NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 GMC Terrain. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The oil warning light was illuminated, and an unknown message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the lower engine seal and bearing were faulty. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,600. The VIN was unavailable.
While just starting on my way home on a cold 9 degree day,I have an 2016 GMC Terrain that I had since 2018 and bought from a dealer. After driving for about 12 miles on the interstate the Terrain engine light came on and there was a vibration coming from the front of my GMC. There was an exit ramp about 1/4 mile so i pulled off the interstate and my vehicle showed loss of power and steering and shut down, barely made it on the exit ramp. Very dangerous not having steering with little notice. I noticed alot of oil dripping from the undercarriage so I called a local automobile shop to get my vehicle towed. They diagnosed that I needed a new engine and comented that the 2.4 engine had many issues. I recently had it towed to my house and currently going to have a local chevy dealer give me a second opinion and cost for repairs since I still have a loan on the vehicle.I believe that this is a very unsafe vehicle and needed to be reported so nobody gets hurt. Thank You
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted twice. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in a driveway on a hill, the contact heard an abnormal snap and the vehicle started to roll down the hill through the neighbor’s yard, and then into the woods. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed from the scene. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,780.
Power steering failure and don't walk anymore, had to push my GMC Terrain. The light came on that says POWER STEERING FAILED. Contact service. It can't go any further.
Both windshield wipers completely stopped without any warning in a heavy down pour while driving. I could not see to pull over or continue driving.
It was raining so turned on the windshield wipers while driving home and they just stopped working. I had to stop driving until the rain stopped.
Seats ripped at seams. Seat belts came unattached at base and at buckel with a newborn baby in seat
I turned my wipers on when it started raining. And noticed that my wipers were not working.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed in inclement weather, the windshield wipers failed to operate. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a screw was replaced; however, the failure recurred. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Driver's side windshield wiper inoperable when turned on during a pouring rain while traveling at 70 MPH!!! Passenger side worked but drivers did not.
2016 GMC Terrain front windshield wipers failed completely during a major rainstorm downpour event. Visibility during 05/21/2022 drive on Interstate 94 was immediately compromised and my son had to pull over to avoid potential collision. Diagnosis indicates wiper motor is still operational, both front wipers are still coupled/ganged-together and move in unison, but can now be moved freely by hand, indicating wipers are de-coupled from motor. This is the same failure mode that prompted NHSTA to push for a GM recall of 2013, and then later 2014 & 2015 GMC Terrain vehicles. There is a growing list of 2016 GMC Terrain owners reporting this same failure mode online. NHTSA & GM should take a serious look at this before someone is seriously injured.
While driving in rain, I turned wipers on. The rain turned heavy and I put wiper setting to faster mode. The wipers suddenly failed and stayed on windshield. The wipers failed to work in any setting. I pulled car to the side of road waited for the rain to pass before driving.
wipers failed during storm they became disconnected and i had to use my 4 ways and pull over in traffic
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while the wife was driving approximately 45 MPH she accidentally hit an animal due to visibility issues with the headlights. There were no warning lights. The police arrived on the scene; however, no reports were filed. The front passenger headlight was damaged, along with the front grill and tie end rod. There were no air bags deployed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic and repaired. The driver had minor back injuries, no medical treatments applied, and just a few days off work. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 100,000
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH his vehicle inadvertently and unknowingly crashed into the vehicle in front. The contact was unable to see the vehicle in front of him due to the glare of headlights. The air bags did deploy. There were no warning lights. The vehicle was damaged in the front, but drivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed with a failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. There were no police reports or medical treatments. The contact has minor injuries to the jaw. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 76,000
Upon traveling west on M50 in Monroe county the vehicles windshield wipers stopped working during a heavy storm. My visibility was gone. I had to veer off onto the shoulder of the road. I was unable to see out of my windshield during the windshield wiper failure. I got out of the vehicle and smoke was coming near the windshield wiper arms at the cowl vents. My windshield wipers were completely off as if the wiper transmission arm had broke. The windshield wiper motor was dead and the ball joint for the transmission had fallen off. This is a major safety concern. HIGH RISK of a head on collision and/or accident involving a pedestrian, structure and environment off road.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact's wife owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights were inoperable. The contact's wife was unable to see the roadway ahead. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms remedy not yet available.
When I purchased the vehicle (2/2021), wipers were one thing indicated that was fixed, since then, they have gone out 3 more times, the first time (3/2021) the motor was replaced, the second time (10/2021) the wiper transmission was replaced, now they are not working again (2/2022), and I'm at a loss on what to do.
Windshield wiper broke.
At approximately 75000 miles the car began leaking oil. Took it in to gym certified dealer. Was told the pcv froze causing a pressure build up, and blew out the rear main seal. They stated this engine has this as a common occurrence. Searching online this appears to be true. Many years prior to mine were recalled. Apparently the recall needs extended.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the stability track warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle however, the warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the electronic brake control module replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving in the rain, the windshield wipers failed to operate as needed without warning. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that an abnormal, cracking sound was coming from the windshield wipers when she attempted to activate them. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he repaired the windshield wipers. The contact notified the manufacturer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
While driving in heavy rain and traffic the front wipers quit working. Lives were put at risk by being unable see because of the heavy rain. This just happen about 5 hours ago and I have not had time to look at the problem. I almost had a panic attack !!!!!!!!!!!This is not fun, this is dangerous !!!!!!!!!!!
Passenger seat occupied sensor not sensing passenger. Have light come on saying service air bag. Was told that if in an accident and I have a passenger in the front. The airbags would not deploy.
I was leaving the area of Hiram and my car started running different and you could hear a taping noise. I drove it to the GMC dealer down the street and they said it was the timing chain. I recently had an oil change and I was wondering if that could be the problem. The dealer gave me no recommendations or indications that I needed to change belts or components and my service engine light has never came on.
2016 GMC Terrain SLT, service engine light came on, vehicle stalled many times, restarted but drove and misfired, stalled again, was able to get it to repair garage who I trust. He checked code and said I had to put a complete timing chain kit. Total cost came to $992.36 and didn't have a vehicle for a week due to weekend and a holiday. The vehicle only had 30,763 miles on it at the time but was out of factory warrantee. Reading other customer complaints, this looks like an ongoing problem and I feel should warrant a recall. Additional info such as repair invoice is attached. Please reply when received and thank you for your time.
I have to put oil in my car every 2 weeks. There are no leaks. The engine is burning oil.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH in inclement weather, the windshield wipers stopped working as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and waited until the rain slowed down and drove home safely. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle with a wiper module failure. The contact was informed that the wiper module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
The contact owned a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while at a red light, the vehicle was struck from the rear which resulted in the vehicle being pushed forward and crashing into the vehicle in front. None of the air bags deployed. The front driver side seatbelt did not retract however the front passenger side did function as designed during the impact. In addition, the driver hit their head on the steering wheel during the impact. After the impact, the "reset airbag" warning message was displayed. The contact and his wife sustained bruising and contusions. Both injured sought medical treatment and went to the Emergency Room. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to a tow lot, then the following day the insurance towed it to an insurance lot where it was determined to be destroyed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Got into a collision where I T-boned the other vehicle at 40 mph and NO airbags deployed. Passenger was thrown into the dash and knees went into the glove box and driver hit the steering wheel
On May 17,2021 I took my 2016 GMC Terrain for a oil change I have only had my vehicle for about 2 months and I have noticed that it burns way too much engine oil on May 17th 2020 it had a full 100% engine oil now today is June 22 of 2021 and it has 60% oil engine
NEEDS A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER OR POSSABLY THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 3 MONTHS THAT MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR. I AM NOT SURE WHY THE 2016 TERRAINS HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED IN THE US, ONLY IN CANADA! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD! WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE, SOMEONE SENSELESSLY DYING IN ORDER FOR GMC TO REPAIR/REPLACE THEIR DEFECTIVE PARTS OR FOR THE NHTSA TO MANDATE A RECALL??????
Wipers stop working during a storm. You can hear the motor but the blades do not move.?
WHEN DRIVING THE STABILTRAK SERVICE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT. THE CAR WILL LOSS ACCELERATION IMMEDIATELY THEN SEEMS WONT GO OUT OF 2ND GEAR. I STOP TURN OFF CAR A FEW MINUTES AND IT WILL START AGAIN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO OUT AFTER WHILE. LAST TIME THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. IT FINALLY DID AFTER 20 MINUTES OR SO. AND LIGHT WENT OUT LAYER. TOOK IT TO DEALER ONCE AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THIS IS WORRYING ME.
AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM HAS WATER AND FREEZES IN THE WINTER CAUSING IT TO FREEZE AND PRESSURE BUILDS UP IN THE ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS AND ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED FROM HIS RESIDENCE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BLOCKED PCV VALVE WHICH CAUSED THE REAR MAIN SEAL FAILURE. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLICKING SOUND WAS FROM THE OIL DRAINING AT A RAPID SPEED AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED MAUER CHEVROLET (1055 50TH ST E, INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN 55077) AND WAS INFORMED OF AN UPCHARGE FOR THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED GMC DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.*DT*JB
ON JANUARY 25, 2021, MY 16-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY TERRAIN DOWN THE MAIN ROAD IN OUR TOWN, IT WAS DARK AND IT WAS STARTING TO RAIN. SHE TURNED ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND AFTER MAKING ONE PASS THEY STOPPED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THIS SCARED HER TO DEATH, SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND CALL ME AND WAIT TILL THE RAIN STOPPED BUT HAD EITHER ONE OF US BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH THIS COULD HAVE ENDED DIFFERENTLY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
UPDATE: PLASTIC WIPER JOINTS REPLACED 3 TIMES, QUIT AFTER 3 DAYS. COMPLETE WIPER ASSEMBLY REPLACED, QUIT AGAIN. THE ASSEMBLY WAS THE "NEW" VERSION, COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN ORIGINAL, STILL STOPPED MID USE. GMC NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART IMMEDIATELY.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. I CAN HEAR THE MOTOR WORKING BUT THE ARMS DOD NOT MOVE.
LESS THAN 62,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT. AFTER SEARCHING TO ORDER THE PARTS, I NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS COME UP ACROSS NUMEROUS WEBSITES WHERE OWNERS STATE THAT THEIR VEHICLES TRANSMISSION HAS DIED AROUND 60,000 MILES. THIS TELLS ME GMC IS AT LEAST AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD ENACT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE PARTS SHOULD BE COVERED BY GMC.
VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE SHOWS NO SIGNS OF LEAK BUT GOES THROUGH OIL AT ABOUT 1 QUART EVERY 1000 MILES MAX. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON, SENSORS INDICATE POSSIBLE FAULTY PISTON RINGS. ALL WERE PROBLEMS IN LATER MODEL GMC TERRAINS. WHEN LOW ON OIL WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY ALL LIGHTS WILL LIGHT UP AND ENGINE WILL GO INTO REDUCED POWER MODE SAYING TO SERVICE STABILITRACK. CAR WILL NOT GO ABOVE 10 MPH WHEN IN THIS MODE, SOMETIMES UNABLE TO MOVE AT ALL. GOES AWAY AFTER MORE OIL ADDED. GMC TERRAIN HAD RECALLS ON YEARS 2010-2013 FOR ALL ENGINE FAILURE PROBLEMS/REPAIRS DUE TO FAULTY PISTON RINGS/OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. NUMEROUS 2014-2016 GMC TERRAINS HAVE CLAIMS OF THE REDUCED POWER/STABILITRACK PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION, I BELIEVE BOTH PROBLEMS ARE DIRECTLY RELATED.
TRANSMISSION FIRST TO SECOND HAS A HARD SHIFT, THIS HAPPENS A LOT WITH THE SUV HAVING 33,106 MILES
WHILE TRAVELING HOME FROM OUT OF TOWN DURING A DOWNPOUR, THE WIPERS JUST STOPPED. AFTER WAITING OUT THE STORM, MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE WIPER ASSEMBLY AND FOUND THAT THE ARM(HELD ON BY A SMALL, PLASTIC PIECE) HAD POPPED OFF ON ONE SIDE. HE WAS ABLE TO REATTACH IT, AND IT WAS FINE FOR A FEW DAYS UNTIL AGAIN, WHILE TRAVELING DURING A RAINSTORM, THEY STOPPED AGAIN. I WAS DRIVING BOTH TIMES AND AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I WAS UNABLE TO SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME AND HAD TO STOP IN TRAFFIC(WE WERE ON A COUNTRY ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER). WE WERE TOLD BY A LOCAL DEALER THAT THE PARTS SHOULD BE REPLACED, BUT THAT THE ASSEMBLY HADN'T CHANGED AND IT WOULD KEEP HAPPENING. WE ALSO FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY (WITH MY CHILDREN) DURING A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR, WHEN MY WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. I HAD EXTREME DIFFICULTY SEEING TO BE ABLE TO MANEUVER MY CAR TO A SAFE PLACE WITHOUT WRECKING. IT WAS VERY SCARY FOR ALL OF US.(NOT TO MENTION TORNADO SIRENS GOING OFF AT THIS TIME.) SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED THE FUSE AND THE RELAY AND THEY STILL DO NOT WORK, SO I THINK IT MAY BE THE MOTOR. THIS CAR ISN'T OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. THIS WITH THE OTHER PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD SINCE PURCHASING THE TERRAIN MAKE ME WISH I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT. NOW WE ARE STUCK NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE IT WHEN IT RAINS UNTIL I CAN SAVE UP THE MONEY TO FIX IT. THANKS A LOT GM. *TR