GMC Terrain Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2010-2013 GMC Terrain years, which carry complaint index scores of 80, 100, 87, and 93 and are dominated by Engine complaints. The 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025 model years score lowest (0, 7, 20, 13) and are the best choices.
Avoid 2010Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2013Best 2021Best 2022Best 2023Best 2025
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,079
- Recall campaigns
- 20
- 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 | Avoid | 80 | 290 | 10 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 21.5 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 100 | 386 | 11 | 8 | 4 | Engine | 19.5 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 87 | 364 | 17 | 5 | 4 | Engine | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Avoid | 93 | 364 | 14 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 21.5 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 73 | 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 | 27 | 133 | 11 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 23 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 67 | 220 | 14 | 1 | 5 | Brakes | 27 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 47 | 185 | 7 | 3 | 3 | Brakes | 27 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 53 | 196 | 7 | 2 | 2 | Brakes | 25 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 0 | 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 | 33 | 49 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 13 | 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 ranks worst of all years with a complaint index of 100. Engine complaints account for 54% of its 386 total complaints, occurring at a median 85,000 miles, with Transmission & Powertrain issues adding another 20%. This year had 8 reported fires and 24 injuries, along with 4 recall campaigns covering electrical park-lock and headlight-glare concerns. Sample complaints describe engine fires and airbags that failed to deploy in crashes.
2011 engine problems →2011 transmission & powertrain problems →2011 fuel system problems →
2013 GMC Terrain Index 93 · 364 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2013 Terrain has a complaint index of 93 and recorded one death, the only fatality among the model's years. Engine complaints dominate at 57% of its 364 complaints, occurring at a median 91,000 miles. This year has 3 recalls, including a windshield wiper module ball-joint corrosion fix specific to 2013. Sample complaints describe brake failure on a downhill grade, airbags not deploying in a severe crash, and an electrical fire near a taillight.
2013 engine problems →2013 visibility & wipers problems →2013 transmission & powertrain problems →
2012 GMC Terrain Index 87 · 364 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2012 Terrain carries a complaint index of 87. Engine complaints make up 49% of its 364 complaints at a median 85,000 miles, and Visibility & Wipers issues add another 22%. This year saw 17 crashes, 5 fires, and 19 injuries, with 4 recalls including the power-seat bolt and headlight-glare campaigns. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and an engine fire during highway acceleration.
2012 engine problems →2012 visibility & wipers problems →2012 electrical system problems →
2010 GMC Terrain Index 80 · 290 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2010 Terrain has a complaint index of 80, driven mainly by Engine problems, which make up 43% of its 290 complaints at a median 77,000 miles. Owners also reported Electrical System and Transmission & Powertrain issues, each around 18% of complaints. Two recalls apply to this year, including a headlight-glare fix and a power-seat height adjuster bolt replacement. NHTSA also logged 10 crashes and 12 injuries tied to this model year, with airbag non-deployment appearing among sample complaints.
2010 engine problems →2010 electrical system problems →2010 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common GMC Terrain problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- 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%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years should I avoid for the GMC Terrain?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 Terrain. These years have complaint index scores of 80, 100, 87, and 93, the highest in the lineup, with Engine problems as the leading concern.
- Which GMC Terrain year is the worst?
- The 2011 Terrain ranks worst with a complaint index of 100, driven by Engine complaints that made up 54% of its 386 total complaints at a median 85,000 miles.
- What are the best GMC Terrain years to buy?
- The 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025 Terrain are rated Best, with complaint index scores of 0, 7, 20, and 13, far below the older model years.
- Is engine trouble a common problem across GMC Terrain years?
- Yes. Engine complaints total 1,315 across all years, 43% of all complaints, and are the top problem area for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2021.
- Does the GMC Terrain have recalls tied to fires?
- NHTSA recall and complaint data for the Terrain includes reported fires in several early years, including 8 fires in 2011 and 5 in 2012, alongside recalls covering electrical and structural components.