The Lemon Index
200420061st generation
About average · most complaints: electrical
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
43 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Toyota Highlander 652005 Honda Pilot 542005 Ford Explorer 53
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Buick Rendezvous
- Engine stalling24 complaintsmostly at 20,000–85,000 miles (32,000–137,000 km)
- Wheel bearing11 complaintsmostly at 43,000–65,000 miles (69,000–105,000 km)
- Head gasket9 complaintsmostly at 93,000–162,000 miles (150,000–261,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 138 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 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 14,000 and 43,000 miles (22,000–69,000 km) (the middle half of the 39 complaints, of all 43 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 07E021000 (fuel system, other) and 06V417000 (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 clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Buick sent dealers 534 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Engine whine noise from 0 30 mph at 1000 2500 rpm”?
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 43 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 13K to 42K miles (22K to 69K km) on the car (39 of all 43 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
Dt*: the contact stated the battery light illuminated and the vehicle stalls, this occurred six times between 5-15 mph. The vehicle restarts after stalling. The dealership is unable to determine a problem.
2005 Buick Rendezvous owner · NHTSA complaint 10155084
More owner reports
2005 Buick Rendezvous rolled from park with keys out of the ignition injuring consumers wife.
NHTSA complaint 10166890
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle stalled without warning at various speeds. The engine was easily restarted, but the problem persisted. The vehicle was seen by a dealer for inspection, but was unable to duplicate the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10156372
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 534 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine whine noise from 0 30 mph at 1000 2500 rpm
- L36, l67, l26, l32, la1, lx9, mn7, m15
- Cadillac/buick/saturn/pontiac/chevrolet/ gmc: due to an abnormal engine noise or internal by…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS.
- Airbags · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED.
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
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$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. 2005 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=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Buick Rendezvous reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Buick Rendezvous reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 103; 100 is average, lower is better). 2005 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.4× the average car's complaints.
What are the most common 2005 Buick Rendezvous problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (26%), engine (23%) and suspension (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Buick Rendezvous have?
2 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, other). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Buick Rendezvous get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Buick Rendezvous problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 14,000 and 43,000 miles (22,000–69,000 km) (the middle half of the 39 complaints, of all 43 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 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 2005 Buick Rendezvous have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Buick Rendezvous cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Buick Rendezvous have?
3.4L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Buick Rendezvous year than the 2005?
Not nearby: the 2005 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Buick Rendezvous years within 3 model years of it.
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