Terrain (2nd)
Verdict Consider the 2018 to 2020 2.0L turbo, which has fewer complaints on file than the common 1.5L, and approach the rare 2018 to 2019 diesel only with its service history. With any engine, check the brakes hard, since condition outweighs model year.
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
LYX - Direct Injection, VVT, FGT, TURBO, ALUM, GEN 1
1.5L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
LTG - Spark Ignited Direct Injection, ALUM DOHC, VVT, DCVCP TURBO, E0-E100, ALUM
2.0L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
LSD
1.5L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
LH7 - UREA, CRI, VGT, ALUM
1.6L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
GMC Terrain Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Reliability Overview
GMC's second-generation Terrain, the upmarket twin of the Chevrolet Equinox, has been on sale since 2018, and its complaint record breaks a common pattern: brakes lead it. Of the 833 NHTSA complaints filed against the 2018 through 2025 Terrain, 241 concern the brakes and carry a critical severity rating, the single largest and most serious group in the file. Engine, transmission, and electrical complaints follow close behind, every one of them also flagged critical, which makes the Terrain's file heavier on high-severity issues than its recall count would suggest.
Nearly all of that volume rides on one engine. The 1.5-liter turbo four, the base and by far the most common choice, accounts for 629 of the truck's complaints across its two versions (524 for the 2018-2022 LYX, 105 for the 2023-2025 LSD). The 2.0-liter turbo offered through 2020 draws fewer complaints, and a short-lived 1.6-liter diesel sold in 2018 and 2019 has a small complaint base.
The severity is what stands out. Brakes at 241, engine at 238, transmission at 173, and electrical at 143 are each flagged critical, an unusually top-heavy concentration for a compact crossover. Owners describe the sort of shift-quality and drivability issues that wear on daily use. Fuel-system complaints add 134 more at a critical rating. Eight fire reports and 37 injuries appear in the record, with no deaths logged, so the brake and powertrain concentration is not purely a matter of inconvenience.
The Terrain's 12 recalls are modest next to the complaint volume. They cover air bags, service brakes, fuel system, two powertrain campaigns, seats, a child-seat anchor, tires, and structure, most of them shared with the Equinox. It is a shorter list than the complaint file might suggest, which points a used buyer's attention toward wear items and service history rather than open campaigns alone.
The Terrain is a comfortable, well-equipped compact that sells on value and interior space, and nothing in the data undoes that appeal. It does tell a shopper where to look hardest, which is the brakes and the 1.5-liter engine. A well-maintained example with documented brake service and a clean powertrain history is a reasonable used compact, but the critical-rated brake and engine complaints make a thorough inspection more important here than the recall count alone would imply.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the GMC Terrain, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
Buyer's Guide
Most used Terrains carry the 1.5-liter turbo, so the engine choice is less about avoiding a bad option than knowing what to inspect. The 2.0-liter turbo sold through 2020 has fewer complaints on file and gives up little in everyday practicality. The 2018-2019 diesel is rare, so approach one only with its service history in hand. Across the lineup, maintenance condition matters more than the model year on the title.
Put the brakes first. With 241 critical-rated brake complaints, a test drive should include hard stops from speed, close attention to pedal feel and any pulsing or noise, and a look at pad and rotor wear. Feel the transmission through several shifts for harshness or hesitation; 2018-2024 gas Terrains use a nine-speed automatic, the 2018-2019 diesel a six-speed, and 2025 models a CVT (front drive) or eight-speed automatic (all-wheel drive). On the 1.5-liter engine, check for oil consumption and ask for oil-change records, and exercise the electrical system fully given its critical complaint rating.
The recall list is short, but run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup and confirm the air-bag and brake campaigns show complete. The bigger story on this model is wear and drivability rather than open recalls, so a documented maintenance history carries more weight than usual. A clean example with healthy brakes and a well-kept 1.5-liter engine is a sensible buy; one with brake or transmission trouble in its past deserves a mechanic's inspection before you commit.
What to check on a used 2018-2025 GMC Terrain
On a used 2018-2025 GMC Terrain, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the brakes (241), the engine (238) and the transmission and drivetrain (173). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 241 owner complaints on the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain about the brakes.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 238 owner complaints on the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain about the engine, all engines combined.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 173 owner complaints on the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 143 owner complaints on the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain about the electrical system.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 134 owner complaints on the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain about the fuel system, all engines combined.
Recalls (12)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The door strikers may fracture, resulting in the door opening unexpectedly.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The fuel pump module may not consistently provide sufficient fuel to the engine, resulting in an engine stall.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with ventilated front passenger seats. The Occupant Classification System may not properly disable the front passenger air bag when there is a small child or child restraint detected in the seat.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The driver's seat may have a stripped or loose bolt at the seat frame height-adjust pivot.
Show 7 older recalls
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with certain Hankook tires. The tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Terrain vehicles. The sensing diagnostic module (SDM) that senses a crash and deploys the necessary air bags may not power down correctly when the vehicle is shut off, causing it to be inoperative when the vehicle is restarted.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2018-2025 GMC Terrain complaints?
Owners have filed 833 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain. The systems they name most often are the brakes, the engine and the transmission.
Is the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 833 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain have?
NHTSA has 833 owner complaints on file for the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA lists 12 recalls covering some 2018-2025 GMC Terrain vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used GMC Terrain?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the brakes, the engine and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Terrain?
The 2025 GMC Terrain received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (17.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 833 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.