Problems · by component

2004 Buick Rendezvous electrical system problems

76 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Buick Rendezvous cite electrical system, 38% of all 200 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
76
38% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Upon arriving at my destination and after i put my in park i was UNABLE to turn my engine off because the ignition was stuck in that position. I ultimately had no choice but to unhook the battery cables along with disconnecting the alternator to get my engine to turn off. Prior to this incident occasionally upon starting my car the ignition would not disengage immediately upon the engine turning over which ultimately resulted in having to replace the starter on this vehicle. I am a single parent and only have one vehicle so this is a major issue for my family. Furthermore the fan speed control knob doesnt work properly because when it is put in position 3 it shuts the fan motor off completely. So there CLEAR to me that there seems to be a MAJOR electrical issue. The suspension on this vehicle is horrendous. I cannot go above 45mph without by car wanting to go into on-coming traffic or off of the road or trying to flip over on its side because the shocks/struts on the passenger side are not working properly. I have not used this vehicle for any other purpose then to transport myself and children to and from work/school/appointments. Everyone i spoke to about…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2023Suspension, Electrical systemODI 11499974
“Electrical problems,manifold gone, ants under my battery the whole vehicle was infected with them, battery wouldn't unbolt tailgate wouldn't open, it overheated”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2022Electrical systemODI 11481681
“I CAN BE ON THE STREET DRIVING AND MY VEHICLE JUST STALLS OUT AND I HAVE TO GET IT RESTARTED AND PULLING THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART IT THAT'S THE FIRST ISSUE THE SECOND ONE IS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF AND MY TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT STAYS ON HAD IT LOOKED AT IT WAS FINE SYSTEM LIGHT REMAINS ON.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2019Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11230574
“NO ACCELERATION,WHEN I GO UP A HILL NO ACCELERATION, OR WHEN I GO TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY NO ACCELERATION, AND VERY DANGEROUS. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND I REPLACED FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR AND VENT SOLENOID, NO ACCELERATION. I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE 3 ELECTRICAL HARNESSES AND CONNECTORS $1350 DOLLARS PARTS AND LABOR TOO MUCH FOR ME AND THAT MAY NOT SOLVE MY PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM WAS CORROSION IN THE CONNECTORS TO THE FUEL PUMP $160 DOLLARS LATER THEY AGREED WITH ME. STILL DANGEROUS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2019Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11228285
“DASH GAUGES, WARNING LIGHTS, & ALARMS, BELLS FLASH ON & OFF AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY RUNS ROUGH. DASH CODES OF ALL SORTS BLINK ON & OFF. NEW BATTERY AND NEW ALTENATOR INSTALLED, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THIS HAPPENED FIRST WHEN DRIVING ON HIWAY. AFTER VEHICLE PULLED OFF ROAD AND ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE DASH CODE THEN READ BATTERY ISSUE. WE TRIED TO DRIVE AGAIN BUT NOW VEHICLE OPERATED ROUGHLY AND THERE WAS NO MORE DAYLIGHT. WE HAD VEHICLE TOWED 100 MILES. THEN PAID FOR NEW BATTERY PROBLEM DID NOT CHANGE SO WE HAD A NEW ALTENATOR INSTALLED AFTER HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ADVISING THE NEED FOR A NEW ALTENATOR. I AM QUITE UPSET BECAUS EI FEEL THAT THERE IS FRAUD ON PART OF SEARS AUTOREPAIR. DIAGNOSTIC SAID ALTENATOR WAS THE PROBLEM. I PAID OVER $450 FOR THAT SERVICE AND ANOTHER $150 FOR THE BATTERY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2017Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11047219
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY RESTARTED AFTER A MANUAL RESTART ATTEMPT WAS MADE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT IT COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 11, 2017Electrical systemODI 10971936

Showing 6 of 76 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION ON IGNITION RELAY CONTACTS CAN CAUSE HIGH RESISTANCE. THIS CAN AFFECT SIGNALS TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND, COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME.

Electrical systemReported Apr 20, 2005NHTSA 05V157000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.