After filling the fuel tank there is a strong gas odor that is present until the tank is almost empty. When walking around the vehicle or loading/unloading the vehicle, the strong gas odor is always present. This vehicle was at a dealership and they took it to the local personal auction company where i bid on it and bought it along with household items.
2003 Buick Rendezvous fuel system problems
84 complaints (30% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 80,100.
- owner complaints
- 84
- of this car's complaints
- 30%
- typical mileage
- 80,100
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Storage10
- Storage: tank assembly8
- Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings5
- Delivery: fuel pump3
- Storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices2
- Storage: fuel gauge system2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Buick Rendezvous fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Buick Rendezvous fuel system
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles, variations in the manufacturing process or exposure to high ambient temperatures may lead to fracture of the fuel tank inlet check valve (icv).
- Risk
- A fracture may allow fuel vapors to pass through and allow droplets of fuel to accumulate on the side of the fuel tank. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank. The recall will be mailed in two phases with the first phase beginning on december 4, 2007. The second phase will be mailed on december 13, 2007. Owners may contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080; chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668. The vehicle population includes buick rendezvous and pontiac aztek vehicle built in may 2003; chevrolet venture and pontiac montana vehicles built from june through august 2002; and all vehicles registered in nevada, arizona, virgin islands, puerto rico, and hawaii.
Recall number 07V349000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Fuel tank leakage
Gm is recalling (the federal safety agency recall no. 07v‑349) certain model year (my) 2002-2004 buick rendezvous, chevrolet venture (regular wheelbase) and 2001-2004 pontiac aztek and montana (regular wheelbase) vehicles to replace fuel tanks and correct a defect that may allow fuel leakage.the vehicle recall population is rendezvous and aztek vehicles built in may 2003, venture and montana vehicle built in june through august 2002 and certain same model vehicles registered in nevada, arizona, virgin islands, puerto rico and hawaii that were built through nov/dec 2003 (depending on model).the total number of vehicles recalled is 20,594 (includes 15,196 subject aztek and rendezvous vehicles). In addition to the recall, gm will extend the warranty on my 2002-2004 rendezvous and regular wheel base venture vans and my 2001-2004 aztek and regular wheelbase montana vans not included in the recall to provide warranty coverage for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first.gm will begin notifying owners in december 2007.gm reports that the fuel inlet pipe containing the inlet check valve (icv) may fracture and allow fuel vapors or fuel to leak out.gm data revealed that elevated ambient temperatures, higher carbon content in the icv and variation in the manufacturing process were the contributing factors for potential cracks in the icv.beginning december 2003, gm built vehicles with a redesigned fuel tank/icv.subject vehicles not included in the recall or extended warranty did not show a failure trend similar to the above vehicles..for additional details, see recall 07v‑349.this investigation is closed.
EA07006
Fuel tank leakage
Certain subject vehicles may exhibit leakage of odor and/or fuelfrom the lower portion of the fuel tank inlet filler pipe (inlet check valve).the inlet check valve (icv) and the fuel tank are joined together using a hot plate welding process for plastic parts.gm reports that its analysis of field returned parts show evidence of process variations for different manufacturing periods.these variations produced some icv to fuel tank joints with poor melt flow lines.odi's analysis of gm's warranty claim data finds more frequent fuel tank replacements in the hotter climate states.this investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea07-006) to further assess this matter.
