Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2006 Buick RendezvousRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 89 owner complaints for the 2006 Buick Rendezvous. Most complaints involve electrical system (21) and suspension (14). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Oct 2006
Owner complaints
89
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 31, 2006NHTSA 06V417000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

89 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2006 – May 2025
  1. Electrical system21
  2. Suspension14
  3. Engine14
  4. Fuel/propulsion system13
  5. Power train11
  6. Steering10
  7. Air bags9
  8. Visibility6
  9. Fuel system, gasoline6

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

By model year

Complaints for each Rendezvous model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2002498
2003284
2004200
2005138
200689
200743
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

21 reports1 fire
“Piece of junk since June when I paid $3,000 for it and have put $1200 into it and still broke down and won’t start (ignition switch/key) and I refuse to pay for it to be fixed nor fixing it myself.. Has to be called home sweet home very soon and I need it fixed by GM asap or lawyer will be involved and I’m not sinking anymore into it then I have.. GM products are junk!!! Repair it”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 4, 2024Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11569749

Suspension

14 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2006 Buick Rendezvous. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, it was discovered that the front passenger’s side suspension sway bar was bent. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled after driving approximately 50 feet. The cause of the failure was not yet been determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 134,103.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2025Suspension, EngineODI 11663388

Engine

14 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AN UNKNOWN LOCAL BUICK DEALER OF ELKHART, INDIANA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED AND COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND TRANSFERRED TO CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2017EngineODI 11015429
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Rendezvous AWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300468
Rendezvous FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
Rendezvous FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162519$3,300468
Rendezvous AWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450494
  • Rendezvous AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Rendezvous FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Rendezvous FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 25 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Rendezvous AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Buick Rendezvous as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1684
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Rendezvous questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Buick Rendezvous have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Buick Rendezvous problems?

Owners filed 89 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (21), suspension (14), engine (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Buick Rendezvous get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Buick Rendezvous at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026