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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2026 GMC TerrainRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 33 owner complaints for the 2026 GMC Terrain. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (6) and electrical system (5). The EPA rates it 25–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–27mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2026
Owner complaints
33
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment: owners

Free remedy

General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”

EquipmentReported Feb 26, 2026NHTSA 26V114000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

33 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2025 – Sep 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance6
  2. Electrical system5
  3. Suspension5
  4. Power train5
  5. Service brakes4
  6. Wheels4
  7. Steering3
  8. Lane departure2
  9. Structure2

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

By model year

Complaints for each Terrain model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2010295
2011397
2012370
2013370
2014302
2015317
2016153
2017135
2018226
2019187
2020197
202136
202288
202341
202455
202513
202633
20271
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Forward collision avoidance

6 reports
“On the evening ofXXX, at approximately 6:00 PM, I was driving this Avis rental vehicle on a highway in [XXX] at normal highway speed, below the posted limit, with my foot on the accelerator. The forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking system activated and applied the brakes hard. There was no vehicle, pedestrian, obstacle, or hazard ahead of me, and no vehicle behind me or beside me. The roadway was clear and dry. The sun was low in the sky, and the vehicle was crossing a metal expansion joint on an overpass at the moment of activation. I believe the low sun angle, the expansion joint, or both caused a false object detection by the forward-facing camera or radar. The service brakes themselves functioned correctly. The failure is in the forward sensing and decision logic, which commanded a braking event with no object present. The deceleration was severe and unexpected. I sustained sharp pain in my neck and shoulder. Had any vehicle been following me, this would have caused a rear-end collision at highway speed. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms before the event, and none afterward. I had driven the vehicle for seven days…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Forward collision avoidanceODI 11766350

Electrical system

5 reports
“a failing telematics module on your 2026 GMC Terrain is causing network corruption, leading to an erratic speedometer and loss of driver assistance systems while driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Lane departureODI 11765984

Suspension

5 reports
“My vehicle is making a squeaky sound/noise when breaking and getting louder. I took it in for service and they couldn’t seem to find the issue. It’s coming from the front end of the vehicle”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2026Suspension, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11765446
All 2026 Terrain problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic 8-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Terrain FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
262827$2,400329
Terrain AWD
Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
242825$2,550356
Terrain AWD Denali/AT4
Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
242625$2,550358
  • Terrain FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    26 city · 28 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain AWD
    Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    24 city · 28 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain AWD Denali/AT4
    Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo
    24 city · 26 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
GMC TERRAIN SUV N/A AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Overall
5 / 5
GMC TERRAIN SUV N/A FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 21865Vehicle 21864
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2026 Terrain questions

How many recalls does the 2026 GMC Terrain have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2026 GMC Terrain problems?

Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (6), electrical system (5), suspension (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 GMC Terrain get?

The EPA rates the 2026 GMC Terrain at 25–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2026 GMC Terrain?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 GMC Terrain 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026