2003 Buick Rendezvous Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN EMITTING SMOKE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMOVED THE CONTROL BOX. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED WIRES MELTING INSIDE THE BOX WHICH STOPPED THE AIR CONDITIONER FAN FROM RUNNING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINE ON FIREWALL ABOVE EXHAUST PIPE. THOSE 2 BRAKE LINES ARE SHIELDED TOGETHER BY A HEAT SHIELDED INSULATION WHICH IN RETURN KEEPS IN MOISTURE AND CORRODES BRAKE LINES,VERY POOR DESIGN. CALLED GM TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL AND SEE IF THEY CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FINANCIALLY ,WAITING FOR ANSWER. THIS IS GOING TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND EXPENSIVE ONE,ON TOP OF BEING A DANGEROUS ONE. HAVE TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER BRAKE LINES,IF ONE CORRODED THE OTHER ONE WILL FOLLOW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

OCTOBER 21, 2010, WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM AT 51,000 MILES HAD TO CONSTANTLY ADD COOLANT EVERY WEEK; NEVER SAW ANY LEAKS IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. SUV NOW HAS 87,000 MILES, COOLING SYSTEM CONTINUES TO GET VERY HOT, HAD THE THERMOSTAT REPLACED OCT. 8, 2010, ENGINES CONTINUES TO GET VERY HOT IN JUST A 8 MILE DRIVE. ALSO, MOTOR OIL CONTINUES TO SHOW UP IN THE OVERFLOW/COOLANT ADDING CONTAINER. CHECKED COOLING FAN OPERATION AND BOTH FANS ARE WORKING. *TR

LOSING OIL AND WATER EVERYDAY TEMP. GAUGE SHOWING HOT. NOW TRAC AND ANTI BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON. BRAKE PEDAL IS GOT A JUMPING MOVEMENT. WE GOT OUR 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS A COUPLE YEARS AGO. *TR

MY 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS HAS A ABS PROBLEM WHERE IT ENGAGES COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN WHENEVER THE OUTSIDE TEMP IS MORE THAN 50 DEGREES. WHILE DRIVING, I HEAR A HUMMING NOISE AT VARIOUS TIME DURING MY DRIVE AND WHEN I PUSH THE BRAKES THE ABS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED AND THE PETAL PULSES AND A GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD. ALTHOUGH, THE ABS LIGHT DOES NOT LIGHT UP ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS IS CONSTANT THROUGHOUT THE MONTHS OF MAY THROUGH OCTOBER SINCE THE TEMP IS ABOVE 50 DEGREES DURING THE DAY. I HAVE HAD BOTH FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES AND WIRE HARNESS REPLACED WITH NO AVAIL. THEN, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS, THE AWD SYSTEM DISABLES ANYTIME I HAVE TIRE(S) SPINNING. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND NOT ONE SEEM TO HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT CAN BE WRONG. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE FINDING AN ALARMING AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM CONCERNING THEIR RENDEZVOUS, BUT NO SOLUTION. *TR

FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE BOLT THAT HOLDS DOWN THE DOHC ROD BACKED OUT, AND RESULTED IN SEVERE ENGINE FAILURE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT RESULTS FROM HEAT OVER TIME. BUICK HAS FAILED TO EVER ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS VERY EXPENSIVE PREVENTIVE REPAIR ISSUE. HOW CAN A MANUFACTURER NOT ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. ?? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED WITH A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A MELTED CABLE CONNECTED TO THE HEATER AND THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE HEATER MODULE AND CABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,373.

