2003 Buick Rendezvous: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 281 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (15% of complaints); the 2005 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 281 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“After filling the fuel tank there is a strong gas odor that is present until the tank is almost empty. When walking around the vehicle or loading/unloading the vehicle, the strong gas odor is always present. This vehicle was at a dealership and they took it to the local personal auction company where i bid on it and bought it along with household items.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2021
“Our rendevouz plastic fuel tank started seeping fuel at the filler neck yesterday. After doing some reading, I saw there was a recall and then a special coverage adjustment. The one listed on july 21, 2008 said the tank would be replaced regardless of age and mileage. Then, gm changed their mind on august 8, 2008 and limited mileage and age to 150,000 miles and 10 years. I am very disturbed about this and think that this tank needs replaced for safety reasons at minimum. The fuel tank is not available from any aftermarket source and purchasing it from gm is $1590. I cannot believe that purchasing a used tank would be safe due to the issue gm has mentioned.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2020
“Strong smell of gas outside the rendezous at first after filling car which seem to occur only when newly filled. Now the strong smell outside of car is continuous and fuel is leaking. This is a subject of recall but date of recall is too old for gm to honor the recall. Have been told that the fuel tank has to be replaced.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“The gas gage has been off since I bought it in September 2018. I run out of gas right before 1/4 of a tank and when I fill it it goes about 1/4 over the full line. The passenger seat side airbag went off closing the door May 2019.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. *tt *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. While driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle would jerk violently. Furthermore, the vehicle was leaking fluid and the check engine and brake warning indicators illuminated. The failures recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the intake manifold gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 154,200.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2018
“Car shuts down. Fuel gauge goes to empty. Loses power in the steering. Have to pump gas into the tank slow. Takes forever.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2017
“Driving down the road all of a sudden no matter what speed you are driving and the temparture of car it slips while in drive out of gear and starts in gear when it wants to which is bad on highway going 55-70 mph on the interstate highway when cars are behind you and you can not go any speed but coast and is getting worse”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2017
“Gas tank started leaking from connection where filler tube meets the gas tank. Other models were included in a recall but not the rendezvous model I have.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. The contact stated that the plastic fuel tank inlet check valve prematurely disconnected from the fuel tank without warning. The dealer and manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 07v349000 (fuel system, gasoline), but the contact experienced the failure related to the recall. The manufacturer provided no solution. The vehicle was inspected, diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,529. *js”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
Remedy: 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).
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.
Remedy: 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.
IN SOME OF THESE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DIAMETER OF THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS TOO SMALL.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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).
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Rendezvous by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Buick Rendezvous reliable?
NHTSA has 281 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Buick Rendezvous problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,311 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Buick Rendezvous have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.