2004 Buick Rendezvous

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 200 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
68,000 milesMedian miles at failure

162 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System36
010
Fuel/Propulsion System16
000
Electrical System › Ignition12
101
Service Brakes10
000
Fuel System, Gasoline10
000
Air Bags10
809
Engine and Engine Cooling9
010
Unknown or Other7
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel7
000
Steering6
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage07V349000
Filed Aug 8, 200720,594 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, VARIATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR EXPOSURE TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES MAY LEAD TO FRACTURE OF THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV).

Risk. A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL WILL BE MAILED IN TWO PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 4, 2007. THE SECOND PHASE WILL BE MAILED ON DECEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668. THE VEHICLE POPULATION INCLUDES BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND PONTIAC AZTEK VEHICLE BUILT IN MAY 2003; CHEVROLET VENTURE AND PONTIAC MONTANA VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 2002; AND ALL VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NEVADA, ARIZONA, VIRGIN ISLANDS, PUERTO RICO, AND HAWAII.

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices07E021000
Filed Mar 12, 2007742 vehiclesDelphi

Defect. CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Electrical System › Ignition05V157000
Filed Apr 20, 200534,186 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION ON IGNITION RELAY CONTACTS CAN CAUSE HIGH RESISTANCE. THIS CAN AFFECT SIGNALS TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND, COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME.

Risk. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION RELAY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock04V150000
Filed Mar 29, 2004103,956 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A STRUCTURAL SUPPORT AT THE LATCH ATTACHMENT IN THE REAR LIFTGATE MAY BE INADEQUATE TO RETAIN THE LATCH TO THE LIFTGATE IN CERTAIN SEVERE VEHICLE CRASH EVENTS.

Risk. IF THE LIFTGATE WERE TO OPEN IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AN OCCUPANT COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ADD STRUCTURAL REINFORCEMENTS TO THE LIFTGATE IN THE AREA ADJOINING THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE BEGAN ON JUNE 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080. THIS IS AN EXPANSION TO A PREVIOUS RECALL (03V211).

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage03V454000
Filed Nov 10, 200379 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A WELD BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE AND THE FUEL TANK CAN FAIL.

Risk. IF THESE PARTS SEPARATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE AN ODOR OF FUEL, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE, AND/OR FUEL MAY LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SERIAL NUMBER OF THE FUEL TANK TO SEE IF IT IS ON THE LIST OF AFFECTED TANKS. IF THE SERIAL NUMBER MATCHES, THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 30, 2025MD

It is an unfortunate fact that since moving to area Federal Hill this vehicle and driver has been illegally surveillanced the car has been broken into with no signs of forced entry. As usual the billboard is visible for locals to observe. My only issue is waiting to act. The vehicle is legal with no visible or internal issues. I drive the vehicle at a safe speed to avoid traffic accidents. There was a state inspection failure with no real reason, another issue. Cars have specifically attempted to run me off the road. From BWI to Downtown Baltimore.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 3, 2023MI

Upon arriving at my destination and after i put my in park i was UNABLE to turn my engine off because the ignition was stuck in that position. I ultimately had no choice but to unhook the battery cables along with disconnecting the alternator to get my engine to turn off. Prior to this incident occasionally upon starting my car the ignition would not disengage immediately upon the engine turning over which ultimately resulted in having to replace the starter on this vehicle. I am a single parent and only have one vehicle so this is a major issue for my family. Furthermore the fan speed control knob doesnt work properly because when it is put in position 3 it shuts the fan motor off completely. So there CLEAR to me that there seems to be a MAJOR electrical issue. The suspension on this vehicle is horrendous. I cannot go above 45mph without by car wanting to go into on-coming traffic or off of the road or trying to flip over on its side because the shocks/struts on the passenger side are not working properly. I have not used this vehicle for any other purpose then to transport myself and children to and from work/school/appointments. Everyone i spoke to about this particular vehicle has said that these vehicles were manufactured poorly and repairs come at a high cost.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 29, 2022VA

Electrical problems,manifold gone, ants under my battery the whole vehicle was infected with them, battery wouldn't unbolt tailgate wouldn't open, it overheated

