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.
The contact owns a 2007 Buick Terraza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and driving over a speed bump, there was a clunking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear of the vehicle vibrated unexpectedly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and a mobile dealer, where the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL IS NOW COMING ON ALL THE TIME. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM FOR BUICK. THEY HAVE NOT FIXED ANY PROBLEMS ON THESE. WISH THEY WOULD RECALL THEM FOR THIS PROBLEM AS THIS IS NOT SAFE. IT COMES ON GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND MAKES A FUNNY NOISE. THIS VAN HAS HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT IT SHOULD BE RECALLED.
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FROM THE START WITH OUR CAR'S STABILITY SYSTEM. THE BACK END WAS MAKING A TERRIBLE THUMPING AND GRINDING SOUND EVERY TIME I WOULD GO OVER THE SLIGHTEST UNEVEN SURFACES. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE REPAIRS MADE INCLUDING REPLACING RIGHT REAR BUSHING, REWELDING OF AN UNKNOWN PART ON THE RIGHT REAR AND THE STABILTITY/ABS SYSTEMS REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES. YET, THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. IT HAS A UNSTABLE, WOBBLY RIDE ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERSTATE. AMONG OTHER THINGS I'VE ALSO HAD A WHEEL SENOR REPLACED. WE BOUGHT A BUICK TERRAZA CONVERSION VAN AND HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR END THAT AFFECTS THE STABILITY OF THE CAR. I CALLED BRAUN MOBILITY ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS AND INFORMED THEM OF THE MULTIPLE REPAIRS. SUPERIOR MOBILITY INSPECTED THE CAR AGAIN AND HAS BEEN MY ONGOING CONTACT FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR.THEY REFERRED ME TO BECK AUTO SERVICE WHO HAS DONE MUST OF THE REPAIRS. EARLY ON, SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR, THERE WAS SOME SORT OF WIRING PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TO CONTINUALLY COME ON WHICH WAS REPAIRED BY ANDY MOHR GM DEALER. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, I'VE HAD TROUBLE LATELY WITH THE VAN NOT WANTING TO START BECAUSE THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION. IN ADDITION, WE'VE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOORS MALFUNCTIONING; BOTH POWER DOORS ON THE VEHICLE HAVE FAILED TO CLOSE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE POWER DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OCASSIONALLY REQUIRES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CLOSE AND OFTEN THE DOOR WARNING CHIMES WILL NOT GO OFF, EVEN WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. I AM STILL HAVING SUSPENSION PROBLEMS AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A SOLUTION THAT WORKS. THIS VEHICLE IS USED TO TRANSPORT MY DIABLED HUSBAND AND THE ONGOING PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING. THE CAR IS A 2007 BUICK TERRAZA WITH LESS THAN 44,000 MILES!!! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK TERRAZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 9/18/14*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK TERRAZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK TERRAZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKES ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. ONCE THE SPEED DECELERATED TO 15 MPH, THE BRAKES RELEASED AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 12/04/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT FAILURES OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. IT IS MOST ALARMING AT SPEEDS OF 65-79. THE DEALER ADVISED TO REPLACE THE EBCM AND BPMV VALVE TO DETERMINE IF THAT WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *JS
Read 14 more owner reports
WENT OUT STARTED CAR & WAS GOING TO GO TOWN WHEN TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON WITH ENGINE LIGHT. THEN WERE ITS TELLS U HOW MANY MILES ARE ON VEHICLE IT SAID REDUCE ENGINE. *TR POWER SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. ALSO VEHICLE HAS CUT OFF 3 TIMES & WAS GOING INTO DISABLED MODE. HAVE HAD CODES CHECK THERE IS 5 VOLT REFERENCE PROBLEM. PLUS SEVERAL OTHER CODES. OIL PRESSURE WHEN PUT ON CODE TESTER IS 143. WHICH IS HIGH. NOT SURE WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.
