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ProblemsByVinFile / 2005-BUICK-TERRAZANHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Buick
2005 Buick Terraza problems
The 2005 Buick Terraza has 120 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2005 Buick Terraza has 120 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 23 complaints, typically surfacing around 51,534 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2005 Terraza?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2005 Buick Terraza? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 23 owner reports
· tends to show around 51,534 mi · ~$850 to fix
steering — 13 owner reports
· tends to show around 68,653 mi · ~$700 to fix
suspension — 10 owner reports
· tends to show around 43,121 mi · ~$900 to fix
brakes — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 41,200 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 51,534 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2005 Terraza· engine
Dt: the contact stated while driving all of the lights dimmed. The fan motor lost power. This happened eight times on a ten mile drive. The vehicle has been to the dealership , and they replaced multiple components, but the problem got worse. The engineers for the…
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…
After making several turns to exit a parking lot I stopped at a stop sign at an exit, proceeded to cross westbound traffic and as I neared the median to turn onto the east bound lanes my steering wheel became locked with the car in motion. I headed straight through the median…
While driving down the road the rear door alarm started sounding and the rear power sliding door began to open. Pulled the car over shut the door and locked it. *tr
Had a problem with your 2005 Buick Terraza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
The braun corporation has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain model year 2005-2008 general motors mobility conversion, handicapped accessible low floor minivans
A squeaking or clunking noise may develop. The trailing arm bushings may prematurely wear and the trailing arm may fracture or separate, allowing the rear axle to become partially separated from the chassis increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos
A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no
When the parking brake is released, the driver may notice unintended braking when accelerating, decelerating, or coasting, and a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Unintended vehicle movement could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2005 Buick Terraza reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 120 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Buick Terraza is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2005 Buick Terraza?
The 2005 Buick Terraza is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2005 Buick Terraza?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 23 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 51,534 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2005 Buick Terraza a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 120 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 51,534 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Buick Terraza?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 23 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 51,534 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 51,534 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Buick Terraza has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Buick Terraza?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 120 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Buick/Terraza.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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