The most-reported Rendezvous run is 3G5DA03E32S (2002 builds) with 27 complaints, 4.7× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 23% of reports; 2002 is the worst model year at 9.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for Rendezvous model years 2002–2006.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Buick Rendezvous has 171 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 11% of every Rendezvous complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3G5DA03E32S•••••• | 2002 | 2 | — | |
| 3G5DB03E52S•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| 3G5DA03E22S•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| 3G5DA03E72S•••••• | 2002 | 2 | — | |
| 3G5DA03E13S•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 3G5DA03E12S•••••• | 2002 | 1 | 2 | |
| 3G5DA03E83S•••••• | 2003 | 5 | 1 | |
| 3G5DB03E22S•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| 3G5DA03EX2S•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| 3G5DB03EX2S•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| 3G5DB03E32S•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| 3G5DA03E42S•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 159 Rendezvous runs has 17 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Buick Rendezvous the gap between build years is 4.4×: a 2002 car draws 9.7 complaints per run, a 2006 one 2.2.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 34 | 12 | 3 | |
| 2006 | 67 | 31 | 3 | |
| 2005 | 111 | 35 | 8 | |
| 2004 | 163 | 33 | 10 | |
| 2003 | 226 | 30 | 9 | |
| 2002 | 370 | 38 | 14 |
Heaviest year here is 2002 at 9.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2006 at 2.2.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 23% of everything Buick Rendezvous owners report: Electrical System, 241 of 973 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 | 12 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 2 | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 4 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | 2 | |
| Power Train | 3 | — | |
| Suspension | 5 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 10 recall campaigns on the Buick Rendezvous; the 6 below cover build years 2002 to 2006. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 07E021000 | Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices | 2002–2005 |
| 07V349000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage | 2002–2004 |
| 06V417000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2005–2006 |
| 04V150000 | Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock | 2003–2004 |
| 02V222000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2002–2003 |
| 05V157000 | Electrical System:ignition | 2004 |
The Rendezvous against its rivals
The Rendezvous draws 5.7 complaints per production run; the Pontiac Aztek 3.7. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Rendezvous | 973 | 171 | 4.9% | |
| Pontiac Aztek | 411 | 112 | 3.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 973 reports on the Buick Rendezvous, 4.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Buick Rendezvous | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 973 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 48 (4.9%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 20 (2.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 57 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Buick Rendezvous share of that is 973 complaints over 171 runs, 0.09% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Buick Rendezvous VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 973 NHTSA complaints from 171 Rendezvous runs and 10 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Rendezvous production run has the most complaints?
3G5DA03E32S, a 2002 build, with 27 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical Rendezvous run has 5.7.
Which Rendezvous years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2002 is heaviest at 9.7 complaints per run and 2006 lightest at 2.2.
Does the Rendezvous get more complaints than the Pontiac Aztek?
Yes: 5.7 complaints per production run for the Rendezvous against 3.7 for the Pontiac Aztek.
How many Rendezvous complaints involve a crash?
4.9% of 973 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 20 involved a fire.
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