2022 GMC Terrain problems
The 2022 GMC Terrain has 76 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2022 GMC Terrain has 76 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is fuel system at 13 complaints, typically surfacing around 35,007 miles (~$1,200 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 Terrain | 177 | 0 |
| 2020 Terrain | 184 | 0 |
| 2021 Terrain | 34 | 0 |
| 2022 Terrain (this page) | 76 | 0 |
| 2023 Terrain | 35 | 0 |
| 2024 Terrain | 48 | 0 |
| 2025 Terrain | 12 | 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 8.0/10 — 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 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2022 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 2022 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
- fuel system — 13 owner reports · tends to show around 35,007 mi · ~$1,200 to fix
- electrical — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 22,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 31,821 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- engine — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 48,400 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
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: 8.0/10 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 2022 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 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
When driving vehicle, alert sounded lowered speed detection and my engine light came on. My vehicle then lagged power and it smelled like something was burning. Called dealer i bought vehicle from and i drove it in to them. I just bought the vehicle 8 months ago. I was just in…
The car went into limp mode while I was on the highway. The car said reducing engine power and then I couldn't go the speed limit I had to drive well under the speed limit and pull off the road as soon as possible. I brought it home and water came pouring out the intercooler…
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle was losing forward momentum. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle was still losing forward momentum. The contact stated that she was…
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2022 GMC Terrain reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2022 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 2022 GMC Terrain?
On the NHTSA data, the 2022 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 8.0/10 — 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 2022 GMC Terrain?
Inspect the fuel system first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 13 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 35,007 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,200 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 2022 GMC Terrain a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 76 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is fuel system. Typical failure occurs around 35,007 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 2022 GMC Terrain?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is fuel system, with 13 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 35,007 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,200 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The fuel system is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,200 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 35,007 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 2022 GMC Terrain?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 76 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,200, 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.