Research · Minivan - 2WD

2006 Buick TerrazaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 54 owner complaints for the 2006 Buick Terraza. Most complaints involve structure (11) and electrical system (11). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17–19mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Mar 2010
Owner complaints
54
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Mar 19, 2010NHTSA 10V110000

Steering

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Feb 17, 2009NHTSA 09E005000

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.

EquipmentReported Dec 7, 2005NHTSA 05V552000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

54 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2006 – Apr 2025
  1. Structure11
  2. Electrical system11
  3. Electronic stability control (esc)11
  4. Suspension8
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic8
  6. Steering6
  7. Service brakes6
  8. Latches/locks/linkages6
  9. Power train3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Terraza model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005120
200654
200733
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

11 reports
“THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS WON'T CLOSE. IT OPENS UP AGAIN WHEN THE CLOSING SLIDE DOOR TOUCHES THE FRAME. THIS HAPPENS EVERY A FEW DAYS!! VERY FRUSTRATING. AND I SAW THERE ARE 4 OR 5 SIMILAR COMPLIANT REPORTS ON THIS ALREADY. SO LOOKS LIKE IT DOES HAPPENS ON A NUMBER OF VEHICLES ALREADY, NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2014StructureODI 10621165

Electrical system

11 reports
“The contact owns a 2006 Buick Terraza. The contact stated that the antitheft alarm engaged inadvertently, causing the vehicle to shutoff while driving. The START/STOP Disabled message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a steering wiring cable might be detached. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred twice while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where unknown repairs were completed. The contact also stated that the electronic stability control and the traction control warning lights had illuminated while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear driver's side door handle was fractured. The contact also stated that the rear passenger's side sliding door handle was fractured and she noticed that the sliding door wiring cable had detached, causing the door lock chime to engage while driving as the door would no longer close completely. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2022Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11463597

Electronic stability control (esc)

11 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK TERRAZA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL, ESC, ABS, AND ANTI-THEFT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED RANDOMLY. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 8-442-863-4921. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2018Electronic stability control (esc), Traction control system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11112249
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD, Minivan - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl · 3.9L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Terraza FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162319$3,400468
Terraza FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162319$3,400468
Terraza AWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
  • Terraza FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Terraza FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Terraza AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Buick Terraza as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 1685
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Terraza questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Buick Terraza have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 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.

What are the most common 2006 Buick Terraza problems?

Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (11), electrical system (11), electronic stability control (esc) (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Buick Terraza get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Buick Terraza at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026