90 of the
4,355 complaints filed about the GMC Terrain
are about the body and structure —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2013.
The paint on top of these kind of vehicles is peeling off tremendously, I've seen several vehicles like the same model& make in my neighborhood that have the same issues like mine with the paint coming off from the top of the vehicle. It's so badd to where it's corroding from the paint coming off!!!
NHTSA complaint #11758788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is the second time I have noticed storm heavy rain that my car is taken on water. We had an extremely heavy rain in June and no windows was left open. I did not know water had gotten into my car for an entire month when I heard a solution sale when I came to a break, what I did realize is that there was condensation buildup is inside of my car, but it was not sure why. After searching, I was able to locate and discover thatI had at least 3 inches of water standing water in my spare tire, section of my trunk. There was also an extreme amount of water on my floors in the back row once I took out my mats, I found there to be mold back there.Still unsure of how t the water got into the car I used my shop vac to suck out the water. We just had an extreme amount of heavy rain again. We are now in August. We just had extremely heavy amounts of rain and once again there’s water in the well trunk of my car where the spare tire is. I actually made sure to sit outside in my car during this heavy rain storm to see where the water was coming from. It appears that the water is coming from the sunroof, which then leaks to the back on the right hand side where the outlet socket is. I watched it dripped down into the back of the trunk into the spare tire well. I do not understand why this issue has not triggered a a recall yet as I’m noticing this is not just with my car. This is apparently the sixth or seventh car that has experienced this issue and GMC has yet to do a recall on it. This is very alarming and concerning God forbid I’m driving to work or I have one of my children in the car during a heavy rain storm and it hits the electrical wires or electrical panel with something else bad happens.
NHTSA complaint #11758661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My cousin thought I had a trailing arm bushing was bad on the driver's side. The subframe holding the trailing arm rusted out completely. He was able to put his thumb through it with little pressure when trying to see if it can be fixed.
NHTSA complaint #11752313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the tire well was filled with water. The contact stated that the unknown box on the side was filled with water. In addition, the contact stated that the water dripped onto the ground underneath the rear tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #11737045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Took dealer 3/26 for Sam issue Engine Power reduced after already cause me hit curb. Got it out 4/1/26 Now 4/5/26 it happened again same codes after they claimed they fixed it. Also keep having Emergency services come on a caused my dashboard out. My issues is car keeps stalling losing power. Same codes as week ago after dealer fix. Also 4 time took for noises in my car from passenger side. They keep telling me they can’t replicate it, but you can clearly see where the door is not lined up. This has been going on for over 30,000 miles for that. Like some of these issues have been going on since the 36,000 but now I’m having issues where I’m losing power like this is insane all before 60,000 miles which I’m about to hit. It’s gonna end up getting me killed on the interstate. My vin also says it’s fwd it’s awd AT4 . Called dealer said only to update software clearly not the issue. My doors are off and they have refused to fix those for over 30,000 miles now. It won’t let me attach any pics for some reason I’ve tried since yesterday
NHTSA complaint #11729391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Terrain. While drying the vehicle after it was washed, the contact became aware that the middle section of the vehicle was loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the part to repair the vehicle needed to be ordered. The contact was awaiting a response from the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
NHTSA complaint #11719488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I noticed a sticker in driver door stating recall however no evidence. The vehicle will not pull hills, back up on a hill and will not accelerate over 25 miles per minute. Dangerous to drive on roads. Took vehicle to a GMC dealer for diagnostic test, received the report for what the report found. Took the report to auto shop to get repaired however the vehicle still continues with same issue. Took the vehicle to another auto shop. I was informed of some differences added issues. I had those issues fixed. The vehicle still running the exact way after all of the repairs. The top hood on the vehicle paint starts peeling after a year of owning it. I purchased the vehicle at Kia of Gardendale 2020. No one had any answer regarding the situation. Very disappointed with a GMC vehicle. I just want to know the mystery.
NHTSA complaint #11713540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Top of roof pops when you shut car door, Leaking either transmission fluid or oil, Left turn signal doesn't stay engaged when turning, Side mirror warning lights randomly go off when no car is around. Car is not shifting correctly when driving
NHTSA complaint #11709231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil; however, there were no oil leaks evident. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who informed the contact that the frame near the rear wheel on the driver's side was completely rusted. The mechanic stated that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the oil consumption failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
NHTSA complaint #11661246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The strike plate on my rear driver door fell off. The plate and bolts are in perfect condition but the backing is gone. Multiple body shops have attempted to locate the backing, which is somewhere between the interior and exterior metal body pieces, and gave been unable to. Every body shop I've taken it to also says that they have never seen anything like this happen before. They are reluctant to fix it because that would mean cutting through the body to replace the backing for the strike plate then welding, sanding, and painting in the area they cut and they worry about the integrity of the striker and functionality of it as well, as they've never had to do a repair like this before. One of the body shops was also a certified GM repair shop at the dealership from which the car was purchased and even they have said the same as the others. They also encouraged me to report this to the NHTSA and GM as well because they've never seen it happen or heard of it happening and they are concerned because it is a safety issue. I know that there is a similar recall on some newer GMC Terrains and wonder if my issue would be related to the recall or if it's is a separate issue all together. The striker was barely touched and someone exited my back seat and fell off into a parking lot, I was able to recover the striker and both bolts which are completely undamaged and unworn. This is my only vehicle so I now have to hold my door shut with bungee cords and tape in order to use my vehicle. I have a child who is still in a car seat and must remain in the back seat for safety but now my backseat is also not very safe because of the door. A few days prior to the striker falling off my door would not close fully flush with the rest of the vehicle but still closed, locked, and remained closed with no other issues.
NHTSA complaint #11632952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that rain water had leaked from the sunroof drainage into the vehicle causing the floor carpets to become saturated with water and mold had developed inside the vehicle. The contact also discovered a pool of water inside the spare tire well. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the sunroof motor and sunroof liner, unclogged the sunroof drainage assembly and replaced the carpets. The contact indicated that later the failure had reoccurred although the sunroof drainage assembly was consistently unclogged each time the vehicle was in for service. The contact had also experienced respiratory illness due to the mold present inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 12,300.
NHTSA complaint #11631628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While I was driving on a highway, my sunroof suddenly imploded, causing shattered glass to fall all over myself and my car. The outside temperature was 50° and my car’s internal temperature was set to 68°. I reported this to the GM dealership and they told me to just report it to insurance. I am making a claim with insurance now. There were no warning or signs of this happening, just a sudden extremely loud noise and glass falling. No inspections have been done.
NHTSA complaint #11627379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear side windows in hatch area leaked filled up spare tire compartment with about 3-4 gallons of water. Now navigation doesn't want to work, sunroof not working, electric systems are not working right
NHTSA complaint #11573881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Diagnosis - rear floor boards and trunk well full of water. Diagnose and report - Founds traces of water running down rear pillars, starting just under the taillights. Remove rear taillights and found access hole tape failed, allowing water to enter vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11570646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The latch for the rear hatch/door does not release every time. There have been instances when itmes have been in the cargo area and when the button is pressed, it will not release the latch. This causes someone to have to crawl over the back seat to retrieve the items from the cargo area. This also is causing my son to have to store items, that would normally be in the crgo area, on his back seat. I owned a 2015 terrain and had this same issue. The latch was replaced but still did not operate correctly.
NHTSA complaint #11562235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed there was extreme rust to the subframe and that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,388.
NHTSA complaint #11546611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.