2002 Buick Rendezvous Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID AND FELT AS IF IT WERE DRIVING OVER GRAVEL. THE VEHICLE TOOK APPROXIMATELY 5-10 SECONDS TO COMPLETELY STOP. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NOT A FACTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHEEL BEARING AS WELL AS THE CONTROL MODULE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HAS ALWAYS HAD OFF AND ON PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES THE PROBLEM BEING IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED UNDER 30 MPH THEY WILL NOT RESPOND THE CAR FEELS AS IF YOU ARE SLIDING. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK LIGHT COMES ON. THE DEALER STATED AC NOT WORKING PROPERLY. UPDATED 08/28/07 *TR

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS ALL THE LIGHTS TURN OFF AND TURN BACK ON- THERE IS NOT A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 50-60 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. LOST COUNT ON THE PREVIOUS YEARS BEFORE THAT. WE'VE BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY STATE THEY CAN NOT GET THE PROBLEM TO HAPPEN (WHILE IN THE SHOP), AND WITHOUT IT HAPPENING AT THE PRECISE TIME, THEY CAN NOT FIX THE ISSUE. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPENS. WE WANT TO SELL THIS VEHICLE, BUT I CAN'T SELL IT MYSELF KNOWING THIS WILL HAPPEN TO THE BUYER. DEALER WILL NOT GIVE US EVEN CLOSE TO A TRADE IN VALUE (PRICING OBTAINED FROM THREE SEPARATE SOURCES) STATING THE VEHICLE IS PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *TR

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 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

@ 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

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

I PURCHASED A USED 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS IN APRIL OF 2004 FROM A GM DEALERSHIP (ABOVE). IT IS AN AWD V6 CXL SUV. MY CAR MANUAL SPECIFICALLY STATES NOT TO USE ANYTHING OTHER THAN DEXCOOL ANTIFREEZE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE FROM GM OR THE DEALERSHIP OR DEXCOOL REGARDING THE PROBLEMS ON THIS VEHICLE AND DEXCOOL. EVEN AFTER THE LAWSUIT AGAINST GM IN 2008 I DID NOT GET NOTIFIED IN ANY WAY, AND THE DEALERSHIP NEVER TOLD ME TO STOP USING DEXCOOL, SO I HAVE BEEN CONTINUING TO EXPERIENCE ENGINE PROBLEMS! WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR IT HAD 37,591 MILES ON IT. I PAID JUST UNDER $20,000 FOR IT. ON 12/8/05 I DID A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. FOUR MONTHS LATER, ON MARCH 9, 2006, THE CAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS LEAKING OIL AND COOLANT, AND THE FRONT TIMING COVER SEAL WAS LEAKING. IT ALSO NEEDED FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. AT THAT TIME THEY TOLD ME THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING ALL OVER EVERYTHING AND WAS GETTING INTO THE TRANSMISSION (AND THE BRAKES, TOO, I THINK.) HAD TO HAVE ANOTHER TRANSMISSION FLUSH DONE AND I THINK COOLANT FLUSH DONE - COST WAS $222. I HAD 3 ESTIMATES DONE FOR THE REST OF THE WORK AND THEY RANGED FROM $3,300, TO 1700 TO $1,380. IT COST ME $89 AND $73 FOR TWO OF THE ESTIMATES. HAD WORK DONE AT 4TH SHOP ON 4/20/06, COST ME $730. ON AUGUST 22, 2007, I HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE GASKET DONE AGAIN AS WELL AS A COOLANT FLUSH; COST ME $492. ON AUGUST 11, 2009 I HAD TO HAVE THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACED AS IT WAS LEAKING PLUS OTHER WORK; TOTAL WAS $257. I WAS TOLD ABOUT A YEAR AGO THAT THE INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL AND COOLANT AGAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE CAR DID NOT PASS INSPECTION IN JUNE, 2010; ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. IS THAT A RESULT OF THE DEXCOOL COOLANT CONTAMINATING THE TRANNY? OTHER WORK NEEDED IS STEERING RACK (AGAIN), AIR COMPRESSOR, & REAR AIR SHOCKS. THE COOLANT LEAKING HAS CAUSED THE FAILURE OF MANY OF THE PARTS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE FIXED ON THIS CAR, NOT JUST THE GASKET. *TR

AIR CONDITION NOT WORKING PROPERLY, TOOK TO A DEALER AND FOUND A/C CONDENSER DEFECTIVE. DEALER REPLACED CONDENSER. FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE MAKING A GRATING SOUND WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN, TOOK TO DEALER, AND FOUND PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD DEFECTIVE IT WAS REPLACED 1 YEAR AND 6 MONTHS AGO. THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. *AK

