2016 GMC Terrain problems
The 2016 GMC Terrain has 150 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 GMC Terrain has 150 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is visibility at 49 complaints, typically surfacing around 76,304 miles (~$350 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Terrain | 363 | 0 |
| 2014 Terrain | 296 | 0 |
| 2015 Terrain | 297 | 0 |
| 2016 Terrain (this page) | 150 | 0 |
| 2017 Terrain | 133 | 1 |
| 2018 Terrain | 214 | 1 |
| 2019 Terrain | 177 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 GMC Terrain SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 GMC Terrain? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- visibility — 49 owner reports · tends to show around 76,304 mi · ~$350 to fix
- engine — 34 owner reports · tends to show around 60,493 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 53,964 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- airbags — 9 owner reports · tends to show around 55,400 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 55,400 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 GMC Terrain
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My wife was driving on the highway to work when it was raining. Both of the wipers stopped working all of a sudden causing her to not be able to see out of the windshield. When she got home that night I could see that the linkage arm had came off the ball joint.
Windshield wipers stopped working. I can hear the motor working but the arms dod not move.
Husband was traveling under 25 MPH up hill and two vehicles ahead of him abruptly stopped for unknown reason which resulted in the vehicle in front doing the same causing my husband having to hard brake. As he tried to stop the vehicle the brakes wouldn't respond and car kept…
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, a second vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. During the crash, the vehicle sustained severe damage to the front passenger side, but no air bags inside the…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 GMC Terrain reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 150 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 GMC Terrain is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 GMC Terrain?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 GMC Terrain does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 GMC Terrain?
Inspect the visibility first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 49 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 76,304 miles. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 GMC Terrain a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 150 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is visibility. Typical failure occurs around 76,304 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 GMC Terrain?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is visibility, with 49 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 76,304 miles. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The visibility is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $350 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 76,304 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my GMC Terrain has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 GMC Terrain?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 150 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $350, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.