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2005 Buick Terraza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 Terraza.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 4-spd

Defined as a VAN, the 2005 Buick Terraza utilizes an Automatic 4-spd transmission to achieve EPA ratings of 15/21/17 mpg while requiring 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Ownership records document 120 total owner complaints focused on the Electrical System alongside 3 recalls, establishing this model year as the most problematic within the 2005-2008 model history. With the highest complaint count of 120 significantly exceeding the history's low of 33 complaints in 2007, this specific year represents the peak of reliability concerns for researchers investigating the model.

Model year2007 2006 2005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy15/21/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory serpentine belt and cabin air filter are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-60R17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731175
Engine air filter	10354942
Spark plug	12681664
Battery	88866304
Front wiper blades	15192144 alt 15192143
Serpentine belt	12587999 discontinued · alt 12571918
Thermostat	24507563 alt 10226107
Cabin air filter	10322538 discontinued

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	205.1 in
Overall width	72 in
Overall height	72 in
Wheelbase	121.3 in
Curb weight	4389 lb
Track (front / rear)	63 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 21 / 17 mpg
Drivetrain	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Terraza of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.60 sec — 2005 CXL

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2005	CXL 3.5L V6	10.60 sec	17.80 sec	200 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, VERSATRAK PART NUMBER: 1238514 OR EQUIVALENT in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4
Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.8
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	VERSATRAK PART NUMBER: 1238514 OR EQUIVALENT
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	12 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.34 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	24.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	21.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order

1-2-3-4-5-6

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	60.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-60
RPM	40-55 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance	11-14 @ 70 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	40 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	137 ft-lbs / 96 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.27 in / 0.492 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.27 in / 0.492 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.224 in / 0.425 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

52 ft. lbs., step 2: 70

52 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 mi	Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2005 Buick Terraza marks the debut year of its generation and reflects the highest volume of federal complaints (120) compared to subsequent years, which show a sharp decline—dropping to 54 in 2006 and 33 in 2007—suggesting early production issues were addressed over time. Recalls remained consistent at three for both 2005 and 2006 before tapering to one by 2008, while investigations peaked in 2005 (three) and steadily decreased, indicating initial quality concerns were progressively resolved. The 2005 model’s complaints cluster around electrical systems (14), stability control (9), and latches/locks (9), areas that may not have been fully refined at launch. Notably, crash-related complaints (5) and one fire-related report in 2005 are outliers not mirrored in later years. While the data doesn’t specify root causes, the trend implies 2005 was the most problematic year in the generation. **Takeaway: Given the elevated complaints and investigations, the 2005 Terraza is the riskiest year to buy—later models (2006 or newer) are far more reliable choices.**

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

561

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

120

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’05’06 ’07 ’08

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 120 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System14

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)9

Latches/Locks/Linkages9

Suspension8

Steering5

Structure5

Traction Control System5

Service Brakes, Hydraulic4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E005000SteeringReported 17/02/2009

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… 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…

10V110000Suspension:RearReported 19/03/2010

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 561 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT3532C	2026-01-30	Unknown Or Other	This PI directs technician to training regarding sliding door operation.
PIP5601C	2025-07-18	Unknown Or Other	This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIT5074R	2025-05-30	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R	2025-05-30	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R	2025-05-30	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Terraza. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 34 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Engine oil filter 12731175 Engine air filter 10354942 Spark plug 12681664 Battery 88866304

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2005 Terraza take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2005 Terraza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Terraza get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.