Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 2005 Buick Rendezvous sits mid-pack among Rendezvous years: 196 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 196, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (44), engine (32), and fuel system (21), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
196
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
0
Investigations
14
Crash-involved
1
Fires reported
15
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 44 | 22% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 32 | 16% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 21 | 11% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 19 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 19 | 10% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 13 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 12 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 11 | 6% | — flat |
| Airbags | 5 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 4 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Other | 4 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 4 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 3 | 2% | — flat |
| Visibility & Wipers | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
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.
Defect
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.
Consequence
IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.
Remedy
BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN EASTERN AND STEWART IN LAS VEGAS NV WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN WHILE TRYING TO COAST INTO A 7-11 PARKING LOT HIT A WALL AND CAR REAR ENDED ME . I REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, ECV AND THE VEHICLE WORKED FINE THERE WAS GAS LEAKING FROM THE ECV NOW I CANT GET THE CAR…”
“MY 2005 BUICK RENDEZVOUS WOULD PERIODICALLY STALL IN TURNS OR AT RED LIGHTS. 1 INSTANCE IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO A BUICK DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH A NEW BATTERY. AFTER THAT IT WOULD STILL STALL AT LIGHTS AND INTERSECTIONS. I TOLD VARIOUS MECHANICS…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRIVER WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO A FUEL LEAK FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE…”
“2005 BUICK RENDEZVOUS ROLLED FROM PARK WITH KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION INJURING CONSUMERS WIFE. *KB THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS THE POWER STEERING BECOMING HARD . THE DEALER REPLACED THE PUMP AND THE POWER STEERING RACK. THE ABS, AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN THE AWD…”
“2005 BUICK RENDEZVOUS ROLLED FROM PARK WITH KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION INJURING CONSUMERS WIFE. *KB THE CONSUMER HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS THE POWER STEERING BECOMING HARD . THE DEALER REPLACED THE PUMP AND THE POWER STEERING RACK. THE ABS, AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN THE AWD…”
It is close to typical for the Rendezvous: 196 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (44 complaints), engine (32 complaints), fuel system (21 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Buick Rendezvous. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
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.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.