MYRModel Year Report

2003 Buick Rendezvous

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Buick Rendezvous
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
281
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

20% of complaints

Complaints per year

2001: 4 complaints 2001 2002: 486 complaints 2002 2003: 281 complaints 2003 281 2004: 200 complaints 2004 2005: 138 complaints 2005 2006: 89 complaints 2006 2007: 43 complaints 2007
2001: 4 complaints 2001 2002: 486 complaints 2002 2003: 281 complaints 2003 281 2004: 200 complaints 2004 2005: 138 complaints 2005 2006: 89 complaints 2006 2007: 43 complaints 2007
2001: 4 complaints 2001 2002: 486 complaints 2002 2003: 281 complaints 2003 281 2004: 200 complaints 2004 2005: 138 complaints 2005 2006: 89 complaints 2006 2007: 43 complaints 2007

2003: 281 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20014
2002486
2003281
2004200
2005138
200689
200743

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

20% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and engine.

FIRE

Service brakes

17% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle rolled away. The brake warning light was illuminated and smoke emitted from the engine compartment.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-02-11

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the brakes failed when engaged and the brake pedal became stuck to the floorboard.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-02

Electrical system

17% · 47 reports

Most commonly citing horn and interior/under dash.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-12

I have problems trying to get the dash lights increase in brightness using the variiable control on the interior during a normal daytime especially when I try to see the speedometer (Due to the poor design of the dash which can block exterior light...

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-11

Also filed under Exterior lighting

Fuel/propulsion system

15% · 43 reports

Fuel system, gasoline

14% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing storage and tank assembly.

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2002-08-15Air bags02V222000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 281 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2003-02-07Steering03V052000 In some of these sport utility vehicles, the diameter of the steering column intermediate shaft is too small.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace if necessary, the steering column intermediate shaft. Owners were notified by telephone on February 7, 2003, with a follow-up letter on February 11, 2003. Owners…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2003-03-11Air bags03V051000 On certain mini vans, passenger and sport utility vehicles, some of these vehicles have a driver's side air bag that may not deploy as designed. In addition, the air bag inflator could rupture.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on March 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2003-08-20Equipment03V250000 Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 225, "Child restraint anchorage system." The owner's manual…

    Remedy: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2004-06-21Latches/locks/linkages04V150000 On certain sport utility vehicles, a structural support at the latch attachment in the rear liftgate may be inadequate to retain the latch to the liftgate in certain severe vehicle crash events.

    Remedy: Dealers will add structural reinforcements to the liftgate in the area adjoining the latch assembly. Owner notification schedule began on June 21, 2004. Owners should contact Buick at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2006-12-14Recall queryClosed 2007-04-18 Fuel tank leakage
  8. I
    2007-04-18Engineering analysisClosed 2007-09-13 Fuel tank leakage
  9. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2007-12-04Fuel system, gasoline07V349000 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).

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Buick Rendezvous — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 48 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 47 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V222000 · Air bags
  • Recall 03V052000 · Steering
  • Recall 03V051000 · Air bags
  • Recall 03V250000 · Equipment
  • Recall 04V150000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 07V349000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Buick Rendezvous reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Buick Rendezvous is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Buick Rendezvous?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Buick Rendezvous have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.