2016
New 2022
Used 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

GMC Terrain

Unlock Ratings
While the GMC Terrain and its twin the Chevrolet Equinox are not bad vehicles, the competition has left them in the dust. They split the difference between small SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4 and midsized models like the Ford Explorer. While they're nice and roomy inside, the Equinox and Terrain are less efficient than other five-passenger SUVs and burn as much gas as larger, seven-passenger models.
Alerts
There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
2016
New 2022
Used 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

GMC Terrain

Reliability
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Owner Satisfaction
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Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap Good
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver Good
IIHS Side Crash Good
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit.
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.
Fuel Economy & Emissions
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Greenhouse Gas Greenhouse Gas The Greenhouse Gas Rating represents the amount of carbon dioxide the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).
Smog Rating Smog Rating The Smog Rating represents the amount of health-damaging and smog-forming airborne pollutants the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
Transmission Minor Transmission Minor Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.
Drive System Drive System Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
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Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS and ESC standard. Side and head protection air bags standard. FCW and AEB standard from 2020.
Road Test

While the GMC Terrain and its twin the Chevrolet Equinox are not bad vehicles, the competition has left them in the dust. They split the difference between small SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4 and midsized models like the Ford Explorer. While they're nice and roomy inside, the Equinox and Terrain are less efficient than other five-passenger SUVs and burn as much gas as larger, seven-passenger models.

The 3.6-liter engine, shared with many other General Motors products, supplies quick acceleration times at the test track, but manages to still feel sluggish in routine driving, with its unrefined and slow-shifting six-speed automatic transmission doing no favors. With 18 mpg overall, fuel economy from the V6 falls short of much more capable and roomy SUVs, like the Toyota Highlander and Hyundai Santa Fe. Four-cylinder models have an overworked 2.4-liter engine, which returns 21 mpg. Again, that falls far short of rivals like the Toyota RAV4 or Subaru Forester, which approach 26 mpg overall. Handling and ride are decent but ordinary.

Seating
2 front, 3 rear
Drive Wheels
AWD, Front
Warranty
Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
4-door SUV
Transmissions Available
  • 6-speed Automatic
Engines Available
  • 2.4-liter 4 (182 hp)
  • 3.6-liter V6 (301 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2016 GMC Terrain owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Backup or other camera/sensors

"system did not operate when backing up"

G C., FL (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"The whole center console has intermittent failures & affects everything or parts of the console. Electrical issues in general happen. Restarting the car works most of the time"

Kim M., MN (2016 GMC Terrain Denali 3.6-L V6)

"There have been times when the vehicle blind spot monitor stays on for miles without any vehicle in the blind spot. The dealership has looked at the issue 2x times now without any luck in repairing it"

Scott B., GA (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Display screen freezes up

"The display screen went dark with a faint image of what was last seen. This problem was resolved when the dash unit was replaced under warranty."

Steve S., CA (2016 GMC Terrain Denali 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Display screen goes blank

"Multiple times the screen has gone blank and stops working for no reason. It usually resets when you turn off the vehicle and turn it back on, but one time it did not reset until about 4 power cycles"

Scott B., GA (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"VOICE RECOGNITION DOES NOT WORK"

Anonymous, TX (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"I had to delete my device and start over with pairing. In addition, the phone or the Infotainment system kept transferring active calls."

M R., MI (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"it pairs you with the wrong people a lot."

Anonymous, TX (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)

"some times the back up camera docent come on"

Joseph S., CA (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)

"Bad connection"

Juan M., TX (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)
Radio

"Radio would stop working. 10 to 15 minutes later it would resume working. The radio would work for minutes or a day you never knew when it would stop again. The entire dash unit was replaced under warranty and seems to have fixed the problem."

Steve S., CA (2016 GMC Terrain Denali 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"There is NO cd player, nor a REGULAR self controlled radio available in my new 2016 Terrain."

Anonymous, VA (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Voice control commands

"it just does not understand english sometimes and sends you to other countries and states."

Anonymous, TX (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)
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Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

What Owners Say

Parking brake

"The cable was making a creaking noise and it had to be replaced."

Jennifer L., ON (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Premature brake wear

"Had to repair the brake pads at 40,000 km which we found a bit unusual"

Anonymous, BC (2016 GMC Terrain Denali 3.6-L V6)

"Brake life on this Terrain was only 50% of what my 2011 Terrain had with same driver and conditions"

Anonymous, ON (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"brake replacement needed at 25,,000 on a new vehicle - seems like brakes should last longer than that"

Anonymous, VT (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

"Had to replace both rear brake rotors and pads. This seems premature as our 2011 terrain the OEM brakes lasted 104,000kms. Front brakes showed normal wear."

John A., ON (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Pulsation or vibration

"The brakes started pulsing at around 6000 miles"

Anonymous, NY (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)
Rotors

"Vibration from rotors, were replaced on warranty"

Anonymous, AZ (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)
Squeaking

"When wet the brakes squeak and lock-up."

