Buick Rendezvous Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • nosuvyetnosuvyet Member Posts: 72
    I have a friend that just went through the same hesitation/delay problem with her RDV. After a couple of tries to fix it, they finally just replaced the whole transmission (they blamed a valve or something). She just got it back today and so far so good, but we'll see.
  • stanvstanv Member Posts: 10
    A friend of mine saw this report when it aired on the local news. The link is below. It appears that some RDV's will let you shift the car out of park when the vehicle is not started and without putting your foot on the brake. I checked mine and I do have the problem. Put the key in the on position and you can take it out of park without depressing the brake. Check yours and let us know if you have the problem.


    http://www.accessatlanta.com/partners/wsbtv/consumer/rendevous0823.html

  • jk27jk27 Member Posts: 244
    Checked my 2002 Rendezvous CXL which I picked up on May 30, 2002. I am happy to report that I *cannot* move the shift lever when the key is in the on position and I don't step on the brake. Perhaps they fixed this partway through the 2002 model year.
  • islandpeteislandpete Member Posts: 94
    Checked out my CXL and there is no way you can shift out of park with the key on unless you have your foot on the brake. This is the way it is supposed to work for safety reasons. Have my CXL since May of 2001. If anyone has a RDV that fails this test it should be reported to the dealer and to GM Customer support immediately.
  • bowhuntwibowhuntwi Member Posts: 262
    His wife hit a cat, the cat tore out the gas filler tube, which they didn't realize until they got home. The fire dept drained the tank after it left a trail thru their neighborhood. Buick acknowledged there was a problem. They replaced it. This is a accident waiting to happen, when you think of ice build up or anything flying up under it, that might also damage it. Just thought I'd advise you on this potential problem.
  • stanvstanv Member Posts: 10
    jk27 & islandpete, I'm glad you two don't have the problem. I have a CX FWD, and you both have CXL's so maybe it is only with the CX's. I purchased mine Sept 2001 with an April 2001 build month. The woman in the article was said to have recently bought hers but no purchase/build date is given. However, I would ask you to double check because there appears to be two on positions. When I turn to the very first click is where I can shift without my foot on the brake. At the second position and after starting I cannot shift without applying the brake.
  • islandpeteislandpete Member Posts: 94
    stanv, just checked my CXL and yes you can shift on the first position (ignition key)without pressing the brake pedal, but not on the second position. The second position is locked until you press on the pedal. So, I had to check my Mercury Sable by doing the same test and it does the same thing. Anyone have the expertise to comment on this. I would be guessing if I offered any:-) Apparently many autos may do this. Don't know. Never thought of doing this test until I read the posts. Comments please ~~
  • jk27jk27 Member Posts: 244
    Correction ... As stanv and islandpete pointed out, if the key is in the first click position, I *can* shift the transmission out of park *without* having my foot on the brake. With the key in the second position, you *cannot* shift the transmission out of park without your foot on the brake. I have a 5 year old son, so this is a concern for me. Is this a defect? Or was this designed to do this? By the way, my 2002 CXL RDV was built in 4/02.
  • john325john325 Member Posts: 237
    I'm just curious why folks are even considering leaving kids in their cars with their keys? Seems crazy to me. I have two children between 8 & 11, and I just don't do it, nor have I. I have on a few occasions left the radio on in the car for the kids and removed my keys, which of course you can do. Btw, I've had my RDV about as long as islandpete, and the transmission lock works the same as his and as jk27's.

    All-in-all, our RDV's been doing fine. We have a laundry list of small items for the dealer to fix next time in. The most major item is the oil leak in the AWD unit. They've already worked on it twice... Oh well. Regards to fedlawman & the gang here.
  • jk27jk27 Member Posts: 244
    john325: I think you may be missing the point. I agree that one shouldn't leave their keys and kids in the car. However, what about those kids that grab dad's keys from inside the house and get in the car? Not beyond the realm of possibility. It shouldn't happen -- but I'll bet it does. We all know kids also shouldn't be climbing into trunks of cars -- but every year kids die doing so.

    I'm concerned because this sounds like a potential design/safety defect -- and I think it should be fixed if it is. My RDV is a $35,000 vehicle and I expect it to be as safe as possible. If that means Buick has to fix the tranny so it doesn't do this and it saves even one life -- I'm all for it.

