Terrain (2nd)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
LTG - Spark Ignited Direct Injection, ALUM DOHC, VVT, DCVCP TURBO, E0-E100, ALUM
2.0L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LYX - Direct Injection, VVT, FGT, TURBO, ALUM, GEN 1
1.5L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
LH7 - UREA, CRI, VGT, ALUM
1.6L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
1 additional engine variant with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the GMC Terrain regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (11)
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 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.
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 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 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 2018-2019 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 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.
All Generations
Alternatives in Compact SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2018-2025 GMC Terrain problems?
The 2018-2025 GMC Terrain has accumulated 707 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Brakes, Transmission. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.
Which GMC Terrain engine is most reliable?
The 2018-2025 GMC Terrain was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 1.5L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain a good used car?
The 2018-2025 GMC Terrain can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 707 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain have?
The 2018-2025 GMC Terrain has 707 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain?
There are 11 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2018-2025 GMC Terrain vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used GMC Terrain?
Before buying a used GMC Terrain, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Brakes, Transmission, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or 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. 707 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.