Robert J., WI (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
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Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

What Owners Say

4WD/AWD components

"the truck suddenly refused to move, the trans locked up and had to be repaired completely. and in a bad area to be in with dark streets and on a turn, no less"

Anonymous, WI (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)

"A gasket in the driveshaft was pinched at the factory and was leaking oil the repair was covered on the warranty"

Ed L., NJ (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Differential

"Then after the transmission was fixed, the differential when out, another time, not as dangerous as before in traffic"

Anonymous, WI (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)
Electrical failure

"The whole center stack console does not light up, buttons for heat and such do not work. Nothing works or part of the stack work. The issue is intermittent, so it keeps me from reporting this to the dealer"

Kim M., MN (2016 GMC Terrain Denali 3.6-L V6)
Stability control (ESC)

"The light came on it it will cost $150 just for the dealership to tell me what is wrong and how much it will cost. My car is operating so I am waiting to save up for the repair first."

Anonymous, CA (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Traction control

"The worst front wheel drive in the snow I have had..."

Anonymous, OH (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
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Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

What Owners Say

A/C compressor

"This was in conjunction with my "no cold air" problem, which was repaired in conjunction with the original problem."

Anonymous, (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)

"The a/c was erratic at best and never cooled the cabin properly. The compressor was found to be defective on the second service call and it's been fine since then"

Edward H., PA (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Automatic climate control

"It happened at about 10,000 km. The air conditioner did not blow cold air. It was repaired and covered under warranty."

Anonymous, (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)

"60 degrees outside and the heater comes on automatically when all indicators are off"

Anonymous, FL (2016 GMC Terrain Denali 3.6-L V6)
Heater system

"It didn't seem to be heating/defrosting as quickly as I thought it should be so the mechanic just replaced it."

Jennifer L., ON (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Refrigerant leaks

"My second Terrian, and second one that has had A/C fail before 80,000 miles"

Anonymous, IL (2016 GMC Terrain Denali Unsure)
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Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Air or water leaks

"Radiator also went bad and needed to be replaced at 59000 miles"

Anonymous, NJ (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)
Seals and/or weather-stripping

"GM forgot the clips to keep the window from rattling, poor quality controls, dealer fixed these on the driver's side, but now the passenger side is getting close to fixing"

Anonymous, WI (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)
Wind noise

"At the first ever check-up of my 2016 Terrain , I complained to chief mechanic about noise from the telephone connection in the dashboard.I was told they did not find anything wrong.This is the answer I frequently get with this dealer. There is no CD player in this model, to my dismay!"

Anonymous, VA (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.

What Owners Say

Transmission rebuild or replacement

"Total failure at 59168 plus minus, Went through 2 identical transmissions on 2008 enclave.. Seems to be ongoing problem that these transmissions probably unable to preform in heavier suvs"

Anonymous, NJ (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)

"It locked up and couldn't move, in a dangerous position in the middle of the road, under warranty, but a pain, GM Care was called and the dealership was close by"

Anonymous, WI (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)

"Transmission failed at 1700 miles. Fixed under warranty"

Ronald H., AZ (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

What Owners Say

Gauges

"The main display on the infotainment center went black. Luckily everything continued to work but it was a lot harder to know what was going on. They diagnosed the issue as the main screen was bad. It was replaced and it has been working since the replacement"

Edward H., PA (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Interior lights

"The dash lights go out when entering a tunnel. Sometimes the lights are to dim to see the speedometer, etc. We ad a similar problem with a 2012 Terrain (but it was worse)"

Anonymous, OK (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Warning lights

"Check engine light went on & off with no reason. It could only be tested while it was on,which took several attempts. The correct part was finely replaced & it has worked since then: About one year ago."

Anonymous, PA (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 3.6-L V6)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

What Owners Say

Exhaust leaks

"Muffler / exhaust began making noise. Whole unit needed to be replaced"

Anonymous, OH (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 3.6-L V6)

"during installation, an O ring got rolled. It kept triggering the exhaust sensor"

Michelle M., AR (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)
Muffler

"I heard this vibration like the muffler is needed to tightened to the undercarriage but instead I have to replace the whole muffler. The part alone cost $1200+. I asked if it was gold plated."

Anonymous, FL (2016 GMC Terrain Denali Unsure)

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Steering wheel vibration

"Known problem with 3.6 V6. GMC had a repair that MIGHT NOT fix the problem, which was the case with my vehicle. GMC said I would have to live with the problem because they 'were looking' for a fix but did not expect to find it. V6 engine was discontinued the next year."

Anonymous, IL (2016 GMC Terrain SLT 3.6-L V6)

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Rust

"Rust started to appear on the back hatch through the paint in three places. Dealer says it is a warranty issue to be repaired when we can get to the dealership following the virus shutdown"

Anonymous, ON (2016 GMC Terrain SLE 2.4-L 4 Cyl)

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

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