The Lemon Index
200520071st generation
Not enough data. Only 19 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
Better years to buy
19 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Toyota Highlander 792006 Honda Pilot 362006 Ford Explorer 149
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2006 Buick Rendezvous
- Engine stalling17 complaintsmostly at 69,000–120,000 miles (111,000–193,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion8 complaintsmostly at 83,000–100,000 miles (134,000–161,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 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
Only 14 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 06V417000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Buick sent dealers 665 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering…”?
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 19 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 3K to 21K miles (5K to 34K km) on the car (14 of all 19 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
Fractures appearing in windshield. Starting at lower portion of glass. First appeared after after a cold change in weather with snowfall. Second appeared after extremely hot day. Both occurred with vehicle parked in driveway.
2006 Buick Rendezvous owner · NHTSA complaint 10198987
More owner reports
2006 Rendezvous oversized exterior rearview mirrors created a blind area when the driver glanced either to the left or to the right.
NHTSA complaint 10158378
Complete and total loss of steering while driving down highway. Fortunate that there was no oncoming traffic, loss of control, or damage.
NHTSA complaint 10195296
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 665 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- 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: 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every Buick Rendezvous year. 2006 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 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-rendezvous/?y=2006" 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/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Buick Rendezvous reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Buick Rendezvous reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 19 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2006 Buick Rendezvous problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (26%), steering (26%) and suspension (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Buick Rendezvous have?
1 safety recall (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Buick Rendezvous get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2006 Buick Rendezvous have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 21% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 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 2006 Buick Rendezvous have?
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Buick Rendezvous year is better than the 2006?
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