There are 6 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 2016 GMC Terrainin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Back right tail light filling with water when it rains. Affecting electrical wires and water dripping into back cargo. No cracks or damage found on tail light.
Thermostat/coolant sensor malfunctioning causing engine fan to constantly run as if the engine is over heating. Some engine exhaust door/flap is stuck open or closed causing check engine light to come on. And or the actuators doors are broken causing windows to fog and obstruct view. Not sure what would cause this issue but I have had to have work done on my vehicle twice for this issue within 3 years.
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.
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO ED RINKE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC ON 12/27/18, BECAUSE MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN I TRY TO ROLL IT UP AND DOWN OR JUST GETS STUCK AND DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR PARKED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 47,455 MILES ON IT AND IT WOULD BE $99 FOR THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. I PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED A 2006 GMC ENVOY WHICH I STILL OWN AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS DOING THE SAME THING PRETTY EARLY AFTER I PURCHASED IT. I ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY OVER $400 TO GET IT FIXED AND LATER ON FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT ISSUE (DRIVER'S DOOR CONTROL PANEL.) I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN THE TERRAIN AND L THINK IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED WITH NO COST TO ME. PLEASE CHECK AND SEE IF OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. I AM HOPING THIS ISSUE CAN BE REPAIRED AND I AM ABLE TO PROPERLY ROLL MY WINDOW UP AND DOWN IN THE COLD WEATHER WE ARE EXPERIENCING NOW......THAN YOU
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (SULLER GMC LOCATED IN FARMINGTON HILLS, MICHIGAN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT RODENTS HAD EATEN THE ELECTRICAL WIRES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS PRODUCED USING SOY BASED MATERIALS, WHICH ATTRACTED RODENTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 09/06/17*LJ *JS
THE DIGITAL CLOCK DOES NOT KEEP ACCURATE TIME, EVEN WHEN IT IS RESET. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED THE CLOCK IS SEVERAL HOURS OFF. THE DEALER THAT SOLD US THE VEHICLE CLAIMS THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT WE DO NOT HAVE AN ONSTAR SUBSCRIPTION. I CONTACTED BOTH GM AND ONSTAR, AND BOTH STATED THE CLOCK ISSUE IS NOT RELATED IN ANY WAY TO ONSTAR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026