NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 120 owner complaints for the 2005 Buick Terraza. Most complaints involve electrical system (37) and electronic stability control (esc) (22). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“BRAKES FELT UNEASY STOPPING DID NOT RESPOND RIGHT AWAY SOMETIME HAD TO PULL A SIDE TO PREVENT ACCIDENT. ALTERNATOR DON'T START AT ALL AND ABS LIGHT STAYED ON MOST OF TIME MANY REPAIRS DONE SAME PROBLEM AT DEALER SHIP.”
“HELLO, I HAVE A 2005 BUICK TERRAZA CX AWD. MY ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND WHEN IT DID THE VEHICLE STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES ITSELF PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING. I COULDN'T CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I STARTED READING UP ON THIS, AND IT APPEARS MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE BEEN HAVING THIS SAME UNSAFE PROBLEM OVER THE YEARS AND NO RECALL IS BEEN DONE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE!!! I'M SURPRISE NO ONE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND BEEN KILLED. I ALSO NOTICE THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES AS WELL TO THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT BUT COME UP WITH EXCUSES TO THE OWNERS LIKE MYSELF. DO SOMEONE HAS TO BE KILLED BEFORE A RECALL IS DONE? I MYSELF IS GOING TO TAKE MY VIDEO I HAD FILMING ON MY WINDSHIELD WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCURRED AND SEND IT TO ALL THE MAJOR NEWS MEDIA GROUPS IN THIS COUNTRY AND PUT IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING MY COMPLAINT, AND HOPEFULLY THE GOVERNMENT MAKE BUICK THE MANUFACTURE DO A SAFETY RECALL ASAP. I CAN'T UPLOAD MY VIDEO BECAUSE IT'S OVER THE MAXIMUM SIZE ALLOWED TO UPLOAD ON THIS WEBSITE.”
“DURING CRUISE ON HIGHWAY (I-95 IN FLORIDA) WHILE ON VACATION THE LEFT REAR POWER SLIDING DOOR BECAME UNLATCHED AND WARNING CHIMES SOUNDED REPEATEDLY AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN ON THIS TRIP THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA IN 2008 REPORT #EA07019 WHICH DETERMINED NO DEFECT WAS PRESENT WHICH WOULD REQUIRE A RECALL. I BEG TO DIFFER WITH THAT ASSESSMENT THERE MOST CERTAINLY IS A PROBLEM HERE, GM ISSUED TSB #07-08-007 AND #07-08-007 A-D WHICH TELLS DEALERSHIPS HOW TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AGAIN IT IS VERY UNSETTLING TO HAVE MY KIDS RIDING IN THE REAR AND HAVING A DOOR UNLATCH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terraza FWD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Terraza AWD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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.
Owners filed 120 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (37), electronic stability control (esc) (22), latches/locks/linkages (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2005 Buick Terraza at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).