2004 Buick Rendezvous
The Verdict
The 2004 Buick Rendezvous has 200 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (73 complaints) and electrical (71 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 54/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Buick Rendezvous, consider the 2001 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2001 has 98% fewer complaints
View the 2001 Buick Rendezvous dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 2
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 VEHICL...
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.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 ...
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 NOVEM...
Reported Oct 11, 2003
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
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.
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 problems,manifold gone, ants under my battery the whole vehicle was infected with them, battery wouldn't unbolt tailgate wouldn't open, it overheated
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.
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.
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.
WHENEVER I PUT GAS INTO MY CAR THERE IS A STRONG UNBEARABLE GAS ODOR IN THE CAR.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 GROUND AND DID NOT NOTICE THE "SLIDE OF HAND". I WOULD HAVE NEVER EVEN TEST DRIVEN THE CAR WITH MY SON KNOWING THAT IT WAS UNSAFE FOR THE ROAD.
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
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
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.
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.
200 total