2 Star Reviews for 2003 Buick Rendezvous

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.04/5 Average
171 Total Reviews
This Year's Model Updates:

With just one year of production under its belt, Buick is already making some substantial content changes to its Rendezvous model line. Instead of offering standard all-wheel drive on its upscale CXL model, both the lower-level CX and the CXL will now come with front-wheel drive, with Versatrack all-wheel drive available on both models. Other formerly standard items that are now optional this year include: four-wheel disc brakes, ABS, side airbags, all-speed traction control and luggage rack crossbows. On the upside, both models get dual-zone climate control. The CXL also benefits from an optional DVD-based entertainment system and optional XM Satellite Radio for extra enjoyment.

Pros:
  • Usable third-row seats that fold flat, comfortable ride, lots of options available.
Cons:
  • Paltry engine, swell-looking but cheap-feeling interior materials, options add up, no off-road ability, not as storage-space-friendly as a minivan.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 171.00
  • Stay away from this vehicle - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
    By -

    Always needs work. As soon as one thing is fixed, something else goes wrong.

  • dont waste your money - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
    By -

    after buying this auto it failed in many ways first it was the brake lines that rotted out, then the over heating problem and the engine repair then the rotors and pads, the wheel bearing next. all of this with in 1.5 yrs of owning it and less than 5000 miles this is nothing as to having to tear the front end apart just to change the battery . so far I put another 3000 dolars into it since I got it. and to top that off the window fell down and I found that all the plastic parts that hold the window had broken lol this is the auto for you if the bank is yours.

  • JUNKING IT!!! And Im ON TOP of maintenance!!! - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
    By -

    This car is a LEMON!!! It should be taken OFF the market and NEVER made again!! I have replaced gaskit 2 times, Wheel bearings WAAAAAYYY too MANY times to even count anymore, the rocker arms, tie rods, breaks, rotars... more than normal, among many other repairs... I cant remember. This car PLAIN AND SIMPLE SUX! It needs MAJOR REPAIRS EVERY Flippin month. I have spent more repairing this dumb thing than my old 92 Geo Prizm!! Do NOT buy this vehicle, its NOT as nice as it looks! Better off with Hyundai, or Kia! We purchased in 06 used from an elderly couple who rarely used it... It had 12,000 miles!!! They took care of it, had receipts of oil changes, and car fax was FLAWLESS!!!

  • I got ripped off, now I am stuck! - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
    By -

    I have had nothing but problems with this car. It eats breaks and tires. The doors do not open right, it locks the keys inside. Wipers stop working. And the thing always runs hot. I have already complained to Buick but they did nothing for me. Never buy any Buick ever again. I am now stuck with a car worth nothing and is falling apart.

  • Nagging repairs - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
    By -

    Bought the 2003 Rendezvous used with 38K on it. Replaced both wheel bearings, had to buy new front rotors, the sunglass visor broke twice, the hinge on the glove box also broke. Also replaced both front door power window motors. Brakes / front wheels make noises when coming to stop. I am trading in soon. No more GMs for me even though my nephew works at Firestone and said GMs are best American vehicles.

  • Never Again!! - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
    By -

    Bought this Buick brand new for my wife and just traded it in. Took a huge loss but was glad just to get rid of it. Ball joints, transmission, engine gaskets,etc. Left us stranded on the road at least 6 times. Would not start after you shut it off. Dealer said it was a switch but I told them it was the fuel pump. Changed switch 3 times and still the same hunk of junk. Traded it in with only 40,000 miles on it. Lift gate latch had to be replaced and the windows wouldnt work. Trash, trash, trash. Never again GM, never again. I should have learned my lesson after the Jimmy I bought. I will drive a Kia before I ever by a GM!!!

  • Money pit - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
    By -

    We purchased this used at 38,000 miles from someone smart enough to dump it before it started falling apart. Replaced front wheel bearings at 42,000 and 45,000 miles. The head gasket was replaced last month at 83,000 miles after dealer misdiagnosed the problem twice. The load leveler would not stop running (at 75,000 miles) so we pulled the fuse and replaced it to stop the noise. Dealer advised that unless we fix it, the rear air-filled shocks will fail. We have already spent too much replacing things too soon. Recently replaced rear wheel bearings (great design those sealed bearings, not!). It is currently at the dealer again for other problems. So sorry we bought this. No more GMs.

  • More GM junk - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
    By -

    We bought this vehicle because it has enough head room for me to drive it. I am 67" and I do not fit in many vehicles GM makes. The full size pickups have less head room. During warranty they changed 3 front wheel bearings, stereo speakers and 2 starters. Now at 88,000 miles the intake manifold gasket is bad and I am getting quotes from $400.00 to $1200. A piece of Mexican made junk!

  • Utter Junk - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
    By -

    Bought this because my wife did not want to by typical looking minivan for the kids. What a bad choice. So far we have had the air conditioning overhauled at 10K miles, the engine seals blow at 20K miles, a complete transmission overhaul at 30K miles (had to call the mfg to get this covered under warranty), and now at 45K the wheel bearings and gas guage (800$ just for the gas guage repair)are toast. This is my second GM experience, fool me twice shame on me. As soon as I pay for the new bearings I am running to a Japanese or Korean car dealer ASAP.

  • Junk - 2003 Buick Rendezvous
    By -

    We have had several mechanical issues on our Rendevous. This first was a transmission problem that kept the car in 3rd gear. This was repaired under warranty. We had to replace the tires at 20,000 miles and Buick would not prorate the tires because we did not have full paperwork showing that we had rotated the tires.Our most recent problem was with a check engine light. The light came on with 43,000 miles on the car, 7k miles out of warranty.It ended up being that water was getting into the car under the carpet and had rusted sensors. The dealership had to strip all the interior out and fix the problem. Cost $1200. There is no wonder GM is on the verge of bankruptcy!

Buick Rendezvous Reviews By Year:
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