Owners have filed 39 complaints
about the 2026 GMC Terrain with NHTSA between 2025 and 2026.
The largest single group is the driver assist & collision avoidance.
Across this model's run it ranks 14 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 — 8
Against the median year of the GMC Terrain. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 53
10.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2026 GMC Terrain
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
820.5%
Median failure at 11,350 miles
Other & Unspecified
717.9%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Wheels
410.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
410.3%
Median failure at 3,250 miles
Suspension
37.7%
Median failure at 14 miles
Brakes
37.7%
Steering
37.7%
Electrical System
37.7%
Median failure at 11,350 miles
Body & Structure
25.1%
1 crashes, 1 fires · median 4,650 mi
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
12.6%
Engine & Cooling
12.6%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
114.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
457.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
228.6%
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.
Aug 2025peak 7Aug 2026
Recalls on the 2026 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.
United States — NHTSA
26V114000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”
Risk: 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20260861,255 units in Canada
Other
Issue: On certain vehicles, the owner's manual may be missing. As a result, the vehicles may not meet certain requirements of Canadian regulations. Note: For the Escalade model, the recall also affects certain 2026 model year Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL models. Safety Risk: A missing owner's manual could cause confusion on how to safely operate the vehicle and increase the risk of injury or a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to install the owner's manual.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 6,300 milesSt Augustine, FLCrashFire1 injured
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:CENTER CONSOLE
The contact owned a 2026 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her husband was driving on a perpendicular road at an undisclosed speed, entering a highway, the driver yielded; however, a truck in the median was attempting to cross the highway during oncoming traffic, and an oncoming vehicle crashed into that vehicle, causing the truck to crash into the front of the vehicle. The front air bags deployed as intended. The contact stated that an electrical fire started under the center console, and the driver’s shirt was burned by the fire. The Fire Department was on scene and removed the contact from the vehicle; however, a fire report was not filed. An off-duty sheriff witnessed the crash and assisted in removing the contact husband from the vehicle. The driver was taken to the Emergency Room for neck, arm, and wrist injuries, bruises, burns, and scratches. The contact was unsure of how the fire was extinguished. The contact mentioned that the smoke emitting was carbon monoxide-related. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and was deemed a total loss by the insurance provider. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, and there was a pending inspection on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 6,300.
NHTSA complaint #11745975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Runnemede, NJFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car was off and parked and randomly caught on fire. Completely totaling the car
NHTSA complaint #11726875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Madison, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Subject: Urgent: Unresolved Ongoing Vehicle Issues - Request for Contact To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my strong frustration regarding ongoing and unresolved issues with my vehicle. Ever since I purchased it, I have been plagued by constant alerts regarding various vehicle failures. My vehicle has already been reset and updated twice to address these issues. I just picked it up after it was supposedly fixed at the dealership this past Thursday. However, today, Sunday, [XXX], the exact same warning alerts have started popping up once again. This situation is unacceptable, and I need someone to reach out to us immediately to discuss a permanent resolution. Please contact us at either of the following numbers: Primary Phone: [XXX] Secondary Phone: [XXX] I expect a prompt reply to arrange the next steps. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11758926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, OH
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Subject: Urgent: Unresolved Ongoing Vehicle Issues - Request for Contact To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my strong frustration regarding ongoing and unresolved issues with my vehicle. Ever since I purchased it, I have been plagued by constant alerts regarding various vehicle failures. My vehicle has already been reset and updated twice to address these issues. I just picked it up after it was supposedly fixed at the dealership this past Thursday. However, today, Sunday, [XXX], the exact same warning alerts have started popping up once again. This situation is unacceptable, and I need someone to reach out to us immediately to discuss a permanent resolution. Please contact us at either of the following numbers: Primary Phone: [XXX] Secondary Phone: [XXX] I expect a prompt reply to arrange the next steps. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11758926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Subject: Urgent: Unresolved Ongoing Vehicle Issues - Request for Contact To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my strong frustration regarding ongoing and unresolved issues with my vehicle. Ever since I purchased it, I have been plagued by constant alerts regarding various vehicle failures. My vehicle has already been reset and updated twice to address these issues. I just picked it up after it was supposedly fixed at the dealership this past Thursday. However, today, Sunday, [XXX], the exact same warning alerts have started popping up once again. This situation is unacceptable, and I need someone to reach out to us immediately to discuss a permanent resolution. Please contact us at either of the following numbers: Primary Phone: [XXX] Secondary Phone: [XXX] I expect a prompt reply to arrange the next steps. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11758926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,350 milesSweetwater, TX
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after a software update was performed, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Departure Lane Limited due to the Trailer" was displayed. The failure affected the blind spot warning system. The warning light failed to display while approaching a vehicle on the blindside and erroneously operated while there were no vehicles on the side of the vehicle. Additionally, the "Rear Cross Traffic Warning" light was affected by the failure. The vehicle experienced hard braking while there was no other vehicle nearby. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with sensor failure caused by an impact to the sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,350.
