Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Air bags did not deploy during and accident with damage to the drivers side front area by the wheel, the impact caused the drivers head to break the windshield and the passenger hurt her legs real bad. Why didn't the air bags deploy?
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the passenger's side front air bag deployed without a crash or passenger seated in the front seat. The contact stated that at start-up on several occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that with the accelerator simultaneously being depressed, after several attempts the vehicle started. Rock county Honda (3636 e milwaukee st, janesville, wi 53546, [phone]) was contacted however, was unable to provide the cause of the failure. The contact then contacted zimbrick Chevrolet (1877 west main street sun prairie, wi 53590, [phone]) who advised the contact to take the vehicle to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,632.
"Takata recall" I was in a car accident on 4/8/19 it did not involve another vehicle. It was raining and I was coming off the highway to my exit and looked to my left to see if I was able to merge, when I did my right tire hit the side of some wet grass and when it did my car started spinning outta control and I ended up hitting a palm tree straight on. My air bag did not deploy and I ended up with a broken back in 2 places. I had 2 have 2 surgery's thus far. I had my seat belt on. The impact was hard enough for the bags to deploy but they didn't. The doctor said if my air bags would of deployed I would not have suffered a broken back. Its caused me lots of pain and suffering due to broken back and loss of a new job I was about to start the next day. The attached photos show the driver side where I hit and shows no air bag in site.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Buick Rendezvous. While driving 65 MPH, a loud banging noise was heard before the vehicle suddenly veered to the right and rolled over. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the passenger side rear wheel collapsed. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor cuts to both arms, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 06/14/16
On impact from drivers side in middle of both doors car flipped on to passenger's side and spinned and skidded 70 feet damaging both sides and battery acid from front leaked onto front of car. Driver's side doors completely crushed and side air bag deployment failed to open on impact came out after car made complete stop. Side panels on drivers side came completely out and passengers side no airbags came out on flip and impact to the ground.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Buick Rendezvous. While driving approximately 15 MPH on normal road conditions, the air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicator remained lit until the engine was turned off. It was believed that the aftermarket leather seats in the vehicle were affecting the air bag sensors. A book bag was placed on the front passenger seat once, which contributed to the air bag warning indicator illuminating intermittently. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but there was no resolution. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 06V417000 (air bags:frontal), although the failures were identical. The vehicle has not been inspected by an authorized dealer. There was concern of the safety risk involved in the event of a crash. The failure mileage was 30,000 and current mileage was 44,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the contact crashed into an embankment. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The front passenger sustained injuries to the shoulders and the chest due to the seat belt but did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000. Updated 03/17/15 updated 9/18/2017
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. …
Related recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal
Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
Remedy: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (GM) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in GM's letter to…
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
On certain Mini vans, passenger and sport utility vehicles, some of these vehicles have a driver's side air bag that May not deploy as designed. In addition, the air bag inflator could rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on March 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Air bags › Frontal
Certain passenger, Mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began August 15, 2002.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Rendezvous years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (24), 2004 (14), 2006 (9), 2003 (7) and 2007 (6) model years. Airbag complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Buick Rendezvous airbag problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 06V-417 (frontal, Oct 31, 2006); 03V-051 (inflator module, Feb 14, 2003); 02V-222 (frontal, Aug 9, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Rendezvous airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (11 mentions), followed by the side/window (7).
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.