2003 Buick Rendezvous vs 2003 Ford Explorer
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Buick Rendezvous | 2003 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 281 | 1,131 |
| Recall campaigns | 6 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 447 | 122 |
| Investigations | 2 | 3 |
| Crash reports | 12 | 60 |
| Fire reports | 13 | 10 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18–20 | 15–17 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 70,311 mi | 74,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Buick Rendezvous | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 9 | 354 |
| Power Train | 25 | 335 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 53 | 69 |
| Electrical System | 45 | 54 |
| Suspension | 21 | 63 |
| Visibility | 21 | 57 |
| Wheels | 6 | 56 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 30 | 31 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 18 | 65 |
| Rust / corrosion | 16 | 31 |
| Brake problems | 10 | 0 |
| Overheating | 10 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 9 | 25 |
| Electrical failures | 8 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 6 | 36 |
| Shifting problems | 0 | 22 |
2003 Buick Rendezvous
2003 Ford Explorer
Compare all Buick Rendezvous vs Ford Explorer years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.