2002 Buick Rendezvous CXL review from North America

I have a 2002 CXL which I bought new. It now has 65,000 miles. It has had many of the same problems described here. I also have the misfortune to get screwed over by a GM service department that pillages and plunders because they see a single woman with kids coming in.

The most recent (current) problem is that out of the blue, the temp gauge suddenly flies over to the red zone and the "hot coolant" light and warning sound come on. But the car is not actually overheating -- no coolant is lost, never had to refill, no boiling over or steam coming out. 2 dealer service depts say it's not the thermostat or engine block sensor. The coolant has been flushed out twice, but that didn't fix it. One service dept said that the actual coolant temp is 224 when the gauge is in the red and that is within the normal temp range for this engine. One service dept wants to open the engine up to see if there is an internal leak in one of the cylinders, but that's a money grab IMHO because there is no residue of burnt coolant on the spark plugs and no coolant coming out the tail pipe, and no engine oil in the coolant reservoir. When the gauge flies over and the warning light come on, turning on the heater or defroster instantly makes the light go off and the gauge go back to normal. Anyone else have this problem? Is it some wacko computer issue that GM should be fixing FOR FREE?

BTW, one of the dealer service depts says that the AC compressor (not condenser) needs to be replaced -- it makes a flapping noise like the wheel of fortune prize wheel -- noise occurs on engine start up and anytime AC or heat or defroster is turned on, and stops when cabin temp system is off. What is that all about??

I have already spent $1800.00 at a crooked dealership service dept trying to "diagnose" the problems re temp gauge and AC compressor.

Other problems with this vehicle include:

I have had the electrical problem twice where the car just won't start. Luckily for me it happened both times in my parking garage. It was covered under warranty, so for me it was inconvenient and scary, but not expensive.

Another electrical problem was that OnStar just stopped working. It looked like it was working -- the lights were all on, but when I had a blowout on the freeway, I pushed the OnStar button and nothing happened. Electrical problem.

I have replaced the tires once.

The brakes occasionally seem to seize up -- it is like slide-bump-slide-bump, but then they catch. Someone said like sliding on gravel - I agree. It is really scary b/c this is a big vehicle and a couple of times I have been afraid I was going to hit another car or pedestrian. It does not seem to be related to speed or road conditions -- seems quite random. Tell this to a service dept and leave with new brake rotors.

I also hear the old man groaning when I make a sharp left, like when the steering wheel was cranked all the way around to make a U-turn out of the service lot.

I have replaced the front rotors.

I just replaced the rear rotors -- but this turns out to be a rip off -- I took the old rotors to another service dept and they said they measured at 11 mm and should have been resurfaced, not replaced.

I would never buy another GM product for two main reasons: GM doesn't give a damn if they put out inferior products -- all they care about is getting your money. Plus, where I live, you can't get honest service at a fair price -- especially if you are female.

~unhappy Bu-ICK driver!