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 138 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Buick Rendezvous, and it carries 2 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 | 20 | 14% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 9% |
| Steering | 11 | 8% |
| Power train | 8 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 4% |
| Engine | 6 | 4% |
| Air bags | 5 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 4% |
| Suspension | 5 | 4% |
| Structure | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 slowl
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I bought my car from a used car lot. I had it about 3-4 months and out of the blue it overheated very quickly, the warning light was on, some type of loud buzzer was going off so I pulled over and let it cool off, it too
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2005 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power and was shuddering while shifting gear. The “Service Engine Now” warning li
NHTSA complaint: Power train
STEERING FEELS LIKE IT GETS TIGHT AND STICKS WHEN TURNING WHILE MOVING
NHTSA complaint: Steering
CAR WAS SOLD TO ME IN 2018. FIRST DAY DRIVING AFTER PURCHASE, OVERHEATED AFTER GOING MAYBE A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED, AND SEVERAL DIFFERENT PARTS REPLACED. HEAD GASKET, WATE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
MY 2005 BUICK RENDEZVOUS ---HEADS WERE LEVELED AND COMPLETE VALVE JOB DONE WITH NEW WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT, RELAY BELT,BYPASS HOSE, UPPER RADIATOR HOSE, AND COMPLETE COOLANT FLUSH. MY CAR KEEPS RUNNING HOT. PLEASE HELP
NHTSA complaint: Engine
SUV WAS OVER HEATING , GOT TWO ESTAMINTS AND THY CONFIRMED IT IS THE HEAD GASKETS.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
"TAKATA RECALL" WAS IN A ROLLOVER AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY NOT ONE VIN# [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 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.
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.
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 SYST
Risk: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF
Fix: 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 I
| Reliability raw | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 20 of them (14%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 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.