Problem Plagued 2002-03 Rendezvous

[Regalluvr]

The 2002-2003 Buick Rendezvous seem to be the Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde of cars.One will run perfect and the next one will be problem plagued.

In March 2003 we were in Omaha looking at a low mile 2002 CXL AWD.We were very interested in it until the salesman informed us it was a Buick buy back because of electrical and transmission problems.A week later we were in Oklahoma City buying a program 2002 CXL AWD.It had 13,000 miles and ran perfect until 30,000 miles in early Feb 2004.Then it was one BCM after another until we got tired of it being in the shop continually and traded it off in March 2004.

Our local dealer has sold 7-8 RDV's and has 2 problem ones.Another dealer we go to has sold 25-30 RDV's and has had 6-7 problem ones.Two were so bad GM bought them back and a 3rd was taken to an auction to get it out of the area.One womans RDV will die going down the highway and will refuse to restart.They tow it in and then it will restart.The dealer cant find out whats wrong with it.Another customers horn will start honking for no reason.The owner says it possessed.

I have been to numerous automotive websites and find that far too many 2002-2003 RDV's have the following problems.

One BCM after another(some have had 3-4-5-6-7 installed)
Instrument clusters
Bad intake gaskets (known problem on 1995-2003 3.1-3.4 GM V-6's)
Head gaskets
Wheel bearings and hubs(have seen this mentioned numerous times)
AC condensors
Fuel pumps
Stalling on the hiway and refusing to restart( have seen this mentioned many times)
Blower motors
Wiper motors
Transmissions(one owner is on his 3rd)
Transfer Case
Rear differential
Wind damaged drivers doors(4 in one day in a small KS town)
Valve springs
Gas tanks
Radiators
Starter motors

Some owners state that they have had multiple problems and have been to the dealer 10-15 times.This is mostly on the 2002-2003 RDV's.The 2004-2005 RDVs seem to be doing lots better.

Has anyone on here had these problems?If you are buying a used 2002-03 RDV I'd sure talk to the former owner to get its history and I would highly recomend an extended warranty if you can get one..

 

[Nada Vericker]

I own a 2002 RDV with 68K miles, purchased new, 4/03. It has had many, many problems. Right now it is at the dealer & I am told I need to replace all the gaskets for a mere $1450! We had both sets of front wheel bearings replaced the first year, two different emergency visits to the dealer. The electrical system blows fuses frequently (although, luckily, we have never had a complete failure). The wind noise on the driver's side has annoyed me since day 1. We have had the blower motor replaced. It looks good and is very comfortable but has been problem plagued. I can't wait to get rid of it.

 

[Regalluvr]

Originally posted by Nada Vericker@Mar 8 2005, 12:34 PM
I own a 2002 RDV with 68K miles, purchased new, 4/03. It has had many, many problems. Right now it is at the dealer & I am told I need to replace all the gaskets for a mere $1450! We had both sets of front wheel bearings replaced the first year, two different emergency visits to the dealer. The electrical system blows fuses frequently (although, luckily, we have never had a complete failure). The wind noise on the driver's side has annoyed me since day 1. We have had the blower motor replaced. It looks good and is very comfortable but has been problem plagued. I can't wait to get rid of it.

[snapback]1940[/snapback]​

Nada,
Sorry to hear of all your problems.Lots of RDV's seem to be problem free while others have had tons of problems.I believe here is one of the worst ones I have ever heard about.This review was taken out of a popular automotive magazines forum.I sure feel sorry for this RDV owner.Here is the best case I have ever seen for an extended warranty.At least he hadnt lost any wheel bearings yet.


