Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Buick Rendezvous owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Buick Rendezvous. While driving approximately 20 MPH and coming to a stop, the contact's vehicle was rear ended and crashed into the preceding vehicle. The driver and passenger side air bags deployed, and the passenger side air bag exploded. The contact sustained a cut on the hand and the passenger sustained chest injuries, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 205,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Buick Rendezvous. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle slid and the front end crashed into a large tree. The vehicle continued to slide, rolled over a few times, and finally landed in the upright position. The driver was ejected through the driver's side window and sustained a broken neck, ribs, and thumbs, as well as spleen damage and major swelling and bruising. The driver was the only occupant in the vehicle at the time and is still in the intensive care unit at the hospital. None of the air bags deployed, which the contact believes is a major defect that could have prevented some of the injuries that the driver sustained. The vehicle was destroyed and a police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 136,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle and closing the door, the driver seat side air bag deployed without impact. The air bag deployed violently on the drivers head. The contact sustained head and face causing unconsciousness. In addition, left arm and shoulder injuries were sustained. The contact went to urgent care where she was rejected due to liability concerns. The contact scheduled a doctors appointment but not received medical attention as of yet. The vehicle was stored in the contact garage. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact mentioned that NHTSA campaign number: 02V222000 (air bags) was received. The failure mileage was 104.776.
Car stopped in front of me, was room to stop in time, however ABS system kicked in & prevented vehicle from stopping - it only slowed it down. Road was clear & dry, no need for ABS brakes. Brake pads & rear rotors were less than 3 weeks old & front tires were only 3 days old at time of accident. Tested brakes by removing ABS fuse & car stops great - fault in ABS system. Also, air bags did not deploy, but air bag warning light on dash came on solid red & stays on at all times now. Accident was caused by ABS system improper setup or manufacturer.
On May 31,2011, we were traveling on highway 82, in nahunta, ga. And a car pulled out in front of me and we crashed at approximately 35 MPH. There were tow people in the front and one person in the back. The shoulder harnesses did not lock and I hit the steering wheel, my wife hit the dash with her face and my daughter was thrown about in the back seat injuring her leg and her shoulder she had just been released from having surgery on. I have an appointment on Wednesday June 29, 2011 to have it repaired in wayx, ga.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 MPH in stormy weather, there was a loss of control and the vehicle crashed into a hillside and the air bags did not deploy. Although the contact was wearing a seat belt, minor injuries were sustained. The police were on scene and a report was taken. An insurance adjustor determined the vehicle was totaled due to the extensive body damage. Updated 5/22/2006 -
On florida tpke. I was cut off while travelling in middle lane. I evaded a crash by pulling to right and my vehilce spun180 degrees and then flipped over 360 degrees coming to rest right sode up. My vehicle was a 2002 Buick Rendezvous which was totalled.
Following a head-on collision at approximately 20 MPH, the frontal airbags did not deploy and the seat belts did not tighten instantly which caused severe injury to both driver (broken shoulder) and passenger (internal chest injury).
Dt: 2003 Buick Rendezvous SUV. Consumer's vehicle was involved in an accident on October 3, 2005. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. Took vehicle to dealership and called my manufacturer, and they asked questions that did not pertain to this vehicle. The consumer wanted to know why the airbags did not deploy. Vehicle was being inspected to see if it could be fixed. This was the first accident. The consumer sustained injuries. Was knocked on conscious, when the consumer woke up he was in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, and the driver of the other vehicle was also injured and taken to the hospital. A police report was taken. Took pictures of the vehicle. It had all the original parts. The consumer purchased vehicle in 2003. The only damage made was to consumer's vehicle and the other vehicle. The consumer was wearing seat belts. The road conditions were clear. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that the air bag light remains constantly illuminated. The light does not dim even when he is seated and wearing his seat belt. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 02V222000 (air bags:frontal). The contact would have to pay for a diagnostic. In addition, the fuel gauge worked occasionally, which prevented the contact from knowing how much fuel was in the tank. The dealer stated that they would repair the vehicle only at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was 125,000 and current mileage was 133,000. Updated 6/8/09 updated 06/11/09.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
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.
Airbag complaints in other Rendezvous years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Buick Rendezvous?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Buick Rendezvous, 5% of the model year's 486 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Buick Rendezvous airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-222 (frontal, Aug 9, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Buick Rendezvous airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 14 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.