NHTSA complaint #11755239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,350 milesSweetwater, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:BLINDSPOT:SOFTWARE
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after a software update was performed, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Departure Lane Limited due to the Trailer" was displayed. The failure affected the blind spot warning system. The warning light failed to display while approaching a vehicle on the blindside and erroneously operated while there were no vehicles on the side of the vehicle. Additionally, the "Rear Cross Traffic Warning" light was affected by the failure. The vehicle experienced hard braking while there was no other vehicle nearby. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with sensor failure caused by an impact to the sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,350.
NHTSA complaint #11755239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Logan, IA
ENGINE
At 12,000 miles removed old air filter found grass under air filter
NHTSA complaint #11754857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NM
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Screen calls my own phone number and hangs up over and over if I just ended a call. I am not able to use any part of the screen afterwards such as my map. It stays like that until I disconnect the Bluetooth and wifi from my phone while trying to drive. Safety issue!
NHTSA complaint #11748887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
POWER TRAIN
This vehicle was bought new and is a NEW 2026 GMC TERRAIN DENALI with less than 5,000 miles at this time. It is a continuous event and not a specific failure date, but began soon after purchasing. The specific parts are UNKNOWN. It could be tires, wheels, steering parts (CV JOINTS, CONTROL ARMS ETC) or possibly transmission. I took it initially to the purchasing dealership and they took it for a ride and just dismissed the problem without investigating. Several days later I called and talked to the person who sold me the SUV and was told either him or service manager or both would call me, but neither did so. They were to set up a return date. After this insulting experience I decided to take it to a Cadillac dealer that I have had great experience with in the past. They took it for a ride and did experience the problem and investigated what they thought could be causing the SUV to wobble, shimmy, or shaking sensation. This Cadillac dealer said there investigation showed nothing wrong and returned the vehicle to me and said nothing could be done unless GM gave them permission. Next I wrote to the service manager expressing my disappointment in nothing being done and my disappointment in General Motors. There is a Service Bulletin (Document ID: PIT6466). This makes four efforts on my part to get satisfaction with this 2026 GMC TERRAIN DENALI and how it is not fun to drive and there is anxiety on the safety of the vehicle when being driven. *Now for the problem I am experiencing with this 2026 GMC TERRAIN DENALI. There is the sensation of a “wobble, shimmy, or shaking” under low to moderate acceleration when going straight or turning. It could be tires, wheels, steering parts or power train. It is difficult to tell. Sometimes the sensation is as if the wheels will fall off. This is an awful feeling and gives you the feeling the SUV is not safe and it is not fun to drive at all.* Why do I have to drive a brand new expensive SUV and feel unsafe and not enjoy do so?
NHTSA complaint #11748269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
WHEELS
This vehicle was bought new and is a NEW 2026 GMC TERRAIN DENALI with less than 5,000 miles at this time. It is a continuous event and not a specific failure date, but began soon after purchasing. The specific parts are UNKNOWN. It could be tires, wheels, steering parts (CV JOINTS, CONTROL ARMS ETC) or possibly transmission. I took it initially to the purchasing dealership and they took it for a ride and just dismissed the problem without investigating. Several days later I called and talked to the person who sold me the SUV and was told either him or service manager or both would call me, but neither did so. They were to set up a return date. After this insulting experience I decided to take it to a Cadillac dealer that I have had great experience with in the past. They took it for a ride and did experience the problem and investigated what they thought could be causing the SUV to wobble, shimmy, or shaking sensation. This Cadillac dealer said there investigation showed nothing wrong and returned the vehicle to me and said nothing could be done unless GM gave them permission. Next I wrote to the service manager expressing my disappointment in nothing being done and my disappointment in General Motors. There is a Service Bulletin (Document ID: PIT6466). This makes four efforts on my part to get satisfaction with this 2026 GMC TERRAIN DENALI and how it is not fun to drive and there is anxiety on the safety of the vehicle when being driven. *Now for the problem I am experiencing with this 2026 GMC TERRAIN DENALI. There is the sensation of a “wobble, shimmy, or shaking” under low to moderate acceleration when going straight or turning. It could be tires, wheels, steering parts or power train. It is difficult to tell. Sometimes the sensation is as if the wheels will fall off. This is an awful feeling and gives you the feeling the SUV is not safe and it is not fun to drive at all.* Why do I have to drive a brand new expensive SUV and feel unsafe and not enjoy do so?
