2003 Buick Rendezvous Suspension Problems

Which parts fail

• Front › Wheel bearing
  12
• Front › Hub
  4
• Rear
  3

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  424%
• 25k–50k
  741%
• 50k–75k
  318%
• 75k–100k
  212%
• 100k–150k
  16%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Buick Rendezvous owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I have had ongoing electrical problems with my vehicle for about a year now. It keeps blowing the number 40 fuse which causes the vehicle to lose its turn signals, break lights, and emergency flashers. The dealer has attempted to fix the problem 3 times since June of 2005. The fourth time this happened a wiring harness under the dashboard caught fire while my wife and a friend of hers were traveling 350 miles from home. It was at night, in the rain, and on I-77 in the mountains of west virginia. A local GM dealer looked at the vehicle. They stated a serious fire could have resulted from this, particularly since a 30 amp fuse was place in the #40 position which is made to take a 15 amp fuse. I have also replaced both front wheel bearings on this vehicle one with under 36,000 miles and the other with less than 50,000 miles. The vehicle has been very hard on front tires. …

Tl contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. On June 22, 2004, while driving between 5 and 15 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began wobbling from side to side. The vehicle flipped over two or three times. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. The rear and a side window were shattered. The vehicle was destroyed according to the insurance company. A police report was filed. The contact had been driving for thirty minutes before the crash occurred. GM serviced the headlights and performed an oil change approximately five months prior to the crash. The contact is still under a doctor's care and has carphal tunnel in both arms due to the crash. The current and failure mileages were 1,000. Updated 05/05/08 updated 05/05/08

Tl* - the contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous cx/csl. The contact was driving at 5-10 MPH in bumper to bumper traffic. She applied the brakes and the car started shaking from side to side and then it flipped over three times, landing in an embankment. The contact stated that it had rained earlier that day, but that this incident happened approximately two hours after the rain stopped. The contact was injured and was currently still under the care of a doctor. The police were contacted, however, they never came to the scene. The contact stated that no research was done concerning the cause of the crash. Updated 1/29/2007 -

Received a letter from Buick that my 2003 Rendezvous has had problems with premature wear of the wheel bearings. I took my car in to be checked by the place I purchased it (quality auto of warsaw in) a week before receiving the letter because I heard a loud humm. Was told to bring it in on 9-8-06 for wheel bearing replacements by service manger matt dilley, but on 9-5-06 my front passenger tire sheared the studs off and the tire flew over the car at 50 MPH, and crashed into a farmers field. Now Buick states it is not their fault and will not pay me or my insurance for repairs.

All 4 of my wheel bearings went bad before 60,000 miles, I received a letter from Buick stating they are offering an extended warranty for the front wheel bearings up to 60,000 miles. This problem was not diagnosed until I had 63,000 miles, though 4 months ago when I asked my mechanic about the load noise coming from my vehicle I was told it was from my new tires and I just needed to wear the tread and the noise would stop. It got worse and I brought the vehicle to 3 mechanics. The first 2 both said it is almost impossible for even 1 wheel bearing to go bad with this little of miles and they could not explain how all my wheel bearings could be shot. They stated when I asked about the noise 4 months ago it is most likely this would not have been diagnosed because no one would have even considered wheel bearings problems in a vehicle this new. …

I have an 03 Buick Rendezvous and the intake manifold gasket ($875) was identify by the dealership as the source of the problem at the same time my front hub bearings were fixed at just over $400 by the Buick dealership in new jersey. The dealership took my money gladly and later that day I find out in this forum my vehicle should have been repaired at no cost to me. I find it hard to believe the service manager/dealership were not aware of this problem and the notice posted by GM. I feel used and abuse at this point and my vehicle is still have problems with leaking coolant/overheating even after getting the problem fixed. All I want from GM is justice for all us who work hard each day and have continue to support their company and products. I would like to be added to class action lawsuit, can anyone give me information on getting on that train. …

2003 Buick Rendezvous left front hub and bearing assembly was replaced at 36606 miles. Power steering pump replaced at 39933 miles. A leak was coming from the main seal on the power steering pump therefore it needed to be replaced. In 4/05 one of the front tire hubs was defective causing a loud noise. On 11/10/05 the consumer had to take the Buick in for a variety of reasons. Again the consumer was hearing a noise because both front tire hubs needed to be replaced. Due to the fact that one was replaced in 4/05, it would be covered under the parts warranty. The consumer incur the cost of replacing one hub. The consumer contacted other local general motor dealers to find out if they had seen similar repairs with this vehicle. The consumes was told that there have been a lot of Buick Rendezvous and Pontiac aztec's coming in for repair and needing front and rear tire hubs replaced. …

I have had so many problems with my Rendezvous I feel like the dealership has had my car more than I have. For starters, the front and rear hub failed four times, with the fourth one still needing to be repaired and GM refusing to address the problem because of the number of miles on the car, the check engine light stays on intermittently, the rear wiper stays on and I had to remove the fuse, I have replaced the tires three times with no explaination on the uneven excessive wear, the power steering pump makes loud whining noise and leaks power steering fluid with no explaination, windshield wipers catch on each other and I have on numerous occassions had to stop the car, get out and untangle them, however, the dealer cannot duplicate the problem, the rear air compressor still does not work after being repaired twice, fuses blow for no reason.

Tl contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous which was purchased new in 2003. She stated that the power steering failed on the vehicle and over time it developed a slow leak. There were repairs made to the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. It became extremely hard to utilize the steering wheel and when attempting to put power steering fluid in the vehicle, it would leak back out. The hub bearings also failed causing the brakes to function improperly when attempting to stop and early wear and tear on her tires. No additional repairs made to the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were under 90,000.

2003 Buick Rendezvous. Sporadic brake noise and braking problems with accompanying warning messages required service assessment. Diagnosis was defective hub and bearing assembly on right rear. Repaired at cost of $340.00. Six hundred miles later, same problem, same repair required. Now, three weeks later, I have the same problem. Each time, it seems a different wheel is involved. I have begun investigating and it appears Buick has had a significant problem with their hub and bearing assemblies. It seems a recall is in order.

Suspension complaints in other Rendezvous years