2005 Buick Terraza Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Buick Terraza ranks worst of the 4 model years covered, with a complaint index of 100 and 120 complaints, led by brake problems (45 complaints, 38%) and electrical issues (39 complaints, 33%). It carries two recalls, one for brakes and one for suspension.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 4 Terraza years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 120
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15.5 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2005 Buick Terraza problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes45 (38%)
- Electrical System39 (33%)
- Structure & Body27 (23%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (15%)
- Steering14 (12%)
- Engine9 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (6%)
- Airbags4 (3%)
- Other3 (3%)
- Fuel System1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel and brake pedal seize up during low-speed turns, sometimes with ABS and traction control lights coming on before a crash.
- Headlights flicker across the speed range and stay too dim to see well at night, even after dealers replace the voltage regulator and reflash the computer.
- The engine stalls without warning at highway and low speeds, including on icy roads, with the speedometer and tachometer dropping to zero.
- Instrument gauge needles are not illuminated when the ignition is on, making it hard to read speed or fuel level while driving.
- The horn fails to work from purchase in some vehicles, requiring unusual pressure on one specific spot of the wheel to sound.
- Airbags fail to deploy in some crashes, or deploy with sparks and smoke, despite the airbag warning light indicating deployment.
2005 Buick Terraza recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V110000Mar 19, 2010Suspension, Wheels & Tires5,375 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 05V287000Jun 20, 2005Brakes14,600 vehicles
Parking brake
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
2005 Buick Terraza fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Terraza years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Buick Terraza reliable?
- Among the 4 model years with data, the 2005 Terraza has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst, earning an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Buick Terraza?
- Brakes account for 45 complaints (38% of total, median failure mileage 73,500) and the electrical system accounts for 39 complaints (33%, median mileage 35,875), the two largest problem areas.
- Does the 2005 Buick Terraza have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls: one from 2005 covering a brake caliper issue on the parking brake system, and one from 2010 covering a suspension/floor track defect on wheelchair-accessible conversion vans.
- How does the 2005 Terraza compare to later model years?
- The 2006 model has a complaint index of 67 (Caution) and the 2007 model has a complaint index of 33 (Good), both notably lower than the 2005 model's index of 100.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Buick Terraza?
- EPA rates the 2005 Terraza at 17.5 mpg combined (15.5 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700.