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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Forward collision avoidance6
  2. Electrical system5
  3. Suspension5
  4. Power train5
  5. Service brakes4
  6. Wheels4
  7. Steering3
  8. Lane departure2
  9. Structure2
  10. Vehicle speed control1
  11. Latches/locks/linkages1
  12. Back over prevention1
  13. Engine1
  14. 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
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
20254
202629

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

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

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11763641

Service brakes

4 reports
“ABV came on. SCR alerted I needed service. On a 25 mph road I no longer could brake randomly”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2026Service brakesODI 11745358

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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2026Steering, Power train, WheelsODI 11748269
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.