    By the way, how do you leave the radio on with the keys removed? Doesn't the radio turn off as soon as the driver door is opened? Thanks.
  • john325john325 Member Posts: 237
    I see your point; if the kids just grab your keys and put them in the ignition, that's trouble. There are times when my kids have opened the doors w/ the keys, but, I've not allowed them to put the keys into the ignition. Kids being kids, though, you're right, there's vulnerability there.

    I agree that it would be great if this vulnerable aspect were corrected, but I doubt that Buick would do a recall for this, especially if most cars function in the same way. I believe someone who posted above said their other make of car functions in a similar manner.

    As for the radio thing... what I've done on only a few occasions, is where the kids have handed the keys to me out the window, and then rolled-up the window w/ the doors locked while I did a quick run into a curbside store where I can watch them while I'm gone for a few minutes. I would definitely not recommend this for young children. Hope this helps.
  • mesacakesmesacakes Member Posts: 2
    Took the RDV in last week to have the stalling problem investigated and the door locks fixed (they didn't always unlock when I removed the key.)
    They said the transmission had 2 quarts too much trans fluid in it and that likely caused the problem. It is an intersting problem since that means it came with at least 2 qts too much fluid from the manufacturing line. If that happens often Buick is loosing a lot of money! But I doubt if that was really the problem.
    Locks - they claimed to find "foreign debris" in the ignition switch. They cleaned and lubricated it and said all should be fine. So in less than a week why has it happened two times already?
    I don't have a lot of confidence in the mechanics at this point.
    I have also noticed my CD/tape radio looses a minute each week. So the next time I feel like taking it in I will have that on my list, along with the locks...
  • melsnymelsny Member Posts: 35
    To mesacakes:

    I was told in the spring that Buick Engineering knew of the problem and would have a fix available by the end of the summer. I haven't had an opportunity to take my RDV in to the dealer to see if the fix is available now.
  • netnerdnetnerd Member Posts: 118
    The problem of the clock losing time is one that was discussed here in the owners' forum. Many people had the problem and I think the solution was usually that they had the radio unit replaced.
  • melsnymelsny Member Posts: 35
    My radio was replaced once last spring and it had the same problem. They then told me to wait for Engineering's fix.
  • fedlawmanfedlawman Member Posts: 3,118
    We talked about the door lock thing a while ago. I used to have my locks set to open when the key was removed, but I found if I removed the key from the ignition too quickly, sometimes the locks wouldn't open.

    I have since switched the locks to open when I shift into park.

    Try removing the key more slowly and see if that's the problem.
  • nosuvyetnosuvyet Member Posts: 72
    Mine also sometimes (maybe one time out of ten) doesn't unlock when shifting to park. On my laundry list. Also one out of ten times when I unlock the truck and my mirrors go to my memory position from my wife's, the passenger mirror goes to the extreme down position and keeps trying to go even after it hits the stop, making a very loud ticking, almost banging noise in the process which I think would go on forever if I didn't intervene with the manual mirror control switch (oxymoron?) to get it to stop. Anyone elso with that problem?

    Now that I think about it, I'll have to see if the mirror malfunctions during the same "session" that the door locks malfunction.
  • fedlawmanfedlawman Member Posts: 3,118
    Yes, that happened to me a couple of weeks ago.

    Click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click...well, you get the idea.

    I may go in for BCM #2 next oil change.
  • linuxfunlinuxfun Member Posts: 6
    Own a 2002 CX and it has a strange noise after I start the car and start moving. My feet can feel a short vibration accompanied with grinding noise. The vibration and noise is short and happens within 10 feet after I start the car and move in forward direction. After that, it will be ok. Talked to dealer and it took them a whole day to do the inspection and couldn't find the cause. The second day they told me that's normal. It's the ABS doing the self checking after startup.
    I am just wondering if anyone has the same symptom. This is my first car doing ABS checking like that.
  • pvnguyenpvnguyen Member Posts: 21
    Anyone have problem with their RDX sun visor not staying in position? If I place the visor against the front window, it pulls back towards the roof.
  • dlh4dlh4 Member Posts: 26
    Yes the grinding sound you hear is normal. Just have to get used to it. I've got 27900 miles on mine and am used to the noise. This has been talked about before, so you can search the messages and get more info and opinions.

