Is the 2002 Buick Rendezvous a bad year?
486 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 119, 7.9× a quiet Rendezvous year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 51k–99k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Rendezvous owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 68,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 103 (21%) | 52k–109k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 103 (21%) | 66k–115k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 90 (19%) | 51k–98k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| EquipmentSTANDS OUT | 46 (9%) | 50k–79k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 54 (11%) | 59k–101k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Suspension | 45 (9%) | 38k–88k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 40 (8%) | 37k–107k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine and cooling | 30 (6%) | 50k–98k miles · around this mileage | Water pump replacement $400–$1,106 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 24 (5%) | 31k–137k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 24 (5%) | 34k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 16 (3%) | 32k–75k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Body structure | 20 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 68,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 486 complaints: 18 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 15 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Feb 2021.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2002 Buick Rendezvous, - sold by GM s "GM certified".. Only must have been a joke. From the onset, solenoid difficulties created dangerous situation on highway, called them and spoke rather bluntly...
After driving in hot weather for about 30 - 40 miles, I stopped to fill up the vehicle with gas. Afterwards, the Rendezvous will not start.
My vehicle warms up fine and as I start to drive the engine temp rises to a hot condition and the heater starts to blow cold air.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 68,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Buick Rendezvous: 3
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). 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.
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. Fuel may leak, possibly resulting in a fire.
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. Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Buick: 107
Repair instructions Buick sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Buick Rendezvous. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Fuel tank leakage
Fuel tank leakage
Neighbouring years
2003 Rendezvous: 281 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Buick Rendezvous year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · All Rendezvous years side by side
Other Buick models: Buick Century · Buick Enclave · Buick Encore · Buick Encore GX · Buick Envision · Buick LaCrosse · Buick LeSabre · Buick Lucerne · Buick Park Avenue · Buick Rainier · Buick Regal · Buick Terraza · Buick Verano. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Buick Rendezvous a bad year?
486 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 119, 7.9× a quiet Rendezvous year. At 68,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 51k–99k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Buick Rendezvous?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (103), fuel system (103), engine (90), equipment (46), brakes (54). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 51k–99k miles.
How many recalls does the 2002 Buick Rendezvous have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 07V-349), Fuel system (NHTSA 07E021000), Air bags (NHTSA 02V-222). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.