GMC Terrain Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
GMC Terrain years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2020, with complaint indexes of 100, 93, 87, and 80. Best years are 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025, all with low complaint indexes (13, 7, 20, and 0). Engine complaints dominate the worst years, while brakes drove issues in 2020.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Avoid 2020Best 2021Best 2022Best 2023Best 2025
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,079
- Recall campaigns
- 21
- Crashes reported
- 125
- Fires reported
- 28
- Top problem area
- Engine
Terrain Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
GMC Terrain problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Caution | 73 | 290 | 10 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 21.5 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 100 | 386 | 11 | 8 | 4 | Engine | 19.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 93 | 364 | 17 | 5 | 4 | Engine | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 87 | 364 | 14 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Good | 47 | 296 | 7 | 2 | 2 | Engine | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 60 | 297 | 9 | 1 | 3 | Visibility & Wipers | 23 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Good | 40 | 152 | 9 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 23 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Good | 33 | 133 | 11 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 23 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 53 | 220 | 14 | 1 | 5 | Brakes | 27 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 67 | 185 | 7 | 3 | 3 | Brakes | 27 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 80 | 196 | 7 | 2 | 2 | Brakes | 25 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 13 | 35 | 4 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 26.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 7 | 60 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Fuel System | 26.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 20 | 39 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Fuel System | 26 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Good | 27 | 49 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 0 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 26 | — |
Terrain years to avoid: what went wrong
2011 GMC Terrain Index 100 · 386 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2011 Terrain has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and ranks worst overall. Engine complaints made up 54% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 85,000. Owners also reported transmission and powertrain issues (20% of complaints, median 74,500 miles), fuel system problems (12%), and electrical system faults (9%). NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for this year, covering electrical system and structure and body components, including a headlight housing recall and a power height adjuster bolt recall shared with related GM models.
2011 engine problems →2011 transmission & powertrain problems →2011 fuel system problems →
2012 GMC Terrain Index 93 · 364 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2012 Terrain carries a complaint index of 93, the second-highest of any year. Engine problems accounted for 49% of complaints at a median mileage of 85,000. Visibility and wiper issues followed at 22% (median 90,612 miles), with electrical system faults at 11% and transmission and powertrain issues at 10%. Four recall campaigns apply to this year, including the same headlight housing and height adjuster bolt recalls seen on the 2011, plus an ignition key/park lock lever recall shared with other GM models.
2012 engine problems →2012 visibility & wipers problems →2012 electrical system problems →
2013 GMC Terrain Index 87 · 364 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2013 Terrain has a complaint index of 87. Engine issues were the largest share at 57% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 91,000. Visibility and wiper problems made up 15% (median 60,000 miles), transmission and powertrain issues 12%, and electrical system faults 9%. Three recall campaigns cover this year, including a windshield wiper module ball joint corrosion recall specific to 2013 Equinox and Terrain vehicles, plus the shared headlight and ignition lock recalls.
2013 engine problems →2013 visibility & wipers problems →2013 transmission & powertrain problems →
2020 GMC Terrain Index 80 · 196 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2020 Terrain has a complaint index of 80. Brakes were the top problem area at 37% of complaints, median failure mileage 71,000, followed by engine issues at 34% (median 49,276 miles), fuel system problems at 16%, and electrical system faults at 14%. Two recall campaigns apply, including a transmission start-stop accumulator bolt recall shared across several GM models and a child seat LATCH anchorage recall covering 2020-2023 Equinox and Terrain vehicles.
2020 brakes problems →2020 engine problems →2020 fuel system problems →
Most common GMC Terrain problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine1,315 (43%)
- Visibility & Wipers490 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain464 (15%)
- Electrical System427 (14%)
- Brakes380 (12%)
- Other316 (10%)
- Fuel System277 (9%)
- Airbags167 (5%)
- Structure & Body122 (4%)
- Steering82 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which GMC Terrain years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2020 as the Terrain years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 93, 87, and 80 respectively, the highest among all 16 model years covered.
- What is the best year for the GMC Terrain?
- The 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025 Terrain model years earn a Best verdict, with complaint indexes of 13, 7, 20, and 0, the lowest in the lineup.
- What problems are most common on the worst GMC Terrain years?
- Across 2011, 2012, and 2013, engine-related complaints made up 54%, 49%, and 57% of reports respectively. The 2020 model year shifted toward brake complaints, which accounted for 37% of its reports.
- Does the GMC Terrain have recalls tied to its worst years?
- Yes. The 2011-2013 Terrains share recalls for headlight housing glare, a height adjuster bolt issue, and an ignition park lock lever, while the 2020 model has recalls for a transmission accumulator bolt and a child seat LATCH anchorage issue.
- How many total complaints does the GMC Terrain have across all years?
- NHTSA lists 3,079 total complaints and 21 recall campaigns across the 2010-2025 GMC Terrain model years.