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 2006 Buick Rendezvous owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Piece of junk since June when I paid $3,000 for it and have put $1200 into it and still broke down and won't start (ignition switch/key) and I refuse to pay for it to be fixed nor fixing it myself.. Has to be called home sweet home very soon and I need it fixed by GM asap or lawyer will be involved and I'm not sinking anymore into it then I have.. GM products are junk!!! Repair it
I plugged my cell phone into the car charger in the front console. When I returned to the car after about 15 minutes, it was filled with smoke that was coming out of the car charger. I immediately unplugged the charger. I tried to start the car and it was completely dead. After examining the fuses, I noticed that the one for the charger as well as the one for the interior lights was completely melted. After further research it was discovered that the wiring harness under the dash was completely melted - had I not gone out when I did, the car probably would have caught fire. This should never have happened - there should be safety features int he vehicle to cut the power to the charger immediately if there is a short. It was towed to the dealer last night. They are claiming this is not covered by warranty though this is obviously a problem with the Rendezvous. …
I've had so many problems with this vehicle. Spent over $4000 in repairs in the last 6 months. The first problem I had was while driving on the highway the reduced engine power light and traction system light would come on and the vehicle would just decelerate and wouldn't go over 15mph. I had it repaired once and was told it was the wiring harness and then 2 months later the same thing happened again had it repaired and was told it was the wiring harness and computer that needed replaced. And now I'm having a similar issue but this time the service engine soon light is flashing but the car doesn't want to accelerate and takes several seconds to even get up to 35 MPH. I had this repaired once and was told it was a wiring/fuse issue and that the car was only running on 3 cylinders and literally 2 days after the repair it started happening again. This is ridiculous. …
Car kept running hot and no remedy was found for it. Batteries and other repairs were done concerning the electrical things; but the car running hot was never resolved even with replacing the thermostat etc. I could only drive about a block and the check cooling system error came on and the car speed would automatically slow down and the engine would automatically cut off if you continued to drive it while hot....smoke from the hood etc. Would happen. Could feel intense heat when raised the hood. If the car was stationary....after running for a while it would still run hot and eventually the hot light would come on in the inside warning panel. The last mechanic took it apart and never put it back together, neither fixed the car running hot problem. The uploaded files and pictures will show the condition my car was left in and the auto parts taken aloose/apart and not reconnected.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that the service engine warning light flashed randomly and the vehicle would not start frequently upon turning the key in the ignition. The contact also indicated that the vehicle stalled numerous times without warning. The contact constantly had to maneuver the fuse box wiring under the hood to get the vehicle to start. The vehicle was not able to be driven. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Vehicle has hard start when engine is hot. For example when running errands. By the time you come out of the store the vehicle does not want to start. Takes multiple attempts. Gas must be pimped at the same time as turning ignition in order for the vehicle to start. Multiple mechanics state this is an electrical issue but cannot figure out what is causing the issue. Battery & throttle body have been replaced and still not render to the issue. This issue constantly happens and thankfully occurs when the vehicle is stationary.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor under the hood. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The contact replaced the battery and the alternator independently. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Engine would shut off while driving or not start after driving. Engine power reduced light comes on and speed throttled down to 20mph, check engine light stays on now. Replaced relay box under hood since a connector was found burned. Have also replaced the computer, alternator, ignition relay switch, fuel sensor relay. Has not been driven on highway at all for fear of it happining in high speed traffic. Problems have been consistently happening since purchased oct 2015.
Vehicle shuts down while driving without warning, and it can only be started by moving the fuse box wiring around. Not sure what else to do about this problem. Mechanics are unable to help or diagnose this problem.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Buick Rendezvous. While driving between 25 to 35 MPH the vehicle would stall and become very difficult to restart. The dealer offered to inspect the vehicle but she declined and stated that they would improperly inspect the vehicle. She suspects that rain enters inside of the headlights, tail lights, and the cabin. The failure mileage was 90,000. The current mileage was 103,000. Updated 11/12/09 the consumer stated she also has a water problem with the vehicle. Water continues to enter the vehicle through the floorboard. The seats failed and the ac was not cooling properly which was part of the problem with the electrical system. The consumer stated the problem were due to water become trapped inside the headlamps and rear assembly receptacles. Updated 11/17/09
Electrical complaints in other Rendezvous years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Buick Rendezvous?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Buick Rendezvous, 24% of the model year's 89 complaints. The component named most often is starter assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Buick Rendezvous electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2006 Buick Rendezvous, though it has 1 recall 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 2006 Buick Rendezvous electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries 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.