Engine Cooling System problems of the 2002 Buick Rendezvous

23 problems related to engine cooling system have been reported for the 2002 Buick Rendezvous. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Buick Rendezvous based on all problems reported for the 2002 Rendezvous.

1 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 02/09/2011

We just bought a 2002 Buick Rendezvous. We were first told that we just needed our flushed. The vehicle's hot coolant light was coming on and the temp gauge was indicating that the vehicle was hot. We got this done and was driving it home and had the same issue. We are now being told that it has a blown head gasket. I decided to research online and am astounded by the amount of consumers that are having this same issue. Some of them are getting it fixed and having the same issue a few years later. I am really frustrated and feel that my hands are tied. What if I get it fixed this time and in a few years it does it again? I can not afford to keep putting huge amounts of money into this vehicle. If this is such a common issue why is there not a recall? this is not how gm should be treating conusmers. They need to take responsibility for a bad product.

2 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 12/24/2010

The contact owns a 2002 Buick Rendezvous. The contact started the ignition and the temperature gauge displayed a hot level reading with the illumination of the coolant warning indicator. The engine began to overheat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they replaced the head gasket. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 96,000.

3 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 09/03/2010

I have a 2002 Buick Rendezvous with 130,000 miles. At 125,000 I had to replace the thermostat and now it is overheating again. I have done radiator flush, replaced temp sensor, checked relays and replaced fuses. Have now been informed the head gasket needs to be 2nd cooling fan is not coming on but will power up under direct power source. Also being informed it needs a power control module (pcm).

4 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 05/28/2010

The contact owns a 2002 Buick Rendezvous. While traveling at speeds of 35 mph, the radiator warning light illuminated on the dashboard and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that two of his head gaskets had failed and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

5 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 12/01/2009

My 2002 Buick Rendezvous' temperature gauge continues to rise at low speeds and it is constantly low on radiator fluid. Was told that the head gasket would more than likely need to be replaced at a cost of about $1,000. 00. This apparently has to do with the type of coolant that was used in this gm product, for which there was a recall notice for and that I was never notified of (bought the vehicle new in 2002). This is just one problem in a long list of problems that I have had with this vehicle. Would like to know if there is anything that can be done about this, as I am sure a lot of other people would like to know.

6 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2009

Intake manifold gasket is dangerous truck overheats and very expensive to fix I cant afford.

7 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 07/05/2009

I have a 2002 Buick Rendezvous that has had its general maintenance kept up and then the antifreeze disappeared, the engine temp got extremely hot, and then the intake manifold and head gaskets had to be replaced now the a/c lines and compressor are leaking and who knows what the problem will be next.

8 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 07/03/2009

I purchased a 2002 Buick Rendezvous, less than 2 months ago. Within 2 wks of purchasing it the overheating light came on. We took it back to the dealership and they said it was a sensor and replaced it. 3 wks after that when the limited warranty was up it overheated again. The sensor was replaced thermostat, engine flushed, radiator cap, finally I came upon a discussion about the intake manifold and the class action suit against dexcool. The mechanic did a compression test and yes it is bad. I am a mother of 5 children and now I will owe over $2000 in repairs for a car less than 60 days old. There needed to be a recall!! if there was a suit why was it not put in the carfax for this make of car? the car still is not fixed I cannot afford it. Now I can't go places with all my children.

9 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 01/15/2009

I have a 2002 Buick rened. I have had an on going problem with the car overheating and no ac. I have had the ac replaced on the vehicle, the temp gauge, the thermostat, the water-pump, 2 blown head gaskets, the fuel sensor, anti lock brake sensor and the fuel pump. I also have had to replace the window regulator on the passenger side window. I have receipts for all repairs but no I do not have the old parts. These repairs have costs me at least $5000k if not more.

10 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 12/31/2008

After buying the car from a gm dealer in July 2004 one year later the ac system leaked and blowout the whole electrical board of ac which had to be replaced and never worked properly. Then in June of 2008 the thermostat needed to be replace. Then in August of 2008 a radiator hose needed to be replaced. Then in September of 2008 the intake manifold and gaskets had to be replaced. In November 2008 the Rendezvous is continuing to overheat. The car has been checked and the coolant pressure cap replaced but still the car continues to overheat the minute you start to drive it. I have had several mechanics check and they can not find anything wrong. In December of 2008 the Rendezvous continues to overheat. It is January 1, 2009 and I am taking it into the shop again. I have read that the a/c system on the 2002 Rendezvous is a major issue which gm is aware of but continues to ignore due to the fact that the car is no longer under warranty. I believe that they should be responsible for this. And if they do not want to take the responsibility on their own then someone should make them accountable.

