Most common 2015 GMC Terrain problems
Share of the 298 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Terrain complaints by model year
Best Terrain years: 2021, 2016, 2017. Years to avoid: 2024. Compare all years →
2015 GMC Terrain recalls (3)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light.
Remedy: Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
Air bags › Side/window
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2015 GMC Terrain:
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain.
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis.
What 2015 GMC Terrain owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 120 →
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact initially received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V165000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH in a rainstorm, the windshield wipers became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact turned on the hazard lights and pulled over to the side of the highway. The dealer had been notified about the recall and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that he could repair the windshield wipers out of pocket and be reimbursed once the parts were available. The contact declined the offer. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 135,300. …
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V165000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH in the rain, the front windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and waited 4 hours and 30 minutes until she was visually able to see the road to continue driving. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine & cooling all 83 →
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle jerked and shut off. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. The contact stated that on several occasions, while the vehicle was jerking at a complete stop, the contact shifted to park(P) to prevent the vehicle from stalling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump was leaking fuel into the oil gasket. The mechanic replaced the mass air flow sensor, the oil gasket, the fuel pump, the catalytic converter, and the starter; however, the failure recurred while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in an unknown related recall. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact turned off the vehicle and removed the key and the vehicle was shaking and shuddering until the vehicle independently turned off. The contact stated that there was an oil leak and oil was being added every four days. The contact stated that coolant was also frequently added. The contact stated that the vehicle was taking to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the engine power reduced message was displayed, and the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the residence and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Electrical system all 31 →
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that her vehicle was consuming oil excessively which led to three separate engine failures. The contact also stated that the check oil light would illuminate on the instrument panel prior to the failure. An independent mechanic had replaced the engine all three times due to the oil consumption. Prior to the latest failure, the contact mentioned that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assists failed as the power steering failure warning message was displayed on the instrument panel. The independent mechanic informed her that the power steering had received too much electricity which would cause both the power steering and the wheels to lock up. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
In October 2021 I took my car to have brake pads replaced, oil and filter change, and tire rotation. The day before the appointment the engine light came on. I parked the vehicle and waited for my appointment. The mechanic there told me there was not a drop of oil registering on the dipstick.... very odd considering I had the oil changed regularly. The appointment was completed and the engine light reset. The next day the engine light came back on and the code it was giving was for a Timing Control Solenoid, so I purchased the parts and took it back to the same mechanic. Engine light off- vehicle running normally- a few months pass-another routine oil/filter change in between and the engine light comes back on. This time I take it to a dealership and again there is not a drop of oil registering on the dipstick. …
2015 GMC Terrain engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 31 / 26 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2015 GMC Terrain a good car?
Based on 298 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 Terrain rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Terrain at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2015 GMC Terrain?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 120 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield. Next are the engine & cooling (83) and electrical system (31).
How many recalls does the 2015 GMC Terrain have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2015 GMC Terrain, the most recent from March 17, 2022 (motor). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Terrain?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021, 2016 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024. See the full GMC Terrain years comparison.
At what mileage do 2015 GMC Terrain problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 27% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.