This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Buick Rendezvous engine problems
severe 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 20 engine complaints filed for the 2005 Buick Rendezvous, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC process, GWM Transaction submission, vehicle service record retention and proper handling of assembly returns for Canadian Dealers only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report five distinct engine-related failure modes across 20 complaints. Most common is stalling without warning at various speeds—turns, traffic lights, highways—with the engine restarting but the problem recurring. Multiple owners describe losing power steering and brakes during stalls. One owner was hit while stalled during a left turn; another experienced stalling at 70 mph on a freeway. Dealers and independent mechanics have been unable to duplicate or fix this, despite replacing ignition relays, ignition switches, air control valve modules, and running computer reprogramming up to three times.
Overheating and head gasket failure is the second major cluster, appearing around 85,000 miles in some cases but as early as 33,000 miles. Owners describe the gauge spiking to maximum then dropping back to normal within minutes. Mechanics found holes in head gaskets, water in exhaust, and brown deposits in coolant lines. One owner had heads leveled, complete valve work, new water pump, thermostat, relay belt, hoses, and full coolant flush—the vehicle still runs hot.
One owner reported sudden engine shutdown at 47,000 miles with all dashboard lights illuminating; another experienced uncontrolled acceleration for 8-10 seconds. An oil pan leak appeared at 33,000 miles. Dealers have notified owners to stop driving in at least one overheating case and state no recalls have been issued despite manufacturer awareness.
Failure modes owners describe
Uncontrollable Acceleration
Engine accelerates without driver input despite full brake application. Single incident reported after brief duration (8-10 seconds), then throttle returned to normal.
When: ~4,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Acceleration continues despite foot off gas pedal; Brakes ineffective during incident; Throttle eventually returns to normal operation
Sudden Engine Shutdown While Driving
Engine shuts off without warning while vehicle is in motion at highway speeds (35-65 mph). All instrument panel lights illuminate. Restarts but issue recurs. Dealers attempted computer reprogramming without lasting fix.
When: 47,000-48,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off while driving; All instrument panel lights illuminate; Vehicle can be restarted; Failure recurs within days of dealer repair
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer reprogrammed engine computer; failure recurred after 4 days
Stalling at Low Speeds and Stops
Engine stalls without warning, particularly during turns, deceleration, and at traffic lights. Stalls occur at various speeds (5-70 mph). Restarts immediately after each occurrence but issue persists. Dealership computer upgrades and relay/switch replacements have not resolved the problem across multiple vehicles.
When: 33,000-150,000 miles; recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Stalling while turning corners; Stalling at traffic lights; Stalling while decelerating; Stalls at various speeds without warning; Check engine light illuminates in some cases; Battery light illuminates in some cases; Loss of steering and brakes during stall
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacements include: ignition relay, ignition switch, air control module valve. Computer reprogramming attempted multiple times. No repairs successful. Mechanics unable to locate failure codes or duplicate the problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in at least one case
Overheating / Head Gasket Failure
Engine overheats to maximum temperature and stalls. Temperature fluctuates erratically (hot then normal within minutes). Diagnostics reveal hole in head gasket allowing coolant into combustion chamber. Multiple cooling system repairs (thermostat replacement, coolant flush, radiator service) fail to resolve issue. Brown deposits found in coolant lines. Some owners required complete head work including valve job, water pump, and thermostat replacement, yet vehicles continue running hot.
When: 33,000-96,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheats rapidly; Temperature gauge spikes then returns to normal within minutes; Stalling during overheating episodes; Water in exhaust; Heat/cabin heating fails or operates intermittently; Brown discoloration in coolant system
Repairs/costs cited: Thermostat replaced (ineffective in multiple cases). Head gasket replacement recommended but not completed in some cases. Complete valve job, new water pump, thermostat, relay belt, bypass hose, upper radiator hose, and coolant flush performed in at least one case without resolving overheating.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer notified in one case and advised not to drive vehicle. Owner states manufacturer aware but no recall issued.
Oil Pan Leak
Oil pan develops leak causing oil to drip onto garage floor. Leak is recurring.
When: 33,159 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking onto garage floor; Recurring leak
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pan replacement needed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of failure
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Buick rendezvous. While driving 35-65 MPH, the engine suddenly shut off and all of the instrument panel lights illuminated. The failure occurred three times. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle. After the first failure, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they reprogrammed the computer. Four days later, the failure recurred. The contact called…
Dt: the contact stated vehicle stalled while driving. The only warning was the battery light. When the vehicle stalled there was no steering or brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and they have placed a recorder on the vehicle three times. From the information obtained from the recorder they have replaced the ignition relay, ignition switch, the air control module valve, and…
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Buick rendezvous. While driving approximately 5-10 MPH, the vehicle shut down without warning. The contact placed the vehicle into park and waited a few minutes before attempting to restart the vehicle. The vehicle is currently at the dealer and they have been unable to locate a failure code or duplicate the failure. The failure and current mileages were 52,676.
Tl*the contact 2005 Buick rendezvous. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH the vehicle began to overheat. The contact drove onto the emergency lane in order for the vehicle cool down. The contact towed the vehicle to a local mechanic who determined that the head gasket broke which allowed coolant to enter the gas chamber and cause the engine to overheat. The dealer was notified and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick rendezvous. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the engine stalled as the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on numerous occasions but they could not determine the cause of the stalling failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
2005 Buick VIN [xxx] engine died when the vehicle went downhill and stopped at traffic light. Engine wouldn't start until ignition was turned off and then turned back on. *nm updated 07/18/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Had engine trouble with your 2005 Buick Rendezvous?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 Buick Rendezvous?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 21,000 and 85,300 miles, with the median around 52,676. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,000; a quarter make it past 85,300. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Buick/Rendezvous.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.