GMC Terrain Problems by Year

We compared every GMC Terrain model year from 2010–2026 using 3,130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 22 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2024, which drew far more complaints than other Terrain years at the same age. The best years are 2021, 2016 and 2017.

17model years
3,130complaints
22recalls
2024worst years
2021, 2016best years

Complaints by model year

’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26290386364364297298153135225186197366041521333
Owner complaints per model year, GMC Terrain. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2026334.4×1Collision AvoidanceCaution
202513−26%—ElectricalAverage
2024521.7×1TransmissionCaution
202341typical2Fuel SystemAverage
202260−32%2Fuel SystemAverage
202136−69%2EngineGood
20201971.3×2BrakeAverage
2019186typical3BrakeAverage
2018225typical5BrakeAverage
2017135−51%1EngineGood
2016153−51%2Window & WiperGood
2015298typical3Window & WiperAverage
2014297typical2EngineAverage
20133641.2×3EngineAverage
2012364typical4EngineAverage
20113861.2×4EngineAverage
2010290−15%3EngineAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Terrain year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common GMC Terrain problems

Latest GMC Terrain recalls

Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual

NHTSA recall 26V-114 · Feb 26, 2026 · 5,861 vehicles

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible…

Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026.

Structure › Body › Door

NHTSA recall 23V-869 · Dec 21, 2023 · 265 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The door strikers may fracture, resulting in the door opening unexpectedly.

Remedy: Dealers will replace all four door strikers and attaching bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024.

Child seat › Vehicle latch anchor

NHTSA recall 23V-339 · May 11, 2023 · 668,187 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars.

Remedy: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge.

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

NHTSA recall 22V-929 · Dec 15, 2022 · 9 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with ventilated front passenger seats. The Occupant Classification System may not properly disable the front passenger air bag when there is a small child or child restraint detected in the seat.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger presence system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2023.

Seats

NHTSA recall 22V-724 · Sep 29, 2022 · 6,895 vehicles

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The driver's seat may have a stripped or loose bolt at the seat frame height-adjust pivot.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the seat cushion frame, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 4, 2022.

All 22 GMC Terrain recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the GMC Terrain should you avoid?

2024 — this year has the most complaints relative to other Terrain years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2024.

What is the best year for the GMC Terrain?

2021 has the fewest complaints compared with other Terrain years at the same age, followed by 2016 and 2017. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common GMC Terrain problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (1,273), windows, wipers & sunroof (491) and transmission & drivetrain (474). Engine complaints peak in the 2013 model year.

How many recalls has the GMC Terrain had?

22 recalls across 2010–2026. The model year with the most is 2018. See all GMC Terrain recalls by year.

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.