VehicleVerdict

2006 Buick Rendezvous problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2006 Buick Rendezvous sits mid-pack among Rendezvous years: 131 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 196, with a single recall and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (24), fuel system (20), and engine (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

131

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Rendezvous years?

Rendezvous NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted690 complaints2001: 4 complaints2002: 690 complaints2003: 407 complaints2004: 300 complaints2005: 196 complaints2006: 131 complaints2007: 70 complaints
Rendezvous NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rendezvous years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Buick Rendezvous problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2418%
Fuel System2015%
Engine1511%
Suspension1411%
Steering118%
Transmission118%
Airbags97%
Visibility & Wipers65%
Tires & Wheels54%
Brakes54%
Body & Structure32%
Speed Control32%
Other22%
Lighting22%
Seats11%

Does the 2006 Buick Rendezvous have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06V417000AirbagsOctober 31, 2006 · 794 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE LEFT HIS WIFE IN THE VEHICLE WHILE HE ENTERED THE STORE. HE LEFT THE RADIO ON, BUT WHEN HIS WIFE TURNED IT OFF, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO AN UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER HAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 10, 2008 · crash

“I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN DECEMBER 2014, THE VERY FIRST NIGHT DRIVING IT HOME, THE ENGINE WOULD NIT START. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER, TOOK THE CAR BACK AND WATCHED AS THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC. NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS TO BE A NORMAL ISSUE WITH THE MAKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 9, 2015 · crash

“I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN DECEMBER 2014, THE VERY FIRST NIGHT DRIVING IT HOME, THE ENGINE WOULD NIT START. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER, TOOK THE CAR BACK AND WATCHED AS THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC. NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS TO BE A NORMAL ISSUE WITH THE MAKE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 9, 2015 · crash

“MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON A 2 LANE ROADWAY,HEARD A LOUD BANG, LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AND CROSSED THE CENTERLINE , THEN SWERVED BACK ACROSS ROAD TO HER SIDE AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. LATER WE FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR BALL JOINT BROKE OFF CAUSING THE WHEEL TO COLLAPSE AND WHEN THE CAR SKIDDED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 20, 2014 · crash

“2006 BUICK RENDEZVOUS: OPERATOR STOPPED THE CAR IN PARKING LOT, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND REMOVED THE KEYS. CAR WAS IN DRIVE "D" AND KEYS WERE REMOVED. LATER, CAR ROLLED BACKWARD AND HIT ANOTHER CAR IN PARKING LOT (LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED). DEALER INDICATES THAT THE KEYS CANNOT BE REMOVED WHEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 30, 2008 · crash

2006 Buick Rendezvous — common questions

Is the 2006 Buick Rendezvous reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 131 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Rendezvous year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2006 Rendezvous problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (24 complaints), fuel system (20 complaints), engine (15 complaints).

Does the 2006 Buick Rendezvous have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2006 Buick Rendezvous. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.