VehicleVerdict

2015 GMC Terrain problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2015 GMC Terrain sits mid-pack among Terrain years: 382 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 283, with 3 recalls and 2 closed investigations.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 121 reports (32% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

382

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Terrain years?

Terrain NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted557 complaints2010: 426 complaints2011: 557 complaints2012: 500 complaints2013: 484 complaints2014: 385 complaints2015: 382 complaints2016: 180 complaints2017: 181 complaints2018: 317 complaints2019: 287 complaints2020: 282 complaints2021: 50 complaints2022: 65 complaints2023: 63 complaints2024: 70 complaints2025: 26 complaints2026: 29 complaints
Terrain NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Terrain years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 GMC Terrain problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers12132%
Engine8322%
Electrical System3910%
Lighting246%
Other215%
Transmission215%
Fuel System174%
Airbags164%
Body & Structure133%
Brakes82%
Driver Assistance51%
Tires & Wheels41%
Speed Control31%
Seat Belts21%
Steering21%
Seats21%
Suspension10%

Does the 2015 GMC Terrain have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V165000Visibility & WipersMarch 17, 2022 · 681,509 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.

Consequence

Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2022. 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 N212352530.

22V137000LightingMarch 8, 2022 · 740,581 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.

15V666000AirbagsOctober 16, 2015 · 395 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH IN THE RAIN. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON MEDIUM SPEED SETTING. WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING AND WERE STUCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THIS CREATED A VISIBILITY HAZARD IN THE RAIN. WIPER MOTOR COULD STILL BE HEARD HOWEVER NO MOVEMENT AT ALL OF WIPERS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 20, 2019

“WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT VERY SLOW THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND DAMAGED CAR IN FRONT THERE ARE TRACTION MARKS SHOWING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. BECAUSE THE CARS IN FRONT WERE HIT I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 16, 2019 · crash

“I OWN A 2015 GMC TERRAIN. THE RADIO AND ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS RELATED TO THE TOUCH SCREEN HAVE FAILED RESULTING IN A BLACK SCREEN. THIS INCLUDES THE BACK UP CAMERA. THIS HAS ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO A MINOR ACCIDENT WHERE I BACK INTO A UTILITY POLE. GM STATES A NEW RADIO IS NECESSARY AT A COST OF $1287.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 3, 2020 · crash

“My vehicle had 2 recalls and I took it to the local Chevy dealer where I had purchased the car in 2018. The windshield wiper problem was repaired but I was told they did not have the correct parts to repair the headlights. After 3 days I was told the car was ready and I was assured by the service…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · June 20, 2023

“2015 GMC TERRAIN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THROTTLE FAILURES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE BARELY MOVED. THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RE-STARTED IT, WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THE ENGINE WOULD JUST…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 21, 2015

2015 GMC Terrain — common questions

Is the 2015 GMC Terrain reliable?

It is close to typical for the Terrain: 382 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2015 Terrain problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (121 complaints), engine (83 complaints), electrical system (39 complaints).

Does the 2015 GMC Terrain have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 GMC Terrain. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 GMC Terrain under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Terrain years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Terrain years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2010. The cleanest record among Terrain years belongs to 2025.

How safe is the 2015 GMC Terrain?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 GMC Terrain earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.