2003 Buick Rendezvous Brake Light Stays on and Chime Continues to Ring
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- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 58,707 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
brakes problem
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2003 Buick Rendezvous Owner Comments
problem #16
Feb 102012
Rendezvous
- 163,000 miles
problem #15
Dec 292011
Rendezvous 6-cyl
- 60,000 miles
We drove 6.4 miles from our relatives house to a restaurant. When I parked, my wife noticed smoke coming out from the front of the vehicle on the passangers side. I told her to exit the vehicle and I released the hood latch. When I opened the hood the flames were visible. I called 911, prior to fd arrival the flames were put out by someone from the restaurant. The brake line had rusted out and the brake fluid leaked out onto the exhaust system catching the electrical system on fire. The response from Buick via claims admisinstrator bryan schwartz they claim no liability due to braach of warranty. I claim this brake line should not have rusted out after only 60,000 miles. At 59,411 miles this vehicle was serviced @ vyletel Buick included in this service was a multi-point vehicle inspection including the brake system (also including lines, hoses and parking brake) no issues were noted.
- Warren, MI, USA
problem #14
Feb 022010
Rendezvous
- 90,000 miles
Over the past two years I have had three front hubs replaced and the saddle for the traction system. All done at the advise of a Buick dealer. This past year I telephoned Buick and requested their help, as I felt Buick should know how to correct this recurring problem, but to no avail. Both the antilock brakes and the traction systems are off, and the car sounds as if it is raw metal on metal. I am again occasionally hearing the grinding noise, which usually indicates another problem (with substantial cost) is on the way.
- Daphne, AL, USA
problem #13
Sep 162011
Rendezvous
- 137,000 miles
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I was parked on a hill facing up wards. I made a U turn in the street to go down the hill as I always do. As I approached the stop sign I lost all pressure to the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. I went through the stop sign but no accident occurred. I was able to come to a very slow stop. While I continued driving to the nearest mechanic I noticed smoke coming from under the hood and now the "low brake fluid" warning light came on and warning chimes were ringing constantly. I pulled over and noticed brake fluid hitting hot engine components causing the smoke. I could see brake fluid dripping under the vehicle too but under the engine. The mechanic inspected the line and said that the line runs up to the fire wall behind the top of the engine and that he didn't want to work on it. "real nice". I have to find a shop who is competent to do this job. I would have no doubt been in a very serious accident had I been on the freeway while this happened. From reading some other similar issues online this should be a recall issue. Apparently all these brake lines run up to the fire wall where installation holds moisture and causes failure. This is not a normal wear and tear issue. If the line wasn't in or close to insulation this wouldn't be happening.
- Duluth, MN, USA
problem #12
Jun 122011
Rendezvous
- 109,248 miles
Brake failure due to corroded brake line on firewall above exhaust pipe. I was able to bring car to full stop using emergency brake. Because of light traffic and low speed major accident was avoid. Brake line fixed by shelton Buick dealer in rochester hills and price was $429.70. I'm finding out that this is common problem with this type of GM vehicles.
- Rochester Hills, MI, USA
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problem #11
Jun 122011
Rendezvous
- 140,000 miles
In Jan 2011, front right wheel hub assembly and speed sensor was replaced with oem part. In June 2011, the part had failed again. Per mechanic, fault is due to speed sensor not returning correct speed when speed is < 8 mph. Per mechanic, this wiill increase stopping distance when it occurs.
- Ballston Lake, NY, USA
problem #10
May 012010
Rendezvous
- miles
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My 2003 Buick Rendezvous has a ABS problem where it engages completely on its own whenever the outside temp is more than 50 degrees. While driving, I hear a humming noise at various time during my drive and when I push the brakes the ABS system is activated and the petal pulses and a grinding noise is heard. Although, the ABS light does not light up on my instrument panel. This is constant throughout the months of may through October since the temp is above 50 degrees during the day. I have had both front hub assemblies and wire harness replaced with no avail. Then, during the winter months, the AWD system disables anytime I have tire(s) spinning. I have talked to several mechanics and not one seem to have any idea what can be wrong. I have researched online finding an alarming amount of people with the same problem concerning their Rendezvous, but no solution.
- Selinsgrove, PA, USA
problem #9
Aug 232010
Rendezvous
- 54,000 miles
Brake failure due to corroded brake line on firewall above exhaust pipe. Those 2 brake lines are shielded together by a heat shielded insulation which in return keeps in moisture and corrodes brake lines, very poor design. Called GM to see if there is a recall and see if they can do anything about this problem financially, waiting for answer. This is going to be a common problem and expensive one, on top of being a dangerous one. Have to replace front and rear passenger brake lines, if one corroded the other one will follow.
