The GMC Terrain helped General Motors’s entry into the mid-size and compact crossover segment a great success and it still has some solid characteristics going for it. Competing with the Terrain in its class are the Ford Escape, the Jeep Cherokee, and the Mazda CX-5. The GMC Terrain has had 2 recalls, 2 investigations, and 110 complaints.
The 2016 GMC Terrain problems include a majority of powertrain issues along with the wiper motors burning out. The wiper motor issue has affected a lot of models from the last model year too and the NHTSA did an investigation on it as well. The GMC Terrain gets a J.D. Power reliability rating of 83/100 which is amongst the best in the segment and is bettered only by the likes of Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester.
GMC Terrain User Complaints and Problems
The GMC Terrain 2016 has troubled its owners with a few issues, amounting to 110 registered complaints in its 7 years of existence. The majority of the issues faced by Terrain owners have been related to windshield wipers and engine vibrations, while other issues include exterior lighting and electrical systems. Therefore, checking out the SUV thoroughly before buying a used 2016 GMC Terrain is the right way to go forward.
Engine problems
- Powertrain malfunctions: A couple of owners faced malfunctions with their 2016 GMC Terrain’s powertrain. Their complaints state that while driving, the powertrains behaved erratically. Initially, the transmission refused to go into drive mode despite the shifter slotted into the drive, followed by jerking and the transmission slamming into 2nd gear directly and refusing to shift up or down. After a restart, the problem recurred and the vehicles were towed.
- Sudden loss of power: A handful of owners complain that they faced a sudden loss of power while driving. The incidents occurred mostly while driving out on the highways and during the occurrences, the instrument clusters showed a message reading reduced engine power.
- Engine failure due to PCV failure: There are plenty of reports regarding this issue against the 2016 GMC Terrain. The users say in their reports that the PCV failure would lead to the rear seal of the engine getting damaged and draining out the engine oil completely. In all the cases, the drainage occurred without the owners being aware and it led to engine failure in some cases too.
- Excessive engine oil consumption: Apart from the engine failures due to the PCV failures, many owners complain that their GMC Terrain’s engine burns excessive engine oil. Some owners report that while they go for scheduled maintenance of their vehicle, the technicians found the engine oil was completely consumed. Some owners say that they need to top up the engine oil frequently to keep the engine from seizing.
Exterior problems
- Wiper motor burning out: There are a plethora of complaints for the current as well as the previous model year’s Terran regarding this issue. The owners complained that the wipers of their vehicles stopped working suddenly and the failures occurred much sooner than normal.
Safety problems
- Airbag failure: A few owners involved in crashes faced this issue. They report that during the crashes the airbags of their vehicles failed to deploy, leading to injuries.
2016 GMC Terrain Recalls
The GMC Terrain has faced 2 recalls to date and neither of them has been for any major concerns. One of the recalls was for the incorrect tire information label while the other recall was for a possible glare from the headlights for other drivers.
|
S.No. |
Recall Date |
NHTSA Campaign ID |
Issues noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
June 21, 2016 |
16V449000 |
Incorrect Tire Information on Label/FMVSS 110 |
If the information on the certification labels is incorrect, the operator may install incorrectly sized tires or rims or may improperly inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash. |
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. |
|
2 |
March 8, 2022 |
22V137000 |
Headlight Reflection May Cause Glare/FMVSS 108 |
The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. |
The remedy is currently under development. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on April 25, 2022 Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 25, 2022. |
2016 GMC Terrain Investigations
The GMC Terrain SUV has been investigated twice till now and both investigations were related to the windshield wiper malfunctioning/failure. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function.
Should you buy a 2016 GMC Terrain?
Despite being an aging crossover, the GMC Terrain is still a value-for-money proposition for those who want a good amount of space for their passengers, a silent cabin, and a chunky-designed crossover. The Terrain has faced several complaints regarding its wiper motor issue and the PCV failure issue for its powertrain for the current model as well as some of its previous models. However, a glance at its competitors’ reliability charts is enough to stick with this American boy even from the used car market. A detailed inspection and a trusted dealership are mandatory if you plan to go with a used GMC Terrain.
