2005 Buick Terraza: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 120 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (18% of complaints); the 2006 and 2007 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 120 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2005 Buick Terraza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle crashed into a deer. The steering wheel air bag deployed and ripped into pieces. There were sparks and smoke coming from the air bag. The contact did not sustain an injury, and medical attention was not received. A police report was not filed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick terraza. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle began to jerk and the "track system" and "stability" indicators illuminated. The vehicle stalled and was taken to the rogers dabbs chevrolet dealer at 1501 w government st. In brandon, ms where the vehicle was diagnosed. The diagnosis results were undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick terraza. While driving 5 mph and attempting to make a right turn, the steering wheel and brake pedal seized. Also, the ABS and traction control indicators illuminated. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a fire hydrant. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer (ron smith buick gmc 1900 auto center drive, merced, ca 95340), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“When driving, usually at highway speeds, one of the front brakes will automatically grip, making the nose dive and making it hats to maintain control of the vehicle. The message displayed says to service the stability control system, which we have done with no resolution. We have nearly gotten in wrecks.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Aug 2016
“The ignition switch was disengaged when the van hit a bump while in motion on a highway. I was able to put it in natural and restart it but it was a very frightening ordeal. This has also happened on streets traveling 30 mph.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2016
“I recently bought this 2005 buick terraza cx. As per carfax the vehicle has been beautifully maintained. After a week of having my vehicle I will be driving around and the service traction control light comes on and the vehicle will screech on its breaks and pull to the right. I have taken it into the dealership where they replaced the sensor and a week later it continues to randomly brake when excellerating, or even turning. This has happened 3 times now. It is very scary driving down the road and all of a sudden your vehicle screeches to a halt and has the vehicle swerve.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Sep 2015
“Well it happened on date specified slide doors will not open nor will they open manually !! This is life or death ordeal since I can't seem get them open !!!”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick terraza. While driving at various speeds, the check engine, electronic stability control, and ABS warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. While attempting to brake the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the stopping distance increased. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick terraza. The contact stated that the headlights burned out, both of the rear wheels had no tread and the rear wiper blade failed to work. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the headlights, rear wheels and rear wiper motor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure was 137,000. Updated 9/19/2017*cn”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick terraza. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph on an icy road, the vehicle stalled without warning causing the contact to crash into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
THE BRAUN CORPORATION HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 GENERAL MOTORS MOBILITY CONVERSION, HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE LOW FLOOR MINIVANS. DURING CONVERSION, THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM MODIFICATION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND WILL HAVE A SUPPLY OF RETROFIT PARTS AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN AT 1-800-488-0359.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, 'PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.' TO MEET THE STANDARD, THE VEHICLE MUST NOT MOVE FOR FIVE MINUTES WHEN STOPPED ON A STEEP HILL WITH THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL (N). SOME OF THESE VEHICLES FAILED THIS TEST.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PARKING BRAKE LEVER SLIPPAGE AT EACH REAR BRAKE CALIPER AND REPLACE THE CALIPER IF LEVER SLIPPAGE IS IDENTIFIED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
How other years compare
Check your exact Terraza by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Buick Terraza reliable?
NHTSA has 120 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Buick Terraza. The most complained-about area is electrical system (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Buick Terraza problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Buick Terraza have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:rear. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.