- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.
- The fix
- Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1-877-477-1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.
Vehicle safety record
2006 Buick Rendezvous Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 89 complaints about the 2006 Buick Rendezvous with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (21) and the fuel system (19). Those complaints describe 9 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in October 2006 for the frontal. For comparison, the 2005 has 138 and the 2007 has 43.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Rendezvous year, for its age
#111 most complained-about 2006 vehicle
- Complaints
- 89
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 9
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 8
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2006 Buick Rendezvous problems
Share of all 89 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2006 Buick Rendezvous recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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89 complaints about the 2006 Buick Rendezvous
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 4.
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.
Fuel line heat shield rusted and is leaking gas. I noticed gas outside before getting into car few days before gas leak was noticeable. I could not tell if it was my car or not as it was always in a parking lot that I noticed smelling gas. Yesterday, I noticed I had to pump the gas a couple times in order to start car. Went to the grocery store, and when leaving store, gas oder was strong. Once I was on my way home, 5 miles from store. Gas smell was strong inside cabin, and once home gas continued to leak for...
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another 5-10 minutes after turning car off. I inspected the the leak this morning, and could see the heat shield on fuel line was rusted through along the underside of fuel line u joint. I am waiting for my car to be inspected by Fire Departmnet so that I can have to towed (Nebraska requirement to towe car with gas leaking issue) to repair shop.
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
Engine timing chain slipped causing vehicle to become undrivable
"Takata recall" I was in a car accident on 4/8/19 it did not involve another vehicle. It was raining and I was coming off the highway to my exit and looked to my left to see if I was able to merge, when I did my right tire hit the side of some wet grass and when it did my car started spinning outta control and I ended up hitting a palm tree straight on. My air bag did not deploy and I ended up with a broken back in 2 places. I had 2 have 2 surgery's thus far. I had my seat belt on. The impact was hard enough for...
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the bags to deploy but they didn't. The doctor said if my air bags would of deployed I would not have suffered a broken back. Its caused me lots of pain and suffering due to broken back and loss of a new job I was about to start the next day. The attached photos show the driver side where I hit and shows no air bag in site.
2006 Buick rendezvous has massive fuel leak on fuel supply line leading from tank to injectors. This is a known issue with this model and year due to the heat shield wrap installed by manufacturer. Occurs when vehicle is running and then drips for in excess of 5 minutes after vehicle is turned off.
Vehicle has hard start when engine is hot. For example when running errands. By the time you come out of the store the vehicle does not want to start. Takes multiple attempts. Gas must be pimped at the same time as turning ignition in order for the vehicle to start. Multiple mechanics state this is an electrical issue but cannot figure out what is causing the issue. Battery & throttle body have been replaced and still not render to the issue. This issue constantly happens and thankfully occurs when the vehicle is stationary.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 buick rendezvous. While driving various speeds, the vehicle decelerated slowly when the brake pedal was depressed. Also, the all wheel drive warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the differential pump check valve needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 73,000.
Car kept running hot and no remedy was found for it. Batteries and other repairs were done concerning the electrical things; but the car running hot was never resolved even with replacing the thermostat etc. I could only drive about a block and the check cooling system error came on and the car speed would automatically slow down and the engine would automatically cut off if you continued to drive it while hot....Smoke from the hood etc. Would happen. Could feel intense heat when raised the hood. If the car was...
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stationary....After running for a while it would still run hot and eventually the hot light would come on in the inside warning panel. The last mechanic took it apart and never put it back together, neither fixed the car running hot problem. The uploaded files and pictures will show the condition my car was left in and the auto parts taken aloose/apart and not reconnected.
2006 Buick rendezvous has massive fuel leak on fuel supply line leading from tank to injectors. This is a known issue with this model and year due to the heat shield wrap installed by manufacturer. Occurs when vehicle is running and then drips for in excess of 5 minutes after vehicle is turned off.
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.
Vehicle shuts down while driving without warning, and it can only be started by moving the fuse box wiring around. Not sure what else to do about this problem. Mechanics are unable to help or diagnose this problem.
I am the owner of a 2006 buick rendezvous with 133,000+ miles. I am writing to document a serious safety issue that has occurred as a result of a manufacturer defect on my vehicle. On october 17 2016 I filled my tank at the shell station at 5842 columbia pike in virginia. Once the gas tank was filled, I noticed a significant amount of fuel pouring from the underside, top and down the side and rearmost end of the gas tank. The fuel spillage continued for approximately five minutes but not before at least a half...
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gallon of fuel leaked from the tank. When the tow truck arrived, the driver told me that he could not transport the vehicle because of the risk posed by the fuel leak. I contacted another tow truck who took my vehicle to ourisman in alexandria virginia. Currently, I am without a vehicle and will incur significant expense and inconvenience through a vehicle rental or public transportation until my vehicle is repaired. Since the incident, I discovered that the issue is prevalent on all years of the vehicle. There are thousands of complaints and numerous nhtsa campaigns which point to fuel line corrosion, fuel inlet check valve weld breakage, and fuel tank rust as prominent causes. Gm issued a recall for specific vins providing repair at no cost to the owner. My research also revealed that many owners whose vehicles had the same defect but we're not covered under the recall, were either provided a fully covered repair, or reimbursed for expenses under a special service coverage provision. Given the significant risk of ignition, fire and/or explosion that this documented manufacturer defect has caused, and the safety risk that this vehicle now poses to me and my family, I am requesting that whatever repair is required to remedy this defect be covered in full by general motors. I will await and expect a response by friday october 29, 2016. *Tr
Engine would shut off while driving or not start after driving. Engine power reduced light comes on and speed throttled down to 20mph, check engine light stays on now. Replaced relay box under hood since a connector was found burned. Have also replaced the computer, alternator, ignition relay switch, fuel sensor relay. Has not been driven on highway at all for fear of it happining in high speed traffic. Problems have been consistently happening since purchased oct 2015.
