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Help me understand these Buick Rendezvous repairs!

35 messages,  Last post on Sep 22, 2010 at 12:24 PM

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What is this discussion about? Buick Rendezvous, SUV

Messages Page 3 of 4

#16 of 35 Re: Buyer Beware: Buick Rendezvous Design Problems, Multiple repeating failures [2002buickrende] by juliaom

Jul 30, 2010 (12:52 pm)

Replying to: 2002buickrende (Jul 30, 2010 12:21 pm)
Hey #15, well God works in mysterious ways, and he has chosen to give us our hell on earth with this gift of a 2002 Buick Rendevous.
I have had all that, except for Front wheel Bearing, but incl the AC, $2000, and both tie rods, 400+, both front window motors, and at 96,000 miles the head gaskets started to leak. My dealer forgot to mention that on one repair, so at 104,000 miles the heads exploded near Bowling Green, KY. I limped backed to Lex and had the dealer repair that for $3000.
Now the AWD is disabled and the Power lock breaks light is on, another 700$+ and the gasket around the bottom of the motor is leaking oil. Oh, and the hood is bubbling with rust. I am broke, so this puppy will just have to fall apart now.
Has 137,500 miles now and worth about $4000 maybe.
It has one darned good sound system for my opera tho, helps keep my sanity.

#17 of 35 Re: Buyer Beware: Buick Rendezvous Design Problems, Multiple repeating failures [2002buickrende] by ifiledsuit

Aug 02, 2010 (7:38 am)

Replying to: 2002buickrende (Jul 30, 2010 12:21 pm)
My best advice. Get rid of it as soon as possible. GM fought my lemon law case to the point my lawyers backed off. So, here I sit with this money pit still in my possession. It's a total piece of junk. I thought with all wheel drive this vehicle would be great in the snow as I have to drive up a pretty steep hill to get home. Well what a mistake that was, I have more traction in the snow in my bedroom slippers!
 
The repair list I have on my 06 Rendezvous has grown to the point that I've spent more on it in repairs than it cost to buy. Dump it! Ditch it! It will put you in the poorhouse.
 
I HATE MINE SO MUCH I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE.
 
I have less problems with the 1990 Jeep we have.

#18 of 35 Re: Buyer Beware: Buick Rendezvous Design Problems, Multiple repeating failures [2002buickrende] by spike99

Aug 03, 2010 (9:46 am)

Replying to: 2002buickrende (Jul 30, 2010 12:21 pm)
Sorry you are having so many problems with your 2002 AWD RDV.
 
If wondering, my wife has a "used" 2003 FWD RDV (2nd edition of 2003). So far, we've only needed to replace its front wheel bearings and its 2 x front brake rotors. Being a heavy "front end" vehicle, it loves chewing up wheel bearings and brake rotors. These are well known weak design problem.
 
For far at 74,000 Miles, our 2003 FWD RDV is running great. No problems with its intake gasket (then again, we do replace its cooling fluid every 3.5 years) and its transmission is working great as well. We were going to install a Trailer hitch on it and my local "trusted" auto mechanic said, "NO way - if you do, you'll kill it". To him, this specfic heavy weight Cross-Over vehicle has barely enough power and strength to pull (and stop) itself. Having an attached trailer, extra weight of AWD system (if we had an AWD system) and internal heavy cargo would immediately over stress this vehicle. Thus, blowing its intake gasket, its head gaskets and other "under designed" parts. Thus, our Class III hitch is now sitting in our shed - which is a great thing in the long run...
 
For our 2003 (2nd edition) FWD RDV with 3,4L engine, we drive it like a weaker design vehicle (re: never make it over stress in traffic or up hills) and let it drive us around in comfort. And we never "push it hard" on extreme hot days either. So far, my wife's 2003 FWD RDV has been treating us great.
 
Sorry to hear your 2002 AWD RDV is giving you problems. If it were me, I'd probably sell your heavier weight 2002 AWD RDV cross-over vehicle and get something more reliable. Especially if you need its AWD system and/or use if for aggresive driving (or heavy weight transport needs).
 
.

#19 of 35 antilock brake problems by gofalcons

Aug 10, 2010 (8:32 pm)

i have 2005 AWD. My antilock brakes will engage at any time for no apparent reason, like when turning or going down a hill. Sometimes the antilock light comes on and the awd is disabled. Mechanic buddy hooked up his machine for ABS diagnostics, said problem was right front sensor, so had it replaced. 6 weeks later problem happens again. Light turns on, again diagnosed, and again says right front sensor. Maybe it was bad sensor installled? so replaced again, but problem still there. anybody had this problem, or know what it could be. It obviously is not the sensor like the diagnostic tool says.

#20 of 35 Re: antilock brake problems [gofalcons] by ifiledsuit

Aug 11, 2010 (5:54 am)

Replying to: gofalcons (Aug 10, 2010 8:32 pm)
You could have your mechanic take a look at the sensor for the awd inside the rear differential for the awd disable problem. When the awd disable light came on in my Rendezvous, it turned out that the sensor inside had failed. The dealership had to drain the differential and replace the sensor then refill it. Not long after that (within a few months) the engine blew on the highway and about a month after that the tranny quit with no warning of either being a potential issue.
 
As far as the anti-lock breaks...I never had that issue so they both may be unrelated issues.

#21 of 35 Re: antilock brake problems [gofalcons] by juliaom

Aug 11, 2010 (6:47 am)

Replying to: gofalcons (Aug 10, 2010 8:32 pm)
Yep, me too. My AWD light and the anti lock break light has been on for four months. I still have regular breaks. Dealer says sensors and wants $700 for it just for AWD.
More for the anti lock break.
Now the car is jumping and bucking like it is not firing, so must be the spark plugs I hop. Sucker is still leaking from a seal and I can't afford to repair any of it.
I am hoping it will self immolate on the road, as it is probably only worth 3500$ and I have over 11,000 dollars in repairs in it since 2004. I could have bought a H ummer.

#22 of 35 Re: antilock brake problems [juliaom] by gmcustsvc

Aug 11, 2010 (12:07 pm)

Replying to: juliaom (Aug 11, 2010 6:47 am)
Hello Juliaom,
I apologize that you have had concerns with your vehicle. I would like an agent to look into your concern further. Can you please email me your VIN, contact information, dealership and best time to contact you? You can get my email by clicking on gmcustsvc. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

#23 of 35 Re: antilock brake problems [ifiledsuit] by gofalcons

Aug 11, 2010 (3:27 pm)

Replying to: ifiledsuit (Aug 11, 2010 5:54 am)
It should not be a awd problem(i think). the brakes engage and pump at wrong times. The manual says that the awd is automatically disabled when there is a problem with the abs system. So i would tend to believe that if it was just an awd issue that that light would come on by itself without the antilock light coming on. Both lights are coming on which is why i believe it is abs problem.

#24 of 35 Re: antilock brake problems [juliaom] by ray80

Aug 12, 2010 (4:12 am)

Replying to: juliaom (Aug 11, 2010 6:47 am)
For the AWD/ABS and perhaps the Jumping bucking problem it may be due to an issue with the C305 connector (water intrusion/ corrosion). Do a google search on 'gm c305 connector' and you will find all the troubles it can cause.

#25 of 35 Buick Rendezvous Rear View Mirror by 2002rdv

Aug 12, 2010 (4:59 pm)

My rear view mirror just fell off the windshield of our 2002 RDZ. I cannot get the metal clip out of the mirror housing to re-attach it to the windshield. I have removed the screw but nothing happpens when I try to pry it loose. I am afraid if I try to hard I will crack the housing completely.
 
these cars are brutal!!

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