The Lemon Index
200220041st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
91 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Toyota Highlander 522003 Honda Pilot 1142003 Ford Explorer 101
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2003 Buick Rendezvous
- Wheel bearing19 complaintsmostly at 33,000–67,000 miles (52,000–108,000 km)
- Engine stalling17 complaintsmostly at 58,000–148,000 miles (93,000–237,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion16 complaintsmostly at 55,000–134,000 miles (89,000–216,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 281 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 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 10,000 and 50,000 miles (16,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 52 complaints, of all 91 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 04V150000 (latches/locks/linkages) done? It has 7 recalls in all. 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.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Buick sent dealers 447 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Firm transmission shifts, shudder / chuggle, transmission won't downshift on deceleration,…”?
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 91 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 10K to 49K miles (16K to 80K km) on the car (52 of all 91 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
The dashboard failed to illuminate. This caused poor visibility for the driver to see properly. Driver took vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the dashboard panel needed to be replaced.
2003 Buick Rendezvous owner · NHTSA complaint 10117376
More owner reports
While driving the vehicle stalled intermittently and without. The dealer has been unable to duplicate the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10012306
Engine noise and over heating, transmission hard shifts between 1-2.
NHTSA complaint 10017063
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 447 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Firm transmission shifts, shudder / chuggle, transmission won't downshift on deceleration,…
- Information to dealers regarding service bulletin 020730039 - firm transmission shifts,…
- Firm transmission shifts, shudder/chuggle, transmission won't downshift on deceleration,…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- 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.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2004
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.
Show all 7 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 2003
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE ME…
- Steering · recall issued 2003
IN SOME OF THESE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DIAMETER OF THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS TOO SMALL.
- Airbags · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED.
- 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. 2003 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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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-rendezvous/?y=2003" 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/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Buick Rendezvous reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 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 154; 100 is average, lower is better). The Buick Rendezvous year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2003 Buick Rendezvous problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (22%), engine (15%) and visibility (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Buick Rendezvous have?
7 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 2003 Buick Rendezvous get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Buick Rendezvous problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 10,000 and 50,000 miles (16,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 52 complaints, of all 91 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 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 2003 Buick Rendezvous have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 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 2003 Buick Rendezvous have?
3.4L 6-cyl.
What Buick Rendezvous year is better than the 2003?
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