YearToAvoid

2025 GMC Terrain Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

13/100

#14 most-complained of 16 Terrain years

The 2025 GMC Terrain ranks as the Best year among the 16 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 13 and just 13 complaints, well below older years like 2011 (index 100). No recalls have been filed yet.

Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26
25 city / 28 hwy

Top 2025 GMC Terrain problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System4 (31%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain4 (31%)
  3. Brakes3 (23%)
  4. Engine3 (23%)
  5. Steering3 (23%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (23%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (15%)
  8. Other2 (15%)
  9. Airbags1 (8%)
  10. Lane Departure1 (8%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle failing to shift into park, allowing it to roll unexpectedly after the ignition was turned off.
  • Some drivers describe the steering wheel yanking sharply to one side, causing a crash into a guardrail with tire and wheel assembly damage.
  • The infotainment screen has gone blank on some vehicles, followed by an on-screen message saying an update failed and the dealer needed to restore the system.
  • Owners describe the SUV swaying or being hard to control at highway speeds, especially when hitting bumps.
  • Several report the transmission acting up, including skipping sensations, low transmission fluid, and warning lights indicating it could not shift into drive.
  • Some drivers say the vehicle pulls hard to the right when braking at highway speeds, making it difficult to control.
2025 GMC Terrain complaints: complaints filed per month5May 2025Aug 2025Feb 2026May 2026Aug 2026
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2025 to Aug 2026; peak Jan 2026 (5).

2025 GMC Terrain recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2025 GMC Terrain fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,500
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2025 compared with other Terrain years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2023Best2039226
2024Good3349125.5
2025Best1313026

All GMC Terrain years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 GMC Terrain reliable based on NHTSA data?
Yes, relative to other Terrain model years. NHTSA lists only 13 complaints for the 2025 model, giving it a complaint index of 13 and the Best verdict, ranking 14th out of the 16 years tracked from worst to best.
Does the 2025 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
No. NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2025 GMC Terrain as of the latest data update.
What is the top problem area for the 2025 GMC Terrain?
Electrical System complaints lead, making up 31% of reported issues, tied with Transmission & Powertrain, also at 31%.
How does the 2025 Terrain compare to older Terrain years?
It compares favorably. Earlier years like 2010 and 2011 had complaint indexes of 80 and 100 with Avoid verdicts, while the 2025 model has an index of just 13.
What is the fuel economy of the 2025 GMC Terrain?
EPA rates it at 26 mpg combined (25 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500.

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.