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. This year the left front hub has gone bad at 170k so I can't say it wasn't due, but the overheating gauge keeps going into the red & the overheat light comes. Had it check and the thermostat is working fine, I am not losing coolant and the coolant is good, & there is no water in my oil. I can't drive more than 2 miles without the overheating light coming on & the gauge going into the red.
2002 Buick Rendezvous engine complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 129, newest first, as owners wrote them.
We begin experiencing overheating and took the car to the manufacturer; $5000 plus later we are still having the same problem. More recently we replaced the radiator and it continues to overheat.
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. I never get a warning light for coolant temp but engine temp increases and car will stall and wont restart until it cools down. After 2 weeks of working with this I have the vehicle parked and trying to figure out why gm does not recall these cars and fix them. I was told the only way to completely fix this problem is a new 3.4l engine from gm. Who can afford that, not me. I have contacted buick but nothing but a report was filed and added to the pile of other complaints. If this happened at 70 MPH on a highway it could be very dangerous.
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.
Main computer failed and has been displaying "error" for yrs. The exact mileage is unknown. Leaking gaskets and intake valve. The most current issue is the leaking gas tank. The gauge is also wrong. The smell of gas is nauseating. There is a recall for this issue, but not my VIN. Gm couldn't possibly care less and it infuriates me that the government bailed them out. I will never buy gm again!! Fortunately for them, I live in a state where there is tort reform and can't get in on the class action lawsuit. I have also spent lots of $ on this lemon and can't afford to fix it or replace it. Hopefully I won't catch fire or blow up! It's no wonder why most people buy foreign cars, they are made better!!! I will be contacting an atty. To pursue a suit against them as an individual. They can also expect complaints on every avenue I can find. I also call them relentlessly and make sure they record all my complaints and concerns. Best of luck to all....so unfortunate.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick rendezvous. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle overheated and leaked coolant. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic and the mechanic stated that the thermostat needed to be replaced. The contact did not notify the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 166,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick rendezvous. The contact stated that the fuel system, air conditioning and the engine failed. The fuel gauge would not indicate when the fuel tank was full or empty. The air conditioning would not blow cool air and the engine was exhibiting an abnormal knocking noise. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 200 and the current mileage was 1,794.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick rendezvous. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken in for an oil change and the contact was told that the oil and anti-freeze was leaking. The mechanic stated the leak was coming from around the gaskets and the fly wheel. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileages were 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick rendezvous. The contact stated that the vehicle would overheat while in motion. A local mechanic diagnosed that the head gasket was failing. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was 140,000 and the current mileage was 140,030.
Body control module went out. Had to find the answer on google so the dealer could fix it (headlights and dash controls went on and off while driving at night) $650 front seat inop dealer still does not know what's wrong $? Gas gauge inop dealer still does not know what's wrong $? Catalytic converter went out this month also cost $850 water pump $25 o2 sensor bank 1 and 2 - $145 mass air flow sensor- $104 fuel filter- $11 steering rack and pinion- $195 total $1980 all these things happened in one month. I hate the buick rendezvous. Getting rid of as soon as I can.
Intake manifold gasket failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick rendezvous. The contact stated that the engine overheated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where it was diagnosed that the head and head gaskets needed to be replaced, as a result of water leaking into the engine. The remedy failed to repair the problem. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the oil sending unit needed to be replaced because it was leaking oil onto the engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000 and the current mileage was 109,071.
I own a 2002 buick rendezvous. I have had nothing but problems with the vehicle. The first problem was the speedometer going well over 100mph when I was only driving like 20 or 30. All the lights in the vehicle flashes on and off. The heat sometimes works and sometimes dont it overheats.now the biggest problem is the intake manifold gasket went on me. I called gm and they told me that they didnt show any recalls nor ever had any complaints. However, I read the complaints online about the same vehicle that I have and clearly have all the same problems. So the question is why didnt this vehicle in nys have any recalls for the manifold gasket. It's weird to me because in canada they had a class action lawsuit for faulty intake manifold gaskets on the 2002 buick rendezvous. Can someone get some answers. It will be greatly appreciated.
Water pump failed and cause the engine to overheat. Buick refused to honor the warranty on this part. As a result, I paid $575 for the repair.
The oil pan gasket failed and cause an oil leak. Buick failed to honor the warranty on this part. As a result I paid $670 to repair the vehicle.
The intake manifold gasket failed and resulted in coolant leaking and the engine overheated on multiple occasions. Buick refused to honor the warranty for the repair to the intake manifold gasket. As a result, I paid $950 for the repair to the vehicle.
We just bought a 2002 buick rendezvous. We were first told that we just needed our flushed. The vehicle's hot coolant light was coming on and the temp gauge was indicating that the vehicle was hot. We got this done and was driving it home and had the same issue. We are now being told that it has a blown head gasket. I decided to research online and am astounded by the amount of consumers that are having this same issue. Some of them are getting it fixed and having the same issue a few years later. I am really frustrated and feel that my hands are tied. What if I get it fixed this time and in a few years it does it again? I can not afford to keep putting huge amounts of money into this vehicle. If this is such a common issue why is there not a recall? This is not how gm should be treating consumers. They need to take responsibility for a bad product.
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. The only thing that we had the buick dealer work on was the front hub assemblies, the rest of the work was performed by tire dealership, radiator shop, and an automotive repair garage. Now, the ABS light is on again meaning that one of the front hub assemblies are out (replaced by buick themselves) and our anti-lock brakes are not working. And, also, the air-bag warning light is on. I have noticed quite a long list of complaints over the internet concerning all the above problems others have had as well with this model buick which leads me to believe that it has been an on-going problem of which buick will not deal with nor step up to their responsibility. I have been told by auto-repairmen that they have had numerous customers come in with problems with the 3400 model engine. I have contacted buick concerning the air-bag problem, and they act as though they have never heard of any problems and deny any responsibility to look into it, even though they have issued a recall on the air bag inflator for this year, make, and model, just not for my VIN#. Over the years that we have owned this vehicle we have invested quite a sum of money into repairs on this vehicle, and it has never been in an accident! I believe that with all the federal safety agency safety complaints concerning the air bags system, buick should be held responsible! All the other unique problems with this engine have been repaired by us, and is too late to expect any help
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick rendezvous. The contact started the ignition and the temperature gauge displayed a hot level reading with the illumination of the coolant warning indicator. The engine began to overheat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they replaced the head gasket. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 96,000.
2002 buick rendezvous intake manifold gasket defective.
I purchased a used 2002 buick rendezvous in april of 2004 from a gm dealership (above). It is an awd v6 cxl SUV. My car manual specifically states not to use anything other than dexcool antifreeze. I never received any notice from gm or the dealership or dexcool regarding the problems on this vehicle and dexcool. Even after the lawsuit against gm in 2008 I did not get notified in any way, and the dealership never told me to stop using dexcool, so I have been continuing to experience engine problems! When I bought this car it had 37,591 miles on it. I paid just under $20,000 for it. On 12/8/05 I did a transmission flush. Four months later, on march 9, 2006, the car was found to have the intake manifold gaskets leaking oil and coolant, and the front timing cover seal was leaking. It also needed front and rear brakes. At that time they told me the coolant was leaking all over everything and was getting into the transmission (and the brakes, too, I think.) had to have another transmission flush done and I think coolant flush done - cost was $222. I had 3 estimates done for the rest of the work and they ranged from $3,300, to 1700 to $1,380. It cost me $89 and $73 for two of the estimates. Had work done at 4th shop on 4/20/06, cost me $730. On august 22, 2007, I had to have the intake gasket done again as well as a coolant flush; cost me $492. On august 11, 2009 I had to have the oil pressure switch replaced as it was leaking plus other work; total was $257. I was told about a year ago that the intake gasket was leaking oil and coolant again and had to be replaced again. The car did not pass inspection in june, 2010; one of the problems is transmission is slipping. Is that a result of the dexcool coolant contaminating the tranny? Other work needed is steering rack (again), air compressor, & rear air shocks. The coolant leaking has caused the failure of many of the parts I have had to have fixed on this car, not just the gasket.