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 16, 2021NY

THERE HAS BEEN A LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK SINCE 2006 WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT TO THE VEHICLE AND AM HAVING DIFFICULTY FINDING ONE TO REPLACE IT. ONE CAR PARTS ATTENDANT INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 31, 2021135,000 milesKS

MY GRANDSON AND I WERE SHOPPING, THEN I FILLED MY GAS TANK. WE THEN WENT INTO THE GROCERY STORE CAME OUT, SMELLED GAS AND LOOKED UNDER CAR. IT IS LEAKING GAS, WE HURRIED HOME--WENT FROM FULL TANK TO 1/4 FULL TANK IN 58 MILES. IT IS SITTING AND NOT DRIVEN. AND I HAVE A 2003 RENDEZVOUS THAT HAS A GAS SMELL THAT IS VERY STRONG BUT HASN'T LEADED OUT GAS YET.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage
Filed Oct 21, 2020109,694 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, GASOLINE LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE GAS TANK WAS FRACTURED WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,694.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 15, 2020101,000 milesIN

WHENEVER I PUT GAS INTO MY CAR THERE IS A STRONG UNBEARABLE GAS ODOR IN THE CAR.

Engine1 injured
Filed Jun 15, 2020132,132 milesUT

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MILES PER HOUR AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY VEHICLE HAD PRETTY MUCH CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND IF I HADN'T HAD MY SEATBELT ON, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 14, 2020250,000 milesMO

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN PICKING UP SPEED FOR NO REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO NOR TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT WORKING. I CAN FILL IT UP WITH GAS AND THE LIGHT WILL STILL TURN ON. MAYBE AFTER DRIVING FOR A COUPLE MILES OR MAKING A TURN THE LIGHT WILL TURN OFF. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 10, 2020110,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSE. THERE WERE CONSEQUENCES BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE FOR APPROXIMATELY EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jul 12, 2019159,000 milesDC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V150000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF MARLOW HEIGHTS (4400 BRANCH AVE, MARLOW HEIGHTS, MD 20748, (240) 455-3386) FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT PROCESS ANY PAPERWORK AND JUST GAVE HER THE KEYS TO LEAVE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LOCKS FAILED AND SUSPECTED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 9, 2019173,551 milesMI

I CAN BE ON THE STREET DRIVING AND MY VEHICLE JUST STALLS OUT AND I HAVE TO GET IT RESTARTED AND PULLING THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART IT THAT'S THE FIRST ISSUE THE SECOND ONE IS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF AND MY TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT STAYS ON HAD IT LOOKED AT IT WAS FINE SYSTEM LIGHT REMAINS ON.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 28, 2019195,000 milesMN

NO ACCELERATION,WHEN I GO UP A HILL NO ACCELERATION, OR WHEN I GO TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY NO ACCELERATION, AND VERY DANGEROUS. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND I REPLACED FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR AND VENT SOLENOID, NO ACCELERATION. I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE 3 ELECTRICAL HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS $1350 DOLLARS PARTS AND LABOR TOO MUCH FOR ME AND THAT MAY NOT SOLVE MY PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM WAS CORROSION IN THE CONNECTORS TO THE FUEL PUMP $160 DOLLARS LATER THEY AGREED WITH ME. STILL DANGEROUS.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 2, 2018184,572 milesMI

TAKATA RECALL CLOSED PASSENGER DOOR ON A HILL, WHICH CAUSED IT TO SLAM SHUT, PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF, CAR WAS PARKED AND NOT ON.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 5, 2018MN

THE ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WIRE HARNESS HAS A FAILURE ISSUE. THIS LEADS TO THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATING WITHOUT A WARNING LIGHT TURNING ON AND CAN INCREASE THE STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN NOT NECESSARY. THE TRANSMISSION MAY SEEM TO CLUNK WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AS THE COMPUTER DOESN'T READ THE CORRECT SPEED SENT FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY TO THE COMPUTER. PREVIOUSLY, I HAD A HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND THE PROBLEMS STILL EXISTED. AFTER REPLACING THE WIRES THE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT RESURFACED.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 27, 201869,000 milesPA

