Buick Rendezvous Reliability and Common Problems

The Buick Rendezvous offers excellent handling, decent gas mileage, and low ownership costs, so it’s no surprise that a lot of them are still seen cruising down the highway. The 2007 model year has a forecasted five-year depreciation rate of 6%, making it one of the most economical SUVs to maintain.

Is the Buick Rendezvous Reliable?

While there are no official reliability scores for the Buick Rendezvous, RepairPal gave the model a 3.8 out of 5.0 consumer rating, while Cars.com gave it an average score of 4.4 out of 5.0. The total annual repairs for the Rendezvous cost approximately $430. This is much lower compared to the average cost for midsize SUVs, which is estimated at $580 a year.

Common Buick Rendezvous Problems

Even vehicles as reliable as the Buick Rendezvous may need to be repaired due to damaged or worn-out parts that could affect their drivability. Here are the model’s most common issues across different model years:

Erratic Shifting

Owners of some 2002-2007 automatic transmission Rendezvous have complained about their vehicles shifting erratically or slamming into gear due to a faulty transmission pressure control solenoid. Drivers have also reported that they would sometimes feel that the transmission gets stuck between gears and that their vehicles would jerk, pop, and produce loud noises. Experts may recommend a partial disassembly of the transmission to replace the failed pressure control solenoid.

Leaking Intake Manifold Gasket

Gasket leaks have been a common problem in many 2002-2007 Buick Rendezvous. Owners of affected vehicles have complained about engine overheating and having an illuminated temperature warning light despite having enough coolant in the reservoir. There have also been cases where some engines misfired and lost power due to a leaking intake manifold gasket.

If left unaddressed, coolant could mix with the engine oil and cause severe engine damage. The cost of replacing an intake manifold gasket can range anywhere between $25 and $100 plus labor costs.

Loose or Worn Gas Cap

Some 2002-2007 Rendezvous redesigns have had cases of an illuminated check engine light due to a loose or worn gas cap. This may result in idling problems due to insufficient fuel system pressure. A loose or worn gas cap may also contaminate the fuel, altering the fuel injection pressure and clog the engine’s fuel delivery system.

Fortunately, this problem may only require a quick and easy fix. A replacement gas cap can cost anywhere between $25 and $50 on parts alone.

Leaking Power Steering Hose

There have been several cases of a leaking power steering hose in many 2002-2007 Buick Rendezvous. Owners of the affected models have reported losing power steering on one side. Others have also needed to top up their power steering fluid more often than usual. There have also been instances where the fluid would leak into the steering rack and belt.

Power steering hoses tend to leak due to engine vibrations that may cause the hose to rub against other parts. Connections between the hose and other steering components may also cause power steering fluid to leak if they’re loose or have damaged seals. A new power steering hose can cost you anywhere between $20 and $40 plus labor costs.

Fuel Pump Failure

Some 2002-2005, and 2007 Rendezvous have had reported cases of fuel pump failure. Owners have complained about how their SUVs won’t start or suddenly stalled in the middle of the freeway.

Fuel pumps may fail due to contamination, clogged strainers and filters, and electrical issues like rusted or loose connectors. Replacing this part can cost anywhere between $70 and $250 plus labor costs.

Water Leaks

Water leaks inside the vehicle have caused many 2002-2007 Rendezvous to display an illuminated check engine light, as well as exhibit a no-start condition. The leaks have been reported to damage the fuel tank harness wiring, which led to some drivers losing engine power in the middle of the road.

Worn Brake Rotors

Some owners of the 2002-2007 Rendezvous have reported that they could feel pulsations from the brake pedal whenever the brakes are being applied as well as hear a loud grinding noise due to worn-out brake rotors. Sudden stops, riding the brakes, and using worn-out brake pads are common practices that could lead to a worn brake rotor. Once it wears out, you might notice your vehicle showing signs of increased stopping distances and diminished braking performance.

Poor Handling

Poor handling has been a common problem reported by many 2002-2007 Rendezvous owners. Many have complained about their SUVs bouncing excessively at certain speeds, and hearing popping noises from the front end due to worn-out struts at an average of 75,000 miles.