AS I TOOK OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE VAN JERKED SO HARD , IT FELT AS IF IT WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. THE NEXT LIGHT WITHIN 5 MILES, THE SAME THING FROM A STOP. A FEW DAYS LATER IT WAS MUCH WORSE AND THE SERVICE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM CODE CAME UP. AFTER HAVING IT CHECKED( IMMEDIALELY), THERE WAS NO CODE FOUND IN THE VANS COMPUTER. IT DIDN'T SHOW THAT IT EVER CAME UP. THIS COULD BE FATAL, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. WHEN THE CODE COMES UP AND A MECHANIC CAN'T GET A READING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. DOESN'T THAT INDICATE A PROBLEM ?
SLIDING SIDE DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE AND LOCK, WILL OPEN WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AT RED LIGHT , NIGHT TIMES LIGHTS DIM AND ALARM GOES OFF ,NOTHING LIGHTS UP ON DASH , DRAINS BATT- IN SHOP 4 OR 5 X"S WHEN TALKED TO CORP. OFFICE ABOUT THE DANGER OF GRANDKIDS IN BACK, STATED DUE TO LIVING IN FLORIDA, BEING WET, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DUE. SO UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT OR DIES, IT IS MORE OR LESS OH WELL... BY THE WAY STILL UNDER WARR. DEALER STATED THE SAME THING... YES I HAVE ALL PAPERWORK TO THIS, PUT IN SHOP NOT EVEN ONE WEEK AFTER BOUGHT WITH SMOKING UNDER HOOD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK TERRAZA CXL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR OPENED ERRONEOUSLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SECURE THE DOOR. THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE SLIDING POWER DOOR CABLE WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE DOOR WAS MANUALLY ENGAGED IN ORDER TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS AN OPEN AND CLOSED INVESTIGATION RELATED TO THE DEFECT PERTAINING TO A 2007 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER WAS EA07019 ((STRUCTURE; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 4/2/12 *CN AS OF 03/22/12 THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK TERRAZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING SIDE DOORS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO TURN OFF THE WARNING CHIMES AND THE DOORS WOULD RANDOMLY OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. AT TIMES, THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
2007 BUICK TERRAZA. CONSUMER STATES THE RIGHT SIDE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR CLOSES AND POPS OPEN WITHOUT HUMAN INTERACTION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND VARIOUS COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS STILL ONGOING. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK TERRAZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD READ INACCURATELY, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V110000 (SUSPENSION:REAR) RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER ALSO REPAIRED THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE AND THE EMISSION CONTROL VALVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
PURCHASED A 2007 BUICK TERRAZA IN 2008 WITH 10000 MILES ON IT. ONE OWNER. NOW I KNOW WHY. I AM ON A FIRST NAME BASIS WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT TRIES TO FIX MY PROBLEMS. THE POWER SLIDING DOORS ARE UNSAFE AND A NIGHTMARE. HAVE STOOD IN POORING RAIN,FREEZING TEMPS,AND SNOW TRYING TO GET A DOOR TO CLOSE. HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES WHICH ISN'T MUCH FUN WITH 4 KIDS AND 4 CARSEATS.HAVE BEEN STUCK ALONG HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES WITH A DOOR THAT WONT CLOSE.NOT SAFE!!!!!! I AM ALSO ON MY 3RD OR 4TH RADIO IN THIS VAN. EVERYTIME IT GOES OUT THE DVD PLAYER WONT WORK SO I HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK AGAIN TO HAVE THIS FIXED.TIME IS WAY PAST DUE FOR A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. IF ANYONE KNOWS ANYONE LOOKING FOR A SLIGHTLY USED VEHICLE I HAVE A 2007 TERRAZA FOR SALE...LOL. *KB
REAR SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED, THEN OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND CONTINUE TO ALARM WHEN CLOSED. I'VE TAKEN IT IN FOR REPAIRS THREE TIMES ON BOTH DOORS, YET, NOW THAT MY WARRANTY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT, I MUST PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE GM IS IGNORING. MY GRANDSON'S CAR SEAT SITS BY THOSE DOORS, THANK GOD HASN'T FALLEN OUT!!! I'VE GOOGLED AND HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS IGNORED. WHY IS IT SOMEBODY HAS TO DIE BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED?! THERE ARE SEVERAL INCIDENT DATES!!! *KB
REAR SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED, THEN OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND CONTINUE TO ALARM WHEN CLOSED. I'VE TAKEN IT IN FOR REPAIRS THREE TIMES ON BOTH DOORS, YET, NOW THAT MY WARRANTY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT, I MUST PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE GM IS IGNORING. MY GRANDSON'S CAR SEAT SITS BY THOSE DOORS, THANK GOD HE HASN'T FALLEN OUT!!! I'VE GOOGLED AND HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS IGNORED. WHY IS IT SOMEBODY HAS TO DIE BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED?! THERE ARE SEVERAL INCIDENT DATES!!! *KB
I HAVE HAD ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. IT DISCONNECT WITHOUT WARNING. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT DIVERTS MY ATTENTION FROM THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIM THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. *TR
FUEL GAUGE SAID I HAD 1/8 TANK OF GAS WHEN VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND DIED. VEHICLE WAS BLOCKING A LANE OF TRAFFIC ON A BUSY STREET. VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD WITH HELP OF GOOD SAMARITAN. DEALER VERIFIED VEHICLE WAS OUT OF GAS AND SENDING UNIT WAS AT FAULT.
