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.
The worst 2002 Buick Rendezvous problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine129
- Electrical103
- Fuel system103
- Brakes57
- Suspension45
- Transmission40
- Airbags24
- Visibility24
- Body20
- Steering16
- Lights13
- Locks10
- Acceleration7
- Seats6
- Wheels6
- Driver assistance4
- Tires3
- Seat belts2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Buick Rendezvous
Overheating 44Fuel leak 39Fuel gauge 29Stalling 28Fuel smell 25ABS 23Check engine light 21Won't start 20Headlights 16Door locks 13Fuel pump 11Brake failure 10Transmission failure 10Grinding brakes 9Fire or smoke 9Loss of power 8Power windows 7Wipers 7Airbag light 6Engine failure 6Warning lights 6No deployment 5Jerking 5
Recalls 2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 07V349000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 number 02V222000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2002 Buick Rendezvous
Defect investigations
Fuel tank leakage
Gm is recalling (the federal safety agency 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 warranty coverage for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first.gm will begin notifying owners in december 2007.gm reports that the fuel inlet pipe containing the inlet check valve (icv) may fracture and allow fuel vapors or fuel to leak out.gm data revealed that elevated ambient temperatures, higher carbon content in the icv and variation in the manufacturing process were the contributing factors for potential cracks in the icv.beginning december 2003, gm built vehicles with a redesigned fuel tank/icv.subject vehicles not included in the recall or extended warranty did not show a failure trend similar to the above vehicles..for additional details, see recall 07v‑349.this investigation is closed.
EA07006
Fuel 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.
RQ06009
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Buick Rendezvous 391
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the...
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
- This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement...
2002 Buick Rendezvous crash test ratings
Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Rendezvous 4-DR. w/SAB | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | 3 |
2002 Buick Rendezvous fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 |
| 3.4L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 18 |
What 2002 Buick Rendezvous owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 is an short
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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v222000 (air bags) was received. The failure mileage was 104.776.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v349000 (fuel system, gasoline) and offered no further assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 121,000.
My vehicle did not have heat. I was not able to determine if it was blowing cold air or not blowing at all. Before I had a chance to address the heating issue, the vehicle ran hot and continued to run hot until a mechanic replaced the thermostat and the coolant and cu at 2/3 slit in the rubber under the hood. It came to my attention that the vehicle had overheating problems before it was sold to me. I have since tried to sell it and found th st it was not accepted by two car buying/selling websites due to previous salvage. I purchased from a buy-here pay- here. It still has over heating issues and it still has not heat blowing inside. I want to know if repairs will help since it's regarded as a salvage. Is it lawful to sell a salvaged vehicle knowing the purchaser was putting the car on the road? I bought the car in ohio and I live in new york.
Noticed smell of gas by the 2002 buick rendezvous. Mechanic verified there was a leak near filling point of car. Said would be expensive to fix this, thought he saw something about gm recalling gas tanks on some vehicles. Looked it up and saw many complaints about this issue and there was a recall. This was my parents car, now being used by my teenage son, so I looked in their file and found a letter sent from gm that a crack could occur in the tank due to a defective product and if it happened to the vehicle they would replace it. Wrong. Apparently a dangerous fire hazard doesn't matter after 10 years. Gm said this replacement offer has expired. Gm told me to make an appointment at a buick dealer to have them verify the problem. The dealer I brought it to told me not to waste my money having it diagnosed by them, since my mechanic had already verified it was leaking in the defective spot, because gm never covers this previously offered repair anymore. The 2002 rendezvous has only approximately 45,000 miles on it!! Owned by my parents who took meticulous care of it. What was supposed to be a great car for my 16 year old son is now a fire hazard, and essentially unsellable if I have any conscience!! I cannot believe gm refuses to uphold their promise to repair this completely, dangerously unsafe defect, that they allotted replacement parts and money for, because they knew it was their defective part they put into these rendezvous. I guess they are waiting for someone to actually blow up to put this repair back into place.
Compare the 2002 Buick Rendezvous
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Questions about the 2002 Buick Rendezvous
Is the 2002 Buick Rendezvous reliable?
Owners have filed 486 complaints about the 2002 Buick Rendezvous, 3.5 times a typical Rendezvous model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2002 Buick Rendezvous year score?
The 2002 Buick Rendezvous scores 30 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Buick Rendezvous: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Buick Rendezvous?
Engine and cooling, with 129 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles. Next is electrical (103).
How many recalls does the 2002 Buick Rendezvous have?
2 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and air bags.
Is the 2002 Buick Rendezvous safe in a crash?
The 2002 Buick Rendezvous was crash tested, but no overall score was published. Partial scores: rollover 3 out of 5.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Buick Rendezvous get?
Official estimates for the 2002 Buick Rendezvous range from 18 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.4L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 24 highway.
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