Owners have filed 384 complaints
about the 2015 GMC Terrain with NHTSA between 2015 and 2026.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 17 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 75
Against the median year of the GMC Terrain. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 30
5.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 33
19% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
125.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
167.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
83.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
3817.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
7232.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
2913.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
3716.9%
150,000+ miles
73.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2015peak 14Jul 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 GMC Terrain
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA19005Opened 13 Dec 2019Closed 28 Nov 2022VISIBILITY
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper f...
RQ18002Opened 2 Nov 2018Closed 19 Dec 2019VISIBILITY
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installati...
Recalls on the 2015 GMC Terrain
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201813715,611 units in Canada
Visual System
In certain vehicles, water may drain from the windshield cowl area onto the windshield wiper transmission link joints. Over time, this could result in corrosion and/or wear to the joint, which could result in the separation of the wiper link ball from its corresponding socket. If separation were to occur, the windshield wipers could become inoperative, which could limit the driver's visibility under certain operating conditions and increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will relocate drain holes in the windshield cowl and install a wiper module with revised joints. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2016-318 to include vehicles originally sold or registered in the province of British Columbia.
Recall 2016318141,407 units in Canada
Visual System
In certain vehicles registered and operated in areas where road salt is used on the roadways during winter months for extended time periods (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland-Labrador), water may drain from the windshield cowl area onto one of the windshield wiper transmission link joints. Over time, this could result in corrosion and/or wear to the joint, which could result in the separation of the wiper link ball from its corresponding socket. If separation were to occur, the windshield wipers could become inoperative, which could limit the driver’s visibility under certain operating conditions which may increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will relocate drain holes in the windshield cowl and install a wiper module with revised joints.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Prague, NECrash
AIR BAGS
I hit a deer and it totaled my vehicle and the Airbags did not deploy
NHTSA complaint #11743616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holderness, NHCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The radio dead out randomly. Which means the back up camera is non working. I wasn’t able to see a stump and hit it. Doesn’t seem safe. Like what would has happened if it was a person instead and they like the stump was in my blind spot while backing up. I feel like this is a safety issue. I have looked it up online and found out this is a common issue with these vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11712292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berryville, ARCrash
AIR BAGS
Hit a deer causing extensive damage to the front end. The driver airbag released a smoky substance and the display read that the airbag had deployed yet it did not come out .
NHTSA complaint #11526718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesMarion, OH1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
The contact had a dealer loaner vehicle, a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated the liftgate raised up extremely fast and caused the hydraulic on the passenger side to detach. Once the hydraulic fell, the liftgate hit her in the head, and she became unconscious. A random person assisted contact. Once she became conscious she drove herself to an emergency. The contact was diagnosed with major injuries of spinal whiplash and consciousness. The contact had been scheduled for a neurologist. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, were not of assistance. The dealer informed the contact to notify GMC of the failure. The manufacturer has not been notified. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000
NHTSA complaint #11463333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesRoyal Palm Beach, FLFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SAW BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AS HE WAS PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A BROKEN PART IN THE ENGINE AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE LOCAL DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
NHTSA complaint #11394636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesAsheboro, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CRASHED INTO SECOND VEHICLE CAUSING SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. DURING THE CRASH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ALTHOUGH THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL MESSAGE HAD INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BRUISED CHEST WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
NHTSA complaint #11331409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Urbana, IL
ENGINE
I am submitting this complaint regarding the engine timing chain failure in my 2015 GMC Terrain because I believe it presents a serious safety hazard. Before the failure, the vehicle began experiencing intermittent symptoms, including engine jerking, shaking, rough operation, abnormal engine noises, and an intermittent check engine light. While driving on the highway, the engine timing chain failed, causing the vehicle to suddenly lose power. I was traveling at highway speed and had to safely maneuver the vehicle out of traffic. The unexpected loss of power placed me and other motorists at risk of a collision because I could no longer safely maintain the flow of traffic. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair facility, where the engine was diagnosed with a timing chain failure. I was informed that the engine had sustained significant damage and required replacement. After purchasing and installing a replacement engine, that engine also began exhibiting timing chain-related symptoms immediately after installation, including abnormal rattling noises and unstable engine operation, resulting in additional repairs and the vehicle remaining unsafe to drive. I am concerned that timing chain failures in this model can occur without sufficient warning and can cause a sudden loss of engine power while the vehicle is being driven. A sudden engine failure at highway speeds creates a significant risk of a crash, injury, or death. I am requesting that this issue be investigated to determine whether it represents a safety-related defect affecting other 2015 GMC Terrain vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11751978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,446 milesRowlett, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the brake, ABS, and stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with an Electronic Brake Control Module failure. The dealer stated that the manufacturer no longer manufactured parts to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 167,446.
