Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The vehicle was running for 45 minutes on two-lane paved country roads. I drove the first 15 minutes, with one of my sons driving the other 30 minutes while I was a front seat passenger. We pulled into a parking lot and switched drivers so another son could begin a driving lesson with me. When he began to back out of the parking space he said that the brakes did not feel right and noticed what I thought was steam coming from under the hood. I told him to pull back into the parking space and release the hood so I could check for an overheating engine, even though there were no warning lights on the dashboard and the temperature gauge was in the center of the visible range. When I opened the hood I saw a six-inch wide area of flames to the right of the alternator. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Buick Rendezvous. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat and the temperature gauge started to flash. The vehicle was taken to an unknown independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the intake manifold gaskets were damaged and it would be best to rebuild the engine. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.
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 husband had driven the vehicle about 2 miles when all of a sudden it began overheating and a warning light came on. He returned home and the following day we took it to a shop. The mechanic checked everything. Could not find the source. We finally had to have it towed to a GM dealer. They say that the head gasket is blown. However, they say that we should buy a new engine at a cost of $5131.00, because according to them with the hollow cam it will only be a matter a time before the head blows again. I researched and found this is a common problem with this vehicle. I was not notified of the dexcool lawsuit and have received no definite help from Buick customer assistant. Additionally, 3 of 4 window motors have gone out. Through my research I find this too is a common problem. …
I own a 2002 Buick Rendezvous with 86,000 miles. Ever since I have had the vehicle I have had problems with the ABS system, having it fixed over & over. About a month ago my vehicle began overheating all the time. Since my extended warranty has expired taking it though the dealership I am sure would cost me mucho bucks which I do not have. My neighbor is a top licensed mechanic who has worked for a Chrysler dealership for 30 plus years. He took the vehicle to work with him one day last week to see if he could locate the problem.. He informed me I had a leak in my intake manifold and it needs to be replaced. He checked to see if GM had any recalls for the problem, low and behold they did not. After telling me how much it would cost to replace it, I nearly passed out. I am a single woman and since the economy has fallen I have had to take 3 pay cuts at work. …
2002 Buick rendevous, electrical and head gasket purchased this car over a year ago so far had to replace transmission and repair transmission x2, needs head gaskets due to my car overheating gradually, have to bleed the system for air pretty much every other day to get heat in the car. My computer has been replaced 6 months after purchasing it after being unable to clear itself of the codes. This last incident the battery died and since now the computer is running the car causing my car to run in park at 3 RPM's, in neutral it shoots up to 4500, it drives about 2-2.5 rpms. The computer was cleared and reset last night RPM's dropped to about 760 still elevated but OK, then started it this morning to take my daughter to school and it drove itself, stalling as I watched the computer run through as it was possessed, I have since called the car "christine". …
I am a 70 year old woman. This is the last car my husband purchased before he lost his battle with cancer in 2009. He is a retiree from GM. He left me what I thought was a good car. I went out to start to go to my daughters in another town that day my car was dead! No lights nothing. My son took me got a battery car seem to run okay that evening. The next day or two dead again! Well this time I had to wait a week or so for help! After 5 batteries we took my car to the dealership. They charged me like crazy for diagnostics and checked my battery, starter, and alternator! They said my battery was bad! So 170 dollars for that then my breaks needed done my tires needed air or sealed, list of things. So okay battery done car running fix breaks etc. 2000,00 later two days later car is dead! Take it to dealership again! …
My vehicle warms up fine and as I start to drive the engine temp rises to a hot condition and the heater starts to blow cold air. The system has been flushed, the heater core has been flushed, thermostat has been changed. I've been doing alot of research on these problems and there are thousands of overheating problems that never go away. It doesn't matter what you fix the problem reoccurs. I flushed the system and couldnt get it to repeat until a couple days later, then I changed the thermostat with the same result. I never get a warning light for coolant temp but engine temp increases and car will stall and wont restart until it cools down. After 2 weeks of working with this I have the vehicle parked and trying to figure out why GM does not recall these cars and fix them. I was told the only way to completely fix this problem is a new 3.4l engine from GM. Who can afford that, not me. …
I purchased my 2002 Buick Rendezvous cxl in early 2003. By 2004 I had to have the A/C condenser replaced, the shocks & struts replaced and numerous problems with the A/C. Then in summer of 2006 the car engine started misfiring and the car stalled out with smoke coming out of the hood, etc. Had it towed to Buick, they said the engine had a leak somewhere and water leaked into the oil...huh? Anyway, of course even though I had the extended warranty, I was just out of warranty and they refused to fix it. The option was to replace the engine for $6,000. This vehicle was already paid off and worth about $14K prior to the engine blowing up. I ended up selling it for $3K. Is this normal? I think not. I submitted my case to several "lawyer" claiming to specialize in this type of rip off activity by car manufacturers but they said it wasn't worth it to them to pursue it. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated when he used the air conditioner. He took vehicle to dealer but because of the costs, he decided to have a friend repair it. However, the issue still occurred. The other issue with the vehicle was that it did not get the fuel mileage that it was supposed. He also noticed that the rear end of the vehicle was making noise, a grumbling noise to be exact. He changed rear end fluid but could still hear noise. The noise would be heard when he turned right or left. He received recall notices for his vehicle (02V222000, 07V349000, 07e021000) but when he consulted the dealer and manufacturer, he was told very conflicting stories about whether the recalls on his vehicle existed and if they had been previously performed. …
Engine complaints in other Rendezvous years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Buick Rendezvous?
NHTSA has 129 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Buick Rendezvous, 27% of the model year's 486 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Buick Rendezvous engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.