2004 Buick RENDEZVOUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
200 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
67,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 162 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 47 of 200 complaints (23.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 36 | 18.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 31 | 15.5% |
| Braking behavior | 30 | 15.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 26 | 13.0% |
| Steering behavior | 18 | 9.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 47 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 20 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 14 |
| Steering | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 12 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
Electrical System: 47; Fuel/Propulsion System: 20; Electrical System:Ignition: 14; Steering: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling: 12; Fuel System, Gasoline: 11; Service Brakes: 11; Air Bags: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 44 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 25 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 20 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 33 |
| 150,000 and above | 19 |
Under 25,000: 44; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 25; 75,000 to 99,999: 20; 100,000 to 149,999: 33; 150,000 and above: 19
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (44). 38 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 24 |
| 2005 | 33 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 18 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2004: 24; 2005: 33; 2006: 10; 2007: 12; 2008: 9; 2009: 13; 2010: 11; 2011: 8; 2012: 6; 2013: 5; 2014: 20; 2015: 18; 2016: 8; 2017: 5; 2018: 5; 2019: 3; 2020: 5; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 36 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 31 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10083785 · 2004-07-23 (July 23, 2004)
2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS HAS HAD ENGINE FAILURE THREE TIMES.*MR THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AT 10000 MILES. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR AT 11000. THE VEHICLE STALLED A THIRD TIME AT 12000 MILES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER HAS NOT DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES SHE SHOULD BE GIVE A NEW VEHICLE SINCE THE PROBLEM CANNOT SEEM TO BE PERMANENTLY RESOLVED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086601 · 2004-08-11 (August 11, 2004)
ON 7/27/04 VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 4. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES VEHICLE RESTARTED. DROVE TO DEALER FOR SERVICING ON 7/28 . DEALER RAN SCAN TEST AND FOUND MULTIPLE LOST OF COMMUNICATION FAILURES AT MULTIPLE MODULES. UPON DIAGNOSTICS FOUND BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER CONNECTORS NOT TORQUED TO SPECS. TIGHTENED ALL CONNECTORS AT BEC AND ROAD TESTED. VEHICLE RETURNED OK ON 7/29/04. ON 8/5/04 VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MILES PER HOUR ON INTERSTATE 4 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ENDANGERING DRIVER AND PASSENGER. A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10086601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088327 · 2004-08-21 (August 21, 2004)
SUDDENLY ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL IN TRAFFIC WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS ALL GO OFF, THE RADIO WASHES OUT THE PRESETS, WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF SOMETIMES THE RADIO PRESETS ARE ERASED. MANY TIMES THE AUTO LOCKS AND UNLOCKS WHEN SITTING IN THE LOT. THE DEALER HAS WORKED ON IT AT LEAST FIVE TIMES, TWO ENGINE CONTROL MODULES, A NEW WIRING HARNESS, THE AUTO HAS HAD ITS RADIO "RECALIBRATED" THIS THING IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT KEEPS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. DEALER SAYS HE HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093581 · 2004-10-04 (October 4, 2004)
LOST ALL BRAKING DUE TO BRAKE FADE WHILE DESCENDING A 12% GRADE FOR 3 MILES WITH NO EXTRA LOAD IN THE CAR, WITH AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 50 F.*AK 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095479 · 2004-09-29 (September 29, 2004)
SEVERAL-FAILURES, BRAKING NOISE, FRONT/REAR TIRE WEAR, UNSECURED ROOF AND TOP TAIL LAMP. *BF STEERING WHEEL WAS NOISY ALONG WITH A THUMP ROAR AND GRINDING, THERE WAS POOR AIR FLOW CIRCULATION ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, THE RACK ROOF WAS UNSECURED AND SIDE RAILS, POOR WEAR ON THE TIRES FRONT/REAR, REAR WHEEL RUBBING/GRINDING DURING NORMAL OPERATION, BRAKE NOISES, POOR IDLE AND SHUTS OFF THE ENGINE, LACK OF AIR FLOW FOR PASSENGERS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW BLACK RUBBER SEAM BUCKLED. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10095479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062519 · 2004-03-18 (March 18, 2004)
GAS TANK NECK ON THE GAS TANK SNAPPED OFF WHEN HIT BY ROAD DEBRIS. AFTER DISCOVERING GAS SPILLING WHILE REFILLING , I NOTICED THE NECK ON THE GAS TANK WHERE THE FILLER HOSE CONNECTS TO THE GAS TANK (AT THE LOWEST POINT WHERE THE FILLER HOSE ENDS AND CONNECTS ONTO THE GAS TANK) HAD SNAPPED OFF. IT IS MY OPINION THE VEHICLE DESIGN LEAVES THE LOW HANGING HOSE (LIKE A RADIATOR HOSE) THAT CONNECTS TO THE NECK OF GAS TANK WAY OVER EXPOSED WITHOUT ANY SHEILDING FOR ROAD HAZARDS...IE DEBRIS...LUCKY FOR ME IT BROKE OF WHEN MY TANK WAS LOW. REPLACENT O…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062519 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063433 · 2004-03-18 (March 18, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE DEBRIS HIT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STOPPED TO FUEL THE VEHICLE, AND GASOLINE LEAKED UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE DEBRIS HIT THE FUEL TANK NECK AND CAUSED THE NECK TO BREAK. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091144 · 2004-09-16 (September 16, 2004)
(1) I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON JULY 30,2004. THE PROBLEM SHOWED UP ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE SELLING DEALER, TEAM CHEV, BUICK, CADILLAC INC. WHEN I MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN FROM ONE ROAD TO ANOTHER. AFTER I MADE THE TURN THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT RETURN TO CENTER POSITION,AND I CAME TO A STOP BECAUSE I WAS SURPRISED BY THE STRONG LEFT PULL. (2) THIS IS AS PLAIN AS I CAN DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM. WHEN YOU MAKE A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER EVEN IF YOU STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL IT WILL TILT LEFT, IF YOU CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEH…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062524 · 2004-03-18 (March 18, 2004)
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE SYMPTOMS WHICH I EXPERIENCED WITHIN 1-3 MILES OF LEAVING YOUR DEALERSHIP: 1.TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED 2.ENGINE RACED 3.TRANSMISSION REENGAGED 4.THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO BREAK TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT 5.SPEEDOMETER READINGS WERE ALL OVER THE DIAL AND NOT INDICATIVE OF SPEEDS ACTUALLY TRAVELED. WHEN THE ABOVE WAS NOT HAPPENING THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED VERY UNEVENLY*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116101 · 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)
THE VEHICLE WILL STOP RUNNING AND INDICATE THAT THERE IS LOW FUEL AND/OR NO FUEL, WITH A VISUAL DISPLAY (FLASHING LIGHT) AND AN AUDIBLE DISPLAY (DINGING BELL). THE CAR WILL SHUTDOWN. PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART, BUT THE VISUAL AND AUDIBLE DISPLAY WILL STILL BE PRESENT. THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY HAS WELL OVER 1/2 A TANK OF GAS AT THIS POINT. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL CONTROL MODULE, THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE DRIVER STEERING COLUMN DOES NOT LOCK INTO THE UPPER LIMIT LOCA…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116101 at NHTSA ↗