2015 GMC Terrain
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 132 of 297 complaints (44%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 296 in 2014 to 297 in 2015.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | vs. 2015 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,450 | 2,500–3,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–26 | 19–26 | 19–26 | 18–26 | 18–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–21 / 23–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 347–481 | 347–476 | 347–481 | 347–482 | 355–489 | |
| Complaints filed | 364 | 296 | 297 | 152 | 133 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 14 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 11 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 25 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2015 GMC Terrain have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2015 GMC Terrain?
Visibility & Lighting: 132 of 297 NHTSA complaints (44%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2015 GMC Terrain get?
EPA rates it 19–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 GMC Terrain?
EPA estimates $2,400–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 347 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 462 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 347 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 481 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 381 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 83 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 31 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 18 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 15 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 132 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 21 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR · Campaign 22V165000 · Mar 18, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 22V137000 · Mar 8, 2022
Defect: 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."
Consequence: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · Campaign 15V666000 · Oct 16, 2015
Defect: 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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
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.