GMC Terrain Problems by Year
NHTSA has 3,126 owner complaints and 22 safety recalls on file for the GMC Terrain, across 17 model years (2010–2026). The 2011 model year has the most complaints (386). The most reported problem area overall is engine.
GMC Terrain years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Terrain year: 2011, 2012, 2013. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2011 Terrain: 386 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2013 Terrain: 364 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2012 Terrain: 364 complaints, 4 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2025 Terrain: 13 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2026 Terrain: 33 complaints, 1 recall
- 2021 Terrain: 36 complaints, 2 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common GMC Terrain problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 1,210 | 17 | 8 |
| Power Train problems | 473 | 17 | 4 |
| Visibility/wiper problems | 428 | 15 | 1 |
| Electrical System problems | 349 | 17 | 6 |
| Service Brakes problems | 265 | 16 | 18 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 227 | 15 | 3 |
| Air Bags problems | 167 | 16 | 80 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 100 | 11 | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 100 | 17 | 6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 97 | 11 | 2 |
| Structure | 90 | 15 | 14 |
| Steering | 87 | 16 | 6 |
| Visibility | 77 | 12 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 70 | 12 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 49 | 10 | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 46 | 14 | 5 |
| Suspension | 40 | 14 | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 37 | 11 | 10 |
| Seats | 32 | 9 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 32 | 7 | 0 |
| Wheels | 32 | 13 | 4 |
| Back Over Prevention | 22 | 10 | 1 |
| Lane Departure | 21 | 12 | 3 |
| Tires | 15 | 7 | 0 |
| Equipment | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Carry Handle, Shell, Base | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Child Seat | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Firerelated | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Insert, Padding | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat or Vehicle) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
GMC Terrain problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2020: service brakes (65) · engine (58)
- 2019: engine (70) · service brakes (65) · power train (52)
- 2018: service brakes (69) · engine (54)
- 2017: engine (79)
- 2015: visibility/wiper (101) · engine (80)
- 2014: engine (123) · visibility/wiper (74)
- 2013: engine (197) · visibility/wiper (50)
- 2012: engine (169) · visibility/wiper (74)
- 2011: engine (178) · power train (76)
- 2010: engine (107) · power train (51)
All GMC Terrain model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Terrain | 33 | 1 | — | Unknown or Other | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2025 Terrain | 13 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 Terrain | 52 | 1 | 5★ | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2023 Terrain | 40 | 2 | 5★ | Fuel/propulsion System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2022 Terrain | 60 | 2 | 5★ | Fuel/propulsion System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2021 Terrain | 36 | 2 | 5★ | Engine | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2020 Terrain | 197 | 2 | 5★ | Service Brakes | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2019 Terrain | 186 | 3 | 5★ | Engine | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2018 Terrain | 223 | 5 | 5★ | Service Brakes | More complaints than other years |
| 2017 Terrain | 135 | 1 | 4★ | Engine | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2016 Terrain | 152 | 2 | 4★ | Engine | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2015 Terrain | 298 | 3 | 4★ | Visibility/wiper | More complaints than other years |
| 2014 Terrain | 297 | 2 | 4★ | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2013 Terrain | 364 | 3 | 4★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2012 Terrain | 364 | 4 | 4★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2011 Terrain | 386 | 4 | 4★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2010 Terrain | 290 | 3 | — | Engine | More complaints than other years |
More from GMC: all GMC models · GMC VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Terrain years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2011 (386), 2012 (364), 2013 (364) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Terrain year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the GMC Terrain?
Engine, with 1,210 complaints across 17 model years.
How many recalls does the GMC Terrain have?
22 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.