS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, CAN ANYONE GIVE ME INFORMATION ON GETTING ON THAT TRAIN. I FOUND OTHER CONSUMERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN CANADA ON THIS WEBSITE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/BUICK-RENDEZVOUS/T1TIK6GQ01P6GHP7D/P3. *NM