1ST TIME: DRIVING INTO PORTLAND, OR. WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A AWFUL NOISE BY THE TIME I FOUND A DEALER THE SOUND WAS AWFUL. THE DEALER SAID THAT I HAD 1 PUSH ROD JAMMED AND LOCKED UP. IT WAS REPLACED. 2ND.TIME 1 YEAR TO THE MONTH IT HAPPENED AGAIN. TOOK TO DEALER AND #4 LOCKED UP AND BENT. THE DEALER SAID THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON ITEM WITH THIS CAR. IT SEEMS THAT BECAUSE OF THE ALUMINUM BLOCK EXPANDS AND RETRACKS WHEN IT IS HOT THAT THE BOLT USED TO PUSH THE ROD COMES LOOSE AND CAUSES THE ROD THE FINELLY BEND. I CHECK WITH ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAD, HAD 2 IN THE LAST YEAR. I WAS TOLD THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN UNTIL I REPLACE ALL RODS. AT WHICH TIME THEY WILL PUT IN NEW BOLTS WITH LOCK TIGHT SO THEY WILL NOT COME LOOSE.SO FAR I HAVE BEEN LUCKY THAT ONLY ONE AT A TIME HAS GOOD. IF TWO HAD GONE OUT THEY SAID I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. AS IT WOULD LOCK UP. *TR

OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD THREE FRONT HUBS REPLACED AND THE SADDLE FOR THE TRACTION SYSTEM. ALL DONE AT THE ADVISE OF A BUICK DEALER. THIS PAST YEAR I TELEPHONED BUICK AND REQUESTED THEIR HELP, AS I FELT BUICK SHOULD KNOW HOW TO CORRECT THIS RECURRING PROBLEM, BUT TO NO AVAIL. BOTH THE ANTILOCK BRAKES AND THE TRACTION SYSTEMS ARE OFF, AND THE CAR SOUNDS AS IF IT IS RAW METAL ON METAL. I AM AGAIN OCCASIONALLY HEARING THE GRINDING NOISE, WHICH USUALLY INDICATES ANOTHER PROBLEM (WITH SUBSTANTIAL COST) IS ON THE WAY. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2003. SHE STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON THE VEHICLE AND OVER TIME IT DEVELOPED A SLOW LEAK. THERE WERE REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IT BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO UTILIZE THE STEERING WHEEL AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD LEAK BACK OUT. THE HUB BEARINGS ALSO FAILED CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FUNCTION IMPROPERLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AND EARLY WEAR AND TEAR ON HER TIRES. NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 90,000.

2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS IS LEAKING FUEL AROUND WHERE THE FUEL INLET JOINS THE GAS TANK. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2007 BUT GM CLAIMS THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS...MAKING HUMMING NOISE WHEN TURNING WHEEL. VERY BAD. I TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THEY TELL ME IT IS THE DIFFERENTIAL, THAT IT WILL TAKE 9 PINTS OF FLUID TO FLUSH IT OUT AT 29 DOLLARS A PINT! IF I DON'T GET THIS DONE, IT WILL FREEZE UP AND WILL NOT MOVE. I CAME HOME AND LOOKED IT UP ON THE INTERNET AND CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT I AM READING. EVERY PERSON THAT HAS HAD A BUICK RENDEZVOUS , THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. I AM NOT TALKING A FEW, THERE WAS ABOUT 300 OF THEM , JUST POSTED ON THE INTERNET. WHY WOULD THERE NOT BE A RECALL ON THIS? I WOULD REALLY CONSIDER THAT ALL OF THEM DOING THIS IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT SOMEWHERE. ONE WOMAN EVEN STATED THAT SHE HAD TO DO THIS EVERY YEAR THAT SHE HAD IT!!! THESE ARE NOT CHEAP CARS TO OWN. I HAVE ONLY HAD MINE 1 YEAR AND HAVE PUT 2000 MILES ON IT. IT NOW ONLY HAS 55, 000 MILES ON IT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT QUALIFIES A RECALL? I AM SURE I WILL BE LETTING IT SIT WHILE I AM STILL MAKING ANOTHER 4 YEARS PAYMENTS ON IT. NO WAY CAN ANYONE AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THE SAME THING EVERY YEAR. IT IS GOING TO COST BETWEEN 450 AND 625 TO FIX IT...THE MECHANIC TOLD ME AND THEN COULDN'T PROMISE THAT IT WOULD STAY FIXED. I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD REALLY BE INVESTIGATED ON THIS ONE. I HOPE YOU CHECK OUT THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE CONCERNING THIS....THANK YOU! *TR