Coolant Leaks

Some owners of the 2002 and 2006 Rendezvous redesigns have had problems with their refrigerants leaking from the condenser. This problem is typically caused by collision damage or excessive vibrations. Although it won’t affect your vehicle’s drivability, a damaged condenser may cause your AC unit to produce loud noises and reduce its cooling capability.

Fuel Gauge, Warning Light, and Door Latch Problems

Many owners of the 2006 Buick Rendezvous have had to deal with different kinds of interior problems. Drivers have reported how their fuel gauge displayed inaccurate fuel level readings. In some cases, their change oil light also failed to switch off. Some have also reported about a rear door latch that randomly unlocks regardless of whether or not the key is in the ignition.

Excessive Oil Consumption

Some owners of the 2002 Buick Rendezvous have reported needing to top up their engine oil every two weeks despite not noticing any visible leaks from their vehicles.

Electrical System Problems

Buick Rendezvous 2005 reviews and reviews on the 2006 Buick Rendezvous report electrical system problems as one of the most common ailments of this SUV. These complaints include problems with the ignition, instrument panel, and wiring. In particular, some reports cite non-functioning speedometers and engine stalling as a result of these problems.

Engine Stalling

2006 Buick Rendezvous reviews also report a number of engine stalling issues. The stalling would occur in the middle of driving, sometimes while coming to a stop and sometimes while cruising. These Buick Rendezvous reviews note it as a particularly dangerous issue as it would happen in the middle of the road.

Keep in mind that vehicles are bound to develop issues as they rack up mileage. But by familiarizing yourself with your daily driver’s most common issues and staying on top of its repair and maintenance, you’ll be able to keep it running for a long time and avoid costly repairs down the road.

The Rendezvous’ Last Hurrah

The Buick Rendezvous was sold for the last time in 2007. The automaker dropped the front-wheel and all-wheel drive options for the final model year.

Declining sales was one of the most prominent reasons why Buick decided to discontinue the model.

The Rendezvous was eventually replaced with the Enclave, a crossover SUV that’s slightly bigger than its predecessor. As much as Buick fans missed the Rendezvous, the Enclave did prove to be a worthy successor.

The 2024 Enclave, which is the latest model year as of this writing, received a reliability score of 85 out of 100, which falls in the rating of “best,” according to J.D. Power.

We’ll Miss These Features From the Rendezvous

As the Rendezvous slowly faded into the background of the automotive scene, it’s safe to say that the model made sure it wouldn’t be forgotten.

One of the many things Rendezvous enthusiasts will surely miss is the powerful engine options the model came with.

The 2004 model, for instance, came with a 3.4L LA1 V6, 3.5L LX9 V6, and a High Feature LY7 3.6L V6. All of these engine options were paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

For the 2007 Rendezvous, the model was offered in two trim levels, namely the CX and CXL.

The standard CX already had a lot to offer, donning 17-inch wheels, keyless entry, power windows, and rear parking assist, among others.

The CXL was one step ahead of the CX, offering power seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, alloy wheels, as well as a wood tone cabin trim.

The last model year of the Rendezvous also featured some exclusive options for the CXL trim, including a navigation system, rear-seat DVD entertainment, leather and suede seating, and heated seats, among others.

A moonroof, XM satellite radio, and second-row captain’s chairs were also optional upgrades for the CXL.

Where to Get New Parts for Your Buick Rendezvous

Until you replace your Buick’s damaged parts, it’ll continue to gather dust in the garage. If you want to get your vehicle up and running with top-notch replacement parts, CarParts.com is here to help.

Our website offers a great selection of Buick Rendezvous replacement parts that are sourced from today’s trusted aftermarket brands. We only offer parts that have passed strict quality checks from industry professionals, so you’re sure to get the best products for your ride.

Choose from a wide range of engine parts, lights, upgrades, and accessories. Simply enter your vehicle’s specifications into our vehicle selector to start shopping for Buick Rendezvous parts. You can also use the search filters to narrow down the catalog according to your preferred brand, price range, quantity, and more.

Here at CarParts.com, we want to give you the best prices for quality parts. Order now, and we’ll deliver straight to your doorstep in as fast as two business days!