    As for the sun visor, yes it does move back into a vertical position and is therefore useless to me. I just wear really good sunglasses and don't worry about it. It is a minor flaw that is made up by the other benefits of this vehicle.
  • linuxfunlinuxfun Member Posts: 6
    Glad to know the problem I experienced turns out not real problem.
    For the sun visor. Mine stays in the position. My car was manufactured in June so GM must have it fixed.
  • pvnguyenpvnguyen Member Posts: 21
    June of this year or last year? I was told by service dealer that it's the same for 2002/2003 year model.

    I will stop by today to check it out.
  • linuxfunlinuxfun Member Posts: 6
    It's June this year. Guess that's the last month for 2002 production.
  • jk27jk27 Member Posts: 244
    I just checked my 2002 RDV CXL and the sun visor *stays put* when you push it all the way forward (toward the windshield). Mine was manufactured in 4/2002 and I picked it up in 5/02. My visor has a fold in it (designed) which seems to allow it to stay put. My RDV also has the tailgate handle on it (which I believe was a mid-year fix. When were the ones that don't stay put manufactured? Maybe you can have your dealer replace the visor with the new one?
  • stanvstanv Member Posts: 10
    The transmission lock is working as designed, sorry for the false alarm. I alerted the TV station that aired the piece with the short note below.

    After reading of this possible SUV defect in the 2002 Buick Rendezvous, I called
    the Buick Rendezvous owners line. They could not confirm this issue and referred
    me to my selling dealer. The service manager had the problem checked out and the
    answer was found on page 2-29 of my owner's manual, and confirms that the vehicle
    is working properly. The first click is the B(accessory) position which allows you to
    use things like the radio and windshield wipers. The manual further states
    "ACCESSORY if you must have your vehicle in motion while the engine is off(for
    example, if your vehicle is being pushed or towed)."
    If Kim Ruiz's child placed the key in the B position, then this would explain what
    happened. The vehicle can only come out of gear when the keys are in the ignition,
    and any time the keys are in the ignition adult supervision is of course
    recommended.
    Please forward this to Clark Howard to add to his investigation. I enjoy his program
    and learn many valuable tips from his work.

    Sincerely,

    Stan

    Here is the link to the orginal report.
    http://www.accessatlanta.com/partners/wsbtv/consumer/rendevous0823.html
  • wws2wws2 Member Posts: 23
    Do you guys who experience this "ABS self-checking" noise have the trailer towing package? It seems plausible that what you are really hearing is the pump from the auto-leveling rear suspension. The pump is located on the underbody - almost exactly below the drivers seat.

    Walt
  • netnerdnetnerd Member Posts: 118
    I get the noise/vibration occasionally and don't have the towing package.
  • nextmoonnextmoon Member Posts: 386
    I had a little cosmetic problem over the weekend. The week had been cold in my area (down to low 30's at night). Friday night I had turned on the interior heat. I noticed the heat could get pretty hot. After about 30 minutes of heating, the plastic cover of the A-pillar on the driver side may a loud popping sound. I looked and the plastic was deformed and bent somewhat outwards towards the windshield. I took her in to the shop. Turns out the plastic cover has warped and could not be bent back so a new one needs to be ordered (about 2 weeks). Good thing is the pillar cover is easily removeable with a few screw driver pokes.
  • plpsplps Member Posts: 2
    My Rendezvous originally came with an activated charcoal compartment air filter that filtered out odors as well as dust and pollen. Buick told me that they stopped carrying the activated charcoal filters for the rendezvous. This is an odd move since the Envoy comes equipped with them. I complained to GM without any results. I also encourage Rendezous owners to complain to GM about this lowering of standards in parts. Does anyone know of an after-market activated charcoal compartment filter and what retail auto parts stores carry them?
  • netnerdnetnerd Member Posts: 118
    Are you saying, plps, that there is no replacement filter available? Or just that the one they will install is not the same type as was originally installed?
  • nextmoonnextmoon Member Posts: 386
    plps - I had purchased the charcoal filter mentioned back in late July of this year. When did you inquire Buick about this? Did you mean you went to your Buick parts dealer and were informed they don't have them anymore (as it wasn't clear to me from your post)?
  • nextmoonnextmoon Member Posts: 386
    It took about one business week for my replacement part to arrive. The parts guy was a real big help in assisting me. He was friendly and very efficient. I can't say the same about my service managers (she had very weak car knowledge and that's being nice and he I had to plead so many times to even look at my cosmetic problem).
  • berne1berne1 Member Posts: 5
    I am wondering if anybody knows of ANY way to disconnect (ideally) the DRLs, or at least disable them temporarily (per ignition cycle) on the Rendezvous. I know on other GM vehicles you can press the dome override "x" amount of times, but the Rendezvous has no dome override. The owner's manual makes no mention of this, either.

