2002 Buick Rendezvous Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 3%of 486 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 143,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Buick Rendezvous, 3% of the 486 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 143,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased this vehicle used and days later it was overheating. The man I bought it from said that it just needed a thermostat, approx. $300. Repair. Took it to my mechanic and turns out it needed an entire head gasket. It was a $1,500 repair. I am seeking a recall be issues since this is a common issue on this year, make and model.”
NHTSA complaint #10483213, filed 2012-11, 166,885 miles“The vehicle was running for 45 minutes on two-lane paved country roads. I drove the first 15 minutes, with one of my sons driving the other 30 minutes while I was a front seat passenger. We pulled into a parking lot and switched drivers so another son could begin a driving lesson with me. When he began to back out of the parking space he said that the brakes did not feel right and noticed what I thought was steam coming from under the hood. …”
NHTSA complaint #10903410, filed 2016-09, 165,000 miles“Bought used in 2004 with 45k miles. In 2006 I had to have the window control replaced. In 2009 at 70k miles I had to have main gasket on engine replaced (was told Buick knew of problem but refused recall) and 2 heads replaced as kept losing coolant & overheating. The very next year the body control module went out & had to be replaced. The ABS light has been on for years & no body, not even the dealer who replaced the control module, can get it to go out. Last year the fuel gauge quit working. …”
NHTSA complaint #10554904, filed 2013-12, 75,000 miles“My vehicle warms up fine and as I start to drive the engine temp rises to a hot condition and the heater starts to blow cold air. The system has been flushed, the heater core has been flushed, thermostat has been changed. I've been doing alot of research on these problems and there are thousands of overheating problems that never go away. It doesn't matter what you fix the problem reoccurs. I flushed the system and couldnt get it to repeat until a couple days later, then I changed the thermostat with the same result. …”
NHTSA complaint #10494824, filed 2013-01, 100,300 miles“I am a 70 year old woman. This is the last car my husband purchased before he lost his battle with cancer in 2009. He is a retiree from GM. He left me what I thought was a good car. I went out to start to go to my daughters in another town that day my car was dead! No lights nothing. My son took me got a battery car seem to run okay that evening. The next day or two dead again! Well this time I had to wait a week or so for help! After 5 batteries we took my car to the dealership. They charged me like crazy for diagnostics and checked my battery, starter, and alternator! …”
NHTSA complaint #10566651, filed 2014-03, 75,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or…
- 10242298Aug 10, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10144451Aug 8, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10129097Jan 25, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Buick Rendezvous
115 complaintsElectrical system
103 complaintsFuel system
103 complaintsBrakes
57 complaintsSuspension
45 complaintsEquipment
40 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
40 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsSteering
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Buick Rendezvous
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology