The 2015 GMC Terrain is associated with 315 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 3 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Visibility & Wipers, accounting for 93 reports (30% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 5 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.4l 4-cyl and 3.6l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 19 to 26 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 315 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 3 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Visibility & Wipers (93 / 30%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 10 crash / 1 fire / 7 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 19–26 MPG (5 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Terrain FWD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 22 MPG | 31 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Terrain FWD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 22 MPG | 31 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Terrain AWD | 2.4L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 20 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $2,650 / yr |
| Terrain FWD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 17 MPG | 24 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Terrain AWD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 16 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV FWD | | | | | 19.1% |
| SUV AWD | | | | | 17.4% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2015 GMC Terrain models.
View complete 2015 GMC Terrain crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2015 GMC Terrain problems & component breakdown (68 categories) →
Affected Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Defect Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212352530.
Affected Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Defect Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Defect Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
View all 2015 GMC Terrain recalls & campaign history (3 campaigns) →