This vehicle is a joke. I've had the ball joints worked on, gear shift (suddenly wouldn't change gears anymore), the transmission pump needs replacing, and when I drive, specifically if I turn or have to go over a speed hump, or over a small dip, there's a loud pop and lots of creaking even though the tire rod, ball joints and wheel bearings were replaced. After they were replaced, everything was quiet. About a year later, I'm hearing noises again. I've just grown accustomed to the fact that my car is loud. I know not to buy another buick.
Gaslinerustedoutcausingfueltosorayundervehiclcausinghealthproblemsandsicknesscausingbreathingproblems since I have emphysmsa
THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 buick rendezvous. While driving 65 mph, a loud banging noise was heard before the vehicle suddenly veered to the right and rolled over. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the passenger side rear wheel collapsed. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor cuts to both arms, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vin was invalid. The failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 06/14/16*lj
REDUCTION OF POWER LIGHT COMES ON CAR STALLS.
I purchased this car and every since I've replaced many tires, tie rods, electrical issues, service engine lights, maf sensor, downstream sensor, my mechanic hotwired my fuel pump lines with a 50 amp fuse to fuse box, battery dying, alignment issues, car dying on hiway or any street, gas gauge issues, you name it... Dropped a lot of money for a crummy car, this was my wife's birthday present that has a mind of its own. My mechanic and triple a both love me... Hah. Do yourself a favor... Stay very far away from this car.......
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 buick rendezvous. While driving 55 mph, the engine stalled and was able to restart. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
I have a 2006 buick rendezvous that I paid $11,000. For having it for 2 years now I have trans problems at 93,000 miles with the transmission. Started not shifting into 4th gear, had the 3/4 shift sensor replaced same thing, then had the pressure control sensor replaced same thing. Looked up consumer complaints and see page after page of people having the same issues right at 92,000. Apparently this is an issue. Now the dealer wants another $5000. To replace it. I have a lemon and I want it fixed or replaced....
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That's $16,000 for a $9,000 car. Really come on gm step up your game. My family depends on this car and without it we could lose everything. I am disabled and a vet of the us marine corps.
I was driving on the freeway going around a bend at about 65 mph when I heard a bang and thought it was the tire. It took all my effort to get it over to the side of the road. I have new tires on the vehicle. When I got out to look, the wheel was bent out and first thing I thought was tie rod. Tire is fine. When my husband and uncle came out they noticed the ball joint had broke off. Thank goodness I had control of the vehicle and did not hurt myself or someone else. Don't know the extent of what is going on...
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yet, but I do not feel safe in the vehicle after seeing so many complaints about the suspension, etc. In fact when I have driven it in snow, even with the new tires, I didn't feel like I had very good control. I have never felt that way with other vehicles that I have owned.
Fuel lines in engine are rusted and needed to be replaced. This occurred around engine and leak could have started a fire in the engine compartment because of the hot pipes etc. This leak was extremely dangerous because of location
I've had so many problems with this vehicle. Spent over $4000 in repairs in the last 6 months. The first problem I had was while driving on the highway the reduced engine power light and traction system light would come on and the vehicle would just decelerate and wouldn't go over 15mph. I had it repaired once and was told it was the wiring harness and then 2 months later the same thing happened again had it repaired and was told it was the wiring harness and computer that needed replaced. And now I'm having a...
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similar issue but this time the service engine soon light is flashing but the car doesn't want to accelerate and takes several seconds to even get up to 35 mph. I had this repaired once and was told it was a wiring/fuse issue and that the car was only running on 3 cylinders and literally 2 days after the repair it started happening again. This is ridiculous. My mechanic even told me I should just get rid of the vehicle because it obviously has major wiring issues. It only has 130,000 miles.
Buick Rendezvous: every year compared
All Rendezvous years2006 Buick Rendezvous vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Buick Rendezvous | 89 | 1 | B | |
| 2006 Buick Lucerne | 330 | 4 | D | Compare |
| 2006 Buick Lacrosse | 300 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2006 Buick Rainier | 91 | 7 | C | Compare |
| 2006 Buick Terraza | 54 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2006 Buick Allure | 4 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2006 Buick Lesabre | 3 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2006 Buick Rendezvous
Does the 2006 Buick Rendezvous have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2006 Buick Rendezvous: frontal (October 2006). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Buick Rendezvous?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (21), fuel system (19), engine & cooling (15).
How many complaints has the 2006 Buick Rendezvous had?
89 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 13, 2006 and the latest on May 28, 2025. Of these, 9 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 8 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2006 Buick Rendezvous a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 64 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Buick Rendezvous year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Buick Rendezvous years have the most complaints?
2002 (498), 2003 (284), 2004 (200). See every Buick Rendezvous year compared.
What should I do if my 2006 Buick Rendezvous has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data