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Again I take them all the print outs of this website and they still say they've never heard of the problem and can find nothing wrong. I have 2 small children and this is getting very old and I'm ready to get rid of it. If anyone finds out what could be the cause, please let me know. Obviously there is something since so many people are having this problem.
As far as wasting to much time reading "happy" post just scan the post and if it seems like a "happy" post simply frown and move on to the next one. By the way where can I find that " I Love Rendezvous forum " you mentioned.
Best,
Ken
So let's not assume that others have ulterior motives and try to advise and support as best we can.
ps...I'm having a "new" problem...will post on new posts
Next...before I got the chance to fix last problem the AWD disable and ABS lights came on. I read somewhere that it could be the speed sensor. (bad or just dirty) Considering I had the bearing replaced not that long ago I'm wondering if that's where the problem is. Any help IS appreciated.
As I've said ad infinitum ... all makes and models of cars have problems. The Rendezvous is no exception. Consumer Reports states that the Rendezvous build quality has improved every single model year.
And yes, I try to help people with my posts, as well (e.g., I posted that Buick repaired my AC condensor even though I was out of warranty -- at no charge! That, hopefully, will help someone else get the same thing! Again, fascinating that people are "suspicious" of my motives!!
By the way, I plan on continuing to post and read in this forum as long as I own my Rendezvous -- I'm not going anywhere :P Oh, and I'm a "HE", not a "SHE".
KarenS: thanks for your support and helpful comments.
You are absolutely correct I don't understand. To preface a statement that you work on an assembly line at GM " That is why I see the problems on a daily basis" is absurd. Even if you worked at the assembly plant in Mexico ( Where the Rendezvous is assembled ) you wouldn't see problems on a daily basis at that level. Perhaps the frustration/anger is really aimed at GM and not the Rendezvous.
This will be my last post on this I promise.
Best,
Ken
I've had both front wheel bearings replaced, L/F at 39k and R/F at 48k. Luckily a friend working at GM (engineering) told me early on to "watch out for wheel bearing issues" with the 02's.
When the dealer (Vyletel, Sterling Heights, MI) hit me with a price tag for the repairs, I politely threw it back in their court and told them that wheel bearings don't just "go" this early, and that they needed to make this right if they valued me as a return customer.
You'd like to think that would be good enough, but unfortunately I had to use an ace in the hole - a pre-36k visit where I stated a light humming noise that they could not diagnose....which worsened over time and turned out to be....the L/F wheel bearing. Then when the R/F started going, it was replaced on the spot with no argument.
Wonder what the true stats are on the wheel bearings? As far as I can tell GM didn’t issue a service bulletin for this, must be a dirty little secret.
Dave
Cheers!
#1--any advice on money back from wheel bearing(s)?
#2 how can I get them to pay for the paint repair, since I already know it's a known flaw.
#3 has anyone walked away from a lease early without heavy penalty?
Problem was very intermittent until it almost ruined a vacation in Florida. I would not leave the dealership until problem was found. They did. Car is still going on strong for 11 years.
Your numbers should improve slightly. Normal break-in period is about 3-5,000 miles.
Use the cruise control as much as you can -- significantly improves fuel economy. Also, if you have the auto-climate control system (I do on my 2002 RDV CXL), I discovered that it will turn on the AC compressor anytime the temperature is above 40 degrees. Push "vent" to turn off the AC if you don't need it and you'll save even more MPG.
I am currently getting 19mpg per the DIC and I drive mostly city (commuting to and from work). However, when I drive on the freeway, my mpg goes up considerably. Also, I am using Mobil 1 synthetic oil -- which I have read can increase your mileage, as well.
I have already bought one (a 2003 CXL). My post in #1199 was in response to another poster who had asked whether the Rendezvous was a good buy. I am very sorry to hear about your difficulties with your car. I haven't had nearly the trouble (yet), but I don't have the kind of confidence in the car that one should given the price and the fact that it's a family car. The only issue that I have had during my ownership of the car (I bought it two years old with 40,000 miles on it) was a head gasket issue that apparently had not been completely resolved by earlier work done by the previous owner. The troubles that you have had seem to be very common to the 2002 Rendezvous, and Buick really should do a recall to address the A/C, wheel bearings, and head gasket issues.
Interestingly enough, I had the pass lock replaced a couple of weeks ago. The vehicle seemed to start OK although it was not too hot outside. One start after a short shutdown was kind of iffy. It started, stalled and re-started OK just like your vehicle. However, my wife could not start it in our garage with her key, so I had to take it back to get her key programmed. After 3 hours they gave up and ordered a new part which has now been installed. So far no problems, but I must admit I have lost confidence. It is almost autumn up here in Maine and the days are getting cooler so I expect I won't have a problem until next year. I now carry a small wrench with me so I can disconnect the fuse panel to "reboot" the system as I hear this seems to work. I know from experience that if you wait for about 20-30 minutes with the ignition completely off, it seems to start OK.
Hope that helps.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Wind resistance, rolling resistance, and engine efficiency are all very big factors in fuel mileage. For example, a Rendezvous Ultra FWD is about 18% heavier than a Ford Escape AWD, but uses 23% less gas (per EPA highway estimate). Obviously there's way more at work than just the weight of the vehicles.
Wow, if you experienced stop and go traffic for 1/3 of your trip, and you still got 17 mpg ... I don't know what you're complaining about. I can't thinkg of ANY 6-cylinder (AWD? mine is; 7 passenger seating? mine is) large cargo capacity vehicles that could do that! When I commute to work daily, I am getting 19 mpg. There is some stop and go traffic there, but nowhere need 30%.
I'm pleased with my 19mpg city real life experience. Mileage increases significantly with wide-open freeway driving, especially with cruise control. YMMV (pun intended)
I had a same situation where key will go in. Dealer provided no explanation either.
My Randezvous had to be towed and dealer repair shop had drill the lock barrel to take it out. My warranty company told me that national average for this type of repair is about $400 or less.
Complained with Buick but out of luck.
Quote from the article, "... while car shopping, you should assume that your fuel economy will, as the fine print says, vary depending on conditions. However, it is safe to say that your average will be on the low end of what the EPA is predicting. Proceed accordingly."
You can increase your mileage by making sure your tires are properly inflated, that you drive conservatively (coast as much as you can), use cruise control as much as you can, choose uninterrupted highway routes (versus stop-and-go city driving), and turn off your A/C if not needed around town. I also use Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil -- which the manufacturer claims can increase mileage.
Do remember that you're driving a 4,000 pound vehicle and that it will take a significant amount of fuel to get that weight moving -- no matter who built the vehicle. Of course, you could always trade it in for a Toyota Prius. However, I've seen some news reports that state that people are only getting about 40 mpg -- not 70 mpg as claimed. It's not just Buick, in other words.