Buick Terraza Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Buick Terraza options? We analyzed 3 model years (2005–2007) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Buick Terraza has 207 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls across model years 2005–2007. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2005 drew the most complaints; 2007 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Buick
- Model
- Terraza
- Model years analyzed
- 2005–2007 (3 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 207
- Safety recall campaigns
- 8
- Crash-related complaints
- 9
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2005 (120 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2007 (33 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Buick Terraza: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe BUICK TERRAZA has 207 NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. 9 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 207 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 8 federal recall campaigns
- 9 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
8 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
STEERING
SUSPENSION:REAR
STEERING
SUSPENSION:REAR
STEERING
SUSPENSION:REAR
PARKING BRAKE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2005–2007. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 207 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
207 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
This vehicle has significant rust damage on the frame located on the driver's side of the vehicle the rust has gone through the frame causing it to be unsafe.
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.
Rear suspension Reported March 19 2020. Campaign # 1ov110000 It sounds terrifying. Like the whole back of the. Back ankle will fall off going down the road. And then. If you have to back up. It sounds worse
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK TERRAZA. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING SOUND EMITTED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND VERIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V110000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,100.
ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ALWAYS ON
Read 14 more owner reports
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. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 248,747.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK TERRAZA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STABILITY CONTROL WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
THE VEH HAS A NIOSE IN THE REARAFTER START UP, SOMETIMES IT GO AWAY AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE BUT IT COME BACK OVER AND OVER AGAIN, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SUGGESTED I REPLACE THE CONTROLLED ARM RIGHT AND LEFT AND REPLACE THE STEERING SENSOR ALONG WITH THE THERMOSTAT AND THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM THE COST WILL BE 1,500.00. IS THIS A RECALL PROBLEM.
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 12 MPH, THE LEFT REAR BALL JOINT PULLED COMPLETELY UNSEATED. THIS CAUSED THE WHEEL TO NO LONGER SPIN AND PUSHED THE TOP AGAINST THE FRAME CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FOLLOWING: UPPER CONTROL ARM, UPPER PIVOT BUSHING, AND KNUCKLE ON THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. I DID HAVE THE BALL JOINT REPLACED AND CURRENTLY AM IN NEED OF REPLACING THE BUSHING AND KNUCKLE. ALL IN ALL, THESE REPAIRS WILL HAVE COST ME: BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT AND LABOR APPROXIMATELY 267.00, BUSHING AND KNUCKLE 165.00, AND UPPER CONTROL ARM 65.00, PLUS TOOL RENTALS. LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING ANY FASTER AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT, BUT STILL IT CAUSED LOSS OF FUNCTION AND STEERING BASED ON THAT. THERE IS A RECALL IN CANADA FOR THIS ISSUE BUT HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED IN THE U.S. I'M SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING A LAWSUIT AGAINST GM FOR THIS AS IT IS USED NOT ONLY AS MY WORKING VEHICLE FOR MY JOB, BUT ALSO TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY.
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN FEB. 2015. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER PURCHASE I WAS GOING TO WORK ONE NIGHT AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE LEFT AND BRAKES LOCKED. THE STABILITY LIGHT THEN CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VAN OFF AND RESTARTED IT . NO LIGHT WAS ON THEN. ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. THIS TIME I WAS GOING ABOUT 50 MILES PH. A CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME FROM BEHIND DUE TO THE SUDDEN STOP.ANOTHER MONTH WENT BY BEFORE IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. THIS TIME IT VEERED INTO THE PATH OF A SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER. I THEN CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY AGREED TO HAVE IT FIXED. I GOT IT BACK A WEEK LATER AND IT STILL HAS THE SAME ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND HOPEFULLY NO ONE GETS KILLED!!!!!! BUICK NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VANS IMMEDIATELY.
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, I PAID THE GM DEALER TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT BUT AGREED IT DID THE SAME THING TO THEM. *TR
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
PROBLEM, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT STAY ON. PROBLEM, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAY ON. *JS
IN 2013 HAD MY PASSENGER SLIDER DOOR FIXED FOR NOT OPENING HALF THE TIME OR IT WOULD JUST OPEN. I TOOK IT IN AND GOT IT FIX COST ME 800.00 AND THE SAME DAY GOT IT FIXED THE DRIVER DOOR DID THE SAME THING AND THE DEALER FINALLY GOT IT TO SHUT BUT STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT OPENING ALL MY IT SELF AND THEN WE HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO CLOSE. I SEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE DOORS JUST WONDERING IF ANY PROBLEMS ARE WITH A RECALL. *TR
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON (INDICATES ABS NEEDS TO BE SERVICED) ALSO TRANSMISSION "SLIPS" WHEN MOVING FORWARD. AT TIMES WHEN BOTH THE ENGINE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT ARE ON THE ENGINE WILL REDUCE POWER. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 63,000 FOR THE SAME THING! HAVE HAD TO NUMEROUS SHOPS WHO CANNOT LOCATE ISSUE. THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK SHUT- THEY COME FORWARD AND POP OUT AND REOPEN. MUST OPERATE MANUALLY. *TR
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. THE OTHER CAR I HIT ON HAD MEDIUM DAMAGE. THE AIR BAG POP OUT WITH A LOT OF DUST AND IT WAS FLAT. A LOT DUST BLOW ON MY FACE. THE AIR BAG HAD NO AIR AT ALL. IT WAS ALL FLAT. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BEEN KIND OF TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN FOR THREE YEARS. I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE BIG VEHICLE , SO I HAD NOT BROUGHT ATTENTION TO THE DEALER. I REQUEST THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE 2006 BUICK TERRAZA'S STEERING SYSTEM. I AM SURE THAT SOMETHING IS NOT QUITE RIGHT IN THE STEERING DESIGN AND MANUFACTURER. *TR
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. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *TR
STABILITY SYSTEMS MALFUNCTION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK TERRAZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD OPEN INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Showing 20 of 207 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Buick Terraza
These pages show model-year patterns across 3 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Buick Terraza, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Buick Terraza has 207 complaints on record across 3 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Buick Terraza has 8 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 9 of the Buick Terraza's 207 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Buick Terraza vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Buick Terraza vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Buick Terraza has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Buick Terraza by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Buick Terraza.
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Keep researching before you buy
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Buick Terraza reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Buick Terraza reliable?
Poor. The Buick Terraza has 207 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Buick Terraza years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2005 (120 complaints), 2006 (54 complaints), 2007 (33 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Buick Terraza problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (52 complaints); SERVICE BRAKES (39 complaints); STRUCTURE (36 complaints).
Does the Buick Terraza have recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Buick Terraza. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.