Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

GMC Terrain Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints

What this means

We rank GMC Terrain model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (36) and the 2011 the most (386).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Complaints filed by model year

3 settled years with the fewest complaints3 settled years with the mostStill collecting reports

Every year compared

GMC Terrain model years: complaints filed with NHTSA, recall campaigns, most-reported component, crash stars and combined mpg. Select a column heading to sort.
Most-reported component
2025
Still collecting reports		 13 0 Electrical system — 25–27
2026
Still collecting reports		 33 1 Unknown or other — 25–27
2021
Among the fewest complaints		 36 2 Engine 5★ 26–27
2023 40 2 Fuel/propulsion system 5★ 26
2024
Still collecting reports		 52 1 Power train 5★ 25–26
2022 60 2 Fuel/propulsion system 5★ 26–27
2017
Among the fewest complaints		 134 1 Engine 4★ 18–25
2016
Among the fewest complaints		 152 2 Engine 4★ 18–26
2019 185 3 Service brakes 5★ 23–32
2020 197 2 Service brakes 5★ 23–27
2018 223 5 Service brakes 4★ 23–32
2010 290 3 Engine — 20–26
2014 296 2 Engine 4★ 19–26
2015 297 3 Visibility/wiper 4★ 19–26
2012
Among the most complaints		 364 4 Engine 4★ 19–26
2013
Among the most complaints		 364 3 Engine 4★ 19–26
2011
Among the most complaints		 386 4 Engine 4★ 19–26

Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

What owners reported in the GMC Terrain years with the most complaints

These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.

2011 GMC Terrain: 386 complaints

Most-reported: Engine 178 (46%); Power train 76 (20%); Fuel/propulsion system 31 (8%).

Reports mention 11 crashes, 8 fires, 24 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.

2013 GMC Terrain: 364 complaints

Most-reported: Engine 197 (54%); Visibility/wiper 50 (14%); Power train 44 (12%).

Reports mention 14 crashes, 2 fires, 25 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 77,550 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.

2012 GMC Terrain: 364 complaints

Most-reported: Engine 169 (46%); Visibility/wiper 74 (20%); Power train 37 (10%).

Reports mention 17 crashes, 5 fires, 19 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 81,534 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.

The GMC Terrain years with the fewest complaints

2021 GMC Terrain: 36 complaints

Most-reported: Engine 10 (28%); Power train 8 (22%); Service brakes 8 (22%).

Reports mention 4 crashes, 4 injuries. 2 recall campaigns listed.

2017 GMC Terrain: 134 complaints

Most-reported: Engine 78 (58%); Power train 24 (18%); Air bags 12 (9%).

Reports mention 11 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 48,850 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.

2016 GMC Terrain: 152 complaints

Most-reported: Engine 46 (30%); Visibility/wiper 46 (30%); Power train 11 (7%).

Reports mention 9 crashes, 9 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 51,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.

Crashes, fires and injuries in GMC Terrain owner reports

GMC Terrain owner complaints to NHTSA that report a crash, fire, injury or death, and the typical odometer reading when filed
Model yearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTypical miles at filing
2026331210—
2025132010—
2024521120—
2023402110—
202260000049,000
2021364040—
2020197725048,552
20191857312020,000
201822314112018,500
20171341127048,850
2016152909051,000
2015297916065,000
2014296728079,000
201336414225177,550
201236417519081,534
201138611824080,000
201029010012074,000

Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Largest GMC Terrain recalls

  • Headlight Reflection May Cause Glare/FMVSS 108 (2010–2017 model years; 740,581 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2022; 22V137000)
  • Windshield Wipers May Fail (2014–2015 model years; 681,509 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2022; 22V165000)
  • Child Seat Anchors May Not Function/FMVSS 225 (2020–2023 model years; 668,187 vehicles across all models; filed May 2023; 23V339000)
  • Seat Height Adjuster Bolt may Fall out (2010–2012 model years; 414,333 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2014; 14V447000)
  • Windshield Wipers may become Inoperative (2013 model year; 367,808 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2016; 16V582000)

All 22 GMC Terrain recall campaigns · GMC Terrain problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist

What the numbers can't tell you

  • Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
  • Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
  • The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.

GMC Terrain years FAQ

Which GMC Terrain year has the fewest complaints?

Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (36). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.

Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?

Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.

Are there GMC Terrain years to avoid?

No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2011, 2013 and 2012 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.

What is the most common GMC Terrain problem?

Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (1,208 of 3,122 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.

How many recalls does the GMC Terrain have?

NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns covering the GMC Terrain. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the GMC Terrain recall page.

Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?

Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Data sources

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Report an errorMethodologyHow we use AI