BUICK RENDEZVOUS · model year

2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS

300 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004BUICKRENDEZVOUS carries 300 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 2 fires, 21 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 RENDEZVOUS is electrical system with 47 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (20) and steering (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2004 RENDEZVOUS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

300
Complaints
16
Crashes
2
Fires
21
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

300 filings

Crashes Reported

16 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM47
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM20
STEERING14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE11
SERVICE BRAKES11
AIR BAGS10
ENGINE10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
POWER TRAIN7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC6

Recalls (5)

04V15000029/03/2004

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A STRUCTURAL SUPPORT AT THE LATCH ATTACHMENT IN THE REAR LIFTGATE MAY BE INADEQUATE TO RETAIN THE LATCH TO THE LIFTGATE IN CERTAIN SEVERE VEHICLE CRASH EVENTS.

05V15700020/04/2005

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION ON IGNITION RELAY CONTACTS CAN CAUSE HIGH RESISTANCE. THIS CAN AFFECT SIGNALS TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND, COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME.

07E02100012/03/2007

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

03V45400010/11/2003

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A WELD BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE AND THE FUEL TANK CAN FAIL.

07V34900008/08/2007

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

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).

Recent Complaints

20250630UNKNOWN OR OTHER

It is an unfortunate fact that since moving to area Federal Hill this vehicle and driver has been illegally surveillanced the car has been broken into with no signs of forced entry. As usual the billboard is visible for locals to observe. My only issue is waiting to act. The vehicle is legal with no visible or internal issues. I drive the vehicle at a safe speed to avoid traffic accidents. There was a state inspection failure with no real reason, another issue. Cars have specifically attempted to run me off the road. From BWI to Downtown Baltimore.

20230103ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Upon arriving at my destination and after i put my in park i was UNABLE to turn my engine off because the ignition was stuck in that position. I ultimately had no choice but to unhook the battery cables along with disconnecting the alternator to get my engine to turn off. Prior to this incident occasionally upon starting my car the ignition would not disengage immediately upon the engine turning over which ultimately resulted in having to replace the starter on this vehicle. I am a single parent and only have one vehicle so this is a major issue for my family. Furthermore the fan speed control knob doesnt work properly because when it is put in position 3 it shuts the fan motor off completely. So there CLEAR to me that there seems to be a MAJOR electrical issue. The suspension on this vehicle is horrendous. I cannot go above 45mph without by car wanting to go into on-coming traffic or off of the road or trying to flip over on its side because the shocks/struts on the passenger side

20230103SUSPENSION

Upon arriving at my destination and after i put my in park i was UNABLE to turn my engine off because the ignition was stuck in that position. I ultimately had no choice but to unhook the battery cables along with disconnecting the alternator to get my engine to turn off. Prior to this incident occasionally upon starting my car the ignition would not disengage immediately upon the engine turning over which ultimately resulted in having to replace the starter on this vehicle. I am a single parent and only have one vehicle so this is a major issue for my family. Furthermore the fan speed control knob doesnt work properly because when it is put in position 3 it shuts the fan motor off completely. So there CLEAR to me that there seems to be a MAJOR electrical issue. The suspension on this vehicle is horrendous. I cannot go above 45mph without by car wanting to go into on-coming traffic or off of the road or trying to flip over on its side because the shocks/struts on the passenger side

20220829ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Electrical problems,manifold gone, ants under my battery the whole vehicle was infected with them, battery wouldn't unbolt tailgate wouldn't open, it overheated

20210316FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THERE HAS BEEN A LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK SINCE 2006 WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT TO THE VEHICLE AND AM HAVING DIFFICULTY FINDING ONE TO REPLACE IT. ONE CAR PARTS ATTENDANT INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

20210131FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY GRANDSON AND I WERE SHOPPING, THEN I FILLED MY GAS TANK. WE THEN WENT INTO THE GROCERY STORE CAME OUT, SMELLED GAS AND LOOKED UNDER CAR. IT IS LEAKING GAS, WE HURRIED HOME--WENT FROM FULL TANK TO 1/4 FULL TANK IN 58 MILES. IT IS SITTING AND NOT DRIVEN. AND I HAVE A 2003 RENDEZVOUS THAT HAS A GAS SMELL THAT IS VERY STRONG BUT HASN'T LEADED OUT GAS YET.

Mileage: 135,000

20201021FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, GASOLINE LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE GAS TANK WAS FRACTURED WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,694.

