This page covers 2 recalls, 148 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 GMC Terrain.
18–26 mpg combined
9–13.1 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 2016 GMC Terrain draws the most complaints around two systems: visibility and the engine. The dominant theme is windshield wiper failure, owners consistently report that the wiper mechanism stops functioning mid-drive, often during heavy rain. The wipers themselves move freely by hand and the motor appears to engage, but the arms simply stop sweeping. This comes up repeatedly across different driving conditions and locations. Engine complaints are the second major cluster, with owners describing sudden stalls or complete engine failure, frequently without any warning lights beforehand. Several reports mention oil consumption as a backdrop, owners note they monitored oil levels regularly but still experienced significant engine damage, including timing-related failures. A recurring pattern involves the engine cutting out while the vehicle is in motion or coming to a stop, sometimes at highway speeds. Exterior lighting draws a smaller but notable share of complaints, though the wiper and engine issues account for the clear majority of what owners report.
148
Total Complaints
9
Crash-Related
8
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 GMC Terrain has 2 recalls, the more serious being a headlight housing defect that scatters excessively bright light above the vehicle, creating glare for oncoming drivers and raising the risk of a crash.
The second recall involves the certification label, which on certain vehicles lists incorrect tire and rim size specifications along with wrong cold tire pressure values. A driver relying on that label could install the wrong tires or rims, or inflate them to the wrong pressure, either of which can affect vehicle handling.
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.
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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 certification label on the driver's door may show incorrect tire size, rim size, or tire pressure information, causing the vehicle to not meet federal safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the certification label at no charge to ensure correct tire and pressure information.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