Results: 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS User Results
Submitted by: Reviewer from ottawa , IL
Date Reviewed: 10/23/2004 9:44:09 AM
Years Owned: 2 Years
Mileage: 45000
Style: CXL awd
Owned Before: I have previously owned a vehicle of this make.
Pros: sound system is great
Cons: quality control and electrical
Review: This vehicle is on its fifth BCM, third instrument cluster, third PCM,third battery, third leveling pump and third starter. It has had the intake gaskets replaced as well as the water pump. It also has had the condensor replaced. This has not been a good vehicle. I would not recommend it to anyone else. Thank goodness I have the extended warranty on this vehicle or it would have been a financial disaster.
Rating
Overall 1
Vehicle Styling 2.5
Braking 5
Handling 5
Fuel Economy 2.5
Interior Comfort 5
Acceleration 2.5
Dependability 2.5
Fit and Finish 5
Transmission 5
Ride 5

Rating Scale: 1= worst 10= best

 

[rmkennedy]

I wish I had found this site sooner. At least I know I'm not alone. I have probably had almost one of everything go wrong with my 2002 rendezvous and many of the same problems more than once. I was lucky though as I got GM to give me their Major Guard extended warranty for free. It covers me to over 80000 miles and 5 1/2 years from in service date. Crazy, though. I love my rendezvous and would probably buy one again.

Originally posted by Regalluvr@Jan 31 2005, 10:25 PM
The 2002-2003 Buick Rendezvous seem to be the Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde of cars.One will run perfect and the next one will be problem plagued.

In March 2003 we were in Omaha looking at a low mile 2002 CXL AWD.We were very interested in it until the salesman informed us it was a Buick buy back because of electrical and transmission problems.A week later we were in Oklahoma City buying a program 2002 CXL AWD.It had 13,000 miles and ran perfect until 30,000 miles in early Feb 2004.Then it was one BCM after another until we got tired of it being in the shop continually and traded it off in March 2004.

Our local dealer has sold 7-8 RDV's and has 2 problem ones.Another dealer we go to has sold 25-30 RDV's and has had 6-7 problem ones.Two were so bad GM bought them back and a 3rd was taken to an auction to get it out of the area.One womans RDV will die going down the highway and will refuse to restart.They tow it in and then it will restart.The dealer cant find out whats wrong with it.Another customers horn will start honking for no reason.The owner says it possessed.

I have been to numerous automotive websites and find that far too many 2002-2003 RDV's have the following problems.

One BCM after another(some have had 3-4-5-6-7 installed)
Instrument clusters
Bad intake gaskets (known problem on 1995-2003 3.1-3.4 GM V-6's)
Head gaskets
Wheel bearings and hubs(have seen this mentioned numerous times)
AC condensors
Fuel pumps
Stalling on the hiway and refusing to restart( have seen this mentioned many times)
Blower motors
Wiper motors
Transmissions(one owner is on his 3rd)
Transfer Case
Rear differential
Wind damaged drivers doors(4 in one day in a small KS town)
Valve springs
Gas tanks
Radiators
Starter motors

Some owners state that they have had multiple problems and have been to the dealer 10-15 times.This is mostly on the 2002-2003 RDV's.The 2004-2005 RDVs seem to be doing lots better.

Has anyone on here had these problems?If you are buying a used 2002-03 RDV I'd sure talk to the former owner to get its history and I would highly recomend an extended warranty if you can get one..

[snapback]1534[/snapback]​

 

[Regalluvr]

rmkennedy,glad to hear that GM gave you an extended warranty.Believe me you arent alone when you say you have a problem plagued RDV.We sure had one and web searches have found many-many more.Here is a not so happy RDV owner from another automotive website.



Ratings ( Maximum score is 100 )

Overall: ( 20 )
Comfort: ( 20 )
Performance: ( 20 )
Quality: ( 20 )
Appearance: ( 40 )

Comments

Favorite feature:
Getting out of the car!!

Least favorite feature:
EVERYTHING!!

Advice to buyer:
DO NOT BUY!!

Detailed review:
If driving before 20,000 miles, GREAT!! After 20,000 miles the car goes to He!!...GM will not fess up to the problems and mechanics at the dealership are worthless. Talk about not standing behind your product!! They sell a crappy product at an escalated price. Problems include busted head gasket ($1000) air cond. compressor ($900) lights going out without warning (at night, hope your not driving behind or in front of me!&#33😉 but GM can't or won't try to fix the problem. Ignition swith shot and computer panels need replacing ($2000) should I go on? Don't buy this car!!!

Also considered:
N/A

About This Reviewer...

Location:
Elkton, Maryland

Other vehicles owned:
None

Review submitted:
February 10, 2005

 

[ImpalaLS]

Its seems odd that Consumer Reports now Recommends the Rendezvous...