11 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 12/21/2008

Coolant leak found by vehicle inspection mechanic. A sealant was put in by dealership as a temporary fix, but due to estimate of $1800, work to permanently fix the problem has not been done yet. I did an internet search and found the problem is a common complaint in the 2002 Buick Rendezvous. I am driving the vehicle as little as possible until I decide on a course of action.

12 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 10/28/2008

Had to replace the intake manifold gasket due to dexcool antifreeze issues on the 3. 4 l v-6 of my 2002 Buick Rendezvous. I saw where there had been a class action suit filed but I never received notification from gm or the dealer where I bought the car. According to the class action web-site, the date for filing a claim has expired. I have had the intake manifold gasket replaced at a cost of $747. According to several internet sites, this was a problem that gm was aware of but never notified their customers. The mechanic told me (substantiated by the internet sites) that dexcool destroyed the intake manifold gaskets and this problem could happen again. I plan to contact gm directly, but wanted to file this complaint first.

13 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 10/13/2007

We have a 2002 Buick Rendezvous and had to replace the wheel bearings at only 86k miles and now the air conditioning condenser has failed. These are expensive repairs and there seem to be many of the same complaints on this vehicle . . . Buick should fix these as they are a common occurrence!.

14 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2007

I also have a 2002 Rendezvous that had the head gasket go out at about 40,000 miles and had to replace it myself as Buick denied this problem was rare and because of mileage before occurrence. The leak involved coolant loss. Also had to replace the control module. Have a 2001 lesabre that also had a head gasket go out and is leaking oil; began at about 35,000 miles.

15 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 06/04/2007

I am having electrical problems with my 2002 Buick Rendezvous. First, the power door locks, windows, air conditioner, radio and remote keys entry would lock. Then yesterday the vehicle lost all power while I was driving in traffic. Somehow I managed to turn a corner (without power steering) and park the vehicle. After waiting a while and removing and replacing the connection from the battery to the fuse box under the hood, I was able to get it restarted and return to work. When I tried to leave work, it died in the driveway. Again I was able to reset everything after several tries and park the vehicle. I am afraid to drive it. I also have problems with squeaky brakes, which have been bad since I purchased the vehicle but the dealer and an independent garage cannot find a cause. I also am starting to have problems with the coolant level going down with no visible leak.

16 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 01/23/2007

2003 Buick Rendezvous with 56,534 miles and needing a new head gasket, and new anti-freeze every couple of days. After research I know that I'm definitely not alone in this matter!!! bad stains on garage floor!!! nervous because wife drives it with our kids.

17 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 05/24/2006

The intake manifold gaskets deteriorated and started leaking on my 2002 Buick Rendezvous and on my 1997 Chevrolet malibu. The same thing happened on my mother's 1997 Chevrolet malibu. All of the vehicles cited had less than a 100k miles on the odometer. The Buick being the latest victim had 67k when it was discovered. The gasket failure could result in severe engine damage and potential fire.

18 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 01/11/2006

: the contact stated after driving for 10 minutes the vehicle overheated. The vehicle was taken to the dealership. The dealership determined air was getting into the radiator coolant and the head gaskets need to be replaced.

19 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2005

The intake manifold gasket failed and resulted in coolant leaking and the engine overheated on multiple occasions. Buick refused to honor the warranty for the repair to the intake manifold gasket. As a result, I paid $950 for the repair to the vehicle.

20 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2005

Water pump failed and cause the engine to overheat. Buick refused to honor the warranty on this part. As a result, I paid $575 for the repair.

21 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 04/20/2005

Intake manifold gasket causing coolant leak at 65000 miles.

22 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 03/10/2004

At 43,000 miles my 2002 Buick rendevous lost freon. The Buick dealer quoted me $848. 00 to fix. I found a service bulletin on a 2001 pontiac aztek with similar problems. Both the rendevous and aztek share components from gm. They fixed the ac condenser and 2 seal of the condenser. Also they recharged the freon. After I asked about a sevice bulletin on the rendevous, gm paid for the fix with a $100 copay.

23 Engine Cooling System problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2004

Purchased 3/1/04 and got a free oil change in mail because it was sold to me when it already needed an oil change. I had to keep adding oil. I called because salesperson said he had to be there when they fixed several things on it. 1st time, I sat 3 hrs to get it fixed. 2nd time after 2 messages to salesman w/o response, I called and took it to get fixed again. 3rd time I took it down there to show them the results of oil consumption test and they didn't fix my windshield leak again, my air quit working when I got it back after 2nd time. They want me to pay to have engine tore down and pay my deductible for the 2nd time in a month. I am a full time student and appraiser. My car is my livelihood and I am loosing alot of money. Earl dunn Buick in tennessee doesn't care after the sale. I guess we know where and why car salesmen get their reputations.



Fuel Economy of Rendezvous Vehicles
Rendezvous Service Bulletins
Rendezvous Safety Recalls
Rendezvous Defect Investigations