    I know a lot of people like DRLs, however I do not. I hope I don't start a debate over their usefulness (or lack thereof). I simply want to use the resources of other Rendezvous owners to find a way to disable those found on my vehicle.

    I hope that somebody out there knows how, and if so, would please share this info with me.

    Thanks.
  • jk27jk27 Member Posts: 244
    What's a DRL?
  • plpsplps Member Posts: 2
    We went to our dealer in September to get a replacement and they informed us that the charcoal (odor) filter was no longer available. I contacted Buick and they said that they changed the features of the vehicle and the odor filter was one they decided to change. You can still get get an air filter from the dealer but it will not filter out odors.
    When I find an aftermarket brand I will post the part number.
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    This is an archived discussion in A&A, but you may find useful information there.


    How can I 'turn off' DRLs?


    This is the current discussion in A&A:


    Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)

  • netnerdnetnerd Member Posts: 118
    At the risk of starting the "debate", I am curious why you *don't* like the DRL's.

    Care to share?
  • nextmoonnextmoon Member Posts: 386
    I wasn't aware the charcoal filter would filter out smells. Do you have to have the smell filtration or can you make due with the regular air filter? I bought it to filter out pollen and little nasty things that somewhat eases my allergies.

    My suggestion would be to try other Buick dealers which may still have the charcoal filters in their inventories. The Pontiac Aztek and the three GM minivans (Venture/Montana/Shillouette) share many parts with our Rendezvous. Perhaps their cabin filters would fit?
  • dadbseedadbsee Member Posts: 2
    I brought a 2002 Rendezvous CXL demo with 8700 miles on it 30 days ago. The paint on the buttons is beginning to peel. Does any one know what the solution to this problem is?
  • netnerdnetnerd Member Posts: 118
    On which buttons is the paint peeling?
  • berne1berne1 Member Posts: 5
    Sure, don't mind sharing the reasons:

    I've never had a DRL-equipped vehicle before. I have, however, driven in front of DRL-equipped cars and frequently find myself flipping my rearview mirror up to lessen the glare (from the brights) which always seems to be aimed right into my mirror. I guess I just don't want to be the guy who is annoying the driver in front of me with my bright DRLs. And they are pretty bright on the Rendezvous.

    Why not use the lowbeams like VW does, or the amber lights like GM does on the minivans, Corvette, Intrigue, etc. They are much less distracting to other drivers, IMO. I guess my biggest beef with DRLs are the cars which use the brights at a lower intensity.

    I see a lot of people driving around at night without taillights on. When I pass them, their DRLs are on. The reason seems to be is that their car has DRLs and they think their headlights are on, so they don't turn them on, which leaves the taillights off. I don't think that is very safe.

    If the vehicle is more visible to oncoming traffic, then wouldn't logic follow that it is more noticeable to police officers? As an admitted speeder, the last thing I want in a speed trap is to be more visible.

    I am just annoyed that I don't at least have a choice in whether I can turn them on or off.

    If they are an added "safety feature", why won't my insurance agent discount my rates for having a DRL-equipped vehicle?

    If studies show that DRLs make vehicles more noticeable, and if all vehicles have them, how do you NOW stand out to other drivers? What's next, DRHs (Daytime Running Horns)? The horn would constantly blare when the vehicle is in gear, so oncoming traffic can not only see you, but hear you as well. :)

    I know many people like DRLs, and that's fine. Many of us do not, however, and would prefer not to have them. I'm not asking for them to be outlawed, I just wish I had an easy way to disable mine instead of jumping through hoops to figure it out.

