Buick Rendezvous Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Buick Rendezvous options? We analyzed 7 model years (2001–2007) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Buick Rendezvous has 1,256 owner complaints and 18 safety recalls across model years 2001–2007. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2002 drew the most complaints; 2001 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Buick
- Model
- Rendezvous
- Model years analyzed
- 2001–2007 (7 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 1,256
- Safety recall campaigns
- 18
- Crash-related complaints
- 68
- Fire-related complaints
- 25
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2002 (498 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2001 (4 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Buick Rendezvous: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe BUICK RENDEZVOUS has 1,256 NHTSA complaints and 18 recalls on record. 68 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 1,256 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 18 federal recall campaigns
- 68 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
18 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
STEERING
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2001–2007. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 1,256 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
1,256 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE LIGHTS ON PANEL WENT CRAZY, DOORS LOCKING BY THEMSELVES, AC LOCKED, RADIO LOCKED, AND THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND I DIN'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVERTHE CAR, IT WAS A SCARY EXPERIENCE. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND TRIED TO START IT UP AGAIN, BUT THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I TRIED FOR ALMOST TEN MINUTES, BUT IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS NO USE. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND CAME BACK HOME, WE CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND TURNED IT ON AND THE CAR SEEMED OKAY AGAIN. I TRIED TO DRIVE IT TODAY, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO LEAVE THE DRIVE WAY IT STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM, AND IT LOOKS LIKE I WASN'T THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR TO HAVE THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS. I HAVE READ LOTS OF COMPLAINTS OF OWNERS OF THIS SAME CAR AND HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, ITS NOT A NEW CAR BUT THESE PROBLEMS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD AND I BELIEVE THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED WITHOUT EXPENSES TO THE OWNER. WE CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS PROBLEM TO KILL SOMEBODY IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A FAMILY CAR AND I DON'T WANT MY FAMILY TO DIE OR GET SEVERELY INJURED WHILE USING IT.
THE POWER STEERING ASSIST CUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING 0-55 MPH. *AK *SC
WHILE DRIVING A NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FRONT RIGHT TIRE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. NOISE CONTINUED. CONSUMER BOUGHT A NEW TIRE, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING 60-70 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION HEADLIGHTS SHORTED OUT, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Due to lack of maintenance complete corrosion and rust have eaten through the entire body frame, undercarriage etc. This vehicle was sold to us at State line Auto LLC in Fulton Kentucky, without any disclosure of it being unsafe to drive in fact the rust spots underneath the vehicle have been covered and hidden by spray painting diligently, unfortunately the disguise of the rust with a black paint actually worked and we were unable to see the rest as it was hidden with the paint that they sprayed on the bottom of the vehicle. were assured that everything was in proper working order aside from it needing an oil change which was indicated by an engine light that was lit on, this car has been deemed unsafe to drive even after complete replacement of frame this car remains structurally unsafe to even have an alignment done. As per TnA Auto services and plaza tire. Plz contact to advise [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH OR PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE ACCELERATOR SIMULTANEOUSLY BEING DEPRESSED, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE STARTED. ROCK COUNTY HONDA (3636 E MILWAUKEE ST, JANESVILLE, WI 53546, 608-754-4418) WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT THEN CONTACTED ZIMBRICK CHEVROLET (1877 WEST MAIN STREET SUN PRAIRIE, WI 53590, 608-837-2500) WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,632.
Read 14 more owner reports
I TURNED IN MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WHEN I WENT BACK TOO PURCHASE IT BACK THEY HAD CHANGED OUT THE DASH AND CLUSTER THE MILES WERE NOT CORRECT THEY ALSO DOUBLED THE PRICE OF THE THE CAR
WON'T HOLD BRAKE FLUID SO WE PUT A NEW RESERVOIR INN AND IT STILL WON'T HOLD BRAKE FLUID AND HE TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE FAMOUS FOR THE ABS MODULE GOING BAD AND BEFORE IT GETS ANY WORSE I'M TRYING TO HAVE IT FIXED OR BEFORE SOMETHING WORSE AS OR SOMEBODY GETS HURT I'M A MOTHER ON GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE OF FOR KIDS AND THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE IS AND SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING 47 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AND ACCIDENT WITH DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AREA BY THE WHEEL, THE IMPACT CAUSED THE DRIVERS HEAD TO BREAK THE WINDSHIELD AND THE PASSENGER HURT HER LEGS REAL BAD. WHY DIDN'T THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY?
