The 2006 Buick Terraza shares GM's U-body minivan platform with known powertrain weaknesses. The 3.5L V6 suffers from catastrophic internal engine failures, while both engines face transmission cooler and intake manifold gasket issues that can cascade into major damage if ignored.
Symptoms: Sudden knocking or rattling from engine bay, Metal shavings in oil, Loss of oil pressure, Check engine light with misfire codes, Seized engine in worst cases
Fix: The 3.5L V6 has a known defect where piston skirts crack and bearings fail, dumping metal through the engine. Requires complete engine rebuild (40-50 hours) or replacement with salvage/remanufactured unit (18-24 hours swap). Many owners discover this after ignored oil consumption.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure and Cross-Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission slipping or harsh shifts, Milky/pink transmission fluid, Coolant in transmission or vice versa, Overheating transmission, Engine overheating in advanced cases
Fix: The cooler lines inside the radiator corrode and fail, allowing coolant and ATF to mix. Requires radiator replacement, transmission flush, and often full transmission rebuild if driven after contamination (12-16 hours total). Catching it early with just lines and flush saves thousands.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200 (early catch) or $3,500-5,000 (with transmission damage)
Intake Manifold Gasket Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant leak from engine front, Rough idle or misfire when cold, White smoke from exhaust on startup, Coolant loss with no visible external leak, P0300-series misfire codes
Fix: The plastic intake manifold gaskets deteriorate and leak coolant externally or internally into cylinders. Requires upper intake removal and gasket replacement (4-6 hours). Often done alongside spark plugs/wires. Delaying risks coolant entering cylinders and hydrolock.
Symptoms: Ticking or tapping noise from valve covers, Check engine light with P0300 misfires or P0521 oil pressure codes, Rough running on cylinder deactivation, Metal debris in oil
Fix: The AFM system's lifters collapse, causing valve train damage. Requires camshaft, lifters, and potentially cylinder head work (20-30 hours). Some owners install AFM delete kits during repair. The 3.9L is more reliable than the 3.5L overall but this is its Achilles heel.
Estimated cost: $3,000-5,500
Rear Suspension Lower Control Arm Bushing Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking from rear over bumps, Rear end feels loose or unstable, Uneven rear tire wear, Wandering steering on highway
Fix: The rear lower control arm bushings crack and separate, especially in rust-belt vehicles. Requires control arm replacement as bushings aren't serviceable separately (2-3 hours per side). Often done in pairs. Alignment required after.
Estimated cost: $500-800 (both sides)
Power Sliding Door Cable and Motor Failures
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Door opens/closes partially then stops, Grinding or clicking noise during operation, Door won't latch or seal properly, Error messages on dash
Fix: The power door cables fray and motors wear out from repeated cycles and owner forcing doors. Requires door panel removal and cable/motor replacement (3-4 hours per door). Can be manually disabled if non-critical.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 per door
Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from Park to Drive, Excessive vibration at idle, Engine/transmission appears tilted when inspected, Harsh engagement into gear
Fix: The hydraulic transmission mount separates internally, allowing excessive powertrain movement. Requires support and mount replacement (1.5-2 hours). Often overlooked but causes harsh driveline feel and accelerates other component wear.
Estimated cost: $250-400
Owner tips
Check transmission fluid color religiously every 15k miles — pink or milky means cooler failure is starting
If buying a 3.5L V6 model, budget for engine replacement or walk away — the failure rate is unusually high
Change oil every 5,000 miles maximum with quality synthetic to extend engine life, especially with AFM-equipped 3.9L
Inspect intake manifold area for coolant weeping during any service — gaskets fail predictably
Avoid extended idling in hot weather, which accelerates transmission cooler line corrosion
Hard pass unless it's a 3.9L with documented engine and transmission health under $3,000 — the 3.5L engine is a time bomb and repair costs exceed vehicle value quickly.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Side post terminals standard on GM minivans; battery located under hood
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Every control module on the 2005-2007 Buick Terraza — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM)2.0 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.3 hr▸ programming details
📍 Engine compartment, driver side frame rail near master cylinder, integrated with ABS hydraulic unit
🔧 GM Tech 2
⚠️ Brake bleeding and automated bleed procedure required after replacement
Body Control Module (BCM)1.5 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +1.0 hr▸ programming details
📍 Behind center instrument panel, above center console, accessible by removing radio trim
🔧 GM Tech 2 with TIS2000/SPS
⚠️ Controls lighting, door locks, remote start; VIN and option configuration required
📍 Under driver seat, mounted to seat frame (if equipped with memory seats)
🔧 GM Tech 2
⚠️ Optional equipment; memory positions must be reprogrammed by user
Transmission Control Module (TCM)no coding
📍 Integrated within PCM (4T65-E transmission)
⚠️ Not a separate module; transmission control integrated into PCM
Theft Deterrent Module (TDM)no coding
📍 Integrated within BCM
⚠️ PassLock II system; theft deterrent functions handled by BCM
Electronic Power Steering Control Module (PSMC)no coding
📍 Not equipped - hydraulic power steering only
⚠️ Terraza uses conventional hydraulic power steering; no electronic module
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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.
Consequence: 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 CHASSIS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
STEERING · 09E005000
2009-02-17
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 THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Consequence: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: 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 DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 05V552000
2005-12-07
CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.
Consequence: A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
16mpg
Highway
23mpg
Combined
19mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
Capability & size
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Wiper blades
GMT200 platform minivan shared with Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana SV6, and Saturn Relay
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2006 Buick Terraza 3.9L V6 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.