The 2002 Buick Rendezvous has 3 safety recalls and 486 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (116 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints486filed by owners
Crashes · fires18 · 8reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths21 · 1reported in complaints
2002 Buick Rendezvous in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
NHTSA recall 07V349000 · Aug 8, 2007 · 20,594 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, VARIATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR EXPOSURE TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES MAY LEAD TO FRACTURE OF THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV).
Risk: A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL WILL BE MAILED IN TWO PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 4, 2007. THE SECOND PHASE WILL BE MAILED ON DECEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668. THE VEHICLE POPULATION INCLUDES BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND PONTIAC AZTEK VEHICLE BUILT IN MAY 2003; CHEVROLET VENTURE AND PONTIAC MONTANA VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 2002; AND ALL VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NEVADA, ARIZONA, VIRGIN ISLANDS, PUERTO RICO, AND HAWAII.
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices
NHTSA recall 07E021000 · Mar 12, 2007 · 742 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 02V222000 · Aug 9, 2002 · 133,221 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Risk: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2002 Buick Rendezvous 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Rendezvous FWD
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Rendezvous AWD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Cooling system; Engine
116
0
1
0
65,000 mi
Electrical system Wiring › Interior/under dash; Ignition
110
1
5
0
70,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline Storage; Storage › Tank assembly
67
1
0
1
78,000 mi
Suspension Front › Wheel bearing; Rear
45
2
0
1
59,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
43
0
0
0
68,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Axle assembly
42
2
0
1
63,000 mi
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner; Electrical
41
0
0
0
60,084 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
33
0
1
0
110,000 mi
Visibility Power window devices and controls; Windshield wiper/washer
25
0
0
0
48,000 mi
Air bags Frontal; Side/window
24
10
0
14
87,346 mi
Structure Body › Door › Hinge and attachments; Frame and members
20
1
0
2
45,289 mi
Unknown or other
17
0
0
0
49,023 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 1, 2020 · 130,000 milesFuel/propulsion system 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.
Feb 10, 2012Fuel/propulsion system OVER HEATING FOR NO REASON. SOMETIMES THE FUEL LINE SEEMS CLOGGED OR FULL BUT WILL ACT AS IF IT OUT OF GAS. HAVE CHANGED THE ALTERNATOR AND DISTRIBUTOR AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A RADIATOR BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. SOME DAYS IT WILL START TO RUN HOT AND IF YOU KEEP YOYR FOOT ON THE GAS THE HOT TEMP WILL GO DOWN. LEAKING OUT GAS FROM LEFT SIDE AS WELL AS BLOWING OUT WHITE SMOKE AS IF THE ENGINE IS BLOWN BUT I KNOW ITS A GOOD ENGINE. SOME DAYS THE CAR WILL RUN FINE BUT IT SEEMS TO.ME LIKE THE COLD WEATHER CAUSES MATBE SENSOR ISSUES WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. ALSO THE GAS LIGHT WILL COME ON SPIRATICALLY LIKE WHEN YOU HIT A POT HOLE LIKE THERE…
Aug 12, 2019 · 104,776 miles · 1 injuryAir bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND CLOSING THE DOOR, THE DRIVER SEAT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED VIOLENTLY ON THE DRIVERS HEAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND FACE CAUSING UNCONSCIOUSNESS. IN ADDITION, LEFT ARM AND SHOULDER INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT WENT TO URGENT CARE WHERE SHE WAS REJECTED DUE TO LIABILITY CONCERNS. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT BUT NOT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AS OF YET. THE VEHICLE WAS STORED IN THE CONTACT GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN…
Jun 19, 2018 · 150,000 milesFuel/propulsion system I FIND THE 2002 RENDEZVOUS HAS A DEFECTIVE GAS TANK. WHEN THEY MAKE THE TANK THEY USE TWO DIFFERENT PLASTIC MATERIALS FOR THE TANK AND THE FILLER TUBE THAT RESULT ON THE WELD NOT HOLDING ON. AND DUE TO THE UNUSUAL POSITION OF THAT FILLER TUBE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GAS TANK A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR EXPLOSION AND FIRE. THERE IS PLENTY OF REPORTS ON THE INTERNET PERTAINS ONLY TO THE 2002 MODEL. ACCORDING TO BUICK ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRE.
