Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 GMC Terrain problems

Owners filed 317 complaints about the 2015 GMC Terrain with NHTSA between Mar 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is visibility/wiper (102).

Complaints
317
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Visibility/wiper102
  2. Engine82
  3. Electrical system35
  4. Exterior lighting30
  5. Power train26
  6. Visibility20
  7. Air bags17
  8. Fuel/propulsion system17
  9. Structure15
  10. Service brakes10
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)9
  12. Engine and engine cooling4
  13. Steering4
  14. Vehicle speed control4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201511
20166
201711
201828
201959
202047
202130
202260
202324
202419
202511
202611

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Visibility/wiper

102 reports
“The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH in a rainstorm, the front windshield wiper blades suddenly malfunctioned and ceased operation creating a visibility hazard to the driver. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the windshield wiper motor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that parts for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V165000 (Visibility) were not yet available. A temporary fix was provided by the dealer. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2022Visibility/wiperODI 11484631

Engine

82 reports1 crash1 fire
“I am submitting this complaint regarding the engine timing chain failure in my 2015 GMC Terrain because I believe it presents a serious safety hazard. Before the failure, the vehicle began experiencing intermittent symptoms, including engine jerking, shaking, rough operation, abnormal engine noises, and an intermittent check engine light. While driving on the highway, the engine timing chain failed, causing the vehicle to suddenly lose power. I was traveling at highway speed and had to safely maneuver the vehicle out of traffic. The unexpected loss of power placed me and other motorists at risk of a collision because I could no longer safely maintain the flow of traffic. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair facility, where the engine was diagnosed with a timing chain failure. I was informed that the engine had sustained significant damage and required replacement. After purchasing and installing a replacement engine, that engine also began exhibiting timing chain-related symptoms immediately after installation, including abnormal rattling noises and unstable engine operation, resulting in additional repairs and the vehicle remaining unsafe to drive. I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 22, 2026EngineODI 11751978

Electrical system

35 reports1 crash
“My vehicle began jerking, shaking and kept shutting off in a highway intersection. I looked on the ground after coasting into a gas station to find oil leaking from under my vehicle. I've never had an oil leak and it caused my starter to go and I've had to replace the camshaft sensors all within the same week. It appears the rear seal went after the cold streak we had. I need my vehicle to take my mother to treatments, etc. Is there any recalls on this?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2025Electrical system, EngineODI 11639654

Exterior lighting

30 reports1 related recall
“The blower fan for heat In my vehicle was replaced in October 2022, recently the Defroster will not engage and it is vital to winter driving. The mechanism that switches between which vent to blow out air was replaced and the Defroster will still not engage, rather it comes out of the heat and face vents. Shortly after the Defroster stopped engaging, the rpms will start fluctuating from 2 suddenly up to 6-8 without warning or acceleration then go back down and back up as if it's chugging along. Even when applying the brakes, this will continue to happen and there's concern for Rear-ending or crashing when this happens. When driving home 2 nights ago the county police pulled my vehicle over due to burnt out headlight, which was replaced less than 6 months ago. Took the car in to get bulb replaced today and multiple bulbs later, the light is not fixed and it was said to be electrical and need to go to another shop. Beginning to wonder if this is all a bigger problem about to happen with engine/ powertrain.. with commute to work in the dark and electrical problem in the headlight randomly and the acceleration issues there is definitely a concern for safety.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 31, 2023Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11562794

Power train

26 reports
“There have been problems with the 2015 GMC Terrains Timing chain. The timing chain will break when the vehicle is being operated which causes the driver to lose complete control of the SUV, additionally, the engine will be destroyed. The bigger issue is the loss of control when you are driving - especially at highway speeds. GMC had hundreds of complaints but refused to issue a recall. A recall was issued but for only certain batches of VINs. I contacted GMC corporate service to inquire about what they are doing for the other owners who are experiencing the symptoms before the chain breaks. The representative told me they were only recalling certain VINS, I explained that it was not a fluke that my car was experiencing the same issues as the recalled ones. The response was they weren't recalling my VIN. I inquired why there were only some, not all, and she said it depends on what time of day the car was assembled the weather, and the place. Just bizarre this answer, my vehicle is the exact vehicle model that is being recalled and is experiencing the same problem - it makes no sense. So if I am driving on the highway or any road USA and my chain breaks I may…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2024Power trainODI 11563212

Visibility

20 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that diagnostic tests on air bag failures were not performed at their location. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V165000 (Visibility) and 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the dealer declined to service the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 8, 2023Exterior lighting, Visibility, Air bagsODI 11526003
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.