Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 200 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Buick Rendezvous, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 51 | 26% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 15 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 14 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 6% |
| Air bags | 10 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 4% |
| Structure | 4 | 2% |
| Steering | 4 | 2% |
| Suspension | 4 | 2% |
| Visibility | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
It is an unfortunate fact that since moving to area Federal Hill this vehicle and driver has been illegally surveillanced the car has been broken into with no signs of forced entry. As usual the billboard is visible for
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 discon
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Electrical problems,manifold gone, ants under my battery the whole vehicle was infected with them, battery wouldn't unbolt tailgate wouldn't open, it overheated
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THERE HAS BEEN A LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK SINCE 2006 WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT TO THE VEHICLE AND AM HAVING DIFFICULTY FINDING ONE TO REPLACE IT. ONE CAR PARTS ATTENDANT INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
MY GRANDSON AND I WERE SHOPPING, THEN I FILLED MY GAS TANK. WE THEN WENT INTO THE GROCERY STORE CAME OUT, SMELLED GAS AND LOOKED UNDER CAR. IT IS LEAKING GAS, WE HURRIED HOME--WENT FROM FULL TANK TO 1/4 FULL TANK IN 58 M
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, GASOLINE LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE GAS TANK WAS FRACTURED WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE W
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
WHENEVER I PUT GAS INTO MY CAR THERE IS A STRONG UNBEARABLE GAS ODOR IN THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MILES PER HOUR AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY VEHICLE HAD PRETTY MUCH CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND IF I HADN'T HAD MY SEATBELT ON, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIEL
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2004 Buick Rendezvous. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, VARIATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR EXPOSURE TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES MAY LEAD TO FRACTURE OF THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV).
Risk: A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL WILL BE MAILED IN TWO PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 4, 2007. THE SECOND PHASE WILL BE MAILED ON DECEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CON
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A STRUCTURAL SUPPORT AT THE LATCH ATTACHMENT IN THE REAR LIFTGATE MAY BE INADEQUATE TO RETAIN THE LATCH TO THE LIFTGATE IN CERTAIN SEVERE VEHICLE CRASH EVENTS.
Risk: IF THE LIFTGATE WERE TO OPEN IN A VEHICLE CRASH, AN OCCUPANT COULD BE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD STRUCTURAL REINFORCEMENTS TO THE LIFTGATE IN THE AREA ADJOINING THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE BEGAN ON JUNE 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8
| Reliability raw | 71 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 68 | good |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 200 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 51 of them (26%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 71/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.