NHTSA complaint #11751551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Prague, NECrash
AIR BAGS
I hit a deer and it totaled my vehicle and the Airbags did not deploy
NHTSA complaint #11743616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hurricane, WV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11743259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesKansas City, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started the following day, the rattling sound from the engine compartment returned. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several occasions, and it was diagnosed and determined that the engine was low on oil and was consuming 2 quarts of engine oil every 2-3 weeks. The contact stated that the oil level was topped off. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
NHTSA complaint #11731173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Folsom, PA
ENGINE
Oil consumption, causing high pressure furl pump to clog. It also causes catalytic converter to clog. No warning of oil loss. Causing stalling out while driving. Caused the engine to seize. New engine replaced and still same problem s
NHTSA complaint #11730342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Folsom, PA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Oil consumption, causing high pressure furl pump to clog. It also causes catalytic converter to clog. No warning of oil loss. Causing stalling out while driving. Caused the engine to seize. New engine replaced and still same problem s
NHTSA complaint #11730342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Syracuse, NY
SUSPENSION
2015 gmc terrain sle awd. Suv was taking in for oil change found excessive rust on frame under all four doors. On both sides rust and holes near the front of both rear wheels. I believe its called the "rocker" I'm unsure. I bought the car at a little over 71,000 miles in 2022-2023 now just getting to 94,000 in February 2026. If there was rust which there probably was the car should have not been sold if the rust was enough to cause problem later on. I may need to go purchase a new car while still owe some money in the car loan. Rust and hole in the rear control arm. The amount to replace and repair all the parts with labor exceeds current value.
NHTSA complaint #11721580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Syracuse, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
2015 gmc terrain sle awd. Suv was taking in for oil change found excessive rust on frame under all four doors. On both sides rust and holes near the front of both rear wheels. I believe its called the "rocker" I'm unsure. I bought the car at a little over 71,000 miles in 2022-2023 now just getting to 94,000 in February 2026. If there was rust which there probably was the car should have not been sold if the rust was enough to cause problem later on. I may need to go purchase a new car while still owe some money in the car loan. Rust and hole in the rear control arm. The amount to replace and repair all the parts with labor exceeds current value.
NHTSA complaint #11721580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holderness, NHCrash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The radio dead out randomly. Which means the back up camera is non working. I wasn’t able to see a stump and hit it. Doesn’t seem safe. Like what would has happened if it was a person instead and they like the stump was in my blind spot while backing up. I feel like this is a safety issue. I have looked it up online and found out this is a common issue with these vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11712292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Batavia, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY
First occurrence in September 2015. Rear lift gate acted abnormally, when I was parked,y son opened the lift gate using the normal door handle button, it raised, but as he was loading it lowered onto him. He is small, I had to get out and pull it off of him, it went up and down a couple times and then closed. You cannot stop it from closing down on you if you are trying to load or unload into that compartment. We have had to stop using altogether.
NHTSA complaint #11708494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Valencia, CA
ENGINE
I own a 2015 GMC Terrain, 4D. Vehicle started displaying error P0016 during the evening of 07/27/2025, the following day the vehicle stopped working. I towed the vehicle to three different mechanics. All three mechanics indicated that the engine needs to be replaced. Two of the mechanics indicated that this was a common issue with this GMC SUV and I wanted to reported. P0016 states, "crankshaft position camshaft position correlation Bank 1". I am disappointed that this issue has not been reported or recall. There are multiple youtube videos and online chats regarding this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11678282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chino Valley, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear hatch would open but then start to slowly drop. The local dealership diagnosed the problem and told me the pump needed to be replaced but quoted $1000. I chose not to have the repair done at that time but recently the hatch opened and then dropped suddenly hitting me on the head. There were earlier model recalls for this problem but not on the 2015. This is a potentially dangerous condition.
