2005 Buick Terraza: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Jan 12, 2014 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 57,320 miles · FL

I want to report a very unusual incident that my wife and I experienced january 7, 2014 involving our 2005 buick terraza automobile. It was a scary event of which I am still trying to find the exact cause. While descending from the cocoa bridge crown, at around forty five MPH, I lightly applied the brakes to adjust to the traffic speed. When bam the left wheel lock up jerking us toward the cement rails on the left side of the bridge, then the car traction control' cut in and slowed the vehicle. Other car tires were squealing around us as they were trying to avoid hitting us. I would say the wheel lockup was one second or less and the whole incident lasted from three to five seconds. Then the car returned to normal operation with no further hint of this problem for the next forty miles. I've looked on the internet and found several reports of this same exact incident including many complaints on your system. I took the car to our local garage and they said the ABS computer system showed no faults and found no mechanical reason for this wheel to lock up. My next stop was the dealer where I bought the car twenty five miles away. Lane buick gmc checked it out and reported the same thing except the mechanic wrote 'corrected by suspension repair' which suggests that he fixed something, what ever it was. Yet I understood from the service representative they couldn't find anything to cause this unheard event. I next called buick in detroit, mi they were of little help saying if it didn't leave any code on the computer, it never happened. Then ask if I would consider buying a new car and trading this one in. Until I know what the mechanism is for this car behavior, I would never unload this problem on someone else. It is like the emperors new clothes story, no one at gmc has ever heard of the problem before.

Filed Jul 22, 2013 · Suspension · 91,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 buick terraza. The contact stated that there was an abnormal squeaking noise being emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 10v110000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 91,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2006 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · MD

At approx. 15,000 miles the brakes squeal or chirp almost every time the brakes are applied. The consequences of this has left embarrassment as well as worry as to weather the brakes are going to give out. Also have noticed a slight fade and increased braking distance or having to push harder to stop the vehicle. The rotors have been turned twice, stop squeal was applied to the pads as well as sanding the edges of the pads and nothing has fixed the problem.

Filed Jul 16, 2006 · Driver assistance · 8,500 miles · FL

Noticed a grinding or rubbing noise in the rear of my 2005 buick terraza cxl. Have noticed twice that the message display indicates service stability system. When taken to dealership they are unable to duplicate problem and the computer has not registered any incidence. What, if anything, can or should be done to rectify this situation?

Filed Jan 9, 2006 · Driver assistance · 10,600 miles · NJ

Yesterday january 8, 2005 we took a trip to a relatives house in pennsylvania. On our way home and luckily for us in the town we live in, our terrazza started make a screeching noise and the brakes locked bringing the car to a grinding stop. It was the scariest thing that has ever happened to us. The car could not be driven even a few feet,the display panel said "stability control active". We were very fortunate that the car behind us was able to swerve out of our way or there would have been a serious accident. I can't help but wonder what would have happened if this incident happened 30 minutes before and we were on the highway traveling at highway speed. I know since I was in the car, I believe we would not be alive to tell you about this incident. We called on-star but they were unable to diagnose anything and called a tow truck to have the car towed to the nearest dealer, freehold pontiac/buick/gmc. The dealer was able to determine that it was a short in a wire under the dashboard and the car was repaired and ready for pick-up. I refused to pick the car up because I am afraid that if this happens again I might not survive nor will my family. The dealer agreed to keep the car another day and to provide us with further details about the wires tomorrow. This is a major safety issue and many gm models either have or will be equipped with this type of system soon. There is no way to disengage this system.

Filed Dec 6, 2005 · Engine · AZ

2005 buick terraza without warning began to wobble making a grinding noise and rapidly slowed down to a stop. *ts ***no answer required*** the dealer replaced numerous parts on the vehicle, but the problem continued.

Filed Oct 20, 2005 · Steering · 6,039 miles · PA

Steering locked up while driving 50 MPH on a very busy four lane highway while I was in the fast lane, heading westbound. Van decelerated to about 30 MPH instantly, began swerving from right to left without ability to control movement of vehicle. The traction control light came on and the service stability system light also came on. Could not turn off the traction control. Had no control over the steering, brakes or gas. A very loud grinding noise was coming from the front of the van, sounding and feeling like every wheel was being turned in a different direction. I was able to turn the van a very hard left to steer it into an open lot, although I did have to pull in front of oncoming cars, but I had no other option as there were cars on the side of me and quickly coming up behind me. Van was serviced at the dealer who said that the steering wheel sensor was faulty; case file started with buick, but after servicing, they closed the case, saying the problem was resolved. I will never drive this vehicle again and I feel there is still a major safety issue here. Other sensors have been replaced, only to have those problems occur again. This van has been in for service repairs for 11 different things in the seven months that I have owned it, and it now only has 6036 miles on it. I feel that this van in particular is very unsafe and possibly other terraza's also have these same safety problems. This is something that the manufacturer should own up to and do the right thing and replace the vehicle before the unthinkable occurs.