    Thanks to the person who posted the www.lightsout.org suggestion. They are presently working to help me find a way to get this done.

    Just my $.02
  • netnerdnetnerd Member Posts: 118
    Thanks for sharing your reasons. I was just curious.

    I would comment that--at least in the case of my RDV--the headlights/taillights come on automatically, so even though the DRL's are on during the day, as soon as the sensor determines it's time for regular lights, the headlights *and* the taillights turn on. I wasn't sure if you realized this from your comment about people thinking their taillights were on since the headlights appeared to be, even though it is actually the DRL's.
  • tracyegtracyeg Member Posts: 7
    Well, as I was getting out of my RDV the wind caught the door and pulled it forward. I can see how it stretched the hinge a bit. Now, when I close it, it is a little off and disappointingly I can hear wind as I drive.

    Anyone have this happen to them. Any idea on the cost of the repair? Can I get a warranty fix for something like this?

    Tracy
  • tracyegtracyeg Member Posts: 7
    Anyone know what causes cupping on back tires? I was just a 2000 miles over the my first rotation schedule and the dealer said just to skip this rotation and the back tires will wear down and then it would be worth the rotation.

    Anyone know if that's good advice or not? I'd sure like to figure out what cupping is caused by so as to stop it in the first place.

    Thanks.

    Tracy
  • bobw18bobw18 Member Posts: 4
    RE:Posting 345
    To answer the Driver door wind problem Yes I have had that problem
    as noted in my posting earlier this year.
    The wind caught my drivers door as I opened it and almost
    tore the door off the car. After checking with the dealership about covering
    it under the warranty they said no so I was out $197.00 at the
    local body shop. Again a month later the same problem.
    I took it to the same dealership and asked why a restraint strap was
    not installed on the door.
    Another $197.00 at the same body shop. Than 2 weeks ago the same thing
    happened after the dealership had welded the hinge to the pillar frame.
    There is a problem and I have been watching this board to see how
    many other people have this same problem.
    Needless to say we traded for our old standby a 2003 Buick Lesabre with a door
    restraint strap. Buick did reimburse me for the body shop repairs.
  • nextmoonnextmoon Member Posts: 386
    You mentioned twice Buick didn't cover the door fixes under warranty. But the last sentence said Buick reimbursed you for the repairs. How were you able to get the reimbursement?

    I too am somewhat concerned with the door hinges being damaged. Just over this weekend, I paralleled parked on a slanted street and when my gf opened the door, it went flying outwards due to the slant. She's usually good about holding onto the door.
  • montreidmontreid Member Posts: 127
    We've had the RDV for two weeks. Noted this happens a lot in San Fran area. We have hills and wind. It catches the wind like a sail, and loves to pull out--more than any of our our cars.

    Now, I had wanted a Daewoo (sp?) in the past, and the wind caught that door with a large gust. One hinge broke! the other stretched to point of 1 inch opening when the door closed. Thank goodness I put it on our VISA and declined coverage....damage: $800.

    Hope this isn't going to be a recurrent problem on the RDV. Our Nissan Sentra SE-R had production problems with sagging hinges (door too heavy) that caused a lot of wind noises at 30K
  • ewalterewalter Member Posts: 14
    my wife had another stall but this time she was waiting at a light and restarted. The first stall on freeway was never diagnosed precisely and no fix was implemented by dealer. We also hear the slight "crunch" noise immediately after moving forward in D and it is considered normal operation by dealer. Lately there has been a strange and unpleasant odor once engine warmed to operating temp that persists for a few minutes. Anyone else noticed this problem?
  • bobw18bobw18 Member Posts: 4
    Most people who post on this board do not post their
    e-mail address so it makes it impossible to answer them on a personal basis.
    Yes I did get reimbursed for the door hinges that were bent twice from Buick. After the third time they welded the hinge and the wind got it again and that is why we traded back
    to the LeSabre. I called a complaint into a consumer hot line provided by
    the Buick dealer and also wrote to the President of Buick than they agreed to reimburse me for the damaged hinges.
    It took 2 months to receive the check.
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