GMC Terrain Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 3,135 consumer complaints across the 17 model years of the GMC Terrain (2010–2026) that have at least 5 complaints. 2011 has the most, with 386. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (1,213 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Terrain years →
All Terrain model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 33 | 3,000 | 1 | 173 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 13 | 1,126 | 0 | 340 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 53 | 8,383 | 1 | 376 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 41 | 25,500 | 2 | 461 | 11 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 60 | 49,000 | 2 | 529 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 36 | 57,422 | 2 | 696 | 2 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 197 | 47,734 | 2 | 845 | 58 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 187 | 19,500 | 3 | 1,006 | 69 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 226 | 18,750 | 5 | 1,345 | 87 · More | Rising |
| 2017 | 135 | 48,850 | 1 | 1,065 | 9 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2016 | 153 | 51,000 | 2 | 1,232 | 19 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2015 | 299 | 65,000 | 3 | 1,573 | 48 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 297 | 79,000 | 2 | 1,699 | 39 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 365 | 77,550 | 3 | 1,936 | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 364 | 81,320 | 4 | 1,842 | 58 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 386 | 79,000 | 4 | 1,757 | 83 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 290 | 73,925 | 3 | 1,653 | 59 · Typical | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine1,213 34%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)503 14%
- Transmission and drivetrain476 13%
- Electrical system349 9.7%
- Other or unknown322 8.9%
- Brakes299 8.3%
- Fuel system281 7.8%
- Air bags169 4.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2013: “My Terrain is using motor oil excessively. After an oil change, I can drive 1000 miles then I start hearing a knocking noise on startup. I have to add motor oil at every fuel fill till my next oil change sometimes one quart and sometimes two or more. I have no leaks. The engine compartment is clean and dry and nothing is wet under the car ever.”
NHTSA complaint #11407033, filed 2021-04, 140,000 miles2018: “When restarting after vehicle auto stop I am getting service brake assist and occasionally service ESC warnings. These warnings were associated with brake failure in GM SUV's and pickups and were subject to a recall. No such recall exists for the Terrain. I haven't yet experienced a brake failure but GM seems to want to wait until I do to fix the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11397836, filed 2021-02, 34,000 miles2011: “Car randomly shuts off while driving it doesn't matter if I am on the highway or driving through the city, also engine power reduced mode. Throws random codes even after codes have been serviced. We have been dealing with this issue for close to 2 years with no resolve. After further investigation we have found there are multiple complaints of this exact issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11397978, filed 2021-02, 135,000 milesOther GMC models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology