Gmc Terrain Reliability
4,166 NHTSA complaints (2010–2026). Complaint rate: 45.0 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2011–2013 Gmc Terrain (68 crash-related complaints). The 2021–2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ENGINE.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
Too New
Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Gmc Terrain Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1,162 | 0.7% |
| POWER TRAIN | 430 | 0.9% |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 422 | 0.2% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 321 | 1.9% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 280 | 3.6% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 229 | 7.9% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 197 | 1.5% |
| AIR BAGS | 158 | 48.1% |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 97 | 2.1% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 96 | 2.1% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | — | 425 | 17 | — | View 2010View→ |
| 2011AVOID | — | 556 | 20 | 11 | View 2011View→ |
| 2012AVOID | — | 498 | 30 | 12 | View 2012View→ |
| 2013AVOID | — | 483 | 18 | 2 | View 2013View→ |
| 2014 | — | 385 | 7 | 3 | View 2014View→ |
| 2015 | — | 377 | 12 | 1 | View 2015View→ |
| 2016GOOD | — | 174 | 12 | — | View 2016View→ |
| 2017GOOD | — | 179 | 20 | 5 | View 2017View→ |
| 2018 | — | 312 | 22 | 2 | View 2018View→ |
| 2019 | — | 276 | 7 | 3 | View 2019View→ |
| 2020 | — | 259 | 9 | 1 | View 2020View→ |
| 2021GOOD | — | 49 | 6 | — | View 2021View→ |
| 2022GOOD | — | 54 | 0 | — | View 2022View→ |
| 2023GOOD | — | 48 | 4 | 2 | View 2023View→ |
| 2024TOO NEW | — | 56 | 0 | — | View 2024View→ |
| 2025TOO NEW | — | 19 | 2 | — | View 2025View→ |
| 2026TOO NEW | — | 16 | 0 | 1 | View 2026View→ |
See also: Gmc Terrainaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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