- Gatineau Qc, 00, USA
problem #8
May 032007
Rendezvous 6-cyl
- 39,558 miles
This has occurred on and off since purchasing my 2003 Buick Rendezvous in January 2005. Usually occurs when outside temps are warmer, spring thru fall, not in the winter. At slow speeds ( 10 to 20 miles/hour) when braking and/or turning steering wheel while applying the brakes, a grinding/crunching noise is heard and depressing the brakes feels like you are crushing something with your feet. Brakes do not work immediately. Anti-lock brake light, service traction system light, and anti-lock brake off indicator lights all come on and stay on after the braking and noise stops. Warning lights sometimes stay on for several minutes afterwards. Just backing out of the garage can even cause this to occur. Recently I had an instance when driving at 10 to 15 miles/hour and could not stop at an intersection. Car finally came to a stop in the middle of the four-way stop after I slammed brakes to the floor. Dealership repair shop cannot never find anything wrong. Have had in for service for this three times and only error showing up was right front speed sensor malfunction but unable to duplicate problem while in for service. I left dealership and within a mile it started again. I keep driving the car but am frustrated because they cannot fix it, and pray I don't have an accident or hit a pedestrian because I cannot stop. Brakes do not have a problem at driving speeds above 40 mph.
- Newark, NY, USA
problem #7
Dec 162003
Rendezvous
- 60,300 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. Two weeks after the vehicle was purchased in December of 2007, the contact noticed a loud noise when making left turns. The dealer stated that the power steering pump was defective and was repaired for free. Two months after the repair, the windshield wipers stopped working and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The mechanic informed her that the windshield wiper box failed and was repaired. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stopped accelerating. The contact smelled a burning odor coming from the front driver's side wheel well. She pulled the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle would shift gears, but it would not move forward or backwards. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the brake oil was contaminated and the master cylinder was defective. The vehicle has not been repaired since the last incident. The current mileage was 70,874 and failure mileage was 60,300.
- Salem, OR, USA
problem #6
May 162007
Rendezvous 4WD 6-cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 42,000 miles
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. While driving downhill at 15 mph, the vehicle failed to stop when the brakes were depressed. Once the vehicle began traveling uphill, it slowed down and the contact applied the emergency brake. The road conditions were normal. The dealer stated that the brake power booster box burned up and needed to be replaced. The brakes have been replaced three times and the rotors once within the past year. The engine size was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 42,000.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
problem #5
Jun 222004
Rendezvous 6-cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 6,205 miles
- the contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous cx/csl. The contact was driving at 5-10 mph in bumper to bumper traffic. She applied the brakes and the car started shaking from side to side and then it flipped over three times, landing in an embankment. The contact stated that it had rained earlier that day, but that this incident happened approximately two hours after the rain stopped. The contact was injured and was currently still under the care of a doctor. The police were contacted, however, they never came to the scene. The contact stated that no research was done concerning the cause of the crash. Updated 1/29/2007 -
- Lawrenceville, GA, USA
problem #4
Dec 192006
Rendezvous 6-cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 30,000 miles
Buick rendevous. 1st was a 2002 cxl - problems: Rear differential slipped, passenger side window regulator broke, ac condenser broken, rear view mirror fell off, back up sensors shut down vehicle - because of this fried entire electrical system, brakes and rotors replaced at 30K. 2nd is a 2003 cxl - problems - rear differential slipping, passenger side window regulator broken, driver 1 & 2 memory broken, engine running hot because of leak in radiator - again 30K
- Chapin, SC, USA
problem #3
Jun 222004
Rendezvous 6-cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 7,000 miles
: the contact stated when the brake was applied, the vehicle began to shake. The vehicle then rolled over three times. This occurred at 5-10 mph in bumper to bumper traffic on a dry road. The police was not contacted and the vehicle was driven home on four flat tires. The contact sustained head, neck, and back injuries. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and deemed it totaled. Updated 2/28/2006 -
- Lawrenceville, GA, USA
problem #2
Sep 012003
Rendezvous 6-cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 1,000 miles
Transmission failure- replaced 12/04, wheel hub bearing failure-replaced 06/05, heating/ac problems since new 09/03, brake problems since new, window regulators replaced 2X's, hatch latch failure-multiple, parking brake failure 07/04-present, overheating 07/04-present
- Lineboro, MD, USA
problem #1
Jun 012005
Rendezvous
- miles
2003 Buick Rendezvous experiencing problems with the battery, steering and the automatic brake system.** answer required***. the consumer felt vibrations in the steering wheel and vehicle which lasted anywhere from 10-30 seconds. The noise of vibration happened intermittently when the key was turned off. The dealer was notified but was unable to rectify the problem. The brake pedal went to the floor once. The battery went dead. The consumer believes this may be the result of other problems.
- Williston, VT, USA
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Source: https://www.carcomplaints.com/Buick/Rendezvous/2003/brakes/service_brakes_hydraulic.shtml
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I was driving home from work, I tried to stop my car and the brakes went to the floor, the car started smoking, and I had to put the car in low so it would slow down. And when it slowed I finally got it to stop. The mechanic said the car was put together funny and that the brake line corroded cause its over the exhaust. I didn't get hurt but I could have, but if it were someone who didn't know how to slow down a car, or a new driver it could have been bad.
- Braddock, PA, USA