Sorry to hear about your troubles...

My '03 RDV has 52k miles and the only problem I've had is the intake manifold gaskets -The achilees heel of the 3400/3100 V6 regardless of GM make or model its in....

 

[Unregistered]

The 2002-2003 Buick Rendezvous seem to be the Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde of cars.One will run perfect and the next one will be problem plagued.

In March 2003 we were in Omaha looking at a low mile 2002 CXL AWD.We were very interested in it until the salesman informed us it was a Buick buy back because of electrical and transmission problems.A week later we were in Oklahoma City buying a program 2002 CXL AWD.It had 13,000 miles and ran perfect until 30,000 miles in early Feb 2004.Then it was one BCM after another until we got tired of it being in the shop continually and traded it off in March 2004.

Our local dealer has sold 7-8 RDV's and has 2 problem ones.Another dealer we go to has sold 25-30 RDV's and has had 6-7 problem ones.Two were so bad GM bought them back and a 3rd was taken to an auction to get it out of the area.One womans RDV will die going down the highway and will refuse to restart.They tow it in and then it will restart.The dealer cant find out whats wrong with it.Another customers horn will start honking for no reason.The owner says it possessed.

I have been to numerous automotive websites and find that far too many 2002-2003 RDV's have the following problems.

One BCM after another(some have had 3-4-5-6-7 installed)
Instrument clusters
Bad intake gaskets (known problem on 1995-2003 3.1-3.4 GM V-6's)
Head gaskets
Wheel bearings and hubs(have seen this mentioned numerous times)
AC condensors
Fuel pumps
Stalling on the hiway and refusing to restart( have seen this mentioned many times)
Blower motors
Wiper motors
Transmissions(one owner is on his 3rd)
Transfer Case
Rear differential
Wind damaged drivers doors(4 in one day in a small KS town)
Valve springs
Gas tanks
Radiators
Starter motors

Some owners state that they have had multiple problems and have been to the dealer 10-15 times.This is mostly on the 2002-2003 RDV's.The 2004-2005 RDVs seem to be doing lots better.

Has anyone on here had these problems?If you are buying a used 2002-03 RDV I'd sure talk to the former owner to get its history and I would highly recomend an extended warranty if you can get one..

I sure wish I had found this site before I bought my wife's RDV. We bought it used with 30k milesm, and after it hit 60K things have started to break. And just this week, two things on the list above have popped up, intake gasket and the a/c condensor. Over $1150 in parts and labor. And it doesn't help that the reason I took it to the mechanic in the first place was b/c there was some fluid leaking from underneath. I didn't know what it was, but as it turns out, it was dye that they put into the cooling system to check for leaks. So I'm guessing that it probably had problems before as well. I will Definitely do my homework before buying another car, and I would not recommend a RDV to anyone.

 

[ImpalaLS]

I sure wish I had found this site before I bought my wife's RDV. We bought it used with 30k milesm, and after it hit 60K things have started to break. And just this week, two things on the list above have popped up, intake gasket and the a/c condensor. Over $1150 in parts and labor. And it doesn't help that the reason I took it to the mechanic in the first place was b/c there was some fluid leaking from underneath. I didn't know what it was, but as it turns out, it was dye that they put into the cooling system to check for leaks. So I'm guessing that it probably had problems before as well. I will Definitely do my homework before buying another car, and I would not recommend a RDV to anyone.

I recommend the Rendezvous. All vehicles are not without their faults. And there are always going to be a some lemons regardless of make or model. (At least these problems are not life threatening ie Explorer/Firestone, Durango/Dakota front wheels falling off) Could be worse.

You just happened to be among the unlucky ones. Of course the people that have the problems, are the most vocal. You don't hear from the thousands (majority)of other satisfied RDV owners, excepting myself.

You are right and should have done your homework on your purchase, especially checking/inspecting the vehicle you are about to buy... At least you admitted you didn't.

Thousands of RDV's have rolled off the assembly line and not ALL them are going to have the major problems as this thread seems to imply.

