2002 Buick Rendezvous CXL from North America - Comments

2002 Buick Rendezvous CXL

Purchased vehicle from dealer in Florida April, 2006. Drove car home to Wisconsin, let it sit for 4 days, and discovered a puddle of coolant on floor. Needed to replace the Intake manifold gasket at $500. Having issues with the vehicle going into a Security fault, with no radio, interior lights, electric windows, nothing electronic works. Was able to resolve about 6 times by disconnecting battery. Dealer reset once at $85. Now will not re-set. A/C is not working now either. Need help. is anyone having the security issue?

I bought the 2002 Rendezvous CX new. At only 29,000 miles, I had to replace 4 tires, brakes, rotors and my AC condenser. I am out a lot of money and I fear that things are only going to get worse. I'm thinking I should sell this car NOW to avoid additional money and headaches. I wish there was something that we could do for GM to recognize these issues and prevent future Rendezvous owners these problems.

Rhode Island.

Man, I am glad we are not alone. Until now, we have only ever owned Toyota's...need I say more. We have dropped some much money into our 2002 Rendezvous, we are through! Today my engine light began to flash, and the truck was chugging. I made it to the dealership, and they said that was not a good sign. We had major gasket problems in the fall with less than 100,000KM on the thing. Luckily, it was still under warranty. Our front wiper motor went, the brakes squeek horribly (we had then lubed as per the GM dealership), and it seems to be one thing after another. I took it to Mr. Transmission for the flush, and they told me there the transmission was going. I was like "what?? this vehichle is only a few years old!!!"

very disappointed, never again GM....NEVER!!!

2002 CX:

Was basically given this model about 1 year ago. I thought the problems I had were from the previous (1) owner. Now I am wondering about that. I've replaced transmission, head gasket leaking fluid into engine oil, frame alignment (rear tires balding), dash lamps don't work, etc. Now the "Service Traction Control System" light comes and and the ABS system kicks in as I turn corners and brake. I'm done with this car and only hope it sells...

We purchased a 2003 with 34,000 miles on it. About 40 days later I heard popping noises. I went and had my tires rotated, and had them check the brakes, they said everything was fine.

Later that day, I heard another pop and then again that night as I was backing out of a parking stall. As I went to drive forward, it was tough to turn the steering wheel I had lost all steering.

To make a long story short, the tech said that the steering gearbox not only was broke, it was shattered and he had never seen anything like it, so I must have hit a curb or something. I had assured him that I had not and he said well you must have hit a pothole or something, again I said no.

He said that I had damage to my tires, so I looked at them. All that was on there were little scratches from rotating them earlier, so I told him that he was looking at the wrong tires, and he got mad and said that I had to have hit a curb or a pothole. I told him that had I hit either one of those, it had to be sooooo small that I didn't feel it. Even had I hit a medium sized pothole, ARE THE GEARS MADE OF PLASTIC?

I told him they we just lucky that I didn't have my kids in the car, driving them to school, which is normally what I do.

Also had heard somewhere that with some steering gearboxes some parts were manufactured too small or something like that. They finally fixed it after a big fight and ordering the wrong one.

Overall I'm not happy with a small pop that sounded like I ran over a rock, and then I had no steering. Thank god I wasn't in traffic with my kids.

I purchased a 2006 Rendezvous in December in MD. We did not have the air conditioner on (winter (. We drove to FL. for three months and while there turned the air on. There was a loud noise heard when I would accelerate. When we returned to MD I took it to our dealer and they replaced the compressor (last week). About a mile from the service center a red light came on "oil pressure" and it dinged constantly. Well, they can't find the problem and have been in contact with the engineers at GM. I'm without a car and very upset and worried that this is just the beginning of problems with this car. Any suggestions???

Purchased a CXL new in June 2002 for approx. $34000.

During the 4 years I owned the vehicle, we had to replace both front wheel bearings, computer control module, air conditioner condenser, brakes (twice) and tires.

Also had to replace sensors on the wheels - they were sticking open and causing the ABS warning lights to come on.

Power steering was starting to make groaning sound when making turns and there was a small coolant leak near manifold, which the dealer wanted $750 to repair.

I will say Buick made some of the repairs at their cost, even though the car was out of warranty, after I called Buick customer service and talked to a rep.

Just seemed that every time I took the car in for a service, something else was wrong. Finally bit the bullet and got rid of the car in April 2006. Not sure if I will ever go back to a GM vehicle after this.

I purchased my 2002 Rendezvous from a dealer last fall. I had to take it in today because it started acting like it was runnning in 4wd all the time or dragging and a whining noise coming from the rear end. I found out that the left rear wheel bearing is shot and that the right is starting to go bad. The dealer's estimated cost of repair is over $1,000. The dealer wants over $300 for each wheel bearing hub assembly (max price that I could find at any auto parts store is $134) and the rest, almost $400 in labor. The book time is 1.4 hours, he said he could have them done in an hour each, which equal $400 for 2 hours labor. The dealer also said that the front wheel bearings will probably have to be replace every 30-40,000 miles.

