VehicleVerdict

2002 Buick Rendezvous problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 690 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.5 times the median Rendezvous year — the 2002 model ranks #1 of 7 Rendezvous years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 28 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (130), electrical system (117), and fuel system (107), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

690

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

28

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Rendezvous years?

Rendezvous NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted690 complaints2001: 4 complaints2002: 690 complaints2003: 407 complaints2004: 300 complaints2005: 196 complaints2006: 131 complaints2007: 70 complaints
Rendezvous NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rendezvous years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Buick Rendezvous problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine13019%
Electrical System11717%
Fuel System10716%
Brakes599%
Suspension457%
Transmission426%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)294%
Visibility & Wipers264%
Other264%
Airbags243%
Body & Structure203%
Steering162%
Lighting152%
Latches & Locks101%
Tires & Wheels91%
Speed Control71%
Seats61%
Seat Belts20%

Does the 2002 Buick Rendezvous have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V349000Fuel SystemAugust 8, 2007 · 20,594 units

Defect

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).

Consequence

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.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

02V222000AirbagsAugust 9, 2002 · 133,221 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence

PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“HEAD GASKET BLEW. WAS FIXED FOR $2000 THEN NEXT DAY AFTER I PICKED IT UP FROM THE SHOP THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, THEY SAID BRAKE LINES LEAKED ON MANIFOLD... *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 3, 2009 · fire

“WHEN DRIVING THE BUICK RENDEZVOUS 2002 HOME THE BRAKES BEGAN TO NOT RESPOND. AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND DRIVING DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY, THE SUV HAD SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE BUICK RENDEZVOUS WAS TURNED OFF BUT CONTINUED TO EXPELLED LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE UNDER THE ENGINE AREA. WITHIN 5 MINUTES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 15, 2016 · fire

“NO NOTICE FROM GM ON RECALL DATED 08/08/2007 FUEL TANK DEFECT. FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK AT THIS SPECIFIC LOCATION. DEALERS WILL NOT REPAIR THIS DEFECT. I AM THE ORIG. OWNER.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 5, 2007 · fire

“WHEN DRIVING THE BUICK RENDEZVOUS 2002 HOME THE BRAKES BEGAN TO NOT RESPOND. AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND DRIVING DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY, THE SUV HAD SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE BUICK RENDEZVOUS WAS TURNED OFF BUT CONTINUED TO EXPELLED LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE UNDER THE ENGINE AREA. WITHIN 5 MINUTES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 15, 2016 · fire

“FRONT LEFT SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT 30,000 MILES OF WEAR. WITHIN TWO WEEK OR LESS THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND MADE THE REPAIRS.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 18, 2002 · crash

2002 Buick Rendezvous — common questions

Is the 2002 Buick Rendezvous reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 690 complaints put the 2002 model at #1 of 7 Rendezvous years. It is one of the Rendezvous years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Rendezvous problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (130 complaints), electrical system (117 complaints), fuel system (107 complaints).

Does the 2002 Buick Rendezvous have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Buick Rendezvous. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Buick Rendezvous under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Buick Rendezvous years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rendezvous years to avoid are 2002, 2003, 2004. The cleanest record among Rendezvous years belongs to 2001.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.