Problems · NHTSA complaints
2026 GMC Terrain problems
Owners filed 33 complaints about the 2026 GMC Terrain with NHTSA between Aug 2025 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is forward collision avoidance (6).
Complaints
33
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Forward collision avoidance6
- Electrical system5
- Suspension5
- Power train5
- Service brakes4
- Wheels4
- Steering3
- Lane departure2
- Structure2
- Vehicle speed control1
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Back over prevention1
- Engine1
- Visibility/wiper1
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 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
29
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 29 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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…”
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.”
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”
Power train
5 reports
“Avis Rental. Vehicle simply shut down while driving and would not re-start. Vehicle could NOT be put into neutral to move from roadway. Emergency services vehicles had to remain on site awaiting tow vehicle. Very dangerous situation.”
Service brakes
4 reports
“ABV came on. SCR alerted I needed service. On a 25 mph road I no longer could brake randomly”
Wheels
4 reports
“This vehicle was bought new and is a NEW 2026 GMC TERRAIN DENALI with less than 5,000 miles at this time. It is a continuous event and not a specific failure date, but began soon after purchasing. The specific parts are UNKNOWN. It could be tires, wheels, steering parts (CV JOINTS, CONTROL ARMS ETC) or possibly transmission. I took it initially to the purchasing dealership and they took it for a ride and just dismissed the problem without investigating. Several days later I called and talked to the person who sold me the SUV and was told either him or service manager or both would call me, but neither did so. They were to set up a return date. After this insulting experience I decided to take it to a Cadillac dealer that I have had great experience with in the past. They took it for a ride and did experience the problem and investigated what they thought could be causing the SUV to wobble, shimmy, or shaking sensation. This Cadillac dealer said there investigation showed nothing wrong and returned the vehicle to me and said nothing could be done unless GM gave them permission. Next I wrote to the service manager expressing my disappointment in nothing being…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.