MY 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS HAS A SLOW GAS LEAK. *TR

THE CAR OVER HEATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO BE SEEN BY A MECHANIC AND HE SAID MY ANTIFREEZE MIXED WITH ENGINE OIL. MY HEAD GASKET BLEW, THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WAS ENGAGING INDEPENDENTLY AND AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS INSPECTED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND AS A LAST RESORT, THE CONTACT COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED THE ABS SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD SNAPPING AND CLICKING NOISES COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. LATER, THE KEYS BECAME LOCKED IN THE IGNITION AND HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE OR TURN THE KEYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO MAKE CLICKING, GRINDING, AND SNAPPING NOISES. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT NOT TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK FOR SERVICE BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE FAILURES. THEY STATED THAT THEY DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS, BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 55,937. UPDATED 5/20/2010 *CN THE STEERING RACK AND PINION WAS ALSO REPLACED. UPDATED 08/18/10*JB

2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS LICENSE PLATE COLOR GREY. VEHICLE PARKED ILLEGALLY AT GALE PLACE AND VANCORTLAND PARK SOUTH AT PEDESTRIAN CROSSWAY. *TR

HEADS UP DISPLAY FLICKERS ON AND OFF IN WINDSHIELD NON STOP, LIGHTER FUSE ALWAYS BLOWS EVERY 1-3 DAYS. AIR SUSPENSION PUMP MAKES LOUD VIBRATING NOISE DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SEAT. *TR

UNDETECTED SAFETY HAZARD WITH 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS..SPENT OVER 11,000 WITH REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE ON THIS SUV AND NOW OVER 5000 DOLLARS TRYING TO FIND THE REASON FOR THE VEHICLE TO KEEP SHUTTING DOWN AFTER APPX. 40 MILES OF STOP AND GO TRAFFIC..HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS OF BEING HIT WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN 5 TIMES TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL..CAN NOT AFFORD TO TRADE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TOO..IT LOSES POWER TOO WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS..THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE IT WHEN THEY DRIVE IT..I HAVE HAD 2 OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM..I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY BIG CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND OTHERS TOO. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, CAR BUCKS, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON....EITHER FLASHING OR SOLID. 1) CYLINDER BOLT ON ROCKER #3 PULLED OUT 01/29/2009; 2) LIFTERS FOR CYLINDER #1 COLLAPSED 02/25/2009. TODAY (04/28/2010) CAR IS BACK IN SHOP. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY LAST NIGHT, SAME SYMPTOM. DEALER OFFERED TENTATIVE DIAGNOSIS OF PULLED ROCKER ARM IN REAR OF ENGINE. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS WITH 60,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL. WE HAVE TWICE EXPERIENCED LOWER INTAKE GASKET FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN TWO EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILLS. LUCKILY THE LEAKS WERE NOTICED BEFORE THEY COULD CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. DURING THE LAST FAILURE, WE HAD LOST MOST OF THE COOLANT, WHICH WAS NOT INDICATED BY THE "LOW COOLANT" ALARM. LUCKILY WE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR WINDOW SERVICE AT A GM DEALER AND THEY NOTICED THE PROBLEM DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION. WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE PREVIOUS REPAIR, WHICH WAS DONE AT ANOTHER DEALER, DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY HAD FAILED TO NOTICE THE HEAD GASKET SEALS WHICH WERE LEAKING AND LED TO THE INTAKE GASKET FAILURE. THEY DID REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS AND SEALS AT "GM GOODWILL" WITH NO COSTS FOR THE PARTS. WE HAVE NOW SPENT OVER $3000 IN REPAIRS TO THIS ENGINE ON SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ALONG THIS LINE ON OTHER FORUMS AND I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED . *TR

