Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Buick Rendezvous owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
After filling the fuel tank there is a strong gas odor that is present until the tank is almost empty. When walking around the vehicle or loading/unloading the vehicle, the strong gas odor is always present. This vehicle was at a dealership and they took it to the local personal auction company where i bid on it and bought it along with household items.
I purchased this vehicle in 2013, and a few years later, I began smelling gas. After doing my due diligence, I found out that there is a recall for this issue, because the check inlet valve at the top of the tank where the filler neck connects to the tank is cracked. Great, NO, only CERTAIN Rendezvous were covered, and even though mine has the exact same issue, they refuse to cover it and replace the tank. Well, apparently, there were SO MANY complaints by other Rendezvous owners that were also not "included" in the recall, the recall was expanded to ALL Rendezvous', BUT with the stipulation that it had to have less than 150,000 miles on it, which by THAT TIME, my car WAS over that mileage. …
There is an open safety recall on this make and model #06230a due to crack/leak that develops in the fuel tank. I purchased this vehicle in April 2015 and in June it developed a strong odor of fuel vapors. My mechanic confirmed that there is a crack/leak in the fuel tank. I called Buick for assistance to replace the tank and they opened case #71-1490527942. They instructed me to take it to the dealership for verification of the crack. That was completed on 7/16/15. Now Buick is refusing to provide assistance for the replacement of the tank. My vehicle only has 79,688 miles. The special coverage was extended for 150,000 miles or 10 years. They informed me that the special coverage expired in 2013 and that the recall doesn't cover my VIN, although this is clearly the same make and model with the same issue. …
Have been told by several different mechanics that fuel is leaking where the fuel filler neck connects to the plastic gas tank at the check inlet valve. I've seen many, many complaints of this same issue from other Rendezvous owners, as well as the same problem of GM and/or Buick refusing to repair the vehicle, even though it is a safety issue, (possible fuel ignition outside of the engine usually is). I live off a very modest disability check and a new tank is over $1,000, not including another 4-5 hours of labor. That's more than I get in a month. GM needs to step up and honor the recall and fix these vehicles. It's complete bs that they are limiting it to vehicles with less than 150,000 miles on them. …
The SUV was parked. The fuel tank inlet check valve: the area where the fuel tank and fuel tank inlet check valve connect is seeping fuel. At first I could smell the gasoline fumes and it continued that I had to look under the SUV. I saw indications of gasoline dripping from the fuel tank. I looked for internet information. I found other owners were having the same problem. I searched for recalls using the make, model, and year. I did find information that indicated that I and others had the same problem. Recall is the name of the situation. I have printed out the information. If it looks like a recall then I should go after this as a recall issue. I will most likely get pushed back from the manufacture. I will make calls to Buick and NHTSA to get some help.
Our rendevouz plastic fuel tank started seeping fuel at the filler neck yesterday. After doing some reading, I saw there was a recall and then a special coverage adjustment. The one listed on July 21, 2008 said the tank would be replaced regardless of age and mileage. Then, GM changed their mind on August 8, 2008 and limited mileage and age to 150,000 miles and 10 years. I am very disturbed about this and think that this tank needs replaced for safety reasons at minimum. The fuel tank is not available from any aftermarket source and purchasing it from GM is $1590. I cannot believe that purchasing a used tank would be safe due to the issue GM has mentioned.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 07V349000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. After refueling, the contact noticed a fuel smell and observed a fuel leakage. The contact inspected the tank and found that the neck of the tank was leaking and the fuel tank was fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 161,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that the plastic fuel tank inlet check valve prematurely disconnected from the fuel tank without warning. The dealer and manufacturer indicated that the vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 07V349000 (fuel system, gasoline), but the contact experienced the failure related to the recall. The manufacturer provided no solution. The vehicle was inspected, diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,529.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that there was a strong odor of fuel coming from the fuel tank. In addition, there was fuel leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the valve was cracked. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V349000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 171,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that while parked at the residence, the vehicle had a strong odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a fuel leak around the inlet valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V349000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
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.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel tank leakage
Certain subject vehicles May exhibit leakage of odor and/or fuelfrom the lower portion of the fuel tank inlet filler pipe (inlet check valve).the inlet check valve (icv) and the fuel tank are joined together using a hot plate welding process for plastic parts.GM reports that its analysis of field returned parts show evidence of process variations for different manufacturing periods.these variations produced some icv…
Fuel tank leakage
GM is recalling (NHTSA recall no. 07v-349) certain model year (my) 2002-2004 Buick rendezvous, Chevrolet venture (regular wheelbase) and 2001-2004 Pontiac aztek and montana (regular wheelbase) vehicles to replace fuel tanks and correct a defect that May allow fuel leakage.the vehicle recall population is rendezvous and aztek vehicles built in May 2003, venture and montana vehicle built in June through August 2002…
Fuel System complaints in other Rendezvous years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2003 Buick Rendezvous?
NHTSA has 84 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2003 Buick Rendezvous, 30% of the model year's 281 complaints. The component named most often is storage (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Buick Rendezvous fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-349 (storage, Aug 8, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Buick Rendezvous fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
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.