The Lemon Index
200320051st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
79 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Toyota Highlander 1002004 Honda Pilot 562004 Ford Explorer 117
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Buick Rendezvous
- Engine stalling38 complaintsmostly at 7,200–108,000 miles (12,000–174,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion8 complaintsmostly at 69,000–90,000 miles (111,000–145,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 200 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 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 6,500 and 30,000 miles (10,000–48,000 km) (the middle half of the 58 complaints, of all 79 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 05V157000 (electrical) done? It has 5 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.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Buick sent dealers 473 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Multiple driveability symptoms of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or…”?
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 79 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 6K to 29K miles (10K to 48K km) on the car (58 of all 79 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 pressing down on the horn, it failed. The dealer had inspected the vehicle several times and could not duplicate the problem.
2004 Buick Rendezvous owner · NHTSA complaint 10074275
More owner reports
While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer was able to restart the vehicle, and had vehicle towed to dealership, who did not resolve the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10095091
Instrument panel reading of the numbers is not clear for consumer to see, especially when he puts his glasses on. Driver took vehicle to the dealer, and the mechanic did not have an answer at this time.
NHTSA complaint 10042509
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 473 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Multiple driveability symptoms of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or…
- A whistle type noise coming from the engine
- Ly7 3.6l engine valve train tick noise.*mr
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- 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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION ON IGNITION RELAY CONTACTS CAN CAUSE HIGH RESISTANCE.
Show all 5 recalls
- 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.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A WELD BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE AND THE FUEL TANK CAN FAIL.
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
- ClosedIgnition relay failure2004–2005
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, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every Buick Rendezvous year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-rendezvous/?y=2004" 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/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Buick Rendezvous reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 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 155; 100 is average, lower is better). The Buick Rendezvous year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2004 Buick Rendezvous problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (49%), engine (23%) and fuel system, gasoline (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Buick Rendezvous have?
5 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 2004 Buick Rendezvous get?
18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Buick Rendezvous problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 6,500 and 30,000 miles (10,000–48,000 km) (the middle half of the 58 complaints, of all 79 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 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 2004 Buick Rendezvous have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2004 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 2004 Buick Rendezvous have?
3.4L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Buick Rendezvous year is better than the 2004?
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