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 2004 Buick Rendezvous owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Upon arriving at my destination and after i put my in park i was UNABLE to turn my engine off because the ignition was stuck in that position. I ultimately had no choice but to unhook the battery cables along with disconnecting the alternator to get my engine to turn off. Prior to this incident occasionally upon starting my car the ignition would not disengage immediately upon the engine turning over which ultimately resulted in having to replace the starter on this vehicle. I am a single parent and only have one vehicle so this is a major issue for my family. Furthermore the fan speed control knob doesnt work properly because when it is put in position 3 it shuts the fan motor off completely. So there CLEAR to me that there seems to be a MAJOR electrical issue. The suspension on this vehicle is horrendous. …
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.
Dash gauges, warning lights, & alarms, bells flash on & off and vehicle suddenly runs rough. Dash codes of all sorts blink on & off. New battery and new altenator installed, problem still exists. This happened first when driving on hiway. After vehicle pulled off road and engine turned off. The dash code then read battery issue. We tried to drive again but now vehicle operated roughly and there was no more daylight. We had vehicle towed 100 miles. Then paid for new battery problem did not change so we had a new altenator installed after having a diagnostic test advising the need for a new altenator. I am quite upset becaus ei feel that there is fraud on part of sears autorepair. Diagnostic said altenator was the problem. I paid over $450 for that service and another $150 for the battery.
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the keys were left in the ignition. The contact's two and a half year old child turned the keys to the accessory position. Once the key was turned, the child was able to take the vehicle out of the park position and place the gear shifter into reverse without depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle rolled out of the driveway, rolled 100 feet then crashed into a fence. The child escaped unharmed although there was damaged sustained to the vehicle and the fence. The police were not notified since the incident happened on private property. The insurance company was also not notified.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power while traveling various speeds. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently restarted after a manual restart attempt was made. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it could not be replicated. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (air bags, electrical system) as a possible solution; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
No acceleration,when I go up a hill no acceleration, or when I go to get on the highway no acceleration, and very dangerous. I went to dealership for a diagnostic test and I replaced fuel tank pressure sensor and vent solenoid, no acceleration. I went to another dealership for diagnostic. They recommended that I replace 3 electrical harnesses and connectors $1350 dollars parts and labor too much for me and that May not solve my problem. I told them the problem was corrosion in the connectors to the fuel pump $160 dollars later they agreed with me. Still dangerous.
I bought my Rendezvous on 9/2/14 with 193,960 miles on it. On the way home from the dealership, the instrument cluster started acting up. All of the readings of gauges are accurate, however most of the lights on the cluster do not work. The turn signal lights, check engine light, etc. Don't work, however the lights on the speedometer, gas gauge, and as of recently the temperature gauge work. The Rendezvous has experienced no other issues. I haven't contacted GM because I assumed I'd get shrugged off due to the age and mileage of the vehicle.
Engine stops working with loss of all control, battery turns over but vehicle will not start. After approximately 1/2 hour engine starts. Drove to mechanic and no information availoable in computer. All data removed.. Problem repeated at 70,00 miles 90,000 miles and at 150,000 miles. No mechanic could find any pronlem. First occurred when parking after a 50 mile drive. Next appeared at a stop light. Last apperared while slowing down at an intersection. Took vehicle off the road after the last incident. Feared for my life.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Buick Rendezvous. When attempting to operate the vehicle, it failed to start. The contact was able to start the vehicle after numerous attempts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 05V157000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
While driving at aprx 60 MPH the car just died stalled no power had to man handle car to a stop with out getting into an accident almost like driving a bait car the car just shut down this is not the first time had to get towed car still wont start put key in all bells and whistles light up and sounds then nothing as if alarm cut off .
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
On certain sport utility vehicles, contamination on ignition relay contacts can cause high resistance. This can affect signals to the powertrain control module and, could cause intermittent vehicle stalls at any time.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition relay free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2005. Owners May contact Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 and Buick at 1-866-608-8080.
NHTSA investigations
Ignition relay failure
On November 10, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate the failure, malfunction, or other unsatisfactory performance of the engine control system which May result in engine stalling in certain model year (my) 2004 Buick rendezvous (gmt250) and Pontiac aztek (gmt250) vehicles allegedly caused by ignition relay failure.odi is aware of 68 non-duplicative…
Electrical complaints in other Rendezvous years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 Buick Rendezvous?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Buick Rendezvous, 38% of the model year's 200 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Buick Rendezvous electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-157 (ignition, Apr 20, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Buick Rendezvous electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury and 1 death 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.