Mileage: 109,694

20200715FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHENEVER I PUT GAS INTO MY CAR THERE IS A STRONG UNBEARABLE GAS ODOR IN THE CAR.

Mileage: 101,000

20200615ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MILES PER HOUR AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY VEHICLE HAD PRETTY MUCH CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND IF I HADN'T HAD MY SEATBELT ON, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

Mileage: 132,132

20200615FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MILES PER HOUR AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY VEHICLE HAD PRETTY MUCH CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND IF I HADN'T HAD MY SEATBELT ON, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

Mileage: 132,132

20200615POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MILES PER HOUR AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY VEHICLE HAD PRETTY MUCH CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND IF I HADN'T HAD MY SEATBELT ON, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

Mileage: 132,132

20200414VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN PICKING UP SPEED FOR NO REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO NOR TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT WORKING. I CAN FILL IT UP WITH GAS AND THE LIGHT WILL STILL TURN ON. MAYBE AFTER DRIVING FOR A COUPLE MILES OR MAKING A TURN THE LIGHT WILL TURN OFF. *TR

Mileage: 250,000

20200414FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN PICKING UP SPEED FOR NO REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO NOR TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT WORKING. I CAN FILL IT UP WITH GAS AND THE LIGHT WILL STILL TURN ON. MAYBE AFTER DRIVING FOR A COUPLE MILES OR MAKING A TURN THE LIGHT WILL TURN OFF. *TR

Mileage: 250,000

20200210VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSE. THERE WERE CONSEQUENCES BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE FOR APPROXIMATELY EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

20200210ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSE. THERE WERE CONSEQUENCES BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE FOR APPROXIMATELY EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

20190712LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V150000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OURISMAN CHEVROLET OF MARLOW HEIGHTS (4400 BRANCH AVE, MARLOW HEIGHTS, MD 20748, (240) 455-3386) FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AFTERWARDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT PROCESS ANY PAPERWORK AND JUST GAVE HER THE KEYS TO LEAVE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LOCKS FAILED AND SUSPECTED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

Mileage: 159,000

20190709ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I CAN BE ON THE STREET DRIVING AND MY VEHICLE JUST STALLS OUT AND I HAVE TO GET IT RESTARTED AND PULLING THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART IT THAT'S THE FIRST ISSUE THE SECOND ONE IS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF AND MY TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT STAYS ON HAD IT LOOKED AT IT WAS FINE SYSTEM LIGHT REMAINS ON.

Mileage: 173,551

20190709ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I CAN BE ON THE STREET DRIVING AND MY VEHICLE JUST STALLS OUT AND I HAVE TO GET IT RESTARTED AND PULLING THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART IT THAT'S THE FIRST ISSUE THE SECOND ONE IS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF AND MY TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT STAYS ON HAD IT LOOKED AT IT WAS FINE SYSTEM LIGHT REMAINS ON.

Mileage: 173,551

20190628ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

NO ACCELERATION,WHEN I GO UP A HILL NO ACCELERATION, OR WHEN I GO TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY NO ACCELERATION, AND VERY DANGEROUS. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND I REPLACED FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR AND VENT SOLENOID, NO ACCELERATION. I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE 3 ELECTRICAL HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS $1350 DOLLARS PARTS AND LABOR TOO MUCH FOR ME AND THAT MAY NOT SOLVE MY PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM WAS CORROSION IN THE CONNECTORS TO THE FUEL PUMP $160 DOLLARS LATER THEY AGREED WITH ME. STILL DANGEROUS.

Mileage: 195,000

20190628ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NO ACCELERATION,WHEN I GO UP A HILL NO ACCELERATION, OR WHEN I GO TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY NO ACCELERATION, AND VERY DANGEROUS. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND I REPLACED FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR AND VENT SOLENOID, NO ACCELERATION. I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE 3 ELECTRICAL HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS $1350 DOLLARS PARTS AND LABOR TOO MUCH FOR ME AND THAT MAY NOT SOLVE MY PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM WAS CORROSION IN THE CONNECTORS TO THE FUEL PUMP $160 DOLLARS LATER THEY AGREED WITH ME. STILL DANGEROUS.

Mileage: 195,000

Compare 2004BUICKRENDEZVOUS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS have?
The 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS has 300 NHTSA complaints, 16 crashes, 2 fires, 21 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS?
Yes, the 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS?
The most-complained component for the 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 47 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and STEERING.
Is the 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.