Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Buick Rendezvous owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Trac light would come on and off a few times. Eventually the trac off, and ABS light stay on. It occurs at random moments while stationary and in motion. Disabling the traction control. This is hazardous when it is on and in motion with not favorable weather ie rain or snow. I have had this happen to me, driving in the rain with the ABS disabled, I had to apply my brakes hard to avoid rear ending the car in front of me who had hit their brakes to avoid an accident as well. I have replaced hub assembly, rotors brakes, brake calipers, brake hoses the whole nine yards. Was told by one mechanic that when the traction system lights are on and ABS is disengaged this causes higher wear and tear on the rotors and brake pads. Was also told that the ABS wiring harness is too short, so it gets pulled when making turns. …
Multiple times the vehicle has stalled randomly while being driven. This has happened so many times I've lost count (at least 20). This happens at various speeds (from 0 MPH to 70 MPH). The entire electrical system shuts down when the vehicle stalls causing the steering and brakes to be less effective. This could easily result in an accident. The vehicle has been taken to 2 different Buick dealers for diagnostic and repair. The dealerships have not been able to fix the problem. The ignition switch and the ignition relay have both been replaced and all the electrical contacts have been cleaned and checked. These repairs have not fixed the vehicle. I've called Buick customer service and they refuse to do anything further without additional charge to the owner. The owner will not be making further repairs.
Diy brake change and noticed both front brake lines had bulging areas in the rubber hoses running to the caliper. Pushed on one of the bulges and fluid started seeping under pressure. Possibly rupture could happen and have a loss of primary braking.
While driving the anti-lock and AWD lite on and smell of gas from inside of cabin and sometimes from under the hood . Also when trying to accelerate the car bogs and the RPM fo high but the carvseama to lose power . Ob2 code is p0445
I purchased this car on June 23 and the next day it wouldn't start took it back to the dealership and they replaced the battery and the alternator said it was fixed but several hours later the car wouldnt start again took it back the next day and they said it was the air conditioner running while the car was off draining the battery so they took the fuse out and said they would fix it the next day but when I called to take my car to them I got no answer from them. Three days later the car overheated and I got it completely checked by a different mechanic to see why my car is running hot and he gave me a list of problems every head gasket is blown out and the motor is gone. …
Engine would not idle below 3000 RPM, and once almost 4500 RPM causing excessive brake pedal pressure, had to actually put auto in neutral at stoplights. This condition would occur at random times, sometimes it would seem to occur 5 or 6 times in a row, and then sometimes it would act normal when engine was started again. Unlike the idiots in the Toyota's I did put it in neutral, however there are apparently a lot of drivers that this would have been a severe problem for. This condition started May 24, ( I remember because it occurred while driving to my birthday dinner) 2010 only occurring once in a while, until engine was stopped and restarted, then by sept it was every week. I had it checked at the dealer on 10/5/10 and they ordered a throttle position sensor and installed it on 10/11/10. …
I purchased a used car from jim doran auto center3075 n hwy 99w po box 598 mc minngville, or 97128 [phone] this vehicle was advertised as a "cream puff" meaning the vehicle was in excellent condition and after I received it in california it cost me over $3,000 in repairs. Please remember that even know the SUV sold to me by this dealership was sold (as-is) but advertised and a car in excellent condition. I have paid over $3,000 in repairs to this car just to bring it up to pass a dmv vehicle inspection for california. Some kind of resolution to satisfy me momentarily for the repairs for the false advertising that this dealership posted online for the sale of the vehicle. The car sold to me: 2004 Buick Rendezvous sold (as-is) but the SUV was advertised as a "cream puff" being in excellent condition and it's been anything but! …
I have a 2004 Buick Rendezvous that I bought in 2004 with 9000 miles on it. At 32000 miles the check engine light came on and the dealer said the number three cylinder was misfiring. He reset the the cylinder and 10000 miles later it is doing it again. Also at 42000 I have had to replace both front and rear breaks along with the power steering pump and the master cylinder. I think these are excessive breakdowns for a vehicle this age and milage. So far repairs to the vehicle in the last month have exceeded $1000.00. Luckly I wasn't in and accident when the steering and breaks failed. There was no warnign chirp or dash indicator showing the steering and breaks were failing.
The vehicle stalled when driving on the highway. The vehicle would sometimes cut completely off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for service, but the dealer could not duplicate the problem. While the dealer was trying to find the problem with the stalling, they found that the brake module lost communication with the computer. The stalling problem continued to occur. Other problems were: the battery light had come on followed by engine stalling, the ebcm was intermittently dropping out therefore the ignition relay was replaced and the liftgate did not open properly.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Buick Rendezvous purchased new in 2004. She stated there was a clanking noise upon starting the vehicle and would get louder when progressing speed. She also stated there was much resistance in the brakes when approaching a stop. The dealer stated the hub bearings were faulty and needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated the brakes and tires could be affected. She was advised that the brakes needed to replaced and all four tires due to the faulty hub bearings at the owner's expense. The current and failure mileage was under 79,500.
Brake complaints in other Rendezvous years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Buick Rendezvous?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Buick Rendezvous, 11% of the model year's 200 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Buick Rendezvous brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Buick Rendezvous, though it has 4 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 2004 Buick Rendezvous brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes 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.