Terrain (2nd)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
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 706 NHTSA complaints filed against the 2018 through 2025 Terrain, 200 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 524 of the truck's complaints, though its overall rating lands in the caution tier rather than at the bottom. The 2.0-liter turbo offered through 2020 draws fewer complaints and rates a little better, and a short-lived 1.6-liter diesel sold in 2018 and 2019 is the only engine the data rates avoid, on a small complaint base.
The severity is what stands out. Brakes at 200, engine at 199, transmission at 151, and electrical at 127 are each flagged critical, an unusually top-heavy concentration for a compact crossover. The nine-speed automatic accounts for much of the transmission volume, and owners describe the sort of shift-quality and drivability issues that wear on daily use. Fuel-system complaints add 91 more at a serious rating. Six fire reports and 34 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 11 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.
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
GMC Terrain Unidentified Engine
View 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
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the GMC Terrain regardless of engine variant.
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 rates slightly better in the data and gives up little in everyday practicality. The 2018-2019 diesel is rare and the only engine rated avoid, 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 200 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 nine-speed automatic through several shifts for harshness or hesitation. 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.
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 706 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Brakes, Engine, Transmission. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a 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 2.0L Turbo 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 sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 706 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 706 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 Brakes, Engine, 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. 706 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-07-12.