RQ06009
What 2003 Buick Rendezvous owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I purchased this vehicle in 2013, and a few years later, I began smelling gas. After doing my due diligence, I found out that there is a recall for this issue, because the check inlet valve at the top of the tank where the filler neck connects to the tank is cracked. Great, NO, only CERTAIN Rendezvous were covered, and even though mine has the exact same issue, they refuse to cover it and replace the tank. Well, apparently, there were SO MANY complaints by other Rendezvous owners that were also not "included" in the recall, the recall was expanded to ALL Rendezvous', BUT with the stipulation that it had to have less than 150,000 miles on it, which by THAT TIME, my car WAS over that mileage. So now I'm still driving with gas leaking out of my car, A KNOWN AND ADMITTEDLY UNSAFE DEFECT, because just to purchase that gas tank is over $1,000, not including the labor to drop the tank and replace it, approximately 3-4 hours labor. My disability check cannot afford that, so I have been FORCED to continue driving an unsafe car because they are refusing to repair THEIR DEFECT. And I'm not the only one. I've seen NUMEROUS videos of mechanic's shops BEGGING GM to cover this. And I take my grandchildren to school in this car. At least if the car does blow up one day because they wont' fix THEIR OWN SAFETY issue, I'll have ONE more record of trying to get it fixed and the request being ignored. I'm putting all this information in a file that will go to my daughter and attorney, as well as anyone else's attorney that is injured or killed because of not being repaired. All I was is to drive a car with gas not leaking out of my tank as I drive. I cover ALL the other repairs that it needs. I don't think this is too much to ask, especially since it won't cost the dealership anywhere near $1500 to fix, and any price would be far less than it will cost GM in a wrongful death suit.
Have been told by several different mechanics that fuel is leaking where the fuel filler neck connects to the plastic gas tank at the check inlet valve. I've seen many, many complaints of this same issue from other rendezvous owners, as well as the same problem of gm and/or buick refusing to repair the vehicle, even though it is a safety issue, (possible fuel ignition outside of the engine usually is). I live off a very modest disability check and a new tank is over $1,000, not including another 4-5 hours of labor. That's more than I get in a month. Gm needs to step up and honor the recall and fix these vehicles. It's complete bs that they are limiting it to vehicles with less than 150,000 miles on them. And my vehicle had less than that the first time I contacted gm about this, but that was before they so graciously extended the warranty to all rendezvous' with this issue, but adding the mileage restriction effectively eliminating any other vehicles actually qualifying to be repaired. I bought this vehicle in 2013, and it has always been legally registered, but I never received any communications from gm about this recall. That, and the refusal to repair a recall safety issue, is, or should be criminally negligent.I really feel like a class action lawsuit is what will have to happen. Maybe since I have so much time on my hands, that is something I should look into.
Our rendevouz plastic fuel tank started seeping fuel at the filler neck yesterday. After doing some reading, I saw there was a recall and then a special coverage adjustment. The one listed on july 21, 2008 said the tank would be replaced regardless of age and mileage. Then, gm changed their mind on august 8, 2008 and limited mileage and age to 150,000 miles and 10 years. I am very disturbed about this and think that this tank needs replaced for safety reasons at minimum. The fuel tank is not available from any aftermarket source and purchasing it from gm is $1590. I cannot believe that purchasing a used tank would be safe due to the issue gm has mentioned.
Gas tank leaks sometimes... When in motion and when stationary
Fuel dripping from tank due to crack around inlet
Strong smell of gas outside the rendezous at first after filling car which seem to occur only when newly filled. Now the strong smell outside of car is continuous and fuel is leaking. This is a subject of recall but date of recall is too old for gm to honor the recall. Have been told that the fuel tank has to be replaced.
Takata recall traction control, ABS I have replaced both front hubs barings with ABS sensors twice in 1 year. Still the traction control comes on when iam about to stop or turn
Vehicle is leaking fuel from the gas tank seam. The amount of fuel being lost is significant.
Car shuts down. Fuel gauge goes to empty. Loses power in the steering. Have to pump gas into the tank slow. Takes forever.
Questions about the 2003 Buick Rendezvous fuel system
Does the 2003 Buick Rendezvous have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 84 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Buick Rendezvous, 30% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Buick Rendezvous fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 80,100 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Buick Rendezvous fuel system?
Yes, 1 recall: 07V349000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Buick Rendezvous have the most fuel system problems?
The Buick Rendezvous model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2002 (103 complaints), 2003 (84 complaints) and 2004 (49 complaints).
Other 2003 Buick Rendezvous problems
Engine 62Brakes 45Electrical 45Transmission 25Visibility 22Suspension 21Steering 17Body 9Driver assistance 8Airbags 7Locks 6Wheels 6Acceleration 5Lights 4Tires 3Seats 2Seat belts 1
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