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 the front seat-mounted side airbag inflators, which can rupture during deployment and send fragments into the cabin while also failing to properly cushion occupants in a crash.
The other two recalls affect visibility. The headlight housings on certain vehicles reflect light upward and outside the driver's field of view, creating glare for oncoming drivers. On the wiper side, ball joints inside the wiper module can corrode and cause one or both wipers to stop working, leaving the driver with reduced visibility in rain or snow.
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.