PURCHASED 2007 BUICK TERRAZA, BOTH SLIDING DOORS HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR MULTIPLE TIMES PER DOOR, AT ONE POINT I WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR TECHNICIAN, AS I HANDED HIM PIECES OF THE DOOR MOUNTING, THAT IT IS A GOOD THING I DIDN'T OPEN IT ONE MORE TIME AS THE DOOR LIKELY WOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF! I HAVE RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES TO FIND ONE OF THE SLIDING DOOR MYSTERIOUSLY OPEN. DUE TO ONGOING NIGHTMARE OF THE DOORS OPENING I AM CAREFUL TO CONFIRM THE DOORS ARE CLOSED AND LOCKED PRIOR TO LEAVING MY VEHICLE, HOWEVER THEY SLIDE OPEN ON THERE OWN FOR NO REASON. THE DOORS OPEN MYSTERIOUSLY WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, ALARMS RING SIGNALLY DOORS ARE AJAR WHEN THEY ARE NOT, AND/OR FAIL TO CLOSE WITH NO CONFIRMED OBSTRUCTION. ONCE I AM ABLE TO "CLOSE THE DOOR" AND DRIVE AWAY THE ODDS ARE 50/50 THAT THE NEXT BUMP I HIT IN THE ROAD THAT DOOR WILL OPEN. LEAVING THE CHOICE TO PULL OVER IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION TO CORRECT OR CONTINUE TO A SAFE LOCATION AND PRAY MY CHILD IN THE MIDDLE SEAT IS SAFE. *TR
2007 BUICK TERRAZA. STABILITY SYSTEM/TRACTION CONTROL/ABS CAUSES FRONT BRAKES TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS OCCURRED NO LESS THAT 25 TIMES. SPEED AT TIME OF INCIDENT HAS BEEN FROM 10 TO 55 MPH. RATCHETING SOUND OCCURS (SAME AS WHEN TRACTION CONTROL APPLIES IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS); FRONT TIPS DOWN AS LEFT BRAKE APPLIES; VEHICLE PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT. THE ONLY WAY I CAN DRIVE IS TO PULL THE FUSE, LEAVING ABS, TC, AND SS OFF. DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX, GM CUSTOMER SERVICE BECAME INVOLVED BRIEFLY, BUT I STILL DRIVE WITHOUT MAJOR SAFETY FEATURES, OR TAKE MY CHANCES ON ABRUPT SPEED CHANGES, AND LANE CHANGES. NOT SOMETHING I ENJOY ON THE DAN RYAN IN CHICAGO, WHEN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IS ABOVE SPEED LIMIT AND CHICAGO DRIVERS USE 5 FEET AS A FOLLOWING DISTANCE. I HAVE FOUND FROM THE INTERNET THAT OTHER GM CARS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT GM HAS NEVER INVESTIGATED THIS. I REALLY LIKE THE CAR, BUT RANDOM BRAKING SURPRISES ARE DISTURBING. *TR
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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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); ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) (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.