2016 GMC Terrain
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 59 of 152 complaints (39%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 297 in 2015 to 152 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,450 | 2,500–3,450 | 2,250–3,350 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–26 | 19–26 | 18–26 | 18–25 | 23–32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–21 / 23–31 | 21–28 / 26–39 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 347–476 | 347–481 | 347–482 | 355–489 | 316–386 | |
| Complaints filed | 296 | 297 | 152 | 133 | 219 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 14 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 12 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 3 | 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 2016 GMC Terrain have?
2 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 2016 GMC Terrain?
Visibility & Lighting: 59 of 152 NHTSA complaints (39%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 GMC Terrain get?
EPA rates it 18–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 GMC Terrain?
EPA estimates $2,400–$3,450 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 | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 381 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | 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 3 | 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 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 482 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 459 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 59 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 (2)
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.
TIRES; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 16V449000 · Jun 21, 2016
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles manufactured October 16, 2015. The certification labels may have incorrect tire/rim size and cold tire pressure information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: If the information on the certification labels is incorrect, the operator may install incorrectly sized tires or rims or may improperly inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1050, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 46600.