Is the 2004 Buick Rendezvous a bad year?
200 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Rendezvous years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Buick Rendezvous are in line with other Rendezvous years. Electrical system and fuel system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 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 67,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 76 (38%) | 15k–106k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 49 (25%) | 38k–120k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 29 (14%) | 7k–90k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 21 (11%) | 41k–123k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 16 (8%) | 36k–91k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 14 (7%) | 25k–129k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 12 (6%) | 34k–111k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Suspension | 9 (5%) | 34k–76k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Speed control | 8 (4%) | 75k–131k miles · ahead | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 5 (3%) | 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 67,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 200 complaints: 14 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 13 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jun 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Shortly after I bought my used Buick Rendezvous, it started stalling. It was a monthly occurrence until recently when it is happening weekly.
Dt: the starter and horn did not always work. Thermostat and fuel gauge was not accurate. There had previously been a problem with the ignition switch and it was repaired due to a recall.
2004 Buick Rendezvous has had engine failure 3 - 5 times. At low speeds 0-15 MPH, car will will cut off. The car restarts immediately once you put it back to park or neutral.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 67,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Buick Rendezvous: 5
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.
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. The vehicle cannot be restarted immediately. If this were to occur, it could result in a vehicle crash.
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. 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.
On certain passenger vehicles, a weld between the fuel tank inlet check valve and the fuel tank can fail. If these parts separate, the driver may notice an odor of fuel, the service engine soon or check engine light may illuminate, and/or fuel may leak onto the ground. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
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: 132
Repair instructions Buick sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 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: 3
Fuel tank leakage
Fuel tank leakage
Ignition relay failure
Neighbouring years
2003 Rendezvous: 281 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2005 Rendezvous: 138 complaints, keep it.
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 2004 Buick Rendezvous a bad year?
200 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Rendezvous years. At 67,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Buick Rendezvous?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (76), fuel system (49), engine (29), brakes (21), steering (16).
How many recalls does the 2004 Buick Rendezvous have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 07V-349), Fuel system (NHTSA 07E021000), Electrical system (NHTSA 05V-157), Latches and locks (NHTSA 04V-150) and more. 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.