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2006 Buick Terraza Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Buick Terraza has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear suspension noise and component failure.” 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 2006 Buick Terraza.

Reported to NHTSA

Rear suspension noise and component failure

SUSPENSION

7 NHTSA complaints · 2009-07 → 2021-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK TERRAZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD METAL TO METAL CLUNKING NOISE EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10449126
“WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 12 MPH, THE LEFT REAR BALL JOINT PULLED COMPLETELY UNSEATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10744695
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK TERRAZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, SHE BEGAN TO HEAR NOISES LIKE SOMETHING WAS CRACKING. THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY TO LEFT CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10374957

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air conditioner blower failure on extended trips

EQUIPMENT

2 NHTSA complaints · 2008-07 → 2010-06

“AIR CONDITIONER AND BLOWER FAN GOES OUT AFTER TWO HOURS ON A ROAD TRIP. HAVE GONE TO DEALER THREE TIMES WITH THIS CONDITION. DEALER COULD NOT FIND FIX”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10339110
“AIR CONDITIONER GOES OUT AFTER 2 HOURS ON LONG DISTANCE TRIPS. WENT TO DEALER FOR SERVICING. DEALER ADJUSTED COMPUTER PROGRAM. AIR CONDITIONER STILL WENT OUT AFTER 2 HOURS ON LONG DISTANCE TRIP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10234092

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power sliding door failure to close or latch

STRUCTURE

15 NHTSA complaints · 2006-01 → 2014-08

“THE POWER SLIDING DOORS ON THE BUICK TERAZZA VAN CONTINUALLY REOPEN WHEN THEY ARE CLOSED. THIS IS A SECURITY ISSUE AS ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THE DOOR HAS OPENED AS WE WALKED AWAY FROM THE VAN ON A PARKING LOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10153755
“TL*THE CONTACTS FATHER OWNS A 2006 BUICK TERRAZA. THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE DOOR WOULD SLIDE, HOWEVER; IT WOULD NOT LATCH. THE DEALER ALIGNED THE DOOR AND CORRECTED THE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10198969
“THE FIRST PROBLEM IS FOR HER SLIDING DOOR. SHE STATED THAT WHEN OPENING THE SLIDING DOOR IT STAYED OPEN. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAS HAD 4 INJURIES WITH THIS DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10178794

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering rack failure and loss of control

STEERING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2008-03 → 2013-08

“ON MAY 2, 2013, ABOUT 10AM, I WAS ON MY WAY HOME. THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY OUT OF CONTROL AND MY CAR HIT ON A CAR PARK ON THE STREET SIDE WITH NONE INSIDE. MY CAR HAD SEVERE DAMAGE AND COST ABOUT $10,000.00 TO FIX”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10533050
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK TERRAZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10513435
“THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL/STEER THE VEHICLE AT LOW SPEEDS. I HAVE SINCE HEARD THIS REFERRED TO AS "GM POWER STEERING SYNDROME."”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10406391

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS and stability control warning light activation

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES

16 NHTSA complaints · 2007-12 → 2018-07

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11112249
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK TERRAZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND DECELERATED. THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS, AND STABILITRAK WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED VEERING TO THE SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10846024
“ABS SYSTEM FAILURE BRAKES LOCK UP WHILE AUTO IS IN MOTION HAPPENED 3 TIMES 1 TIME AT MODERATE SPEED 35 MPH IN MAJOR INTERSECTION WITH LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10217539

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and no-start with anti-theft activation

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2009-09 → 2022-05

“THE ENGINE STOPS WITHOUT WARNING HAVE HAD TO GO TO GM DEALER AND GET CODE TO START IT NEXT THREE TIMES I JUST WAIT IN TRAFFIC TILL IT STARTED NOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT THINK THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BEFORE IT KILLS ME OR SOMEONE ELSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10639154
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK TERRAZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT, SPORADICALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10243534
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11463597

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)

9 crashes 1990–2024

How the 9 occupant deaths break down

5

driver deaths

4

passenger deaths

9

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2008 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.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

0

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 2006 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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