2005 Buick Rendezvous Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2005 Buick Rendezvous has the highest complaint index (100) among its 3 tracked model years, with 138 complaints, ranking worst of the three. Engine issues lead at 30% of complaints, followed closely by electrical problems at 28%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 3 Rendezvous years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 138
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Engine
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
Top 2005 Buick Rendezvous problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine42 (30%)
- Electrical System39 (28%)
- Fuel System19 (14%)
- Steering18 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (12%)
- Brakes16 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (11%)
- Structure & Body7 (5%)
- Airbags5 (4%)
- Other4 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls unexpectedly while turning or stopped at red lights, sometimes failing to restart.
- Vehicle has rolled out of park with the key removed from the ignition, injuring a passenger.
- Power steering becomes hard to turn, sometimes accompanied by ABS, brake, and AWD warning lights.
- Brakes have failed to engage during emergency stops, with the ABS system not activating.
- Fuel leaks from the rear of the vehicle have led to gas fumes inside the cabin and at least one fire.
- Accelerator pedal has jammed down while driving, with brakes reportedly unresponsive afterward.
2005 Buick Rendezvous recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 06V417000Oct 31, 2006Airbags794 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
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. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
Risk: If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.
Remedy: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1-877-477-1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.
2005 Buick Rendezvous fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Rendezvous years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Buick Rendezvous reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 model has the highest complaint index (100) of the three tracked Rendezvous model years, ranking worst of the three. Engine and electrical problems account for over half of all complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Buick Rendezvous?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints make up 30% of reports, followed by Electrical System issues at 28%, Fuel System at 14%, and Steering at 13%.
- Does the 2005 Buick Rendezvous have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 06V417000) covering airbags on vehicles reupholstered with leather seat covers, where the passenger sensing system may not be compatible.
- At what mileage do problems typically occur on the 2005 Rendezvous?
- Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 56,520 miles, though engine complaints median at 85,000 miles and fuel system complaints median at 135,000 miles.
- How does the 2005 Rendezvous compare to other years?
- The 2005 model has a complaint index of 100 and 138 complaints, compared to 89 complaints and an index of 50 for 2006, and 43 complaints with an index of 0 for 2007.