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2003 Buick Rendezvous Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 281 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Buick Rendezvous, most often about the fuel system (30% of complaints, typically around 83,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Rendezvous model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2003 Buick Rendezvous problems
Fuel system
84 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that he noticed fuel leaking near the rear driver's side and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the fuel tank inlet check valve was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, she smelled gasoline inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…
Engine
62 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
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…
Intake-manifold started leaking at 69,000 and will cost me $800.00. Was told this is a common problem with 2002-2003 Buick rendevouz's.
Electrical
45 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, horn, 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition.
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…
Opened car at end of workday, and found an electrical fire had melted part of the dashboard, part of driver's seat and cracked the front windshield. The entire car was covered in soot and smelled of electrical fire. There was no prior indication of a problem, nor had there been any recent repairs.
Brakes
44 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock, power assist.
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…
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.
Transmission
25 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle hubs, axle assembly.
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.…
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.
Visibility and wipers
22 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer, rearview mirrors/devices, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Within the last seven months we have had to replace the window motor on the drivers sie,blower motor, load leveler. Now the power steering is going and the 02 sensor has to be replaced.
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.
Suspension
21 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
I just purchase a 2003 Buick Rendezvous with 41,532 miles on it. Within 700 additional miles a front wheel bearing has failed. Any auto should be able to last twice that mileage. Is this a one of a kind failure or has Buick's quality control people asleep?
2003 Buick Rendezvous left front hub and bearing assembly was replaced at 36606 miles. Power steering pump replaced at 39933 miles. A leak was coming from the main seal on the power steering pump therefore it needed to be replaced. In 4/05 one of the front tire hubs was defective causing a loud noise. On 11/10/05 the…
Steering
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, hydraulic power assist, linkages.
Within the last seven months we have had to replace the window motor on the drivers sie,blower motor, load leveler. Now the power steering is going and the 02 sensor has to be replaced.
Tl 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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Buick Rendezvous recalls
Fuel system: storage
Risk: A fracture may allow fuel vapors to pass through and allow droplets of fuel to accumulate on the side of the fuel tank. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank. The recall will be mailed in two phases with the first phase beginning on december 4, 2007. The second phase will be mailed on december 13, 2007. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. The vehicle population includes buick rendezvous and pontiac aztek vehicle built in may 2003; chevrolet venture and pontiac montana vehicles built from june through august 2002; and all vehicles registered in nevada, arizona, virgin islands, puerto rico, and hawaii.
Full defect summary
On certain vehicles, variations in the manufacturing process or exposure to high ambient temperatures may lead to fracture of the fuel tank inlet check valve (icv).
Doors and locks: lock
Risk: If the liftgate were to open in a vehicle crash, an occupant could be ejected from the vehicle resulting in increased risk of personal injury.
Fix: Dealers will add structural reinforcements to the liftgate in the area adjoining the latch assembly. Owner notification schedule began on june 21, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080. This is an expansion to a previous recall (03v211).
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, a structural support at the latch attachment in the rear liftgate may be inadequate to retain the latch to the liftgate in certain severe vehicle crash events.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Full defect summary
Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
Steering
Risk: This condition could allow the intermediate shaft to spin inside the steering column coupling, resulting in loss of steering control of the vehicle. If this were to happen while the vehicle is moving, a crash could resulting without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace if necessary, the steering column intermediate shaft. Owners were notified by telephone on february 7, 2003, with a follow-up letter on february 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300 or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Full defect summary
In some of these sport utility vehicles, the diameter of the steering column intermediate shaft is too small.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: This could result in reduced capability of the air bag to protect the driver. Also if the air bag inflator ruptured, pieces of the inflator could strike and injure the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on march 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Full defect summary
On certain mini vans, passenger and sport utility vehicles, some of these vehicles have a driver's side air bag that may not deploy as designed. In addition, the air bag inflator could rupture.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel tank leakage
Summary
Gm is recalling (NHTSA recall no. 07v-349) certain model year (my) 2002-2004 buick rendezvous, chevrolet venture (regular wheelbase) and 2001-2004 pontiac aztek and montana (regular wheelbase) vehicles to replace fuel tanks and correct a defect that may allow fuel leakage.the vehicle recall population is rendezvous and aztek vehicles built in may 2003, venture and montana vehicle built in june through august 2002 and certain same model vehicles registered in nevada, arizona, virgin islands, puerto rico and hawaii that were built through nov/dec 2003 (depending on model).the total number of vehicles recalled is 20,594 (includes 15,196 subject aztek and rendezvous vehicles). In addition to the
Fuel tank leakage
Summary
Certain subject vehicles may exhibit leakage of odor and/or fuelfrom the lower portion of the fuel tank inlet filler pipe (inlet check valve).the inlet check valve (icv) and the fuel tank are joined together using a hot plate welding process for plastic parts.gm reports that its analysis of field returned parts show evidence of process variations for different manufacturing periods.these variations produced some icv to fuel tank joints with poor melt flow lines.odi's analysis of gm's warranty claim data finds more frequent fuel tank replacements in the hotter climate states.this investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea07-006) to further assess this matter.
Questions about the 2003 Buick Rendezvous
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Buick Rendezvous?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (84 complaints, typically around 83,500 miles); engine (62 complaints, typically around 68,500 miles); electrical (45 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Buick Rendezvous have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 8, 2007 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Buick Rendezvous?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Rendezvous model year since 2000, with 281 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.