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2005 Buick Terraza Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2005 Buick Terraza has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Electronic stability control activating brakes on its own.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2005 Buick Terraza.

Reported to NHTSA

Electronic stability control activating brakes on its own

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

36 NHTSA complaints · 2005-07 → 2019-05

“THE 2005 BUICK TERRAZA IS EQUIPPED WITH A GM STABILITRACK SYSTEM, WHICH COMBINES ANTI-LOCK BRAKE, TRACTION AND STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS. I WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AT 60 MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD DURING A DRY, SUNNY DAY AND FULLY LOADED WITH CAMPING GEAR, CHILDREN, THEIR COMPUTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10876884
“THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FLASH STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE AND AT ANY GIVEN TIME, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE (ON IT'S OWN) WILL ENGAGE THE ABS AND SLAM ON BRAKES WHILE PULLING TO THE LEFT. AFTER THIS HAPPENS, IT FLASHES SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10357092
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY SWITCHING LANES ON DRY PAVEMENT, CLEAR DAY, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM ENGAGED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RAPIDLY DECELERATE AND SWERVE TO THE LEFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10130619

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power sliding door unlatches or opens while driving

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

24 NHTSA complaints · 2005-12 → 2018-04

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10650921
“THE REAR DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STARTING TRYING TO OPEN ON ITS OWN THE WEEK OF MARCH 15. THE SOONEST WE COULD GET AN APPOINTMENT AT THE MECHANICS WAS MARCH 19. WE TRANSPORT GRANDCHILDREN DAILY TO AND FROM SCHOOL AND OTHER ACTIVIITES AND THEY ARE ALWAYS IN CHILD SAFETY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10322598
“THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR CONSTANTLY WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING. IT WOULD ALSO NOT SHUT AND EMIT A WARNING BELL EVEN WHEN NOTHING WAS OBSTRUCTING THE DOOR. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST OVER $1000 TO REPLACE THE SENSOR AND THAT MIGHT NOT EVEN FIX IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10277610

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Suspension noise and premature component wear

SUSPENSION

10 NHTSA complaints · 2005-07 → 2013-07

“DURING RECENT PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION, AND INSPECTION. TECHNICIAN REPORTED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR HUB BEARING WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE REAR STABILIZER BAR WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10319563
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK TERRAZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE BEING EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10526153
“AS WE WERE DRIVING HOME IN MAY OF 2014 THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE GRABBED AS IF I HAD APPLIED THE BRAKE,SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED LOWER BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ENDS BUT NOTHING HAS CHANGED. IT HAS GRABBED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10676984

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Horn inoperative or requires excessive force to sound

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

11 NHTSA complaints · 2005-06 → 2006-11

“BUICK TERRAZA HORN ONLY WORKS WHEN EXCESSIVE FORCE IS APPLIED FROM THE HEAL OF THE HAND AND IN THE EXACT CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE HORN COULD NOT BE CORRECTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10145326
“HORN DOES NOT SOUND WHEN PRESSED. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED ONE AIR BAG SPRING WITH AN UPDATED SPRING, AND SAID THAT ALOT OF THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE HORN IS STILL DEFECTIVE. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10148743
“THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A HORN PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER TO PUSH DIFFERENT SPOTS IN ORDER TO GET HORN TO BLOW. IT DID NOT BLOW WHERE THE SYMBOLS WERE LOCATED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THIS A FEW WEEKS AGO ON MAY 28, 2005”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10130544

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering wheel binds or locks during operation

STEERING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2005-10 → 2021-12

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10145310
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11000271
“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, NHTSA ODI #10910431

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling or key disengaging from ignition

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

7 NHTSA complaints · 2005-02 → 2016-01

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK TERRAZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS BUMPED AS THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10618720
“WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STARTER GETTING STUCK/FROZEN , WE HAVE ALSO TALKED TO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE ,AN THEY ALSO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM . I FEEL THERE HAS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BUT I AM SURE BUICK DOES NOT MAKE THIS A RECALL BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10394029

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake lockup or unintended activation

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

7 NHTSA complaints · 2005-08 → 2013-03

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK TERRAZA. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE WHILE COMING TO A STOP SIGN. SHE PRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE VEHICLE WAS BEEPING . THEN IT BEGAN TO JUMP FROM SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10133545
“AS WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WE HAD TO SLAMMED THE BRAKES AND THEY GOT LOCKED UP. WE TRIED TO UNLOCK THEM AND AT THE TIME WE DID. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER THEY GOT LOCKED UP AGAIN THIS TIME SMOKED CAME OUT OF THE FRONT WHEELS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10505030
“THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKES ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THIS OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10164524

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

CVT Fluid (Encore GX / Envista FWD)

Every 45,000 mi

FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

25 crashes 1990–2024

How the 25 occupant deaths break down

17

driver deaths

8

passenger deaths

25

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2005 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2005 Buick Terraza reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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