This page covers 3 recalls, 293 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 GMC Terrain.
19–26 mpg combined
9–12.4 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2015 GMC Terrain centers on visibility and wiper issues, which account by far for the largest share of owner reports. Owners most commonly describe the windshield developing stress cracks or spontaneous cracking without impact, often originating near the edges or defrost lines. The engine is the second most-reported system, with owners describing excessive oil consumption, engine rattling, and in several cases stalling or engine seizure linked to oil loss, some note there was no warning light before the engine was affected. A recurring detail is that oil burns off between changes without triggering a low-oil alert. Powertrain complaints, reported less frequently, involve transmission hesitation and rough shifting. A separate cluster of reports describes the backup camera going dark when the radio or infotainment system loses power intermittently, leaving drivers without rearview visibility while reversing.
293
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 GMC Terrain has 3 recalls, the most serious involving front seat-mounted side airbags whose inflators can rupture during deployment, potentially sending metal fragments into the cabin while the airbag itself fails to inflate properly.
On the visibility side, two separate issues affect the Terrain. The windshield wiper module contains ball joints that can corrode and seize, causing one or both wipers to stop working entirely and leaving the windshield uncleared in rain or snow. There is also a headlight housing concern where reflections off the housing direct an excessively bright beam above the roadway and outside the driver's line of sight, creating glare for oncoming drivers and reducing their ability to see the road ahead.
At a glance
What can fail
Ball joints in the windshield wiper module can corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the wiper module and repair or replace it at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The headlight housings reflect light upward and outward, creating excessively bright illumination above the vehicle and outside the driver's view, violating federal lamp safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will install headlamp appliques at no charge to correct the light reflection and comply with safety standards.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat side impact air bag inflator may rupture when the air bag deploys, potentially causing the inflator to fail or fragment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
