Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
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).
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 vehicle. I started reading up on this, and it appears many other owners of this vehicle been having this same unsafe problem over the years and no recall is been done. This is a very serious issue!!! I'm surprise no one has been involved in an accident and been killed. I also notice this has been reported many times as well to the manufacture and they haven't done anything about it but come up with excuses to the owners like myself. Do someone has to be killed before a recall is done? …
The 2005 Buick Terraza is equipped with a GM stabilitrack system, which combines anti-lock brake, traction and stability control systems. I was driving this vehicle at 60 MPH on a straight road during a dry, sunny day and fully loaded with camping gear, children, their computer games and my wife. The vehicle was pulling a small trailer. In an instant, the van lurched as the brakes engaged on their own. We lost 20 miles per hour in a second. We pitched forward in our seat belts, and the van swerved to the left into the other lane of the interstate. I steered as best I could, but it felt like suggesting a direction more than driving. Everything was mushy and the trailer wanted to keep going. We pitched left and right twice. The panel said that the 'stability control system active.' I managed to steer to the right shoulder and stop. I breathed and pressed on the hazard lights. …
The 2005 Buick Terraza is equipped with a GM stabilitrack system, which combines anti-lock brake, traction and stability control systems. I was driving this vehicle at 60 MPH on a straight road during a dry, sunny day and fully loaded with camping gear, children, their computer games and my wife. The vehicle was pulling a small trailer. In an instant, the van lurched as the brakes engaged on their own. We lost 20 miles per hour in a second. We pitched forward in our seat belts, and the van swerved to the left into the other lane of the interstate. I steered as best I could, but it felt like suggesting a direction more than driving. Everything was mushy and the trailer wanted to keep going. We pitched left and right twice. I managed to steer to the right shoulder and stop. I breathed and pressed on the hazard lights. …
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 drivers side front wheel and make the van swerve to the left. On the instrument panel, it would say to "service stability control". This has happened when I was traveling at 40 MPH, at 20 MPH, and just starting to drive after taking a turn. This has also happened to me today to where I was pressing the brake and the traction control kicked in on dry pavement while I was going less than 30 MPH. I have had my 4 children in the vehicle when this has occurred and has scared them as well as myself and my husband. This vehicle is our main form of transportation.
I recently bought this 2005 Buick Terraza cx. As per carfax the vehicle has been beautifully maintained. After a week of having my vehicle I will be driving around and the service traction control light comes on and the vehicle will screech on its breaks and pull to the right. I have taken it into the dealership where they replaced the sensor and a week later it continues to randomly brake when excellerating, or even turning. This has happened 3 times now. It is very scary driving down the road and all of a sudden your vehicle screeches to a halt and has the vehicle swerve.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Terraza. While driving at various speeds, the check engine, electronic stability control, and ABS warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. While attempting to brake the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the stopping distance increased. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
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 dabbs Chevrolet dealer at 1501 w government st. In brandon, ms where the vehicle was diagnosed. The diagnosis results were undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
As we were driving home in May of 2014 the left front brake grabbed as if I had applied the brake,since then we have had both wheel bearings replaced lower ball joints and tie rod ends but nothing has changed. It has grabbed several times since then,this is a serious matter that should be dealt with, I refuse to let my wife drive the van especially when we have our five children with us because when this occurs it jerks the to the left towards oncoming traffic.
When driving, usually at highway speeds, one of the front brakes will automatically grip, making the nose dive and making it hats to maintain control of the vehicle. The message displayed says to service the stability control system, which we have done with no resolution. We have nearly gotten in wrecks.
Traction Control complaints in other Terraza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2005 Buick Terraza?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2005 Buick Terraza, 29% of the model year's 120 complaints. The component named most often is automatic (asc) (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Buick Terraza traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to stability & traction control 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.