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

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 PARKING SPACE & CUT OFF THE ENGINE; REALIZED NEEDED TO GO TO THE BANK FIRST & WHEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR, IT KEPT SHUTTING OFF. NOW, FINALLY, I AM VERY LUCKY IF THIS CAR WILL START AT ALL. TOOK IT TO MY FRIENDLY GARAGE, THINKING IT NEEDED A NEW STARTER, & THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. AM NOW ON MY WAY TO A LOCAL BUICK SERVICE CENTER, WHICH WILL NO DOUBT COST ME AN ARM & A LEG FOR SOMETHING IT SEEMS LIKE HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE! *JB

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

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

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

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 HAVE NO WAY TO TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN WITHOUT TAKING OUR TWO SMALLER CARS EVERYWHERE. I WOULD APPPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD PROVIDE. THANKS AND HAVE A BLESSED DAY! *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

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

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

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET DEFECT. CONSUMER STATED THE LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS. *KB

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AFTER DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER FOR ABOUT 30 - 40 MILES, I STOPPED TO FILL UP THE VEHICLE WITH GAS. AFTERWARDS, THE RENDEZVOUS WILL NOT START. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR 30 - 60 MINUTES, THE CAR STARTS NORMALLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. *JB

IT IS SUGGESTED THAT YOU CALL OUR AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC DEFECTS, RECALLS, AND OTHER AUTO SAFETY QUESTIONS, AND TO REPORT AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY ISSUES SUCH AS THAT YOU DESCRIBE. THE NUMBER IS 1-888-327-4236. IN ADDITION, THE NHTSA WEB SITE @ WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV CAN BE USED TO OBTAIN VEHICLE SAFETY INFORMATION AS WELL AS REPORT POSSIBLE DEFECTS AS YOU DESCRIBE. -----ORIGINAL MESSAGE----- FROM: APPLIANCEMART [MAILTO:APPLIANCEMART@SPEEDNETLLC.COM] SENT: MONDAY, AUGUST 01, 2005 5:02 PM TO: SEIGEL, STU SUBJECT: I HAVE A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS WITH THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM SINCE: 7/31/05 I HAD LEFT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND MY WIFE WAS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD, AND SHE TRIED TO CLIMB OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE TO HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT COULD NOT MAKE IT AND SO SHE TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND THEN THE CAR WENT INTO REVERSE AND RAN OVER HER LEFT LEG, BANGING HER UP PRETTY BADLY AND NOW SHE IS IN THE HOSPITAL. I KNOW THAT ENVOY'S, TRAILBLAZERS HAD A RECALL ON THEIR TRANS. SINCE THE LAST RECALL. I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THIS AND TO GET IT REPAIRED. MY VEHICLE IS AN AWD, CXL, 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. CAN YOU PROVIDE ME WITH ANY INFORMATION. *JB WARNER GLASS MANAGER OF THE APPLIANCEMART. *JB

AFTER OPERATING MY 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS FOR ABOUT AN HOUR ON A HOT DAY, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE FOR A FEW MINUTES (5) WHILE I COMPLETED SOME ERRANDS. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT WOULD NOT FIRE. I ASSUMED THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED SO I LET IT COOL FOR 15 MINUTES AND TRIED IT AGAIN. NO LUCK. THIS WENT ON FOR THE NEXT HOUR. I FINALLY LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR 45 MINUTES AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. THIS HAS OCCURRED 2 PREVIOUS TIMES AND SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. BUICK REFUSES TO ADMIT TO A PROBLEM. *NM

BUICK REDVOUS DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART... IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIANOSED A CLOGGED FUEL FILTER. I PROCEEDED TO DIE AND NOT RESTART ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALER. $167 FOR TOWING AND $95 REPAIR BILL 3 DAYS LATER DEALER DIANOSED A BAD FUEL PUMP. TOTAL REPAIR BIL WAS $698

A/C CONDENSER FAILURE (LEAK FROM CRACK), FAILURE DISABLES THE A/C UNIT, DEALER INDICATES IT IS A $1000 REPAIR. VEHICLE IS 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS WITH JUST UNDER 50K MILES

2002 BUICK RANDEZVOUZ WITH 20,000 MILES. FAILURE OF PLASTIC COLLAR ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK FOR NO APARENT REASON. FUEL SPILLS OUT OF THE TANK IN CONSIDERABLE QUANTITY TO MAKE A THE SITUATION A DANGEROUS HAZARD. FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS THE UNIT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER'S SHOP WAITING FOR THE NEW FUEL TANK WHICH MIGHT HAVE THE SAME DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING PROBLEM.

AIR CONDITIONING NOT WORKING-CONDENSER CRACKED BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING ON 02 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. *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 THE PROBLEM IS GOING TO HAPPEN. THIS IS UNSAFE FOR MOTHERS WITH SMALL CHILDREN. IT'S UNSAFE FOR ANYONE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ON EDMUNDS FORUM AND SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE NOT STARTING PROBLEM, THE CAR WILL 80% OF THE TIME HAVE A SLOW START WHEN CRANKING. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG. THE QUESTION IS WHAT. *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

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED AND RESULTED IN COOLANT LEAKING AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. BUICK REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY FOR THE REPAIR TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. AS A RESULT, I PAID $950 FOR THE REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE. *TR

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.

