Model year record

2015 GMC Terrain recalls & problems

The 2015 GMC Terrain has 3 safety recalls and 299 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility/wiper (101 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints299filed by owners

Crashes · fires9 · 1reported in complaints

NHTSA overall4 ★crash-test stars

Safety recalls

VisibilityMar 17, 2022

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 22V165000681,509 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212352530.

Exterior lightingMar 8, 2022

Headlights

Recall 22V137000740,581 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Air bagsOct 16, 2015

Side/window

Recall 15V666000395 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2015 GMC Terrain SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	17.4%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2015 GMC Terrain SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	19.1%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Terrain FWD FFV

26mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Terrain FWD

26mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Terrain AWD

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Terrain FWD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Terrain AWD

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Visibility/wiper	101	0	0	0	70,000 mi
Engine	81	1	1	0	83,000 mi
Electrical system	31	1	0	0	47,000 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights	24	0	0	0	48,474 mi
Power train	21	0	0	0	31,430 mi
Unknown or other	21	2	0	1	49,301 mi
VisibilityWindshield; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor	20	0	0	0	87,500 mi
Air bags	17	6	0	4	55,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	16	0	0	0	56,700 mi
StructureBody; Body › Hatchback/liftgate	14	2	0	3	49,000 mi
Service brakes	8	0	0	0	43,200 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	8	0	0	0	48,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
The transmission was jerking and when the heat is running it smells like itâs bout to catch fire
Oct 2, 2026
Structure › Body
Tailgate lifts by itself
Oct 6, 2026
Engine
I am submitting this complaint regarding the engine timing chain failure in my 2015 GMC Terrain because I believe it presents a serious safety hazard. Before the failure, the vehicle began experiencing intermittent symptoms, including engine jerking, shaking, rough operation, abnormal engine noises, and an intermittent check engine light. While driving on the highway, the engine timing chain failed, causing the vehicle to suddenly lose power. I was traveling at highway speed and had to safely maneuver the vehicle out of traffic. The unexpected loss of power placed me and other motorists at risk of a collision because I could no longer safely maintain the flow of traffic. The vehicle was…
May 18, 2026
Service brakes, hydraulic
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the brake, ABS, and stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with an Electronic Brake Control Module failure. The dealer stated that the manufacturer no longer manufactured parts to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 167,446.
Jul 10, 2026 · 167,446 miles
Air bagsCrash
I hit a deer and it totaled my vehicle and the Airbags did not deploy
May 22, 2026
Engine and engine cooling
See attached document for complaint.
Jan 6, 2026
Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started the following day, the rattling sound from the engine compartment returned. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several occasions, and it was diagnosed and determined that the engine was low on oil and was consuming 2 quarts of engine oil every 2-3 weeks. The contact stated that the oil level was topped off. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Dec 20, 2025 · 94,000 miles
Engine
Oil consumption, causing high pressure furl pump to clog. It also causes catalytic converter to clog. No warning of oil loss. Causing stalling out while driving. Caused the engine to seize. New engine replaced and still same problem s
Mar 27, 2026

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Front Wiper Transmission InoperativeClosedLed to recall 22V165000
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function.…
EA19005 · opened Dec 13, 2019 · closed Nov 28, 2022
Windshield Wiper Transmission FailureClosed
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During…
RQ18002 · opened Nov 2, 2018 · closed Dec 19, 2019