2003 Buick Rendezvous: engine failure

Filed May 4, 2012 · Engine · 67,500 miles · CA

Crank seals, oil pan seal, head gasket corrosion and potential failure. Mechanic found these leaks which will lead to engine failure. Reported to buick, examined by dealership. Buick said essentially, "too bad, you're on your own." the car is well-maintained, low miles, male senior driver. This should not occur on a vehicle in this condition. Gm should take care of significant problems such as these.

Filed Mar 23, 2011 · Engine · 135,000 miles · NJ

For the second time, the bolt that holds down the dohc rod backed out, and resulted in severe engine failure. Apparently this is a known problem that results from heat over time. Buick has failed to ever issue a recall for this very expensive preventive repair issue. How can a manufacturer not issue a recall for this widely known issue with this vehicle. ??

Filed Sep 1, 2010 · Engine · 70,311 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. The contact stated that they have had three of the four cylinder's replaced on the vehicle. The carmax dealership were the vehicle was purchased honored the extended warranty on the first two cylinders, but the vehicle was no longer covered by the warranty. The contact took the vehicle to a buick dealer who stated that the cylinder failure was a known issue and that the contact would need to replace the engine. The contact stated that the all wheel drive and anti-lock brake lights have been going on/off since the vehicle was purchased. The failure mileage was 70311 and the current mileage was 105000.

Filed Feb 17, 2009 · Engine · 55,000 miles · OK

Bought the car aprox. 3 years ago,a 2003 buick rendezvous with 30,000 miles on it,it now has aprox.60,000 miles on it. Within the last year [ 2008 ] it has started loosing coolant,not externally,having to refill overflow tank every 1,500 to 2,000 miles,we have the vehicle serviced every 3,000 miles,using pure synthetic,with the amount of upper engine gasket failures ,apparently caused by antifreeze deterating head and intake manifold gaskets,ending in catastrophic gasket failure,and most of the coolant in oil,and the only repair is replacing defective gasket,where as the proper repair would be for the whole engine to be replaced,has there been a recall or class action taken here in the u.s. I know canada has, I am concerned because my engine now has a bottom end rattle,ie the crankshaft and or connecting rod bearings worn, I have done auto mechanic work for 30 years and I know this is a sign of premature ware,then engine failure,and I feel g.m. Should be 100% responsible for engine replacement,please advise.

Filed Jan 15, 2009 · Engine · 68,399 miles · OH

We have a 2003 buick rendezvous with 60,000 miles. The car has been maintained according to the manual. We have twice experienced lower intake gasket failure which resulted in two expensive repair bills. Luckily the leaks were noticed before they could cause engine failure. During the last failure, we had lost most of the coolant, which was not indicated by the "low coolant" alarm. Luckily we had the vehicle in for window service at a gm dealer and they noticed the problem during routine inspection. We were told by the dealer that the previous repair, which was done at another dealer, did not correct the problem because they had failed to notice the head gasket seals which were leaking and LED to the intake gasket failure. They did replace the head gaskets and seals at "gm goodwill" with no costs for the parts. We have now spent over $3000 in repairs to this engine on something that should not have happened. I have seen other complaints along this line on other forums and I feel this should be addressed .

Filed Dec 1, 2008 · Engine · 55,000 miles · SC

Our vehicle broke down in north carolina friday november 21st without any warning. The battery light came on and we are shut down. After towing to a local garage we were told there was no oil in the vehicle at all. We knew that the oil change had been done very recently and was coming due at 3000 miles but the oil life was still 38% meaning we still had oil and it was in good condition until the life was 0%. So the oil leak was a mystery. They recommended we leave the vehicle and replace the engine. We chose to drive on to virginia since we were able to get it started and new oil put in. Checked all the way-no overheating etc. Called gm customer service and they told us to take it to the dealer for assessment. They finally gave us the bad news on tuesday. Engine needs replacement. We were stranded in dc for 6 days waiting on gm to tell us if they would assist with engine replacement and they will not. Had to leave our vehicle there and come home. Now they want us to pay $6000 for a new engine on a vehicle worth $8000, buick rendezvous 2003 with 55k miles. We have complete maintenance records showing we took very good care of the vehicle. We found out there was a class action suit that involves our vehicle and relates to engine failure. Action ended oct 2008 so we have no chance of participating-plus there is a canadian class action for the same issues-we knew nothing from gm about defects that would cause our engine to fail. Now I am stranded at home (luckily I work from home but many others would be unable to work with out a rental). Can someone help with exposing this issue before many others suffer from this terrible lack of knowledge and failure by gm to face the problem? According to all research this has been an issue since at least 2004 and there have been tbs issued to dealerships.

Filed Feb 15, 2007 · Engine · 58,000 miles · OH

2003 buick rendezvous @ 59000 miles needs rear head gasket replaced. First noticed an overheated condition. Took it to a monroe shop and was told radiator cap was bad. Then it happened again and took it to gm dealership 2-02-07. Told that it held pressure and no leaks. Found orange snow under car 2-14-07. Took it back to dealer and told it is leaking at rear head gasket. Cost for replacement is $1500. Called buick customer service. They are helping. Found that canadians are suing gm for this problem. The gasket material breaks down when dex-cool is used. This problem causes coolant leak. Engine seizure, gelled oil and possible replacement of engine can be possible results. I would hate to be driving down the road when the engine seized up. Could be an accident waiting to happen. Gm called the dealership and will cover some of the cost of the repair and I will pay a deductible amount. I am taking it in to be fixed 2-16-07.

Filed Dec 19, 2006 · Engine · 40,400 miles · IL

I am writing to complain about the premature failure of the intake gaskets on the general motors 3.4 liter engine. The failure most common with 2002 and 2003 buick rendezvous. My rendezvous had 40,000 miles on it when the gaskets failed and was out of the 36,00 mile warranty. The first indication of the failure was that my heater was not blowing hot air. I took it into a local shop and the mechanic suspected gasket failure before even looking at the car stating that "this is a common problem with this engine and we repair 2 or 3 a month in our shop. The problem is you think you are just loosing (dexcool) antifreeze from evaporation during the summer but in the winter when you try to use your heater it does not heat properly. The engine does not leak antifreeze on the ground, it goes into your engine oil and can cause catastrophic engine failure if not caught quickly enough." I called my local buick dealer to see if gm could help me out since my car was only 4.000 miles out of warranty. They said bring it in and they will look at it. They called me back and said it was the intake gaskets that failed and it would cost me $900 to repair. I called gm customer service and after a week of negotiations, I finally got my car repaired at a reduced price($360). Now I am worried about the damage that has been done to my engine after having engine coolant contaminating my engine oil. I was told by the buick service tech. That "no coolant got into the oil. It goes outside the engine." that is very strange, because part of the repair is to change the engine oil. I want to make it clear that at no time was there ever any indication of any type of fluid leaking from the engine. If you google "gm engine coolant leak" more than 100,000 items come up on this.