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2004 Buick Rendezvous Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 200 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Buick Rendezvous, most often about the electrical (38% of complaints, typically around 67,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Rendezvous model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.

Complaints200
Recalls4
Crashes reported14
Fires reported2
Injuries reported162 deaths reported

Most common 2004 Buick Rendezvous problems

  1. Electrical

    76 complaints · 38%

    Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel, wiring, horn.

    The contact owns a 2004 Buick Rendezvous. The contact was traveling 60 MPH when the speedometer displayed that he was traveling 1 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the cluster board would need replacing. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 68,000 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2004 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that the speedometer and fuel gauge display inaccurate readings. The gauges show the incorrect speed and fuel amount. The failure has been occurring for approximately one year, but the vehicle has not been diagnosed. He feels that it is a safety issue because…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 70,000 miles

  2. Fuel system

    49 complaints · 25%

    Half of these problems showed up before 81,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery, fuel injection system.

    The contact owns a 2004 Buick Rendezvous purchased in june 2009. She stated the owner continued to smell a strong odor of gasoline fuel from inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised having a diagnostic done, however it was not performed. No repairs were made to correct the failure.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 78,000 miles
    Fuel tank leak campaign #07v349000 I was not notified about recall tank is now linking fumes and dealer and gm service claims past the 10 year replacement period. Is the 10 year period from time of recall start date or age of car? My car has less than 100,000 miles on it.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 85,000 miles

  3. Engine

    31 complaints · 16%

    Half of these problems showed up before 24,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.

    - the contact said that the car shuts off wile driving at different speeds. The contact said that she as had taken the car to the repair shop, but they could not find a problem. It is still under warranty and the dealer has not give the contact a repair order for a possible problem. The contact stated that the speed…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 24,030 miles
    Dt: the starter and horn did not always work. Thermostat and fuel gauge was not accurate. There had previously been a problem with the ignition switch and it was repaired due to a recall. The problem with the starter started in march of 2005. These problems have not been repaired as of yet. When the consumer took the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 23,000 miles

  4. Brakes

    21 complaints · 11%

    Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.

    Tl contact owns a 2004 Buick Rendezvous purchased new in 2004. She stated there was a clanking noise upon starting the vehicle and would get louder when progressing speed. She also stated there was much resistance in the brakes when approaching a stop. The dealer stated the hub bearings were faulty and needed to be…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 79,500 miles
    Changing front brakes and noticed brake hoses bubbling and starting to weep brake fluid. Also rotors needed to be replaced, under minimum thickness.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 77,931 miles

  5. Steering

    16 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar, hydraulic power assist.

    Rear differential will not stop groaning on any turn. Rear differential now has to be replaced and the car only has 80,000 miles on it. We also have to replace the rack and pinion. The total costs associated with both these will be well over $5,000. It is effecting the turning process when I need to turn the car. Also…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 72,000 miles
    While driving at aprx 60 MPH the car just died stalled no power had to man handle car to a stop with out getting into an accident almost like driving a bait car the car just shut down this is not the first time had to get towed car still wont start put key in all bells and whistles light up and sounds then nothing as…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 70,000 miles

  6. Air bags

    14 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 113,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.

    Traveling on highway, roads were wet but not icy. Hit a wet spot on a curve. Slid slightly to the right and passenger tire dropped off pavement. Easily corrected back onto the road, but then the back hydroplaned and the vehicle rolled over and crashed, landing upside down in a culvert. Driver and front seat passenger…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 115,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2004 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the contact crashed into an embankment. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The front passenger sustained injuries to the shoulders and the chest due to the seat…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 111,000 miles

  7. Transmission

    12 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.

    I have had two different Buick Rendezvous. One was a 2004 and one was a 2003 Rendezvous. I have put three different transmissions in the 2003. I just, today, took my 2004 Rendezvous in for a transmission problem. I am tired of taking my car to the dealership. I live 50 miles from the dealership. I am a full time…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 34,000 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2004 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated the cooling lines that stretched from the radiator to the transmission lines were cracked. The dealer stated that the automatic transmission lines were deteriorated and could be replaced at the owner's expense. The failure and current mileages were 41,829.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 41,829 miles

  8. Visibility and wipers

    9 complaints · 5%

    Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles. Parts named most often: rearview mirrors/devices, windshield wiper/washer, power window devices and controls, rear window wiper/washer.

    I was driving the vehicle to an appointment and all of a sudden it thumbed when I moved from the light taking off not like it was shifting but as something was knocked in, then the lower light I turn on in the truck stopped working, the interior dash lights as well stopped on the 11 of march about 6 pm I was heading…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 16,800 miles
    The consumer's stated mirrors were so large that they created a hazardous blind spot. The side of the mirror was struck and broken because the consumer did not see the object.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 12,800 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2004 Buick Rendezvous recalls

  1. Fuel system: storage

    NHTSA 07V349000 · August 8, 2007 · 20,594 vehicles

    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).

  2. Electrical: ignition

    NHTSA 05V157000 · April 20, 2005 · 34,186 vehicles

    Risk: The vehicle cannot be restarted immediately. If this were to occur, it could result in a vehicle crash.

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    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 vehicle stalls at any time.

  3. Doors and locks: lock

    NHTSA 04V150000 · March 29, 2004 · 103,956 vehicles

    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.

  4. Fuel system: storage

    NHTSA 03V454000 · November 10, 2003 · 79 vehicles

    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 an ignition source could result in a fire.

    Fix: 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 november 4, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

    Full defect summary

    On certain passenger vehicles, a weld between the fuel tank inlet check valve and the fuel tank can fail.

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

Questions about the 2004 Buick Rendezvous

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Buick Rendezvous?
By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (76 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles); fuel system (49 complaints, typically around 81,500 miles); engine (31 complaints, typically around 24,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2004 Buick Rendezvous have?
4 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 2004 a bad year for the Buick Rendezvous?
It is the 3rd most complained-about Rendezvous model year since 2000, with 200 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.

Other Buick Rendezvous years

Buick Rendezvous problems by year