Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 owns a 2002 Buick Rendezvous. While driving approximately 25 to 30 MPH, the vehicle filled with smoke from the front interior vents. The contact immediately turned the ignition off and vacated the vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic shop where it was diagnosed that the windshield wiper motor caught fire. The wire harness from the fuse box to the firewall was replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that there was a recall, but the VIN was excluded. The details of the recall were not provided. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Valet person was parking my Rendezvous in dec 2012 and said as he applied the brakes to stop he noticed flames coming from hood. 2,000 in damages. My biggest complaintis that I have had to replace the head gaskets twice in the past six years. I keep being told there should have been a recall because GM has been aware of this problem. I cannot afford to purchase a new car now with all the repairs ive put into this, and its probably not worth much. We have always bought GM vehicles but we May think long and hard because once their off the lot it seems no one cares and no one wants to back up their product.
When driving the Buick Rendezvous 2002 home the brakes began to not respond. After arriving home and driving down our driveway, the SUV had smoke coming out of the engine. The Buick Rendezvous was turned off but continued to expelled large amounts of smoke under the engine area. Within 5 minutes the engine area caught on fire. The bozrah fire department was called and by the time they arrived within 15 minutes or so the entire vehicle was on fire.
My vehicle did not have heat. I was not able to determine if it was blowing cold air or not blowing at all. Before I had a chance to address the heating issue, the vehicle ran hot and continued to run hot until a mechanic replaced the thermostat and the coolant and cu at 2/3 slit in the rubber under the hood. It came to my attention that the vehicle had overheating problems before it was sold to me. I have since tried to sell it and found th st it was not accepted by two car buying/selling websites due to previous salvage. I purchased from a buy-here pay- here. It still has over heating issues and it still has not heat blowing inside. I want to know if repairs will help since it's regarded as a salvage. Is it lawful to sell a salvaged vehicle knowing the purchaser was putting the car on the road? I bought the car in ohio and I live in new york.
Dash instruments and remote access clicker failed. We had no speedometer or any other engine indicators and could only gain access with key in door lock. After one week delay waiting for a new cluster it was replaced. Two weeks later, same problem and dealer again replaced the instrument cluster. Upon picking car up from the dealer it was driven home and parked in front of garage. Next day same problem again but, when door was unlocked with the key, smoke was observed inside. As soon as 911 call was made, car burst into flames and blew out windows, and sunroof 10 feet into the air. By the time the fire department arrived (located only 1/4 mile away) car was fully engulfed in flames and subsequently totally destroyed. If it had not burned, we'd have returned it to the dealer for the third instrument cluster.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Buick Rendezvous. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would not restart until after approximately eight hours. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was not diagnosed. The ignition switch was replaced; however, the accessories, warning lights, and gauges failed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 181,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that the air bag lights and brake lights consistently illuminated on the instrument panel as a beeping noise went off in the vehicle. In addition, the contact mentioned that the radio locked up and became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 189,000.
Driving down the road over heat light comes on tried everything took to service and head caskets need replaced! 28 days after purchasing a used as is vehicle!everything I had to purchase a junk.looks good on the outside and run good for first few weeks even took to midas before purchasing all the fixes all very well hidden.
My 2002 Rendezvous was purchased mid-year 2005. At first there were only small flickers in the headlights, like blinking quickly. The auto electrician said our battery was overcharging and replaced it. About 6 months ago,my car wouldn't start, no sound at all like the battery was dead. Bought another battery and two days later it wouldn't start again. Again electrician looked it over, could find nothing. Soon my door locks began to lock and unlock by themselves even when the car was off and no one was in it. Coming home one night on a very dark road, all of my lights went out, inside and out. There was no where to pull over and no outside lights. It scared me bad. The weather sensor would say there was ice on the road when it was 95 degrees outside. …
On occasions my Rendezvous would make a sputtering sound when I would turn it off, then lights and radio would turn off immediately, instead of the upon opening the door. This has happen several times. Dealers explained not to worry about the problem. Anti lock brake light came on 3 days ago, it went out then came back on again. After starting the vehicle normally this morning and driving apprx 2 1/2 miles, I turned the vehicle off. Immediately my 2002 Rendezvous doors locks are automatically engaging itself in the unlock mode; the doors will not lock with or without manual control; the lights are constantly flashing; the radio is locked out. It would not allow me to start it at all. After waiting apprx 30mins and removing the fuse for the door lock it started. But once the fuse is placed back in it begin to have the same problem. …
Electrical complaints in other Rendezvous years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Buick Rendezvous?
NHTSA has 103 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Buick Rendezvous, 21% of the model year's 486 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Buick Rendezvous electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2002 Buick Rendezvous, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Buick Rendezvous electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.