2002 Buick Rendezvous Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2002 Rendezvous most often report fuel leaking from or near the fuel tank, usually noticed as a gasoline smell or a puddle after filling up, and cooling-system leaks that lead to overheating. Electrical complaints are also common, ranging from warning lights and stalling to instrument-cluster and body-control-module failures. Most reports in the sample arrive between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles, with the fuel-tank reports often at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel leak from fuel tank / filler neck

   • 88 complaints (18%)
   • median 87,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (73 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2021

   Owners describe a gasoline smell inside or around the vehicle and, in many cases, a puddle or drip under the tank, often noticed after filling up or while parked. Mechanics and dealers reportedly traced the leak to a crack or failed weld at the tank, or at the point where the filler neck and inlet valve connect, and usually replaced the tank. Several owners say they were told their vehicle was not covered by the fuel-tank recall shown for this model year. Reported from about 56,000 to 147,000 miles in the sample, frequently after a fill-up and often in warm weather.

   Recall 07V349000

   What to check: Smell around the rear of the vehicle and look under the tank for stains or drips, especially right after a full fill. Ask whether the fuel tank was ever replaced and check the VIN against the fuel-tank recall.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I work at a Buick dealership and I also drive a Buick Rendezvous. We are seeing multiple gas tank leaks at full tank fill ups. The filler neck joint is leaking and the tank needs to be replaced. I have actually been asked to glue over the hole because tanks are on back order, so the customer can have their car to drive.”

   NHTSA complaint #10088169, filed 2004-08, 21,000 miles

   “My car has a gas tank leak from the intake tube. In 2007 I received a recall letter for this problem but it wasn't a problem until now. I'm the original owner and the car has only 130,000 miles on it. Can I get help with this repair? My local dealer doesn't want to talk about it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11394941, filed 2021-02, 130,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leaks, intake gasket and overheating

   • 91 complaints (19%)
   • median 79,650 mi at 6.6 yrs old (74 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 22 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2018

   Owners report the temperature gauge climbing into the red, sometimes with little warning, followed by the check engine light and a coolant leak underneath. Shops commonly diagnosed a failed intake manifold gasket or head gasket, and in some reports a water pump. Complaints describe repeated overheating episodes and repair bills in the several-hundred to roughly 1,800 dollar range. Mostly reported between about 55,000 and 100,000 miles; some at lower mileage.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check coolant level and look for residue or stains around the intake and under the engine; ask whether intake or head gaskets, the water pump or the radiator have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We purchased this vehicle used in 2004, and over the past years we have had to replace the following: both front hub assemblies (with speed sensors), intake manifold gasket and the air conditioner condenser (one year ago). Just within the last 2 months we have had to replace the following: tie-rod, radiator, water pump, thermostat, head gasket, and the intake manifold gasket again. The vehicle only has 86,000 miles on it to date. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10375759, filed 2011-01, 85,000 miles

   “My 2002 Buick Rendezvous with 79,300 miles on it blew a head gasket. There was no warning on vehicle overheating. All of a sudden temp gauge was in the red zone and a warning light and sound came. I immediately pulled over and turned off the engine to check the manual. The manual said the vehicle needed to be serviced immediately. I was one mile from the dealership and drove straight there. They said the vehicle had a blown head gasket. Repairs normally approx $1,800. Dealer did it for $950 because my son-in-law works there. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10244991, filed 2008-10, 79,300 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults: warning lights, stalling, cluster error

   • 87 complaints (18%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (66 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2015

   Complaints describe multiple warning lights coming on at once, gauges dropping out, door locks cycling on their own, and the odometer displaying an error message. Some owners report the engine losing power or stalling at speed and then restarting only after a wait. Repairs mentioned include a new battery, ignition switch, body control module and instrument cluster. Spread from roughly 55,000 to 180,000 miles, with several reports above 100,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: With the key out, watch for lights or locks that stay active, and confirm the odometer reads correctly. Ask whether the battery, ignition switch or body control module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have experienced a series of mechanical failures on my vehicle since the year I purchased it. The latest incident was 02/15/08 wherein the lights on the vehicle console began to flash...engine coolant light, change oil, battery-the vehicle then began to slow down approaching 42mph (the car had regular maintenance on 02/08/08). This occurred on highway 680 southbound during rush hour traffic. The vehicle has been serviced repeatedly for the same issue with no remedy more than five times. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10219252, filed 2008-02, 103,193 miles

   “My 2002 Rendezvous was purchased mid-year 2005. At first there were only small flickers in the headlights, like blinking quickly. The auto electrician said our battery was overcharging and replaced it. About 6 months ago,my car wouldn't start, no sound at all like the battery was dead. Bought another battery and two days later it wouldn't start again. Again electrician looked it over, could find nothing. Soon my door locks began to lock and unlock by themselves even when the car was off and no one was in it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10207430, filed 2007-10, 56,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake shudder, ABS activating at low speed

   • 50 complaints (10%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (47 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2016

   Owners report the brake pedal pushing back or vibrating at low speeds such as parking-lot maneuvers, with the ABS and traction lights coming on and stopping distance feeling longer. Others report a grinding noise and rear pads wearing out early, and one report describes a corroded brake line that ruptured. Mostly reported between about 47,000 and 115,000 miles.

   What to check: Drive slowly in a lot with the wheel turned and listen for ABS noise or pedal pulsation; inspect brake lines and pad thickness and ask about prior brake work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought a Buick Rendezvous in july of this year. The car had 90 k miles on it. Immediately after I bought it,the brakes would push back whenever I tried to stop. I took it back to the dealership I bought it from and they said they couldn't diagnose it since it didn't occur when they had the car. I have been so close to getting in accidents, simply because my car wont stop. I think something really needs to be done about this.”

   NHTSA complaint #10249566, filed 2008-11, 91,000 miles

   “I have a 2002 Buick Rendezvous that just recently started having ABS and traction active issues. This only occurs at slow speeds such as pulling into or out of a parking space, going through drive thru's, etc. When it happens, the anti-lock brakes come on and the pedal vibrates and it takes the car longer to stop. When the ABS kicks in, it sometimes then activates the traction active light. I also notice this happening when driving on downgrades or small hills that I'm traveling at slow speeds. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10160973, filed 2006-06, 73,000 miles

Buying note. Look closely at the fuel tank area for leaks or odors and verify recall coverage by VIN, then budget for cooling-system gasket work, which is the second most common report. A pre-purchase inspection covering brakes, transmission behavior and the instrument cluster is worth the cost on a vehicle of this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.