2004 BUICK RENDEVOUS 64K MILES - COMPLETE ATO TRANSMISSION FAILURE - INCLUDING TRANSFER ASSEMBLY. OCCURED 40MPH WITH NO PREVIOUS SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS - ALMOST CAUSED REAR END COLLISION. LOST ALL GEARS, 1,2 AND REVERSE - ONLY 3RD BARELY OPERABLE. 5 MILES FROM DEALER - HAD TO BE TOWED. SUPERIOR BUICK (KANSAS CITY) PULLED PAN - SAID LOT OF GROUND UP METAL. INITIAL COST $5K! INVESTIGATING OTHER CASES - FINDING GM KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM - IN SOME CASES DEALERS BUYING BACK '02 RDV'S. FINDING THIS EXACT SAME OCCURANCE WITH OTHER OWNERS IS NOT JUST A RANDOM - BUT MANY FAILURES. JUST 30 DAYS AGO ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE AC CONDENSER UNIT $1,500 - NOW FINDING THIS TOO IS A GM DEFECT WITH LOT OF OTHER RDV OWENERS. WILL TRY TO PURSUE VEHICLE BACK BY FROM GM - SEEING A LOT OF 'LEMON' CASES OUT THERE.

DT: WHILE DRIVING THE BODY CONTROL MODULE CUT OFF THE TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, AIR COMPRESSOR, HEADLIGHTS, AND LOCKED THE WINDOWS TO THE CAR SO THAT ONE COULD NOT ROW DOWN THE WINDOW. THE BODY CONTROL MODULE COULD GO OUT AT ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING.*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

2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS STARTED MAKING NOISE. WHEN TURNING ON VENTILATION CONTROL TO 60 DEGREES TO GET A/C TO TURN ON DUE TO IT BEING OUR FIRST HOT DAY OF THE SEASON, NOTICED COMPRESSOR WAS NOT KICKING IN NOR WAS THE VEHICLE COOLING OFF. DEALER STATES CONDENSER HAS FAILED AT 40,000 MILES AND REQUIRES REPLACING. COST AT DEALERSHIP $925. SEEMS TO BE A PATTERN OF THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RELATED TO CONDENSER.

BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST (LEFT) WAS REPLACED AT APPROX 35,000 MILES. THE RIGHT BEARING WAS REPLACED AT 43,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NO HEAVY USE AND IS DRIVEN APPROX. 1,400 MILES PER MONTH.

MY 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS CXL SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT ALSO WILL NOT START AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. THE PROBLEM ALWAYS OCCURS IN HOT WEATHER. TYPICALLY, IT'S A HOT SUMMER DAY AND I HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 1 - 2 HOURS BEFORE THE CAR WILL START. ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR STALLED, ONCE ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH.

THE OIL PAN GASKET FAILED AND CAUSE AN OIL LEAK. BUICK FAILED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART. AS A RESULT I PAID $670 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *TR

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND WOULD NOT START. THE CAR RADIO, DOOR LOCKS, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD REPEATEDLY LIGHT UP AND TURN OFF EVEN WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE BODY CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. BUICK REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART. AS A RESULT, I PAID $575 FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

WATER PUMP FAILED AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. BUICK REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART. AS A RESULT, I PAID $575 FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

HAD MY LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACE REAR BRAKES. STILL GETTING NOISE FROM REAR WHEELS, TOOK IT TO BUICK DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE. THEY ADJUSTED BRAKES AND THEY FAILED WITHIN A WEEK. I WAS THEN CHARGED $1000 PLUS A $400 RENTAL CAR BILL WHILE THEY "FIXED THE BRAKES." AFTER GETTING MY CAR BACK IT WAS STILL "WHIRRING", TURNS OUT THE PROBLEM WAS A HUB BEARING FAILURE ON ALL FOUR TIRES.

I HAVE OWNED MY 2002 BUICK RENDEVOUS SINCE APRIL OF 04. AROUND MAY OF 05 MY A/C UNIT STOPPED WORKING. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE A/C CONDENSOR UNIT. I WAS VERY SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED THAT SUCH A NEW MODEL OF VEHICLE WOULD HAVE ISSUES SO EARLY ON. NEEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS EVEN MORE SURPRISED TO READ AND SPEAK TO OTHER 02 RENDEVOUS OWNERS WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IN MY OPINION I THINK BUICK SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR PRODUCING A FAULTY A/C SYSTEM. IT SEEMS VERY STRANGE THAT SO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLE. ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE REGARDING BRINGING THIS TO BUICK'S ATTENTION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU, APRIL HOWLETT