NHTSA — Service Brakes Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
95,004 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.

2003 Buick Rendezvous brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Buick Rendezvous:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Buick Rendezvous Owner Comments

problem #13

Aug 122016

Rendezvous

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The brakes on this vehicle just stopped working after taking it in for analysis the master cylinder and the brake booster have ceased to work. Pulling into gas station I rammed parking column in front of store.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #12

Mar 202014

Rendezvous

  • miles
When driiving 2003 Rendezvous when trying to stop there is a loud crunching sound and thumping pulsating from brake as if it is forcing it back up. I have to stump brakes all the way to floor to stop. Mechanic can not tell whats wrong with it. Almost drove into 4 lanes of cross traffic. Car would not stop. Had brakes changed and it continues to happen. This is very scary and heart pounds. My only source of transportation so I have no choice but to drive. There needs to be a recall. Also when making a turn and using brakes it is worst. Very frightening at any speed.

- Oak Park, MI, USA

problem #11

Mar 152015

Rendezvous

  • 178,000 miles
On 3/13/2015 my car had gone to a Firestone location in Indiana due to a check gauges light on.they replaced my alternator and battery. My vehicle was only kicking out 300 cca. I took my car home and parked it. The following day I put approximately 350 miles of interstate driving on my truck. When arriving home, I parked my truck. On 3/15/15 I took a short 2 mile drive and lost my brakes.I have a severe back problem, which makes quick and sudden moves painful. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I was on a winding road and it made it difficult to control the truck at 40 mph. There was no warning to my brakes going out. I had to have my car towed in to the shop as I was not going to attempt to drive it any further with no brakes. I have own many different makers of cars and never encountered this type of problem. If there was any kind of hint it was going, you would think they would have caught it 2 days earlier when it was in the shop. I am currently unemployed and expenses like this are very hard to accommodate.

- Lynwood, IL, USA

problem #10

Sep 182014

Rendezvous 6-cyl

  • 70,050 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased a used 2003 Buick Rendezvous several years ago for my daughter. Since the purchase, she has had issues with traction warning light coming on, accompanied by a loud grinding noise, difficulty with braking and steering, especially when applying the brakes. She has had the car repaired several times, each time the issue recurs. On 9/28 she was in an accident, she could not get the car to brake effectively, hitting car in front of her. The traction light had recently come on again, and the grinding noise resurfaced.

- Hermosa Beach, CA, USA

problem #9

Jul 192014

Rendezvous 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 134,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the brakes failed and the emergency brake was used to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who noticed that the warning indicator low brake fluids warning light was illuminated. The mechanic diagnosed that the brake lines that crossed over from the drivers side to the passenger side were fractured due to rust on the inside. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000. Updated 09/05/14 the consumer stated the brake line was rusted which caused the leak. The rust was hidden under the shield. Updated 12/4/2014

- Amherst, OH, USA

problem #8

Jun 082010

Rendezvous

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. While driving 35 mph, the brakes failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The dealer stated that the brake and fuel lines were severely rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 180,000.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #7

Jan 252014

Rendezvous

  • 127,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle rolled away. The brake warning light was illuminated and smoke emitted from the engine compartment. Upon inspection, it was found that brake fluid was leaking and making contact with the exhaust manifold. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 127,000.

- Williamstown, NJ, USA

problem #6

Dec 232013

Rendezvous

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the brakes failed when engaged and the brake pedal became stuck to the floorboard. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of a parked vehicle. In addition, the engine rpms increased excessively. The contact was able to stop the failure by shifting into park while the vehicle was still in motion. The contact sustained injuries to the hip, shoulder, knee and ankle from the impact. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed a local body repair center fo further inspection. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 100,000.

- Moses Lake , WA, USA

problem #5

Nov 032013

Rendezvous

  • 111,000 miles
Rear brake line broke because of rust. Pedal went to the floor then lost all brake fluid for rear brakes after a couple stops.

- North Royalton, OH, USA

problem #4

May 012013

Rendezvous 6-cyl

  • 147,000 miles
The service traction system light is on, and the traction off light is on, and the anti-lock brake light is also on. I was backing up when this first happened, and now the lights all come on everytime I am in the car.

- Waynesville, OH, USA

problem #3

May 082013

Rendezvous

  • 91,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When first accelerating, the car stalled out and the battery died. After braking to shift back into park and restarting, I was able to move again. Besides the acceleration issue, when driving and then braking when coming to a stop, it feels as if something is preventing the car from braking creating a grinding sensation. After the initial "grinding", AWD is disabled along with the anti-lock braking system. This happens just about every time the Rendezvous is driven.

- Drexel Hill, PA, USA

problem #2

Mar 132012

Rendezvous

  • miles
While driving the brakes will start to lock up and cause it hard to stop this will continue until the message comes up that the traction is off. Once the traction system disables itself the brake will work properly. If a bump is hit the brake light comes on and continually dings until you turn off the engine and restart it.

- Belpre , OH, USA

problem #1

May 272012

Rendezvous 6-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
The service traction system light is on, and the traction off light is on, and the anti-lock brake light is also on. I was backing up in a parking lot when this occurred, and now the lights all come on as soon as I start the car.

- Mt Pleasant, MI, USA

Not what you are looking for?