8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$500
Average Mileage:
107,600 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. replace the radiator, thermostate, and water pump (1 reports)
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problem #5

Sep 232016

Rendezvous LX 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

I have loved this Buick. It has all the bells until now. Erratic gauges. (all of them) Temperature reaches high and sometimes no heat.

Update from Nov 25, 2016: Loss of water from reservoir and the smell of antifreeze. I was told to flush it. It did not change gauge and I continued to add water. But now radiator is actually overheating to the red zone and was told it is a head gasket. No water is in oil or radiator.

Update from Nov 25, 2016: 100,000 miles not 150,000

- Tammy S., Graham, WA, US

problem #4

Jul 222015

Rendezvous

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

Car started overheating. Took it to my guy, he looked it over and said the head gasket was not blown the radiator is stopped up. He changed the radiator (it was cheaper than having it cleaned out he did flush it many time) new radiator and thermostat and the water pump went out. The hole problem was the coolant had gelled. The one the owner manual said to put in it....now it looks like the heater core needs to be replaced.. So I will soon have a hole new cooling system...I have a hole new fuel system....and will soon have a hole new ABS system... What will be next. This car just feel apart at 100,000 miles...

- Linda M., WEST MONROE, LA, US

problem #3

Jan 232013

Rendezvous 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

I take very good care of my vehicle. Last week, my car overheated. I immediately pulled over, let the car cool only to find out I was of of antifreeze in the radiator all of a sudden. The mechanic that put the antifreeze thought I was crazy and said, the antifreeze just doesn't disappear has to be a leak. I ensured him no leaks have occurred. I went home and even put cardboard in the garage to make sure I wasn't imagining this. Anyways for the next 2 days my car would overheat randomly, enough where Friday morning I took the car in. Thought maybe the thermostat or something was wrong. The shop did the chemical test and informed me I have a bad head gasket and it would cost $1700 to fix. Like seriously this is a major repair for something that shouldn't have happened. Very frustrated.

- Jennifer B., Sterling Heights, MI, US

problem #2

Nov 022011

Rendezvous CXL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

Just started noticing the temp gauge fluctuating a few weeks ago. This afternoon, after driving approximately 15 miles on the interstate, the engine coolant warning light came on & the gauge was on H. I sat at the light for less than a minute, took the turn and the light went off & the gauge went back down to about a quarter way. No problems after that. Until this evening, something told me to take it for a drive before a trip we had planned for tomorrow. I took the same route as I did this afternoon - the light didn't come on at the same exit, but I wrapped back around on the interstate and about 5 minutes later, the engine coolant warning light came on again, gauge on H. I pulled over and shut the engine off for about 10 minutes. It was about 3/4 on the gauge, so I got to the nearest offramp, drove up the street to get some gas and kept an eye on the gauge. Got back on the city street and the gauge kept wavering between 3/4 and H - not quite to H. I tried messing with the heater (been having problems with that as well) - the gauge seemed to fluctuate when I messed with it, but nothing routine. Almost home and the light came on...again. I took a left and headed up a hill, the gauge went down to almost 1/4 - I went to take a right at the top of a hill and as soon as I did, the gauge headed towards H again. I got home before it came on (3 blocks from my turn)...but there is obviously a problem and I don't know what to do. I don't have money to take it in, as Buick suggests for the other issues. I am at my wits ends with this POS vehicle.

- nothappyne, Omaha, NE, US

problem #1

Jul 132011

Rendezvous 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

After sinking way too much money into this car over the past year, NOW it started running HOT, I mean all the way over to the fires of hell hot, and a display flashing on the console STOP, COOLANT HOT type of hot....anyway, over the past year, I have replaced or had a mechanic replace; 3 wheel hub assemlies, the bushings that go into the rear wheel crate, outside differential seals, a whole rear differential, fuel pump, MAF (due to rodent damage of filter and related areas) and NOW, it is running HOT and it seems with the mechanics chemical test for gasses and fuel in coolant, I have to replace either the intake manifold gasket or the head gaskets (don't know which yet) either is OVER $1000 to repair....

I have spent over $2500 on a car that I JUST PAID off in the past year and am NOT happy about it, and NOW I see that there is/was a class action suit for the gasket thing in relation to Dex coolant?!! Well that just about puts me over the top...I am trading this POS and getting something NOT from Government Motors (GM) I guess I should feel lucky that I haven't had the air conditioning issues that some have had....

- Jerry H., Cambridge, VT, US