 

[Unregistered]

2002 RDV CXL problems

I find the problems listed regarding the 2002 RDV's dead on the mark. I bought my 2002 RDV new in January 2002, and it now has 58,000 miles. Here is a list of some of the problems I have faced and are still facing:

Replaced both front wheel bearings, one at 16K, the other at 45K
Went through the classic intake manifold gasket replacement at 55K miles
AM radio antennae reception much better when car is turned off, but radio still on - dealer could not find a problem with it.
When the intake manifold gasket was replaced, the mechanic noticed a leak coming from the head gasket in the corner cylinder nearest the passenger seat.

My latest problem is that the last two times I completely fueled the car while in the middle of highway driving (driving at 75 mph for about 2 hours), the car would not restart for approximately 10-15 minutes. I suspect this is the fuel pump - has anyone else had this problem and do they know a fix other than to replace the complete fuel pump system???

This car is comfortable and a great ride, but I can't believe how many problems it has had ....

 

[Unregistered]

I find the problems listed regarding the 2002 RDV's My latest problem is that the last two times I completely fueled the car while in the middle of highway driving (driving at 75 mph for about 2 hours), the car would not restart for approximately 10-15 minutes. I suspect this is the fuel pump - has anyone else had this problem and do they know a fix other than to replace the complete fuel pump system???

This car is comfortable and a great ride, but I can't believe how many problems it has had ....

Mine did this at a gas station last week... Dealer says fuel pump.. Please give me $700.

 

[Unregistered]

2002 Rdv

Well Well Well...I see that I am not the only one.I just recently purchase a 2002 RDV 5 months ago and it is in the shop as I speak.I did see my problems on the long list of known problems with this vehicle. I need new intake gasket, fuel system and rack and pinyon. I did buy the extended warranty, but I fear what will it be like when that warranty expires. I was driving down the freeway and my car suddenly stopped. I was told I also needed a new battery. Hmmmm....what will be next? If I knew it was a possibility that I would get a "bad one" I would have left it on the lot. The salesman even went as far as to tell me he was thinking of buying his wife one. I see now that was not the truth. Beware if you think of purchasing this car.

 

[Nickx281]

The Absolute Worst

I purchased a brand new 2002 Rendezvous in 2001 and have had nothing but problems. It has cost me literally thousands of dollars in various repairs; bearings, transmission, air conditioner, fuel pump, interior paint. Yet, I have only 62,000 miles of mostly highway driving on this vehicle.

Honestly, if there were some way I could file a class action suit against GM I certainly would not hesitate. If anyone is interested please let me know.

In the past, I would have never bought anything but an American made vehicle. But now, I never will be another American made vehicle ever again.
They are literally built like toys. Especially GM vehicles.

I owned a 2000 Transport and you could practically pull the headlight fixtures from and reinsert them like a jigsaw puzzle. Every time it rained my headlights were full of water! Needless to say, the bulbs burned out.

I loved the Rendezvous when I first bought it. However, it did not take me very long to come to hate it with a passion.

I feel like I have been personally "violated" by General Motors and would not hesitate in the least to have them pay me for my emotional and financial anguish.

In the 2002 Buick Rendezvous, General Motors has created the ultimate piece of garbage.

Please take my advice and do NOT buy one of these vehicles.

Reply to Nickx281@msn.com

 

[GreggK]

only preoblem with our 2002 RDV CX AWD is the rear diff moans a little bit, and the normal 3100/3400 noisy valvetrain when it gets close to time to change the oil. ours presently has 46000 miles...

 

[GreggK]

nickx281 here ya go...check out this site.... http://www.lemonlawamerica.com/

 

[dlking]

buick rdv is a piece of ****

I bought my buick in February 2005 used. It is a 2002 CX and has only 36650 miles on it. I just got it back today after replacing the condensor for 852.71 and found that the leak was where the welds are from which GM put there. This is truely a manufacure defect. I first took my vehicle to a GM dealership and thye told me a rock must have done it, but then took it to another shop that was not GM and found out the facts that the leakm was from the back side and on the welds where the extra pieces they put on to mount it. This shop has done several and the GM dealership also admitted that they have had problems with condensors, but would not cover the part or labor. I have also replaced the battery, fuses, and brake pads and there is a sound like the bearing is going out.