The GMC Terrain is a compact crossover SUV with two rows of seats, introduced for the 2010 model year. It is closely related to the Chevrolet Equinox and shares its platform and engines, with different styling and interior design. The Terrain is offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. We put all 15 GMC Terrain model years from 2010 to 2024 side by side, using the same rule for every year.
GMC Terrain by model year
Complaints per 100,000 sold. Red: more than twice the model average. Green: the fewest, among years at least three years old.
| Year | Per 100k sold | Complaints | Recalls | Top system | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 479 | 290 | 3 | Engine | Most complaints |
| 2011 | 464 | 386 | 4 | Engine | |
| 2012 | 372 | 364 | 4 | Engine | |
| 2013 | 367 | 365 | 3 | Engine | |
| 2014 | 283 | 297 | 2 | Engine | |
| 2015 | 267 | 299 | 3 | Visibility, lights and locks | |
| 2016 | 174 | 153 | 2 | Visibility, lights and locks | |
| 2017 | 158 | 135 | 1 | Engine | |
| 2018 | 198 | 226 | 5 | Brakes | |
| 2019 | 184 | 187 | 3 | Brakes | |
| 2020 | 230 | 198 | 2 | Brakes | |
| 2021 | 76 | 36 | 2 | Engine | Fewest |
| 2022 | 69 | 60 | 2 | Fuel system | Fewest |
| 2023 | 57 | 41 | 2 | Fuel system | Fewest |
| 2024 | 66 | 54 | 1 | Transmission |
Why these years stand out
2010: most complaints. The 2010 GMC Terrain scored 479 complaints per 100,000 sold, 2 times the model average. Of its 290 complaints, 168 involve the engine or transmission, and the parts named most often are engine (107), electrical system (47) and power train (47). NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year and 3 defect investigations.
2021, 2022 and 2023: fewest complaints. The 2021 drew 36 complaints, or 76 per 100,000 sold; The 2022 drew 60 complaints, or 69 per 100,000 sold; The 2023 drew 41 complaints, or 57 per 100,000 sold. These years have been on the road at least three years, which gives owners time to report problems, so a low count means something.
What GMC Terrain owners report most
Engine complaints lead for the GMC Terrain, at 41% of all complaints for 2010-2024. Engine and transmission reports together make up 56%. One complaint can name more than one system, so the bars can add up to more than the total.
When problems are reported: mileage
1,712 GMC Terrain complaints list the odometer reading at the time of the problem. 33% were reported before 50,000 miles and 25% after 100,000. The reports are spread across the mileage range rather than bunched at one point.
GMC Terrain compared with other compact suvs
In 9 of 15 model years the GMC Terrain drew fewer complaints per 100,000 sold than the average compact suv we track for the same year. For 2024, the GMC Terrain scored 66 against a class average of 65. The class average only uses models with clean, published sales figures.
GMC Terrain generations
- 2010-2017First generation
2.4L four; 3.0L V6 (2010-2012); 3.6L V6 (2013-2017) · 6-speed automatic
The boxy styling set it apart from its Chevrolet Equinox twin, and the V6 grew to 3.6L for 2013.
- 2018-2024Second generation
1.5L turbo four; 2.0L turbo four (2018-2020); 1.6L turbo diesel four (2018-2019) · 9-speed automatic (gasoline); 6-speed automatic (diesel)
This lighter generation dropped the V6 and used a push-button gear selector.
The first generation received a mid-cycle refresh for 2016. The 2022 refresh updated the styling and left the 1.5L turbo as the only engine. A third-generation Terrain arrived for the 2025 model year.
GMC Terrain fuel economy
The 2026 GMC Terrain is rated at 25 to 27 MPG combined by the EPA, depending on the version. Every year and engine will be on its own MPG page.
Crash test stars
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave the GMC Terrain these overall ratings (out of 5) for the model years it tested: 2011: 4, 2012: 4, 2013: 4, 2014: 4, 2015: 4, 2016: 4, 2017: 4, 2018: 4-5, 2019: 5, 2020: 5, 2021: 5, 2022: 5, 2023: 5, 2024: 5. Ratings can differ between body styles and drive types of the same year.
Questions
What is the best year for the GMC Terrain?
By complaints filed with NHTSA per 100,000 sold, 2021, 2022 and 2023 had the fewest among model years at least three years old. 2021 scored 76, against a model average of 234.
What years of the GMC Terrain have the most complaints?
2010. The 2010 scored 479 per 100,000 sold, with 168 engine or transmission complaints. A complaint is a report from an owner and does not prove a defect.
At what mileage do GMC Terrain owners report problems?
Across 1,712 complaints that list the odometer reading, 33% were filed before 50,000 miles and 25% after 100,000 miles. These are miles at the time of the reported problem, not how long the vehicle lasts.
How many recalls does the GMC Terrain have?
NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns across model years 2010-2024 (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year). Check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaint counts are reports filed by owners with NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify them, and a complaint does not prove a defect. Scores are our calculation, explained on the Method page. Not affiliated with any automaker.
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaints, recalls, investigations), data through October 2026; U.S. sales from manufacturer reports, compiled by motorwick; fuel economy: U.S. EPA estimates; crash tests: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.