NHTSA complaint #11671087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, MD
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Liftgate strut malfunctioned. Yes vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I activated the trunk with the key fob, while retrieving items out of my trunk, the trunk began closing on me without any warning. The liftgate sensor failed to recognize an object (ME), was in the trunk and nearly caused a severe crush injury which could have been fatal. Yes the problem was reproduce by an independent service center as well as a dealership. No the part was not inspected. There were no known warning lights or messages. Apparently as per consumers this is known problem with the 2010-2017 GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox.
NHTSA complaint #11668272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phila, PA
ENGINE
I GOT IN MY CAR AND PROCEED TO DRIVE AND THE POWER LOW ENGINE SIGN CAME ON. TOOK TRUCK TO MECHANIC AND PAID $1000 BECAUSE GAS WAS GOING INTO MY ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #11663880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesBlackwell, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with cruise control activated, the RPM suddenly increased to redline, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve, which then caused a failure with the front crank seal, resulting in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 148,000.
NHTSA complaint #11654723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesBlackwell, MO
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with cruise control activated, the RPM suddenly increased to redline, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve, which then caused a failure with the front crank seal, resulting in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 148,000.
NHTSA complaint #11654723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avon, OH
ENGINE
Catastrophic mechanical failure; engine failure. Below freezing day driving normally until the car just died right in the middle of a busy 4 lane road. No warning lights were displayed. Luckily I was able to drift the car over to the curb lane then manually push into a parking lot with cars driving around me. Vehicle taken to independent Auto Care Service which did an inspection stating the PCV valve was frozen which then caused the pressure to blow rear seal and metal fragments could be seen in the oil drippings. No issues or dashboard notifications prior to this event.
NHTSA complaint #11644823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Athens, TN
AIR BAGS
Found steering wheel airbag deployed
NHTSA complaint #11642977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Somerset, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My vehicle began jerking, shaking and kept shutting off in a highway intersection. I looked on the ground after coasting into a gas station to find oil leaking from under my vehicle. I've never had an oil leak and it caused my starter to go and I've had to replace the camshaft sensors all within the same week. It appears the rear seal went after the cold streak we had. I need my vehicle to take my mother to treatments, etc. Is there any recalls on this?
NHTSA complaint #11639654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Somerset, NJ
ENGINE
My vehicle began jerking, shaking and kept shutting off in a highway intersection. I looked on the ground after coasting into a gas station to find oil leaking from under my vehicle. I've never had an oil leak and it caused my starter to go and I've had to replace the camshaft sensors all within the same week. It appears the rear seal went after the cold streak we had. I need my vehicle to take my mother to treatments, etc. Is there any recalls on this?
NHTSA complaint #11639654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magnolia, DE
ENGINE
Oil consumption on this vehicle is terrible. All GMC for that matter. It burns in the engine and have to refill or top off multiple times a month.
NHTSA complaint #11637996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magnolia, DE
ENGINE
Clogged manifold and engine head. Blockage buildup in manifold and Pcv valve causing exhaust problems. Oil sludge block air in head and manifold causing CEL to come on. And these vehicles drink engine oil like water. Gives code P0411
NHTSA complaint #11638001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
New Milford, NJ
ENGINE
There is a well known piston ring gasket issue with various GMC Terrain model years. GMC had recalled some for the engine defect but not all years with the affected engine. The 24L Eco tec engine is faulty. The motor uses excessive amounts of oil between oil changes and all kinds of systems are affected by carbon buildup. The engines run rough and stall out WHILE DRIVING. GMC refuses to recall all of the vehicles with this problem and that includes my 2015 model year GMC Terrain with the 24L engine. This would cost me thousands to fix myself. This is a serious issue and also a safety issue that they can get away with selling such faulty vehicles to families and no one makes them fess up and fix the engines at their expense not ours. My wife has had the vehicle stall out constantly while driving and with our partially disabled child in the car. It has happened countless times to me as well. This will also eventually cause the motor to have a much shorter life. There is also a chance of the timing chain breaking and causing the engine to break. These defects should be fixed via a recall. This is a WELL KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT please look it up. It affects thousands of GMC Terrains and other GM vehicles with the 24L Ecotec motor.
NHTSA complaint #11637620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesHorn Lake, MS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle jerked and shut off. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. The contact stated that on several occasions, while the vehicle was jerking at a complete stop, the contact shifted to park(P) to prevent the vehicle from stalling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump was leaking fuel into the oil gasket. The mechanic replaced the mass air flow sensor, the oil gasket, the fuel pump, the catalytic converter, and the starter; however, the failure recurred while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in an unknown related recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
NHTSA complaint #11614417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.