2003 Buick Rendezvous: engine stalls while driving

15 of the 281 complaints about the 2003 Buick Rendezvous describe engine stalls while driving.

owner complaints: 15
of this car's complaints: 5%
typical mileage: 115,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 66 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine stalls while driving by model year

2007
10
2006
15
2005
23
2004
38
2003
15
2002
28

What owners say

Filed Jul 16, 2016 · Electrical · 155,000 miles · UT

Vehicle will go a few miles and stall illuminating battery light.if you let vehicle sit will restart only go a few more miles. Finally car will turn over for split second and RPM will go all the way down and car will stall. No check engine light. Had three different mechanics look at vehicle can not diagnose changed just about everything under hood.

Filed May 19, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 215,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shook and stalled and the battery light illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, restarted the vehicle, and resumed driving. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, but the technician could not find a failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken a fourth time to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the battery, alternator, and serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.

Filed May 28, 2015 · Electrical · 81,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.

Filed Jun 20, 2014 · Engine · 160,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled. After the vehicle stalled it would restart on its on within a few minutes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The fuel pump was replaced. The failure mileage was 160,000. The current mileage was 162,408. Updated 9/12/14-*cn the consumer stated the throttle positioning sensor, camshaft sensor, and crank sensor were all replaced. The vehicle would idle /stall wall being driven. The steering wheel would lock. The vehicle was not repaired. Updated 2/5/2015

Filed Jun 17, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 115,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The contact mentioned that the ABS and the service traction system warning indicator illuminated. Also, the fuel gauge was giving inaccurate readings. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the electrical wiring under the seat had corroded due to the internal leakage of the AC unit. As a result, the carpet created mold due to the wetness and the floor board was corroded as well. The mechanic also discovered that the all wheel drive was disabled. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Jun 27, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 147,500 miles · OH

I was looking up info on my car found there was recalls on my specific problem. The transmission shifts very hard with poor engine performance. It idles high and at times it sputters taking off from a stop. I am afraid one of these times it will stall and will end up in an accident. We had it hooked up for a diagnostic it came up trouble code p0742. This is our main transportation and the car used to transport our son. I would really like to get this fixed before it becomes a major issue or a problem resulting in a new car or accident.

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 Apr 26, 2011 · Engine · 40,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the rocker arm bolts fractured from the engine block which caused the head gasket to fail. The dealer stated that the engine would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 40,000 and current mileage 110,000.

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 23, 2008 · Engine · 58,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 buick rendezvous. While driving between 40-45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive it to a nearby mechanic. The mechanic stated that the radiator fluid was mixing with motor oil because the intake manifold gasket fractured. The current and failure mileages were 58,000. Updated 05/06/08. *lj updated 05/06/08.

Filed Jun 21, 2006 · Engine · 48,000 miles · AZ

Dt*: the contact stated the engine intake gasket was consistently leaking. During the time of the leakage, the engine did not stall. When the engine coolant became low the engine would get hot. The vehicle was only at 50000 miles and the contact expressed that the vehicle should not be having these problems at this point. The vehicle was repaired at an independent repair shop. The manufacturer was alerted and determined there would be no reimbursements for the repairs because the repairs were performed by an independent repair shops; repairs would be eligible for reimbursement if performed by the manufacturer's dealer. Updated 7/7//2006 -

Filed Jul 14, 2005 · Electrical · 49,656 miles · GA

2003 buick rendezvous stalling intermittently and fails to start since may 2005. Once car's engine stops and I remove the key, I am unable to re-start car. I have brought the car in twice for problem. Each time it has been mis-diagnosed and I am charged for un-necessary service. Lou sobh has suggested that it was a bad cell in the battery and transmission and brakes needed serious attention - I requested the emergncey items to be fixed the replacement of the battery and transmission and paid $537; however, the car was still stalling. I returned the car to lou sobh, then I was told I now require a new fuel pump all for $900. A recall is posted for the 2004 buick rendevous. I beleive this also pertains to my car model and the recall must be expanded to include the 2003 buick with the same problem.