Jul 5, 2007 · 20,000 miles · fireFuel/propulsion system NO NOTICE FROM GM ON RECALL DATED 08/08/2007 FUEL TANK DEFECT. FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK AT THIS SPECIFIC LOCATION. DEALERS WILL NOT REPAIR THIS DEFECT. I AM THE ORIG. OWNER.
May 15, 2018 · 110,000 milesFuel/propulsion system VEHICLE SHOWED CHECK ENGINE CODE FOR EMISSIONS FOR SOME TIME. NOW SMELLING FUEL FROM CAR. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AS CRACKED TANK, SAME AS RECALL NUMBER 06230A. VIN DOES NOT MATCH RECALL. DEALERSHIP AND BUICK WERE NOT HELPFUL AT PROVIDING ALTERNATIVES TO GETTING ISSUE FIXED. UPON MORE RESEARCH THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THIS SAME ISSUE. CRACKED TANK AND VIN IS NOT LISTED IN RECALL. THIS PROVIDES VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. CAR SMELLS LIKE FUEL INSIDE AND OUT. NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD ANY ISSUES THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM.
May 14, 2018 · 169,000 milesEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO FLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS WERE DAMAGED AND IT WOULD BE BEST TO REBUILD THE ENGINE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
Mar 12, 2018 · 121,000 milesFuel/propulsion system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED FUEL WAS LEAKING VERY HEAVILY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THEIR RESIDENCE, THEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA07006 · opened Apr 18, 2007 · closed Sep 13, 2007 · led to recall 07V349000FUEL TANK LEAKAGE GM IS RECALLING (NHTSA RECALL NO. 07V-349) CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002-2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS, CHEVROLET VENTURE (REGULAR WHEELBASE) AND 2001-2004 PONTIAC AZTEK AND MONTANA (REGULAR WHEELBASE) VEHICLES TO REPLACE FUEL TANKS AND CORRECT A DEFECT THAT MAY ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE.THE VEHICLE RECALL POPULATION IS RENDEZVOUS AND AZTEK VEHICLES BUILT IN MAY 2003, VENTURE AND MONTANA VEHICLE BUILT IN JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 2002 AND CERTAIN SAME MODEL VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NEVADA, ARIZONA, VIRGIN ISLANDS, PUERTO RICO AND HAWAII THAT WERE BUILT THROUGH NOV/DEC 2003 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 20,594 (INCLUDES 15,196 SUBJECT AZTEK AND RENDEZVOUS VEHICLES). IN ADDITION TO THE RECALL, GM WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON MY 2002-2004 RENDEZVOUS AND REGULAR WHEEL BASE VENTURE VANS AND MY 2001-2004 AZTEK AND REGULAR WHEELBASE MONTANA VANS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL TO PROVIDE…
RQ06009 · opened Dec 14, 2006 · closed Apr 18, 2007FUEL TANK LEAKAGE CERTAIN SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT LEAKAGE OF ODOR AND/OR FUELFROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK INLET FILLER PIPE (INLET CHECK VALVE).THE INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV) AND THE FUEL TANK ARE JOINED TOGETHER USING A HOT PLATE WELDING PROCESS FOR PLASTIC PARTS.GM REPORTS THAT ITS ANALYSIS OF FIELD RETURNED PARTS SHOW EVIDENCE OF PROCESS VARIATIONS FOR DIFFERENT MANUFACTURING PERIODS.THESE VARIATIONS PRODUCED SOME ICV TO FUEL TANK JOINTS WITH POOR MELT FLOW LINES.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF GM'S WARRANTY CLAIM DATA FINDS MORE FREQUENT FUEL TANK REPLACEMENTS IN THE HOTTER CLIMATE STATES.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-006) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS MATTER.