NHTSA complaint #11748269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
STEERING
This vehicle was bought new and is a NEW 2026 GMC TERRAIN DENALI with less than 5,000 miles at this time. It is a continuous event and not a specific failure date, but began soon after purchasing. The specific parts are UNKNOWN. It could be tires, wheels, steering parts (CV JOINTS, CONTROL ARMS ETC) or possibly transmission. I took it initially to the purchasing dealership and they took it for a ride and just dismissed the problem without investigating. Several days later I called and talked to the person who sold me the SUV and was told either him or service manager or both would call me, but neither did so. They were to set up a return date. After this insulting experience I decided to take it to a Cadillac dealer that I have had great experience with in the past. They took it for a ride and did experience the problem and investigated what they thought could be causing the SUV to wobble, shimmy, or shaking sensation. This Cadillac dealer said there investigation showed nothing wrong and returned the vehicle to me and said nothing could be done unless GM gave them permission. Next I wrote to the service manager expressing my disappointment in nothing being done and my disappointment in General Motors. There is a Service Bulletin (Document ID: PIT6466). This makes four efforts on my part to get satisfaction with this 2026 GMC TERRAIN DENALI and how it is not fun to drive and there is anxiety on the safety of the vehicle when being driven. *Now for the problem I am experiencing with this 2026 GMC TERRAIN DENALI. There is the sensation of a “wobble, shimmy, or shaking” under low to moderate acceleration when going straight or turning. It could be tires, wheels, steering parts or power train. It is difficult to tell. Sometimes the sensation is as if the wheels will fall off. This is an awful feeling and gives you the feeling the SUV is not safe and it is not fun to drive at all.* Why do I have to drive a brand new expensive SUV and feel unsafe and not enjoy do so?
NHTSA complaint #11748269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,300 milesSt Augustine, FLCrashFire1 injured
STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:CENTER CONSOLE
The contact owned a 2026 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her husband was driving on a perpendicular road at an undisclosed speed, entering a highway, the driver yielded; however, a truck in the median was attempting to cross the highway during oncoming traffic, and an oncoming vehicle crashed into that vehicle, causing the truck to crash into the front of the vehicle. The front air bags deployed as intended. The contact stated that an electrical fire started under the center console, and the driver’s shirt was burned by the fire. The Fire Department was on scene and removed the contact from the vehicle; however, a fire report was not filed. An off-duty sheriff witnessed the crash and assisted in removing the contact husband from the vehicle. The driver was taken to the Emergency Room for neck, arm, and wrist injuries, bruises, burns, and scratches. The contact was unsure of how the fire was extinguished. The contact mentioned that the smoke emitting was carbon monoxide-related. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and was deemed a total loss by the insurance provider. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, and there was a pending inspection on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 6,300.
NHTSA complaint #11745975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Commerce Township, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
ABV came on. SCR alerted I needed service. On a 25 mph road I no longer could brake randomly
NHTSA complaint #11745358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centerton, AR
POWER TRAIN
The car has always had an issue where it would just get stuck in a low gear and RPMs would go high. Does this every single day. But recently it also started acting like it was put into neutral for a few seconds and then back into drive.
NHTSA complaint #11737215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centerton, AR
WHEELS
Car aggressively shakes and steering wheel shakes / jerks itself side to side when accelerating. Getting worse with time. GMC has it as a known issue but has been for months. Problem is getting worse the more it is driven. GMC says it is “safe”.
NHTSA complaint #11737213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centerton, AR
STEERING
Car aggressively shakes and steering wheel shakes / jerks itself side to side when accelerating. Getting worse with time. GMC has it as a known issue but has been for months. Problem is getting worse the more it is driven. GMC says it is “safe”.
NHTSA complaint #11737213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centerton, AR
SUSPENSION
Car aggressively shakes and steering wheel shakes / jerks itself side to side when accelerating. Getting worse with time. GMC has it as a known issue but has been for months. Problem is getting worse the more it is driven. GMC says it is “safe”.