OUR VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN NORTH CAROLINA FRIDAY NOVEMBER 21ST WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND WE ARE SHUT DOWN. AFTER TOWING TO A LOCAL GARAGE WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE AT ALL. WE KNEW THAT THE OIL CHANGE HAD BEEN DONE VERY RECENTLY AND WAS COMING DUE AT 3000 MILES BUT THE OIL LIFE WAS STILL 38% MEANING WE STILL HAD OIL AND IT WAS IN GOOD CONDITION UNTIL THE LIFE WAS 0%. SO THE OIL LEAK WAS A MYSTERY. THEY RECOMMENDED WE LEAVE THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE ENGINE. WE CHOSE TO DRIVE ON TO VIRGINIA SINCE WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AND NEW OIL PUT IN. CHECKED ALL THE WAY-NO OVERHEATING ETC. CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR ASSESSMENT. THEY FINALLY GAVE US THE BAD NEWS ON TUESDAY. ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. WE WERE STRANDED IN DC FOR 6 DAYS WAITING ON GM TO TELL US IF THEY WOULD ASSIST WITH ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND THEY WILL NOT. HAD TO LEAVE OUR VEHICLE THERE AND COME HOME. NOW THEY WANT US TO PAY $6000 FOR A NEW ENGINE ON A VEHICLE WORTH $8000, BUICK RENDEZVOUS 2003 WITH 55K MILES. WE HAVE COMPLETE MAINTENANCE RECORDS SHOWING WE TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF THE VEHICLE. WE FOUND OUT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT THAT INVOLVES OUR VEHICLE AND RELATES TO ENGINE FAILURE. ACTION ENDED OCT 2008 SO WE HAVE NO CHANCE OF PARTICIPATING-PLUS THERE IS A CANADIAN CLASS ACTION FOR THE SAME ISSUES-WE KNEW NOTHING FROM GM ABOUT DEFECTS THAT WOULD CAUSE OUR ENGINE TO FAIL. NOW I AM STRANDED AT HOME (LUCKILY I WORK FROM HOME BUT MANY OTHERS WOULD BE UNABLE TO WORK WITH OUT A RENTAL). CAN SOMEONE HELP WITH EXPOSING THIS ISSUE BEFORE MANY OTHERS SUFFER FROM THIS TERRIBLE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND FAILURE BY GM TO FACE THE PROBLEM? ACCORDING TO ALL RESEARCH THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE AT LEAST 2004 AND THERE HAVE BEEN TBS ISSUED TO DEALERSHIPS. *TR

INTAKE GASKETS ON 2001-2003 (MAYBE MORE) LEAKS PREMATURE. BUICK HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. CLASS ACTION SUIT IN CANADA ABOUT THIS NOW. THIS PROBLEM GASKET WILL LEAK WITHOUT ANY INDICATION AND CAUSE ENGINE TO OVER HEAT. HAVE TO PUT THE RENDEZVOUS IN THE SHOP TO HAVE FIXED( APPROX. $600.00) BUICK WILL NOT HELP IN THE COST. RENDEZVOUS HAS APPROX. 52,000 MILES. *TR

HAD TO REPLACE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING ON 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS CZ (AWD) AT ABOUT 65,000 MILES. NOW THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING IS BEING REPLACED AT 70,000 MILES. THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THIS BUICK PRODUCT AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

THERE IS A RECALL - INVESTIGATION # EA 07-006 THAT DESCRIBES A GAS LEAK NEAR THE INLET OF THE GAS TANK. I SMELL GAS FUMES IN MY GARAGE EVERY DAY AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK AND THERE IS RESIDUE UNDER THE TANK INLET ON THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE BUICK DEALER ON 10/4/08 AND THEY INDICATED THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF CRACKS AND THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I AM STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM AND THE DEALER HAS PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THERE IS GAS RESIDUE ALONG THE SIDE OF THE TANK. WHAT CAN I DO? SO FAR THE DEALER HAS DONE NOTHING BUT INSPECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT WHEN SHE ADJUSTED HER SEAT, THE TRACK RAN OVER A CORD IN THE WIRING HARNESS THAT CREATED A FIRE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE OPTIONAL HEAT/COOLER INTEGRATED SEATS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SEAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THE WIRING IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,000.

