GMC Terrain years to avoid (and the best years)
3,103 NHTSA owner complaints and 22 recalls across 17 model years, 2010 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 3,103complaints
- 22recalls
- 126reported crashes
- 30reported fires
- 148reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which GMC Terrain years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the GMC Terrain year to avoid is 2011. The typical GMC Terrain year has 183 complaints on file.
- 2011: 386 complaints, 2.1 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (52% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (20% of complaints).
What are the best GMC Terrain years?
The GMC Terrain years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (35), 2023 (38) and 2022 (59). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 29 | 0.2× | 1 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2025 | 13 | 0.1× | 0 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2024 | 49 | 0.3× | 1 | 1 | 2 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2023 | 38 | 0.2× | 2 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2022 | 59 | 0.3× | 2 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2021 | 35 | 0.2× | 2 | 4 | 4 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2020 | 195 | 1.1× | 2 | 7 | 5 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2019 | 183 | 1.0× | 3 | 7 | 12 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2018 | 220 | 1.2× | 5 | 14 | 12 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2017 | 133 | 0.7× | 1 | 11 | 7 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2016 | 152 | 0.8× | 2 | 9 | 9 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2015 | 297 | 1.6× | 3 | 9 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Wipers and visibility |
| 2014 | 296 | 1.6× | 2 | 7 | 8 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2013 | 364 | 2.0× | 3 | 14 | 25 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2012 | 364 | 2.0× | 4 | 17 | 19 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2011 | 386 | 2.1× | 4 | 11 | 24 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2010 | 290 | 1.6× | 3 | 10 | 12 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 1,099 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain601 (55%)
- Electrical & infotainment112 (10%)
- Brakes105 (10%)
- Structure & body96 (9%)
- Other systems79 (7%)
Recalls (22)
Safety · 26V114000 · Feb 2026 · model year 2026
Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Structure · 23V869000 · Dec 2023 · model year 2024
A door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Safety · 23V339000 · May 2023 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Airbags · 22V929000 · Dec 2022 · model year 2023
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.
Safety · 22V724000 · Sep 2022 · model year 2022
A seat with a missing or loose bolt may not properly restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Body & glass · 22V165000 · Mar 2022 · model years 2014, 2015
Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 22V137000 · Mar 2022 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 21V612000 · Aug 2021 · model year 2021
Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 20V668000 · Oct 2020 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020
Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Safety · 19V184000 · Mar 2019 · model year 2019
In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.
Brakes · 18V576000 · Aug 2018 · model years 2018, 2019
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 18V358000 · May 2018 · model year 2018
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 18V340000 · May 2018 · model year 2018
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.
Transmission · 17V516000 · Aug 2017 · model year 2018
If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.
Body & glass · 16V582000 · Aug 2016 · model year 2013
Inoperative windshield wipers may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 16V502000 · Jul 2016 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 16V449000 · Jun 2016 · model year 2016
If the information on the certification labels is incorrect, the operator may install incorrectly sized tires or rims or may improperly inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 15V666000 · Oct 2015 · model year 2015
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.
Safety · 14V447000 · Jul 2014 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tires · 11V511000 · Oct 2011 · model year 2012
UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH. THE RESULTING CRASH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN ALSO RESULT IN PREMATURE OR IRREGULAR WEAR, POOR HANDLING, AND POOR FUEL ECONOMY.
Seat belts · 10V623000 · Dec 2010 · model year 2011
THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) AS DESIGNED AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
Body & glass · 09V489000 · Dec 2009 · model year 2010
DRIVING WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING DEFROST SYSTEM CAN DECREASE YOUR VISIBILITY UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.