2004 Buick Rendezvous Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the engine shutting off while driving, sometimes with a loss of power steering and brake assist, and many say dealers could not reproduce the problem. A second large group describe fuel smells and leaks around the fuel tank and filler neck, and several mention that their vehicle was not covered by the related recalls. Other recurring themes are instrument cluster and gauge problems, brake and wheel bearing work, and air bags that did not deploy in a crash.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Engine stalls while driving, sometimes with electrical loss

   • 48 complaints (24%)
   • median 16,800 mi at 1.7 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2023

   Complaints describe the engine cutting off at low speeds, at intersections, or on the highway without warning. Some owners say that when it stalls, the steering and brakes lose assist and the battery light comes on, and that the vehicle restarts after being shifted to park or after sitting. Several say dealers could not duplicate the problem; some report that the ignition switch or ignition relay was replaced and stalling continued. Reported from very low mileage up to 180,000 miles, with many under 25,000 miles and others past 100,000.

   Recall 05V157000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition relay and ignition switch work described in campaign 05V157000 was done for this VIN. A scan for stored codes and a test drive at low speed and at idle can help show whether the stall is still present.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2004 Buick Rendezvous has had engine failure 3 - 5 times. At low speeds 0-15 MPH, car will will cut off. The car restarts immediately once you put it back to park or neutral. I took the car to the dealer on one occasion but they wre unable to duplicate problem. I will take it to the dealer again and provide the similar complaints by other consumers.”

   NHTSA complaint #10110658, filed 2005-02, 7,500 miles

   “Shortly after I bought my used Buick Rendezvous, it started stalling. It was a monthly occurrence until recently when it is happening weekly. Although this car was within the VIN breakpoints of a safety recall in 2005, Buick told me that my particular VIN in its entirety wasn't affected and even if it was that they wouldn't cover repairs because it was too old.”

   NHTSA complaint #10505667, filed 2013-04, 108,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leaks at tank, filler neck or lines

   • 30 complaints (15%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 11.0 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2021

   Owners describe a strong gasoline smell inside or under the vehicle, often after refueling, and in some cases fuel pouring onto the ground while filling. Complaints mention a cracked or fractured fuel tank, a broken tank inlet neck after road debris contact, and rusted fuel lines. Several owners say their VIN was not covered by the fuel tank recalls and that no repair was made. Reported from about 15,000 to 180,000 miles, in several cases many years after purchase.

   Recall 07V349000Recall 03V454000

   What to check: Check for a fuel odor after filling the tank and look at the filler neck and tank area for cracks or wet spots. Ask whether campaign 07V349000 or 03V454000 was completed for this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My grandson and I were shopping, then I filled my gas tank. We then went into the grocery store came out, smelled gas and looked under car. It is leaking gas, we hurried home--went from full tank to 1/4 full tank in 58 miles. It is sitting and not driven. And I have a 2003 Rendezvous that has a gas smell that is very strong but hasn't leaded out gas yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #11390932, filed 2021-01, 135,000 miles

   “Fuel tank leak campaign #07v349000 I was not notified about recall tank is now linking fumes and dealer and GM service claims past the 10 year replacement period. Is the 10 year period from time of recall start date or age of car? My car has less than 100,000 miles on it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10860976, filed 2016-04, 85,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Fuel gauge and instrument cluster readings wrong

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe fuel gauges reading full or empty at random, sometimes showing a quarter tank when the vehicle runs out of fuel, and speedometer needles dropping or reading far below actual speed. Owners report the fuel level sender, cluster or related wiring as the suspected cause; some dealers could not identify a fault. Appears from a few thousand miles up to about 150,000 miles; some owners report it starting years after purchase.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Fill the tank and watch whether the gauge reads full; compare the speedometer against a GPS at highway speed. A stored-code scan and a check of cluster and sender wiring can help.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle has been picking up speed for no reason. The vehicle was not taken to nor taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. Also, the fuel pump is not working. I can fill it up with gas and the light will still turn on. Maybe after driving for a couple miles or making a turn the light will turn off.”

   NHTSA complaint #11321116, filed 2020-04, 250,000 miles

   “Dt: the starter and horn did not always work. Thermostat and fuel gauge was not accurate. There had previously been a problem with the ignition switch and it was repaired due to a recall. The problem with the starter started in march of 2005. These problems have not been repaired as of yet. When the consumer took the vehicle it to the dealership they told her it was designed that way.”

   NHTSA complaint #10135186, filed 2005-09, 23,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake and wheel bearing noise, ABS light

   • 26 complaints (13%)
   • median 77,965 mi at 7.7 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2023

   Owners describe a clunking or rubbing noise that grows with speed, increased resistance when braking, and the ABS or AWD disabled light coming on. Complaints mention repeated wheel bearing and hub assembly replacement, brake hoses seeping fluid, and rotors worn below minimum thickness. Dealers and shops reportedly attributed the noise to the hub bearings and recommended brake and tire work at the owner's expense. Mostly reported between about 68,000 and 135,000 miles.

   What to check: Listen for growling or rubbing noise while turning and at speed, and check whether the ABS light stays on after start. Ask for service records on wheel bearing, hub and brake hose replacement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Wheel bearing on the 2004 Buick Rendezvous last year we replaced wheel bearing on front wheels now less than year later we are having problem some day this is going to kill someone replacing bearing is not work make Buick redesign wheel bearing thank you keith lorenz.”

   NHTSA complaint #10221121, filed 2008-03, 78,000 miles

   “I purchased my Buick Rendezvous in 2007 from my mother who only had it 2 years. Since I purchased this vehicle, I have had 8 wheelbearings replaced, and 2 hub assemblies, along with the wiring harness for the ABS. The vehicle will sometimes 'rub' when turning the steering wheel, or sometimes the brakes will 'rub'. After this happens, the ABS light comes on as well as the awd disabled light. I had purchased the extended warranty, and that covered the wheelbearing issues, and one of the hub assembly fixes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10532192, filed 2013-07, 68,582 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Air bags did not deploy in a collision

   • 13 complaints (7%)
   • median 115,000 mi at 9.7 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2017

   Complaints describe frontal collisions, including a rollover and two separate impacts, in which the front air bags did not deploy, while a side bag did in one case. One owner also reports side air bags deploying on their own while starting the vehicle. In several cases the vehicle was not inspected or the manufacturer was notified. Reported between about 35,000 and 130,000 miles.

   What to check: Have the air bag warning light checked, and ask whether the vehicle has been in a reported collision and whether any air bag or sensor work was done after it.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was involved in an accident. The right front of my vehicle struck a car that came into my lane. I continued across the highway (garden state parkway in new jersey) and hit a guardrail hard with the left front of my vehicle. The airbags did not deploy with either front end collision. My vehicle sustained $10,000 in damage and was totaled by the insurance company.”

   NHTSA complaint #10449936, filed 2012-03, 125,707 miles

   “The contact owns a 2004 Buick Rendezvous. The contact started the vehicle, and abruptly there was a deployment of the side air bags. The contact was treated at an emergency room for minor injuries which included burns and bruises. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 89,449. The current mileage is 89,449. Updated 05/19/10 updated 06/04/10.”

   NHTSA complaint #10325065, filed 2010-04, 89,449 miles

Buying note. Given the mix of stalling, fuel odor and air bag reports in the complaints, a used example is worth a careful pre-purchase inspection: scan for stored codes, check fuel system condition and recall status by VIN, and confirm the air bag light behaves normally. Service records showing recent bearing, brake and ignition-relay work help show what has already been addressed.

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.