COOLING SYSTEM CONTINUES TO GET VERY HOT AFTER THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. IF AC IS ON TEMPERATURE GAUGE STAYS 3/4 QUARTERS OF THE WAY. GM TESTED COOLING FAN OPERATION AND BOTH FANS ARE RUNNING. PRESSURE TESTED SYSTEM FOR LEAK. FOUND REAR HEAD GASKET LEAKING FLUID. PER GM HEAD GASKETS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. HEADS WOULD NEED TO BE SENT OUT AND MILLED. PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE AROUND $1849.22. *TR

SMOKE BEGAN TO BILLOW INTO VEHICLE SHORTLY AFTER OUR BABYSITTER PULLED OUT FROM PARKING LOT. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. AFTER VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN FOR REPAIR, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INSULATION ON THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS HAD WORN THROUGH WHERE THE WIRES RUBBED AGAINST THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG. DEEMED BY MECHANIC TO HAVE BEEN A DESIGN FLAW THAT NEARLY RESULTED IN A FIRE. I HAVE THE REMAINS OF THE WIRING HARNESS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR INSPECTION IF NECESSARY. *TR

ON JUNE 4TH,2008 OUR 2003 BUICK RENDEVOUS # BEGAN LEAKING FUEL FROM THE VICINITY OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK. WE WERE ON VACATION WITH OUR THREE GRANDCHILDREN AND TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THEY SAID I HAD TO HAVE THE WHOLE FUEL TANK REPLACED. I HAD IT REPLACED AND LEARNT LATER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAD MY DEALER LOOK AT THE CAR AND THEY ADVISED ME TO SEND IN A CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST. BUICK HAS ADVISED ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED , BY SERIAL NUMBER EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN THE SAME PLACE EVERY OTHER ONE WAS FAILING AT. I HAD BROUGHT THE CAR TO SPECIFICALLY CARRY MY GRANDCHILDREN WITH THE THIRD SEAT. THEIR AGES ARE 4,3 AND 1 1/2. LUCKY WE DID NOT HAVE A FIRE. THE THRUST OF MY COMPLAINT IS THAT REGARDLESS OF THE SERIAL # ISSUE, THEY HAVE A BIGGER PROBLEM WITH A LOT MORE FUEL TANKS THEN THEY ARE WILLING TO ADMIT TO. IN MY 45 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAD A FUEL TANK PROBLEM .AND THE DEALERS I HAVE TALKED TO AGREE WITH ME. I THINK I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED AND YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS CONTINUING FUEL TANK ISSUE BEFORE SOME INNOCENT CHILDREN GET BURNT ALIVE. AWAITING YOUR REPLY. JIM RYAN *TR

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. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ALL WHEEL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT IT WAS DISABLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NEARBY BUICK DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS COMING APART ON THE INSIDE. THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $2,667, BUT THE CONTACT WAS CHARGED $1,302.58. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,083. UPDATED 05/20/08. *LJ UPDATED 05/20/08

