AI DamageGMC Terrain reliability: problems, complaints, recalls
Summary for the GMC Terrain across 18 model years: 3,140 owner complaints and 1,824 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 39% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 16% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 3% of all complaints
- Engine: 1,213 complaints (39% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 666.
- Visibility: 503 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 153.
- Powertrain: 477 complaints (15% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 645.
- Electrical system: 350 complaints (11% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1,444.
- Service brakes: 300 complaints (10% of all), 18 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 173.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2018–2027named in 3 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2018–2020
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2010–2017named in 35 complaints
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2010–2012named in 1 complaints
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2013–2017named in 2 complaints
- 1.6 L · diesel · turbo · 4 cyl 2018–2019named in 5 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed 2010–2019
- automatic, 8-speed 2025–2027
- automatic, 9-speed 2018–2024
- CVT 2025–2026
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 3,140 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,213 | 8 | 666 |
| Visibility | 503 | 1 | 153 |
| Powertrain | 477 | 4 | 645 |
| Electrical system | 350 | 6 | 1,444 |
| Service brakes | 300 | 18 | 173 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 228 | 3 | 94 |
| Air bags | 170 | 82 | 35 |
| Exterior lighting | 100 | 2 | 102 |
| Vehicle speed control | 100 | 6 | 16 |
| Electronic stability control | 97 | 2 | 13 |
| Structure | 91 | 14 | 381 |
| Steering | 88 | 6 | 143 |
| Engine and cooling | 70 | 0 | 884 |
| Fuel system | 54 | 2 | 268 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
There was smoke from the brakes (obviously going from 75-0 caused some brake wear and tear) EMT looked at the seat belts as the passengers retracted after she slid forward causing injury to the abdomen. The driver was able to brace a little so not as bad.
I figured it was my lane assist even though I was in my lane. Seconds later it felt like if someone was in my passenger seat and just yanked my steering wheel to the right hitting the guardrail. My whole tire and the assembly was off but everything was still intact to the tire.
The contact stated that an electrical fire started under the center console, and the driverâs shirt was burned by the fire. The Fire Department was on scene and removed the contact from the vehicle; however, a fire report was not filed.
The driver's side curtain air bag deployed. The contact stated that the three holes on the air bag propelled burning air, which melted and burned through the three layers of clothing of the driver. The driver sustained second-degree burns and blisters on the hip.
Vehicle did not go into park when the ignition was turned off. Car started to roll while passenger was getting out of the vehicle as another vehicle was parking beside us. The other vehicle could not avoid our rolling vehicle. Passenger had to quickly sit down to avoid being hit.
Service brake assist came on, check engine light came on and vehicle was hard to stop. Took to authorized service dealer and all parts were replaced. After driving it for a little while, service brake assist back on, check engine light back on and vehilce is hard to stop.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This Preliminary information communicates the potential for shudder and all cylinder misfire concerns on…
- PI created to guide technicians through radio restriction process
- This Preliminary Information, describes a condition where the HVAC will make noise when changing modes…
- Onstar connectivity features may be inoperative
- This Preliminary information describes an issue where the fuel pump makes a loud noise that engineering is…
- This preliminary information is for technicians that may see DTCs that are history and should not perform…
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealers a procedure to reset the radio
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the virtual garage door opener not programming to…
- Great News!
- This update contains a required software change to help improve the overall software update and…
- • Improved eCall system performance
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.