2003 Buick Rendezvous: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Sep 19, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 70,050 miles · CA · crash

I purchased a used 2003 buick rendezvous several years ago for my daughter. Since the purchase, she has had issues with traction warning light coming on, accompanied by a loud grinding noise, difficulty with braking and steering, especially when applying the brakes. She has had the car repaired several times, each time the issue recurs. On 9/28 she was in an accident, she could not get the car to brake effectively, hitting car in front of her. The traction light had recently come on again, and the grinding noise resurfaced.

Filed Jun 11, 2013 · Brakes, Engine · 91,000 miles · PA

When first accelerating, the car stalled out and the battery died. After braking to shift back into park and restarting, I was able to move again. Besides the acceleration issue, when driving and then braking when coming to a stop, it feels as if something is preventing the car from braking creating a grinding sensation. After the initial "grinding", awd is disabled along with the anti-lock braking system. This happens just about every time the rendezvous is driven.

Filed Jan 4, 2013 · Suspension · 11,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH and applied the brakes however, the vehicle emitted an abnormal grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised the contact that the front driver's side wheel bearings would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.

Filed Feb 2, 2012 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 90,000 miles · AL

Over the past two years I have had three front hubs replaced and the saddle for the traction system. All done at the advise of a buick dealer. This past year I telephoned buick and requested their help, as I felt buick should know how to correct this recurring problem, but to no avail. Both the antilock brakes and the traction systems are off, and the car sounds as if it is raw metal on metal. I am again occasionally hearing the grinding noise, which usually indicates another problem (with substantial cost) is on the way.

Filed May 22, 2011 · Brakes, Driver assistance · PA

My 2003 buick rendezvous has a ABS problem where it engages completely on its own whenever the outside temp is more than 50 degrees. While driving, I hear a humming noise at various time during my drive and when I push the brakes the ABS system is activated and the petal pulses and a grinding noise is heard. Although, the ABS light does not light up on my instrument panel. This is constant throughout the months of may through october since the temp is above 50 degrees during the day. I have had both front hub assemblies and wire harness replaced with no avail. Then, during the winter months, the awd system disables anytime I have tire(s) spinning. I have talked to several mechanics and not one seem to have any idea what can be wrong. I have researched online finding an alarming amount of people with the same problem concerning their rendezvous, but no solution.

Filed May 9, 2010 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 39,558 miles · NY

This has occurred on and off since purchasing my 2003 buick rendezvous in january 2005. Usually occurs when outside temps are warmer, spring thru fall, not in the winter. At slow speeds ( 10 to 20 miles/hour) when braking and/or turning steering wheel while applying the brakes, a grinding/crunching noise is heard and depressing the brakes feels like you are crushing something with your feet. Brakes do not work immediately. Anti-lock brake light, service traction system light, and anti-lock brake off indicator lights all come on and stay on after the braking and noise stops. Warning lights sometimes stay on for several minutes afterwards. Just backing out of the garage can even cause this to occur. Recently I had an instance when driving at 10 to 15 miles/hour and could not stop at an intersection. Car finally came to a stop in the middle of the four-way stop after I slammed brakes to the floor. Dealership repair shop cannot never find anything wrong. Have had in for service for this three times and only error showing up was right front speed sensor malfunction but unable to duplicate problem while in for service. I left dealership and within a mile it started again. I keep driving the car but am frustrated because they cannot fix it, and pray I don't have an accident or hit a pedestrian because I cannot stop. Brakes do not have a problem at driving speeds above 40 MPH.

Filed Jun 5, 2009 · Steering · 55,937 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. While driving less than 50 MPH, the contact heard snapping and clicking noises coming from the steering wheel. Later, the keys became locked in the ignition and he was unable to start the vehicle or turn the keys. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under warranty, but the failures continued. The steering shaft was replaced a total of three times, but the steering wheel continued to make clicking, grinding, and snapping noises. The dealer informed the contact not to bring the vehicle back for service because they could not remedy the failures. They stated that they did everything possible to make the necessary repairs, but were unsuccessful. The current and failure mileages were less than 55,937. Updated 5/20/2010 *cn the steering rack and pinion was also replaced. Updated 08/18/10

Filed Oct 10, 2007 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · KS

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. While making a right or left turn, the vehicle made a grinding noise. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact had to replace the front driver side tire. When the spare was placed on the vehicle, the all wheel drive system had to be disabled. Ironically, the noise stopped immediately afterwards. Once the repairs were made, the all wheel drive was reactivated and the noise returned. When attempting to stop the vehicle, she heard a dinging noise and the all wheel drive indicator light illuminated. The brakes failed and the contact drove off the road in order to stop the vehicle. The brakes locked, which caused the all wheel drive to engage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that this was impossible. They stated that the two front all wheel drive sensors needed to be replaced and a code was received for the ABS light. The contact stated that the ABS light never illuminated. The current and failure mileages were 90,000.

Filed Jul 2, 2007 · Transmission · 87,834 miles · TX

My husband and I purchased a vehicle from little apple toyota in manhattan, ks on june 2, 2006. The vehicle we purchased was a 2003 buick rendezvous and this was done through toyota motor credit corporation. We explained to the gentlemen named tim that we would be making a few trips back and forth from kansas to texas. Also, my husband wanted peace of mind with him deploying to iraq that we would be safe. We were informed by him that this vehicle would be accepted even under the miles progam and that our vehicle would meet and exceed those. We took it for a test drive and heard some grinding and he said that they would put on new brakes that this was probably the cause. So anyway we have it a year to date and I am making a trip to kansas when it goes haywire. I take it to little apple who will not help me and they send it to stagg hill transmission who tells me it's going to be $4,000 for a new transmission and that all my wheel bearings needed replaced, but they won't be able to fix that. I guess bottom line is that no one wants to make good on a vehicle that we have only had for 1 year. The transmission shouldn't just go out at 24,000 miles. I went to a site and found others complaining of similar problems with their buick rendezvous. I think they need to be looked into more carefully. I wouldn't recommend anyone buy one. Now I am stranded, car less, and my husband is deployed and can't help take care of the issues. I would like the buick rendezvous 2003 investigated.

Filed Nov 2, 2005 · Brakes · 37,000 miles · MI

Dt: the contact stated the brakes were making squeaking noises. Upon further inspection he discovered the wear indicators on the brakes were making the noise, and the clips that hold the brake shoes were missing. He purchased a shoe clip kit and placed these on the front brakes. Since this correction there have been no further problems. *ak updated 11/29/05.

Filed Jun 21, 2005 · Suspension · 48,900 miles · IN

Loud roaring, squealing noise from front of vehicle. Wheel bearings are going out on both front wheels. I own a 2003 buick rendezvous with under 49,000 miles. I called buick and they said this is the 1st time & no one else has had this problem. I checked w/edmunds website and there are about 1,000 people who have had this problem. Please help as gm will not support their defective products. This could be very dangerous as wheels could be come loose and or come off the car.