BOUGHT THE CAR APROX. 3 YEARS AGO,A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS WITH 30,000 MILES ON IT,IT NOW HAS APROX.60,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN THE LAST YEAR [ 2008 ] IT HAS STARTED LOOSING COOLANT,NOT EXTERNALLY,HAVING TO REFILL OVERFLOW TANK EVERY 1,500 TO 2,000 MILES,WE HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED EVERY 3,000 MILES,USING PURE SYNTHETIC,WITH THE AMOUNT OF UPPER ENGINE GASKET FAILURES ,APPARENTLY CAUSED BY ANTIFREEZE DETERATING HEAD AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS,ENDING IN CATASTROPHIC GASKET FAILURE,AND MOST OF THE COOLANT IN OIL,AND THE ONLY REPAIR IS REPLACING DEFECTIVE GASKET,WHERE AS THE PROPER REPAIR WOULD BE FOR THE WHOLE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED,HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL OR CLASS ACTION TAKEN HERE IN THE U.S. I KNOW CANADA HAS, I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE MY ENGINE NOW HAS A BOTTOM END RATTLE,IE THE CRANKSHAFT AND OR CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS WORN, I HAVE DONE AUTO MECHANIC WORK FOR 30 YEARS AND I KNOW THIS IS A SIGN OF PREMATURE WARE,THEN ENGINE FAILURE,AND I FEEL G.M. SHOULD BE 100% RESPONSIBLE FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT,PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

WHEN SNOW BUILDS UP IN WHEEL WELLS THE AWD BECAME DISABLED AND SPUN OUT IN ROAD, HAVE FAILED WITH MUD, BUILD UP AS WELL HAD REPLACED 3 TIMES SINCE OWNING VEHICLE. ALSO FEEL THAT THE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS HAVE DANGEROUS BLIND SPOT THAT COULD BE A PROBLEM. *TR

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

BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS ON OUR 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. WE'VE BEEN TOLD IT COULD COST UP TO $400 PER WINDOW. WE'VE COME ACROSS SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF GM PRODUCT. *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

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD THREE OF THE FOUR CYLINDER'S REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CARMAX DEALERSHIP WERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED HONORED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE FIRST TWO CYLINDERS, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BUICK DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CYLINDER FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN GOING ON/OFF SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70311 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE FRONT, DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW, THE WINDOW WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW GUIDES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE WINDOW GUIDES WERE REPLACED AGAIN. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW EXHIBITED THE EXACT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 10/01/2010. *LJ UPDATED 10/04/10*JB

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOW MOTORS ON MY BUICK RENDEZVOUS (2003) HAVE BOTH STOPPED WORKING. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL PARTS THAT ARE MADE OF CHEAP PLASTIC AND TO REPAIR WILL COST OVER $500 PER WINDOW. *TR

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. 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.

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.

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.

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

OWNER PURCHASED 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS IN JULY, 2007. AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST, 2007, WITH APPROXIMATELY 80K MILES ON IT, THE VEHICLE'S ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE GAS GAUGE BEGAN FLUCTUATING ERRATICALLY. UPON INSPECTION AT THE LOCAL GM SERVICE CENTER, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER DESIGN FLAW RELATED TO THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IN WHICH THE CONDENSATION DRAIN WAS MADE FORWARD FACING, WHICH WHILE DRIVING AT MODERATE TO HIGH SPEEDS, WOULD PREVENT THE CONDENSATION TO DRAIN PROPERLY WHILE RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONING DUE TO WIND RESISTANCE. THIS CAUSED THE CONDENSATION (WATER) TO POOL INSIDE THE VEHICLE, CAUSING MULTIPLE VALVES TO RUST, VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS TO MALFUNCTION, AND RESULTED IN A MUSTY MILDEW SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CARPET WAS BECOMING SATURATED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BUICK REMEDIED THE PROBLEM FOR THE 2005 AND NEWER MODELS. THEREFORE, THE REMEDY PROVIDED WAS THAT THE ORIGINAL A/C CONDENSATION DRAIN WAS REPLACED TO MATCH THAT OF THE 2005 AND NEWER RENDEZVOUS. THIS REMEDY ALONE WOULD HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE HAD BUICK ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW (WHICH THEY CLEARLY RECOGNIZED AS EVIDENCED BY THE DESIGN MODIFICATION ON THE 2005 AND NEWER MODELS), HOWEVER SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS NOT OBSERVABLE UNTIL SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE HAD BEEN DONE (INCLUDING MULTIPLE RUSTED VALVES THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AND SEVERAL HOURS OF LABOR), THE REPAIR ENDED UP COSTING THE CONSUMER OVER $1,000. *TR