YearToAvoid

2015 GMC Terrain Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 83 complaints on the 2015 GMC Terrain, or 28% of all complaints filed for that model year. Owners report stalling, sudden power loss, and rough shifting, with a median failure mileage of 89,500 miles. No related recall is listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
83
28% of 297
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
89,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine stalls or shuts off unexpectedly while decelerating, in reverse, or during stop-and-go traffic, sometimes requiring the vehicle to be restarted multiple times to move.
  • Vehicle loses power suddenly at highway speed, with some owners reporting black smoke and a diagnosis of a broken internal part.
  • Dashboard shows an 'engine power reduced' message with the check engine light on, cutting power to as low as 25 mph, including on the highway.
  • Abnormal engine noise traced to water pump, timing belt, gasket kit, and timing chain link failure, with lunging and gear-shift problems reported after repair.
  • Owners report a burning smell, oil leaking underneath the car, and bucking or jerking tied to a frozen PVC valve and blown rear main seal.
  • Engine light comes on days after an oil change, followed by repeated stalling during acceleration despite sensor repairs under powertrain warranty.

When 2015 GMC Terrain engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 23, 2015, latest Jul 22, 2026.

2015 GMC Terrain engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter72015 Q12018 Q32019 Q42021 Q32022 Q42024 Q12025 Q3
83 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2023 Q2 (7).

Engine recalls for the 2015 GMC Terrain

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Terrain model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010126 (43%)
  2. 2011207 (54%)
  3. 2012179 (49%)
  4. 2013206 (57%)
  5. 2014130 (44%)
  6. 201583 (28%)
  7. 201648 (32%)
  8. 201779 (59%)
  9. 201858 (26%)
  10. 201976 (41%)
  11. 202067 (34%)
  12. 202111 (31%)
  13. 202213 (22%)
  14. 202316 (41%)
  15. 202413 (27%)
  16. 20253 (23%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2015 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA lists 83 engine-related complaints for the 2015 GMC Terrain, which is 28% of the 297 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for 2015 GMC Terrain engine problems?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine issue.
At what mileage do 2015 GMC Terrain engine problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2015 GMC Terrain is 89,500 miles.
What kind of engine failures do owners report on the 2015 GMC Terrain?
Owners describe stalling, sudden loss of power, reduced-power warnings, timing belt and water pump failures, and oil leaks tied to a blown rear main seal.
Did the 2015 GMC Terrain engine issue cause any crashes or fires?
NHTSA data tied to this engine issue shows 1 crash and 1 fire reported, with no injuries.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.