When I asked him about the intake manifold problems that I heard about, he said that he felt that it was due to the type of coolant that was being used. He said that it was very acidic and was causing the gaskets to corrode.

Since this seems to be a common problem, along with others. I was some what astonished when I went to the NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) website at WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV and found that there was only one complaint on file for a drive train problem (rear end) and only two complaints on engine problems, both of them were starting problems. Not a single complaint on the intake manifold or coolant leaks. If more people would file complaints with the NHTSA we might get GM to Recall these vehicles and correct these problems.

I own a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. It has been a good vehicle over all. Had to change driver side wheel bearing under warranty in 2006 and now the passenger front is going out. Also had a battery terminal corrode and fall off which was also replaced under warranty. The tab on the compartment for HVAC filter in the glove box broke within the first year and the center top console for sunglasses, etc is flimsy and missing something.. The plastic knob on the driver side power seat to adjust lumbar broke as well and falls out every now and then. The plastic cover on middle row LH passenger seat/back hinge fell off as well. Plastic components seem to be flimsy.

Got stuck two times (once in snow and once in gravel) and the AWD showed disabled after a few seconds of trying to pull out of the ditches. Made me very mad. Why would I spend 35K for AWD when it will not work when I need it the most? Buick said that it was done to protect the viscous coupling from burning out. Whatever! I like the vehicle, but it has its short comings!

I bought my 2002 Rendezvous new. Exceptional value (I thought). Having made several trips to the dealer regarding engine coolant leaking because the intake manifold gasket being shot at 50k miles, a/c evaporator breaking down at 45k miles, traction active light going on and engaging at low speeds (even while idling) on dry pavement, anti lock brakes engaging while pulling into a parking space at 3 mph and now the fuel gauge is all over the place. I have been a loyal GM buyer. They don't seem to get it. ON Star won't keep me as a customer. A reliable product will.

I have a 2002 Buick RENDEZVOUS CXL with 90 thousand miles on it. With the exception of the Rear end fluid being changed for a moaning sound, I have had no problems. That is until now. My wife just got done taking the car down to Orlando when the A/C went out. I have not taken it in to the shop yet, thought I would look around the web and low and behold I find this site. Man where were yall when I got bamboozled in to buying this vehicle. I have seen many A/C issues in here, but am unsure what to do to make a case about it. my e-mail address is ThreeFranks2Go@aol.com. Would love to here any suggestions on what can be done, even though it seems many of you have resolved your problems. I am hoping for the best, but expecting the worst when I take it in tomorrow morning. Wish me luck. Edward Franks.

Oh my, reading your comments has just confirmed my belief in the 2002 Rendezvous. Everything that I have read has helped me understand that this car was simply not built well.

Funny I am reading that some people have extended warranties. I have had to scrape to pay for all of the same problems that you have all experienced. I brought new and I asked all the right questions, but as soon as I drove it off the lot, it was one problem after another.

I have done it all brakes, barrings, A/C, leaks, the instruments on the dash were not working and the whole dash with instruments were sent away (it was not recording mileage).

The other problem that I have avoided addressing that someone else mentioned was the traction control coming on at low speeds while turning.

Someone mentioned the front door hinges. I have complained several times, but the dealership quotes me too much to repair. I am embarrassed to say I was taken in by this vehicle.

I do think that we should submit this web site to the G.M. head office or file a class action, because this is unfair. I thought it was just me till I read this site.

I am short, and one of the first things to break, was the handle of the back door hatch. It was replaced once, I am going to ask if it's their responsibility to replace again.

I bought my Rendezvous CXL Versatrac in Jan. 2002 for 41.000, thinking I bought a good car.

Up to now:

Fuel tank sender renewed,

Complete brake system

AC condenser

Front bearings

Rear bearings

Rust on hood

Board computer lights go wild

ABS not working correct

And dealer says ; sorry, but you have to pay

DON'T BUY A RENDEZVOUS. This is a serious warning!

2003 Rendezvous CX

62,000 miles.

Brought it in after some squealing by the left front tire... Not when braking... Dealer told me it was, in fact, bad brakes... I chose not to have them fix it and when I picked it up and returned home I consulted another mechanic who informed me that this vehicle was known to have poorly machined wheel bearings... I called the dealership and they confirmed that they have had a lot of complaints about the same thing, but not enough to make it to recall list... They could not explain why they missed that the wheel bearing was bad... I feel like I may be getting the run around about this problem.. anyone else deal with this?

2002 Buick Rendezvous

Front driver's side wheel bearing replaced for 385.00 today.

Shop told me they are fixing them frequently and most drivers of these cars trade by 60,000 miles.