Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Buick Terraza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated the headlights flickered when the vehicle was driven 0-60 MPH. When the vehicle was taken to the sales/service dealer, the problem could not be recreated. The voltage regulator was replaced, but the problem continued. The lights failed to remain bright enough to see well at night. The computer programming was reflashed. The vehicle also had an ongoing issue with the starter, sliding door opening by itself when the vehicle was parked or while idling in park. On one occasion, the child passenger fell out of the vehicle when the door opened. There were no injuries sustained. There was a problem with the steering which resulted in the contact side swiping a mailbox post on the side of the road. At a later date when the vehicle was parked in the garage, the vehicle caught on fire. There were no reports taken by the police or fire department. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Terraza. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced stalling while driving in inclement weather. The ESC warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that there was a failure with the electrical system; however, they could not diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,953. Updated 06/29/16
I was involved in an accident and had front end damage. The air bag sensor and light are on indicating that the air bag deployed; however, it did not. We have also experienced electrical problems as well with the van. The sliding door chime comes on randomly when I we are driving. Work had to be done previously on the wiring. Occasionally I hear rattling noises from the front end of the vehicle when I drive. The van also shakes excessively when approaching speeds over 45-50 miles per hour when I put on the brakes.
The ignition switch was disengaged when the van hit a bump while in motion on a highway. I was able to put it in natural and restart it but it was a very frightening ordeal. This has also happened on streets traveling 30 MPH.
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.
Tl* - the contact complained about a variety of vehicle problems. Failures. The heating and cooling system did not consistently provide heat or air conditioning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer 7 times for the heating and cooling system failure. However, she stated that she has had problems with system working on at least 15 occasions. The last time that the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for heating and cooling failure was December 27, 2006. The contact stated that each time she has taken the vehicle for repair it was reprogrammed. The repair worked for a while and then began failing again. The contact stated that the crank seal was leaking and replaced 01/02/07. The contact stated that the sway bars for the stabilizers were replaced 07/2006. All 4 brake rotors were warped and they were repaired, but not replaced 07/2006. …
I have a 2005 Buick Terraza with 20,000 miles on it. Recently when the temp has got cold (30 degrees) the service stability and the service traction lights have came on. After I drive the van, the next time I start the van the lights are usually gone but then when I have been driving straight on a dry road at about 45 MPH or so and hit a bump the van would pull, decelerate and swerve for a few seconds and the service stability light would come on. This has happened 4 times. I took it to the dealer and they found 5 codes but they say they can't help them figure what is wrong and all they can do is drive my van around until it does it again and hope they get a code that will help them. The codes were c0253/c0870/c0460/c0196/c0187. …
Since October 2006 I have taken the '05 Buick Terraza to mossy Pontiac Buick GMC of new orleans for the following issues: dvd static noise, unusually loud, exhaust noise on take-off, brakes, ABS lights come on, OnStar, and ignition/starter continues to turnover after releasing the starter key. After 10-15 visits to the dealership for the same issues they say that they replaced the muffler and the catalytic converter, and that any noise I hear is inherent to the vehicle. I was also informed that the dvd noise I heard was inherent to the vehicle up until my last visit on April 10, 2007 at which time I was informed of a bulletin that described the problem I had been having since October 2006. Either way, that issue was still not fixed after leaving my vehicle at the dealership for approximately 10 hours. …
There are several defects that I am experiencing with this van. These issues escalated this weekend, the traction control and system stability indicators came on again and caused the brakes to lock I changed the brakes because I thought that was the cause it was not. Also the rear sliding doors will open while driving on their own. This van has been in the shop at lou fusz saint louis, mo several times and it is still not operating. This is a safety issue I am lucky that I was not on the highway when the brakes locked up, unfortunately that is not the case with the doors. I cancelled a trip to the zoo with my kids because the doors opened on their own while on the interstate, they are now afraid to ride in the back seats.
I was driving on the highway switching lanes on dry pavement, clear day, and the traction control system or the stability control system engaged causing the vehicle to rapidly decelerate and swerve to the left. It happened to my wife and she called me crying saying she did not want to drive the car. I did not take her seriously, until she went out of town and the vehicle did the same to me on the highway. This traction control or stability control system has a problem and is a major safety concern. I tried to disengage the system before driving it on the highway to take it to the dealer and it happened again. The horn is hard to push and cause the horn to make a sound. Without a horn, the car is not safe.
NHTSA investigations
Electrical harness damage
The office of defects investigation opened this investigation on November 29, 2005, based on one consumer report to odi and a technical service bulletin issued by general motors.the bulletin, no. 1613174, issued on February 21, 2005, states in part, some customers May report a stall and/or no crank, no start condition after the wipers are used.analysis of the available data indicates that the problem experience…
Electrical complaints in other Terraza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Buick Terraza?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Buick Terraza, 31% of the model year's 120 complaints. The component named most often is horn (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Buick Terraza electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2005 Buick Terraza, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Buick Terraza electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 48% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.