2003 Buick Rendezvous: engine overheating

Filed Apr 30, 2009 · Engine, Visibility · 140,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. The contact stated that her vehicle stalls and shuts off at all times. The vehicle also smokes a lot and the gasket overheated. In addition, the driver's side window dropped down into the door. The buick dealer has had the vehicle for over a week making repairs. The dealer stated that different failures keep arising, such as the air mast flow sensor had to be changed twice, along with the water pump, timing belt, and new thermostats were installed. The repair could possibly cost more than $2,000. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Apr 19, 2009 · Engine · 38,000 miles · IL

At 38,000 miles , was told by my service man that I had small head gasket and intake manifold leaks resulting in coolant loss. Was told repair would be about $700, and if the leaks got worse it could jump the bill up to 3,200 dollars. Contacted the dealer about this problem, they kind of chuckled and were very aware of the problem but as of 4/19/09 there is no recall. From internet research this is a very common problem with this car. Looking at all the complaints on this site, it shows it is a very common problem. Gm is neglecting their responsibilities by not doing a recall. Something needs to be done about this.

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 Jan 8, 2007 · Engine · 59,000 miles · OH

In 11/05, at approximately 43k miles, my 2003 buick rendezvous cxl required a new intake gasket & thermostat after the vehicle rapidly lost all of its engine coolant and I was forced to make an emergency stop. This was a certified used gm vehicle, but the warranty expired at 39k miles so I incurred at $700+ repair bill. Now, at 59k miles, I am having a similar problem; the engine coolant overheated, also leading to an emergency stop and towing, and the repair shop says that the same intake gasket has failed again.

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.

Filed Sep 23, 2006 · Brakes, Engine · 67,000 miles · NJ

I have an 03 buick rendezvous and the intake manifold gasket ($875) was identify by the dealership as the source of the problem at the same time my front hub bearings were fixed at just over $400 by the buick dealership in new jersey. The dealership took my money gladly and later that day I find out in this forum my vehicle should have been repaired at no cost to me. I find it hard to believe the service manager/dealership were not aware of this problem and the notice posted by gm. I feel used and abuse at this point and my vehicle is still have problems with leaking coolant/overheating even after getting the problem fixed. All I want from gm is justice for all us who work hard each day and have continue to support their company and products. I would like to be added to class action lawsuit, can anyone give me information on getting on that train. I found other consumers across the country and in canada on this website with the same problems http://www.topix.net/forum/autos/buick-rendezvous/t1tik6gq01p6ghp7d/p3.

Filed Feb 21, 2006 · Engine · 40,000 miles · MI

Water pump failure at 40,000 miles. Head gasket coolant leak at 45,000 miles. Replaced the water pump. Replacing the head gasket.

Filed Jul 7, 2005 · Brakes, Engine · 1,000 miles · MD

Transmission failure- replaced 12/04, wheel hub bearing failure-replaced 06/05, heating/AC problems since new 09/03, brake problems since new, window regulators replaced 2x's, hatch latch failure-multiple, parking brake failure 07/04-present, overheating 07/04-present

Filed Apr 6, 2005 · Brakes, Electrical · 55,000 miles · PA

While operating the vehicle on snow-covered roads, the ABS and awd systems abruptly stopped working with the warning lights coming on. This happened several times that day before arriving home, causing the car to slide through an intersection at one point. Dealer found a corroded wiring harness due to water. The location of this harness is exposed on the undercarriage of the car and is still exposed to normal wet weather driving. The failure of this harness caused the ABS and awd sensor to overheat and disable the systems. In the process, the wheel bearings also overheated requiring replacement and repair. Total cost: $890.

Filed Mar 8, 2005 · Seats · FL · fire · 1 injury

While driving driver's seat overheated. The driver sustained injuries to both legs. Driver went to the hospital the next day. Driver took vehicle to the dealer, and mechanic informed the driver that a coil sensor needed to be replaced.