Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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
This vehicle is a joke. I've had the ball joints worked on, gear shift (suddenly wouldn't change gears anymore), the transmission pump needs replacing, and when I drive, specifically if I turn or have to go over a speed hump, or over a small dip, there's a loud pop and lots of creaking even though the tire rod, ball joints and wheel bearings were replaced. After they were replaced, everything was quiet. About a year later, I'm hearing noises again. I've just grown accustomed to the fact that my car is loud. I know not to buy another Buick.
My kids and I were driving down the road all of a sudden I heard this loud sound and then my car wouldn't turn left or right the steering wheel turned but not the car thank God I wasn't goin very fast I was able to slowly pull to the side of the rd then it started smoking like it was on fire my kids and I had to hurry and jump out an the carlot I got it from is picking it up to be looked at.
This SUV was purchased at the end of August 2016 and once in the car and driving down the road we realized the vehicle power steering was hard to turn and the brakes were going all the way down. We also had a car accident, because it was very hard to turn and once in the parking space the brakes went completely out and when trying to stop the SUV would not stop and we hit a parked car with the lady in the car on 9/11/2016. Went on line and noticed recalls for power steering and cloth seats on some models for air bags. Spoke with GMC and informed power steering recall and would like SUV checked. Called tow truck to take vehicle to GMC. When we got there the service department request we try to purchase a new car instead of getting the vehicle fixed. The next day we were notified the truck was not worth repairing the damages were over 1,000 for power steering and brakes. …
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
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.
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
Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle rolled over while attempting to merge onto the highway. This occurred after depressing the brake. The vehicle began to shimmy because of loss of steering and it veered to the right and turned over. The dealership has been contacted and was unable to determine why the failure occurred. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance agency. The police were not alerted. There is a NHTSA recall, # 03V052000 regarding the steering. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however the recall letter was not received until after the incident updated 2/27/2006 -
Related recalls (1)
Steering
In some of these sport utility vehicles, the diameter of the steering column intermediate shaft is too small.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace if necessary, the steering column intermediate shaft. Owners were notified by telephone on February 7, 2003, with a follow-up letter on February 11, 2003.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Rendezvous years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (18), 2003 (17), 2002 (16), 2004 (16) and 2006 (10) model years. Steering complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Buick Rendezvous steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 03V-052 (steering, Feb 20, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Rendezvous steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist › pump (5 mentions), followed by the linkages › tie rod assembly (4).
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.