Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Buick Terraza, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 14 | 12% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 9 | 8% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 9 | 8% |
| Suspension | 8 | 7% |
| Steering | 5 | 4% |
| Structure | 5 | 4% |
| Traction control system | 5 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 3% |
| Electronic stability control | 4 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2005 Buick Terraza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle crashed into a deer. The steering wheel air bag deployed and ripped into pieces. There were sparks and smo
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2005 Buick Terraza. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, while making a left turn, the vehicle loss motive power and jerked before stalling. The electronic stability warning light illuminated. The
NHTSA complaint: Power train
HELLO, I HAVE A 2005 BUICK TERRAZA CX AWD. MY ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND WHEN IT DID THE VEHICLE STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES ITSELF PULLING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING. I COULDN'T CONTROL THE V
NHTSA complaint: Steering
BRAKES FELT UNEASY STOPPING DID NOT RESPOND RIGHT AWAY SOMETIME HAD TO PULL A SIDE TO PREVENT ACCIDENT. ALTERNATOR DON'T START AT ALL AND ABS LIGHT STAYED ON MOST OF TIME MANY REPAIRS DONE SAME PROBLEM AT DEALER SHIP.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
POWER SLIDING DOOR ALARM WILL SOUND GOING DOWN THE ROAD SAYING THE DOOR IS AJAR EVEN WHEN DOOR IS LOCKED CLOSED
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK TERRAZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND THE "TRACK SYSTEM" AND "STABILITY" INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE ROGERS DABB
NHTSA complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
TL* 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 C
NHTSA complaint: Steering
AT 90,900 MILEAGE ON MY VAN, I STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY STABILITY CONTROL, ABS, AND MY TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. WHEN DRIVING AT NUMEROUS SPEEDS, THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD KICK IN, WOULD GRAB AT MY
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Buick Terraza. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D
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
Fix: 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.
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
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
Fix: 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 BU
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 14 of them (12%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.