Which years should I avoid for the GMC Terrain?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 as the years to avoid for the Terrain, with 2011 ranked worst (complaint index 100) and Engine as the top problem area.

Which years should I avoid for the Mitsubishi Outlander?

NHTSA data flags 2016, 2022, 2023, and 2024 as the years to avoid for the Outlander, with 2022 ranked worst (complaint index 100) and Structure & Body as the top problem area.

Does the Terrain or Outlander have more complaints?

The GMC Terrain has 3,079 total complaints across 16 model years (192 per model year on average), compared to 879 total complaints for the Mitsubishi Outlander across 15 model years (59 per model year). These totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

How do recalls compare between the two models?

NHTSA lists 20 recall campaigns for the Terrain and 30 for the Outlander across the years covered.

Which has better fuel economy?

The Mitsubishi Outlander averages 25 mpg combined across its years versus 24 mpg combined for the GMC Terrain, based on EPA data.

GMC Terrain vs Mitsubishi Outlander: Which Years to Avoid

GMC Terrain owners should avoid 2010-2013, with 2011 the worst (complaint index 100, mostly engine issues). Mitsubishi Outlander owners should avoid 2016, 2022-2024, with 2022 worst (complaint index 100, Structure & Body). Terrain logs 3,079 total complaints across 16 model years versus Outlander's 879 across 15 years; these totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

GMC Terrain

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 3,079
Per model year: 192
Recall campaigns: 20
Years to avoid: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Best years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 24.0
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.5 ★

Mitsubishi Outlander

Model years: 2010–2025 (15)
NHTSA complaints: 879
Per model year: 59
Recall campaigns: 30
Years to avoid: 2016, 2022, 2023, 2024
Best years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 25.0
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Terrain				Outlander
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Avoid	290	2	21.5	Best	60	10	21.5
2011	Avoid	386	4	19.5	Best	58	8	23
2012	Avoid	364	4	21.5	Best	22	6	23
2013	Avoid	364	3	21.5	Good	26	5	23
2014	Caution	296	2	21.5	Caution	45	4	26
2015	Caution	297	3	23	Best	52	5	26
2016	Good	152	2	23	Avoid	145	8	26
2017	Good	133	1	23	Good	51	6	26
2018	Caution	220	5	27	Caution	57	6	25.5
2019	Good	185	3	27	Good	29	5	25.5
2020	Caution	196	2	25	Caution	31	3	25.5
2021	Best	35	2	26.5	—	—	—	—
2022	Best	60	2	26.5	Avoid	215	7	26
2023	Best	39	2	26	Avoid	47	2	26
2024	Good	49	1	25.5	Avoid	26	1	26
2025	Best	13	0	26	Caution	15	1	26

Complaint Index by year

GMC Terrain

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mitsubishi Outlander

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which years should I avoid for the GMC Terrain?: NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 as the years to avoid for the Terrain, with 2011 ranked worst (complaint index 100) and Engine as the top problem area.
Which years should I avoid for the Mitsubishi Outlander?: NHTSA data flags 2016, 2022, 2023, and 2024 as the years to avoid for the Outlander, with 2022 ranked worst (complaint index 100) and Structure & Body as the top problem area.
Does the Terrain or Outlander have more complaints?: The GMC Terrain has 3,079 total complaints across 16 model years (192 per model year on average), compared to 879 total complaints for the Mitsubishi Outlander across 15 model years (59 per model year). These totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
How do recalls compare between the two models?: NHTSA lists 20 recall campaigns for the Terrain and 30 for the Outlander across the years covered.
Which has better fuel economy?: The Mitsubishi Outlander averages 25 mpg combined across its years versus 24 mpg combined for the GMC Terrain, based on EPA data.