Reliable Auto DB

2023 GMC Terrain reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2023 GMC Terrain holds 39 complaints after 4 years, a rate of 6 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Terrain years here — under the median of the other years, which is 12. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Vehicle latch anchor and Front passenger seat weight sensor.

2012 GMC Terrain
Photo by IFCAR, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons Public domain
Complaints

39

Per year

6

Recalls

2

Years on the road

4

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (15 of 39), then Engine (14) and Electrical system (7). The most filings arrived in 2026 (21 of 39). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2022 and 2024

The 2022 Terrain has 88 complaints, 12 per year, and the 2024 has 49 complaints, 16 per year. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2024.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2023 GMC Terrain. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall child seat, vehicle latch anchor 2023-05-11 · NHTSA campaign 23V339000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Remedy Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232403240.
Recall Front passenger seat weight sensor 2022-12-15 · NHTSA campaign 22V929000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with ventilated front passenger seats. The Occupant Classification System may not properly disable the front passenger air bag when there is a small child or child restraint detected in the seat.
Remedy Dealers will replace the passenger presence system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222388911.

Complaints by component (39 total)

Fuel and propulsion system
15
Engine
14
Electrical system
7
Powertrain
7
Fuel system, gasoline
6
Lane departure
4
Air bags
2
Forward collision avoidance
2
Speed control
2
Back-over prevention
1
Engine and engine cooling
1
Steering
1
Structure
1
Visibility
1
Show 6 more Show less
Crash-flagged

2

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

1202372024102025212026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "I purchased this vehicle two weeks ago. It was my first time driving it since I bought it home from the dealer. I was on the highway driving about 55 mph in the left lane. All of a sudden the car started to slow down on…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-20
  • "Harness for the airbag gave out. Puts the passenger at risk. Confirmed by service members at Rodenroth Motors Inc. in Sault Ste Marie MI. Message said service "Restraint system". There was no official incident date. One…"
    Air bags · filed 2026-09-01
  • "The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated and failed to properly accelerate. The service transmission and service fuel management…"
    Fuel system, gasoline, Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-08-05
  • "adaptive cruise disengaging alert on dash- no cars or weather conditions to induce this. loss of power and bucking on highway( near accident caused) catostostrophic sudden loss of power engine/transmission failure while…"
    Powertrain, Engine, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-08-05
  • "I have had 2 different instances where my vehicle stops in the middle of a busy intersection or traffic and have no warning what so ever. Vehicle just shuts off and I am not able to turn back on to move out of the way.…"
    Unknown or other, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-06-02

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2023 GMC Terrain SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2023 GMC Terrain SUV FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Terrain all-wheel drive 1.5L, 4-cyl Automatic 9-speed All-wheel drive 24 28 26 MPG $2500
Terrain front-wheel drive 1.5L, 4-cyl Automatic 9-speed Front-wheel drive 24 29 26 MPG $2500

Specs and fitment

2nd generation, 2018–present
Body styles SUV
Oil dexos1 5W-30 or 0W-20 (engine per manual) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 235/50R19, 225/65R17 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 3,500 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 23V869000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that general Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The door strikers may fracture, resulting in the door opening unexpectedly. A door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash. Remedy: Dealers will replace all four door strikers and attaching bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. 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 N232429911. When NHTSA lists multiple GM nameplates in one campaign, the published unit count is shared across them.

Compare

Previous year 2022 GMC Terrain Next year 2024 GMC Terrain See every GMC Terrain model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 GMC Terrain reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2023 GMC Terrain holds 39 complaints after 4 years, a rate of 6 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Terrain years here — under the median of the other years, which is 12. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Vehicle latch anchor and Front passenger seat weight sensor.

What are common problems with a 2023 GMC Terrain?

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (15 of 39), then Engine (14) and Electrical system (7). The most filings arrived in 2026 (21 of 39). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2023 GMC Terrain more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2022 Terrain has 88 complaints, 12 per year, and the 2024 has 49 complaints, 16 per year. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2024.

Has the 2023 GMC Terrain been recalled?

The 2023 GMC Terrain has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 GMC Terrain?

Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 2023 GMC Terrain with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2023 GMC Terrain get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2023 GMC Terrain is 26 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a GMC Terrain use?

US Terrain manuals specify dexos-approved oil for your four-cylinder engine.

What does NHTSA recall 22V-137 cover on the GMC Terrain?

NHTSA safety recall 22V137000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that general Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles.

What generation is the 2013 GMC Terrain?

1st generation (2012-2017).