GMC Terrain Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the GMC Terrain across 16 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (25). The words owners use most often: “air bag” (32% of reports).
- 167air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 80mention a crash
- 59mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 30%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Air bag: mentioned in 53 of 167 complaints (32%)
- Front end: mentioned in 18 of 167 complaints (11%)
- Failed deploy: mentioned in 17 of 167 complaints (10%)
- Airbags deployed: mentioned in 13 of 167 complaints (8%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 116 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 167 complaints, 80 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 59 an injury.
GMC Terrain air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Terrain | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2024 Terrain | 2 | 4% | 32,500 |
| 2023 Terrain | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2022 Terrain | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2021 Terrain | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2020 Terrain | 3 | 2% | 8,500 |
| 2019 Terrain | 2 | 1% | 19,500 |
| 2018 Terrain | 14 | 6% | 20,575 |
| 2017 Terrain | 12 | 9% | 39,500 |
| 2016 Terrain | 9 | 6% | 46,000 |
| 2015 Terrain | 16 | 5% | 55,000 |
| 2014 Terrain | 11 | 4% | 55,000 |
| 2013 Terrain | 19 | 5% | 45,000 |
| 2012 Terrain | 25 | 7% | 99,000 |
| 2011 Terrain | 25 | 6% | 64,500 |
| 2010 Terrain | 24 | 8% | 44,229 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Model years: 2023
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, a front passenger air bag that deploys with a child or infant in the front passenger seat can increase their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger presence system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222388911.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Model years: 2018
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Terrain vehicles. The sensing diagnostic module (SDM) that senses a crash and deploys the necessary air bags may not power down correctly when the vehicle is shut off, causing it to be inoperative when the vehicle is restarted.
Risk: If the SDM becomes inoperative, it will not detect a crash or command the necessary air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18179.
Air bags:side/window
Model years: 2015
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Harness for the airbag gave out. Puts the passenger at risk. Confirmed by service members at Rodenroth Motors Inc. in Sault Ste Marie MI. Message said service "Restraint system". There was no official incident date. One day whenever somebody sat in the passenger side the warning would appear.
I was driving north on [XXX] when I felt a slight pull to the right. 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…
I hit a deer and it totaled my vehicle and the Airbags did not deploy
The contact owned a 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 5 MPH on an intersection, another vehicle driving 40 MPH crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle, by the driver's side door. The driver's side curtain air bag deployed. The contact stated that the…
My car was t-boned on the driver side and no airbags deployed. The outer door and window exploded with the force. We were also hit from behind
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Terrains have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 167 owner complaints about air bags for the GMC Terrain. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Terrain air bags?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the GMC Terrain?
The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 53 of 167 complaints, followed by “front end” (18).
Other GMC Terrain problems
- Engine problems (1,211)
- Power Train problems (473)
- Visibility/wiper problems (428)
- Electrical System problems (349)
- Service Brakes problems (266)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (227)
- Exterior Lighting problems (100)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (100)
See all GMC Terrain problems.