NHTSA complaint #11737213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centerton, AR
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Two issues here. First is that the car will give a danger warning when nothing is there. Sometimes goes as far as slamming on my breaks. Both in drive and reverse. Second is the lane keep assist. It’s like it is working backwards. I turned this all off because it would jerk me out of the lane and into the other lane or off to the sides of the road.
NHTSA complaint #11737214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Two issues here. First is that the car will give a danger warning when nothing is there. Sometimes goes as far as slamming on my breaks. Both in drive and reverse. Second is the lane keep assist. It’s like it is working backwards. I turned this all off because it would jerk me out of the lane and into the other lane or off to the sides of the road.
NHTSA complaint #11737214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centerton, AR
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
Two issues here. First is that the car will give a danger warning when nothing is there. Sometimes goes as far as slamming on my breaks. Both in drive and reverse. Second is the lane keep assist. It’s like it is working backwards. I turned this all off because it would jerk me out of the lane and into the other lane or off to the sides of the road.
NHTSA complaint #11737214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,200 milesPrineville, OR
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the accelerator pedal after coming from a complete stop, the vehicle started wobbling. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: PIT6466 (Shimmy, Shake or Wobble When Leaving a Stop); however, the VIN was not included in the bulletin. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall for the failure, and opened a case. The failure mileage was 5,200.
NHTSA complaint #11734525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Utica, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought this car new from Davidson's in Rome, NY in early March 2026. This is a 2026 model. Two days after I took possession, I noticed that the spare tire well was halfway full of solid ice. The car has a severe leak through the back right side window. The dealer states it needs to be replaced. The interior frames of the car were loaded with water for many weeks as it stood on the lot. Had the dealer done a final inspection of this car prior to transferring ownership to me, as they should have and stated they did, they would have found the solid ice that surrounded the spare tire and investigated the leak and repaired it BUT they would have been required to tell me of this leak I assume...if so, I would never have bought this car. They had the car in the shop now for 3 weeks as of today, April 20th, 2026, and no word on the resolution. They did give me a loaner car for use. They have to dry the car out completely and dehumidify it as well as replace the window that leaked. The risks going forward is to the internal wiring, mechanicals, etc. due to static water exposure for many weeks prior to the sale. Had the dealer done their job with prior inspection, this could have been avoided. I asked them for my money back and they refused so I am stuck with a brand-new car that was essentially flooded with rainwater because the dealer did not do a final inspection prior to my accepting ownership of it. I wrote letter to all the dealership principals involved and NONE of them answered me directly...as if I was invisible or completely silent on this issue. If given an option, I would give them this car back and get a full refund.
NHTSA complaint #11732320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake George, NY
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The windshield has an optical distortion, characterized by "waviness" and "rippling." This condition is not merely a cosmetic imperfection; it is a safety hazard that causes visual impairment, and dizziness while driving. This defect compromises my ability to perceive distances and hazards accurately, especially when looking through the passenger side while making turns or looking for hazards. Current Status of the Issue as reported online Documented reports indicate that GMC dealers are aware of these "warped windshields" and that the issue appears to be a systemic quality control failure in the 2026 model year. • Safety Risk: This distortion constitutes a safety-related defect as defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as it interferes with the driver's primary field of vision. •Failure of Prior Remedies: I am aware that many owners have undergone multiple replacements only to have the same defect reoccur, suggesting that current replacement stock may also be compromised
NHTSA complaint #11731814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14 milesScarsdale, NY
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the front driver’s side suspension while driving over bumps in the roadway, and while braking and turning the steering wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where a test drive was performed; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14.
NHTSA complaint #11731543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Runnemede, NJFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car was off and parked and randomly caught on fire. Completely totaling the car
NHTSA complaint #11726875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Blanc, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Purchased NEW 2026 GMC Terrain Elevation, and it came with NO User Manual. I was told by the dealership (Al Serra GMC in Grand Blanc Michigan that i could either purchase one for $50.00+ dollars, PLUS TAX & $25.00 SHIPPING, or d/l it via the infotainment system in the car, WHICH DID NOT WORK! Talk about [XXX] A VIETNAM VET!!! We are both [XXX] old & need a manual, so bought a reproduction of the original via eBay for $50.00. At least GM could reimburse the cost of the manual… INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11725669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.