I PURCHASED A 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP, 2 CAR GUYS LLC, IN YORK, PA ON 7/10. AT THE TIME I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE PURCHASE WITH THE LOW STICKER PRICE OF 4K, LOW MILEAGE OF 68K, AND THE 5/18 INSPECTION. THE CAR, AFTER CHECKING THE ENGINE AND FRAME, ITSELF SEEMED TO BE IN DECENT CONDITION AND I BROUGHT IT HOME THAT DAY. I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS AND EVEN MADE A LONG TRIP TO ALTOONA, PA WITH MY FAMILY. THEN EARLIER THIS WEEK I NOTICED SOME ISSUES WITH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE. I TOOK IT IN TO MR. TIRE ON 7/26 FOR A BRAKE EXAMINATION. THE TECHNICIANS AT MR. TIRE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AND EVEN MENTIONED THAT THEY WERE NEW. I WANTED THEM TO TEST DRIVE IT DOUBLE CHECK AND THEN AFTER THEY RETURNED THEY THOUGHT MAYBE A CALIBER WAS LOCKING UP ON IT. SO THEY LIFTED THE CAR AGAIN AND REALIZED THAT THE FRAME ITSELF WAS EXPANDING. SO THEY STUCK IT ON A LARGER LIFT TO ENSURE THAT THAT FRAME WOULD BE SHREDDED. THE LEAD TECHNICIAN BROUGHT ME OUT TO LOOK AT THE FRAME ITSELF. BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME HAD BEEN FILLED WITH FOAM INSULATION AND THEN SPRAY PAINTED WITH BLACK PAINT TO MATCH THE FRAME. SOMEONE HAD WENT TO A LOT OF EFFORT MASK THE ERODED FRAME. THE GUYS FROM MR. TIRE MENTIONED THAT NO WAY THAT COULD PASS A STATE INSPECTION LOOKING LIKE THAT. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE CAMOUFLAGED RUST. THREE TECHNICIANS WERE UNDER THAT CAR THE FIRST TIME THE BUICK WAS LIFTED OFF THE

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 8, 2018145,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING THE ANTI-LOCK AND AWD LITE ON AND SMELL OF GAS FROM INSIDE OF CABIN AND SOMETIMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD . ALSO WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE CAR BOGS AND THE RPM FO HIGH BUT THE CARVSEAMA TO LOSE POWER . OB2 CODE IS P0445

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Feb 13, 201855,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR AND A FUEL LEAK WAS NOTICED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RELIABLE BUICK GMC (400 AUTOMALL DR, ROSEVILLE, CA 95661, (916) 783-5233) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK CHECK VALVE WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. *TT *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 4, 2017200,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PREMATURE FAILURE WITH THE RACK AND PINION, AND THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE CONCERNING THE STEERING COLUMN. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE PART AND, LESS THAN FIVE DAYS LATER, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN PROPERLY. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT THE PART WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER (SCHUMACHER BUICK GMC OF WEST PALM BEACH, 541 N LAKE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33408, (561)-842-1595) REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Nov 18, 2017200,000 milesCA

DASH GAUGES, WARNING LIGHTS, & ALARMS, BELLS FLASH ON & OFF AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY RUNS ROUGH. DASH CODES OF ALL SORTS BLINK ON & OFF. NEW BATTERY AND NEW ALTENATOR INSTALLED, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THIS HAPPENED FIRST WHEN DRIVING ON HIWAY. AFTER VEHICLE PULLED OFF ROAD AND ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE DASH CODE THEN READ BATTERY ISSUE. WE TRIED TO DRIVE AGAIN BUT NOW VEHICLE OPERATED ROUGHLY AND THERE WAS NO MORE DAYLIGHT. WE HAD VEHICLE TOWED 100 MILES. THEN PAID FOR NEW BATTERY PROBLEM DID NOT CHANGE SO WE HAD A NEW ALTENATOR INSTALLED AFTER HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ADVISING THE NEED FOR A NEW ALTENATOR. I AM QUITE UPSET BECAUS EI FEEL THAT THERE IS FRAUD ON PART OF SEARS AUTOREPAIR. DIAGNOSTIC SAID ALTENATOR WAS THE PROBLEM. I PAID OVER $450 FOR THAT SERVICE AND ANOTHER $150 FOR THE BATTERY.

20 of 200 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2002
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200743000Routine
200689110Routine
2005138210Routine
2004 — this page200522Fatalities reported
20032817130Above average
2002486381Fatalities reported
20014000Routine

Compare every Rendezvous year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 8, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.