DASH BOARD LIGHTS- FLASH AND SOUND, WHILE DRIVING...ENGINE SLOWS DOWN AND BATTERY LIGHT GOES ON...THEN, ADJUSTS IT'S SELF AND LIGHTS GO OFF. SUV., THEN, CONTINUES ON HWY, LIKE NOTHING'S HAPPENED.
CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO THE PARK POSITION. THE CAR'S SHIFT CABLE HAD BROKEN LEAVING THE CAR IN AN UNSAFE REVERSE POSITION. TURNED OFF THE CAR, SET THE PARKING BRAKE AND CALLED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE SHIFTER CABLE AND STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS GM PLATFORM, TO THE POINT THE SHOP KEEPS THE REPLACEMENT CABLES IN STOCK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE READ THAT GM HAS A RECALL OUT FOR 2014 SHIFTER CABLES EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMERGENCY SERVICES WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER CABLE ASSEMBLY FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
FUEL LEAK AND FUEL FILLER NECK ON 2007 GAS WOULD NOT GO INTO GAS TANK AND GAS LEAKING OUT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE FILLED WITH FUEL AND FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL FILLER NECK FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 08/16/16*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG FUEL ODOR THAT PERMEATED AROUND AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINES DIRECTLY UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT HAD EXCESSIVELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL LINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. MA 10/15/2015 THE CONSUMER STATED AT SOME POINT, THE FUEL STARTED DRIPPING ON HIS DRIVEWAY. HE IMMEDIATELY JACKED THE VEHICLE UP AND DISCOVERED THE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING ABOUT A DROP EVERY SECOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE FUEL LINE ALONG WITH THE EVAPORATOR LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 1,300.00. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE LINE HIMSELF AND UPON REMOVING THE LINE, IT BROKE IN THREE PLACES. UPDATED 10/27/15. *JB *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
FOR THE THIRD TIME IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS, MY CAR HAD THE "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" LIGHT POP UP AND IT JUST SLOWLY CAME TO A STOP WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I ALSO LOST POWER STEERING. EACH TIME I MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND I JUMP STARTED THE CAR. ANOTHER REPORTED INCIDENT ON HERE SAID THAT THEY JUST WAITED A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART IT, BUT I HAVE A PORTABLE DEVICE THAT ALLOWED ME TO JUMP START MY CAR IMMEDIATELY. I WENT TO AUTOZONE TO TEST THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY AND BOTH WERE FINE. THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE UNRELATED, BUT WHENEVER I START MY CAR I USUALLY HAVE TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL A LITTLE BIT OR THE CAR WON'T START PROPERLY.
AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON A HIGHWAY IN RICH HOUR TRAFFIC MY VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND DISPLAYS 2 LIGHTS 1."REDUCED ENGINE POWER" "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM" OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. THE CAR WILL NOT START FOR 3-5 MINUTES. THEN RESTARTS AND CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING ANOTHER 5-7 TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION. WHEN HOOKED UP TO A CODE READER THE CODE THAT DISPLAYED WAS CO240 ABS POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE.. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT CABLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 02/24/15*LJ UPDATED 9/12/2017*CN
Showing 20 of 1,256 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Buick Rendezvous
These pages show model-year patterns across 7 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Buick Rendezvous, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Buick Rendezvous has 1,256 complaints on record across 7 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Buick Rendezvous has 18 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 68 of the Buick Rendezvous's 1,256 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Buick Rendezvous vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Buick Rendezvous vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Buick Rendezvous has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Buick Rendezvous by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Buick Rendezvous.
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Keep researching before you buy
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Buick Rendezvous reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Buick Rendezvous reliable?
Poor. The Buick Rendezvous has 1,256 NHTSA owner complaints and 18 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Buick Rendezvous years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2002 (498 complaints), 2003 (284 complaints), 2004 (200 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Buick Rendezvous problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (298 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (209 complaints); FUEL SYSTEM (165 complaints).
Does the Buick Rendezvous have recalls?
Yes — 18 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Buick Rendezvous. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.