The Lemon Index
20031st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
162 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Toyota Highlander 472002 Ford Explorer 2072002 Dodge Durango 192
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2002 Buick Rendezvous
- Coolant leak / overheating45 complaintsmostly at 53,000–126,000 miles (85,000–203,000 km)
- Head gasket41 complaintsmostly at 63,000–100,000 miles (101,000–161,000 km)
- A/C condenser35 complaintsmostly at 44,000–78,000 miles (71,000–125,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 486 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Buick Rendezvous (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 22,000 and 50,000 miles (35,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 101 complaints, of all 162 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 07V349000 (fuel system, gasoline), 07E021000 (fuel system, other) and 02V222000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Buick sent dealers 391 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Condition of electrically”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Buick's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 162 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 22K to 49K miles (35K to 80K km) on the car (101 of all 162 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
While driving at speeds of 30 mph and less vehicle will stall without warning. Cause of the failure undetermined.
2002 Buick Rendezvous owner · NHTSA complaint 10034464
More owner reports
37,700 mile vehicle didn't blow heat. Next day vehicle overheated in town. After coolant flush and air bleed vehicle overheated on highway. Dealer diagnosed bad head gasket and replaced at owners' expense minus parts.
NHTSA complaint 10108157
Air conditioning condenser leakage and failure in 2002 Buick Rendezvous
NHTSA complaint 10073103
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 391 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Condition of electrically
- Subject pertaining to loose or electrically inoperative outside rearview mirror.*jb
- Some customers may complain that the service engine soon (ses) indicator is illuminated with…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2007
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).
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS.
- Airbags · recall issued 2002
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Buick Rendezvous recall, all years · All Buick recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel tank leakage2007
- ClosedFuel tank leakage2006–2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,000–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.4L 6-cyl.
Every Buick Rendezvous year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-rendezvous/?y=2002" title="Buick Rendezvous reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/buick-rendezvous/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Buick Rendezvous reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Buick Rendezvous reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 170; 100 is average, lower is better). The Buick Rendezvous year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2002 Buick Rendezvous problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (19%), engine (16%) and transmission & drivetrain (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Buick Rendezvous have?
3 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Buick Rendezvous get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Buick Rendezvous problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 22,000 and 50,000 miles (35,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 101 complaints, of all 162 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Buick Rendezvous have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Buick Rendezvous cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Buick Rendezvous have?
3.4L 6-cyl.
What Buick Rendezvous year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2005 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works