Buick common faults and how to fix them
Faults that are well known on Buick models we hold manuals for: what the owner notices, what causes it, and the pages in our manuals that cover the repair.
- Buick Rendezvous stalling: ignition relay recall (2004)
- Buick Rendezvous wheel bearing: hum or growl from the front and ABS light (2002–2004)
- Buick Rainier P0300: rough idle and misfire on the 5.3 V8 (2004)
Buick Rendezvous stalling: ignition relay recall (2004)
Symptoms
The engine stalls without warning while driving, and it can't be restarted straight away. It may happen only occasionally.
Cause
NHTSA recall 05V157000 (GM recall 05014) covers certain Buick Rendezvous and Pontiac Aztek SUVs. Contamination on the ignition relay contacts causes high resistance, which affects the signals to the powertrain control module and can make the engine stall at any time.
Fix
Check with a GM dealer that the recall has been done; the remedy replaces the ignition relay free of charge. On a Rendezvous with intermittent stalling, the Buick Rendezvous ignition relay is the first thing to check, along with any stored codes in the engine computer. If the relay has already been replaced and stalling continues, check the ignition switch and the wiring to the computer.
Repair instructions on this site
- GM recall 05014 (NHTSA 05V157000): ignition relay replacement (Rendezvous AWD 3.6, 2004)
- All Rendezvous manuals
Sources: NHTSA recall 05V157000 (GM recall 05014).
Buick Rendezvous wheel bearing: hum or growl from the front and ABS light (2002–2004)
Symptoms
A hum, growl or groan from the front wheels at speeds above about 10 mph. The ABS warning lamp on the instrument panel may also come on.
Cause
GM special policy 06036A covers 2002–2004 Buick Rendezvous and Pontiac Aztek models. It found premature wear of the front wheel bearings, and extended coverage for their replacement to 5 years or 60,000 miles from first registration. That coverage has long expired, but the bulletin confirms the fault.
Fix
Raise the front and check each wheel for play and rough rotation, and read any ABS codes. A worn front wheel bearing is replaced; the Buick Rendezvous wheel bearing bulletin covers the parts. Torque the hub nut to the figure in the manual, and clear the ABS codes afterwards. If one side has worn, check the other.
Repair instructions on this site
- GM special policy 06036A: front wheel bearings warranty extension (Rendezvous AWD 3.6, 2004)
- All Rendezvous manuals
Sources: GM special policy adjustment 06036A.
Buick Rainier P0300: rough idle and misfire on the 5.3 V8 (2004)
Symptoms
A rough idle and misfires, with the check engine light on and P0300 (random misfire) stored.
Cause
GM bulletin 05-06-04-029A traces this to the upper intake manifold gaskets. It was written for the flex-fuel 5.3, where extra fuel for ethanol can pool on the gasket material between the manifold and the cylinder heads, and GM states it may also apply to regular-fuel 4.8, 5.3 and 6.0 V8s, including the 5.3 (LM4) used in the Rainier. The fix is a revised gasket material.
Fix
Start with the normal misfire checks: plugs, coils and leads, and a smoke test for intake leaks. If the intake gaskets are leaking, the Buick Rainier misfire bulletin replaces them with the teal green gasket material, part number 89017589, and warns not to refit the original orange gaskets (17113557). Clear the codes and road test afterwards.
Repair instructions on this site
- GM bulletin 05-06-04-029A: rough idle, misfire, P0300 (Rainier AWD 5.3, 2004)
- All Rainier manuals
Sources: GM service bulletin 05-06-04-029A.