Selling a junk or non-running Buick Rendezvous

If yours has quit, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.

One generation, built beside the Aztek

The Rendezvous had a single generation. Wikipedia says it was built from February 2001 to December 2006 at GM's plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, on the same assembly line as the Pontiac Aztek. Wikipedia's infobox lists a 3.4-liter LA1 V6 in the Rendezvous, paired with a 4-speed 4T65-E automatic and either front or all-wheel drive. Wikipedia also says no Buick had offered that much people and cargo space since the Roadmaster Estate wagon was dropped in 1996. The Enclave replaced it.

Known problems, year by year

2002-2003: engine, fuel and the first recalls

The 2002 and 2003 together hold 767 complaints. After engine and cooling, fuel shows up next: 57 complaints on the 2002 name the gasoline fuel system, and on the 2003, 41 name fuel and propulsion and 34 the gasoline fuel system. No Rendezvous year has more fire reports than the 2003, at 13.

Recalls in these years:

• 02V222 (2002-2003): the driver's air bag inflator could fracture at a weld when it deploys. The campaign covered 133,221 vehicles, including minivans and other GM models.
• 03V052 (2003): the steering column intermediate shaft was too small in diameter. Dealers inspected the shaft and replaced it if necessary.
• 03V051 (2003): a driver's air bag that might not deploy as designed, in a 130-vehicle campaign.
• 03V250 (2003): an owner's manual supplement about child seat anchor symbols, in a campaign of 1,707,825 vehicles across many models.
• 07V349 (2002-2004): the fuel tank inlet check valve could crack. Dealers replace the fuel tank.

2004-2005: the electrical system moves to the top

On the 2004, 61 of 200 complaints name the electrical system. That is also the year of recall 05V157, for ignition relay contacts that can get contaminated and cause stalls at any time. Its campaign of 34,186 vehicles lists both Buick and Pontiac contacts, so it isn't only Rendezvous. Recall 04V150 (2003-2004) added reinforcement to the rear liftgate latch, and 03V454 (2004) checked fuel tank serial numbers for a weak weld.

The 2005 has 138 complaints, led by electrical (33) and steering (14). Recall 06V417 (2005-2006) covers cars built with cloth seats that later got aftermarket leather covers, which can confuse the passenger air bag sensor. GM's remedy was to buy those vehicles back.

2006-2007: the quiet years

The last two model years have 89 and 43 complaints, with the electrical system first on both. Younger Rendezvous years have spent fewer seasons on the road to draw complaints, though a 2007 has still been around for close to two decades.

Complaints and recalls by model year

These Rendezvous counts come from what owners told NHTSA, checked October 10, 2026. Recalls are tallied per year, and one Rendezvous campaign can show up in more than one year. Four complaints are filed under 2001, before the first EPA model year.

Across all years, the electrical system leads with 227 complaints, then engine and engine cooling (163) and the gasoline fuel system (112).

Is it worth fixing?

A Rendezvous is now old enough that most repair quotes get weighed against a small number: what the same SUV sells for once it runs. Work through it this way.

1. Start with recalls. Type the VIN into NHTSA's recall lookup. A 2004 that stalls may still be waiting on the ignition relay from 05V157.
2. Electrical trouble? From 2004 onward, no component draws more Rendezvous complaints. The electrical problems guide helps you decide whether a fault is worth chasing.
3. Engine or overheating? Engine and cooling complaints cluster on the 2002 and 2003. See head gasket or overheating and blown engine.
4. Quote higher than the value? Then repairs cost more than it is worth walks through selling it unrepaired.

Selling the whole Rendezvous

1. Before you call about the Rendezvous: know its VIN, its miles, if it is front- or all-wheel drive, and what failed.
2. Ask for an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Describe the spot, curb, driveway or back yard, and whether the wheels turn. A dead AWD crossover in a back yard needs different loading than one at the curb. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Give the driver the Rendezvous title and keys at pickup. No title? Read selling with no title. For plates and insurance afterward, see after you sell.

Looking at other Buicks? See the Enclave, Rainier and Lucerne, or all of Buick.