I have a 2002 buick rendezvous with 130,000 miles. At 125,000 I had to replace the thermostat and now it is overheating again. I have done radiator flush, replaced temp sensor, checked relays and replaced fuses. Have now been informed the head gasket needs to be 2nd cooling fan is not coming on but will power up under direct power source. Also being informed it needs a power control module (PCM).
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 buick rendezvous. While the vehicle was idle, the vehicle warning lights came on and within a few minutes the check engine light illuminated. She checked the owners manual and it stated that the failure was caused by a high engine temperature. She drove the vehicle a short distance and parked it. When she drove the vehicle to a local repair shop the mechanic advised her that a gasket needed to be replaced. She was not sure what type of gasket since the vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic advised her to continue adding coolant since she could not afford to repair the vehicle. On july 8, 2010 she stated that the low oil pressure light came on. She took her vehicle to an authorized dealer and was advised that the intake manifold gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000 and the current mileage was 77,000.
2002 buick rendezvous otherwise known as the money pit. Seems that as usual our latest expense (101,000) is not covered under the recalls, due to the manufacturing date of the vehicle. Smelled gas for a week, then noticed gas gauge fluctuating, never showing empty even though trip odometer showed it had almost an empty tank. Mechanic stated crack in the fuel tank, but car was manufactured before the recall date, so buick did not cover the cost of repairs. Have recently also experienced loss of all power to cigarette lighters, drivers side window fell down and entire regulator unit was replaced. Back hatch handle fell off, again. Rearview mirror also fell off. Ac fan will no longer blow at highest setting. These are all minor compared to the faulty ABS sensor, loss of traction control, AC condenser, tie rods, 2 replaced batteries, front wheel bearings, rotors. And those repairs are just from the last 3 years....
I have a 2002 buick rendezvous that has had its general maintenance kept up and then the antifreeze disappeared, the engine temp got extremely hot, and then the intake manifold and head gaskets had to be replaced now the A/C lines and compressor are leaking and who knows what the problem will be next.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick rendezvous. While traveling at speeds of 35 MPH, the radiator warning light illuminated on the dashboard and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that two of his head gaskets had failed and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.
2002 buick rendevous, electrical and head gasket purchased this car over a year ago so far had to replace transmission and repair transmission x2, needs head gaskets due to my car overheating gradually, have to bleed the system for air pretty much every other day to get heat in the car. My computer has been replaced 6 months after purchasing it after being unable to clear itself of the codes. This last incident the battery died and since now the computer is running the car causing my car to run in park at 3 RPM's, in neutral it shoots up to 4500, it drives about 2-2.5 rpms. The computer was cleared and reset last night RPM's dropped to about 760 still elevated but ok, then started it this morning to take my daughter to school and it drove itself, stalling as I watched the computer run through as it was possessed, I have since called the car "christine". I can see the computer running the car, as the rpms elevate and then decrease, shutting the car down etc, I can not believe that there is no recalls as this is so dangerous. There are no codes relating to this issue, no transmission, engine issues, this is completely computer related. I had someone with a complex system delete all codes and have the computer relearn itself. It worked. Started it this morning and started all over. Between the computer and heating and cooling system, this car is a constant headache not to mention I have had this car in the repair shop more than I have been able to drive it especially since I'm still paying on it.
I also have a 2002 rendezvous that had the head gasket go out at about 40,000 miles and had to replace it myself as buick denied this problem was rare and because of mileage before occurrence. The leak involved coolant loss. Also had to replace the control module. Have a 2001 lesabre that also had a head gasket go out and is leaking oil; began at about 35,000 miles.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 buick rendezvous. When the contact examined the vehicle she noticed that the coolant reservoir was lower each time she would drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 69000.
My 2002 buick rendezvous' temperature gauge continues to rise at low speeds and it is constantly low on radiator fluid. Was told that the head gasket would more than likely need to be replaced at a cost of about $1,000.00. This apparently has to do with the type of coolant that was used in this gm product, for which there was a recall notice for and that I was never notified of (bought the vehicle new in 2002). This is just one problem in a long list of problems that I have had with this vehicle. Would like to know if there is anything that can be done about this, as I am sure a lot of other people would like to know.
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