2016 Gmc Terrain problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (46) · Engine (36) · Power Train (10)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Terrain model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
63 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2022-03-08 · campaign 22V137000 · 740,581 vehicles
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
Equipment:other:labels 2016-06-21 · campaign 16V449000 · 17 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles manufactured October 16, 2015. The certification labels may have incorrect tire/rim size and cold tire pressure information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk: If the information on the certification labels is incorrect, the operator may install incorrectly sized tires or rims or may improperly inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1050, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 46600.
Service bulletins (1,231)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-19 · PIP6113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code p0191 and may also set p0172. the diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. if it is not an origi
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,231 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-19 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“on 10/1/26 i was in an accident where the entire front of the car was pushed in. the air bags did not employ, which resulted in me hitting my ribs on the steering wheel…”
2026-08-14 · Engine“the timing chain snapped and caused the engine to seize on our 2016 gmc terrain 2.4l slc-1 suv/truck. since this has occurred multiple times on the 2.4l engines in this model from 2012 - 2016, we believe that there should be a recall as this issue could cause a major accident if the timing chain snaps or breaks while traveling. it had 101000 miles…”
2026-08-09 · Unknown Or Other“for an undetermined amount of time- many months for certain, i have been unable to get the key removed from the ignition when the car is shut off and placed in the locked position. i am forced to start and shut off the car for multiple times before i am finally able to remove the key. there is no rhyme no reason as to why the key finally decides to…”
2026-07-23 · Structure:body“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.…”
2026-06-05 · Power Train“my 2016 gmc terrain 2.4l ecotec first stalled while idling at a red light in raleigh, nc. i restarted it and it sounded different, so i drove it home. the next morning it would not start. the failure occurred at approximately 69,939 miles with no meaningful warning. the dealer’s diagnostic report states there were no current relevant codes and no …”
2026-05-17 · Visibility/Wiper“windshield wiper mechanism broke while driving in heavy heavy rain near [xxx] . extremely dangerous situation and almost resulted in a crash but i was able to make my way off of the interstate safely. huge inconvenience because we had to wait out the rain! information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)…”
2026-04-29 · Visibility/Wiper“during heavy rainfall in the mountains at dawn, my windshield wipers suddenly have stopped working. we can manually move the wipers with ease and can hear the motor engaging but both front wipers suddenly stopped. we were 1200 miles from home on what was supposed to be a vacation. carvana reports 2 recalls for my reports but the dealerships have no…”
2026-04-22 · Engine“my vehicle started turning off suddenly when stopped and then when starting to move. i replaced my rear seal. a week later, i have oil in my timing and my engine no longer works. i have had it checked by a shop. no warning was given. i have my oil checked regularly and changed on time. i had a car full of people, adults and children, in rush hour t…”
2026-04-18 · Engine“i check my oil every time i get gas as to ensure that i don't go below the threshold for the oil, as i know these engines have an oil consumption issue. my terrain started having a loud grinding sound after losing power on the highway and i was able to pull off before the car died completely over 60 miles from home. i have since changed the upstrea…”
2026-02-17 · Engine“carr paused, and then stopped in the middle of the highway, without any warning lights or identifiers. other vehicles had to come to abrupt stops or even veer to avoid hitting me the manufacturer is aware, and has had a large lawsuit settlement due to a faulty rear seal causes massive internal oil consumption without any warning to the operator of …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.