GMC Terrain 2016 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the GMC Terrain 2016 and 152 complaints filed by owners. It has 35% more complaints than the average GMC Terrain from 2016–2025 (112 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a GMC Terrain 2016? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the GMC Terrain 2016
Exterior lighting
NHTSA campaign 22V137000 · 2022-03-08
What happens
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Equipment and labels
NHTSA campaign 16V449000 · 2016-06-21
What happens
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles manufactured October 16, 2015. The certification labels may have incorrect tire/rim size and cold tire pressure information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence
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.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1050, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 46600.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
152 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
9 with a crash · 9 injuries
Most reported problems on the GMC Terrain 2016
- Engine: 46 (30% of complaints)
- Wipers: 46 (30% of complaints)
- Powertrain and transmission: 11 (7% of complaints)
- Exterior lighting: 10 (7% of complaints)
- Air bags: 9 (6% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a GMC Terrain 2016
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- Test every wiper speed and the washer.
- On the test drive, check for smooth shifts with no jerks, slipping or noises; check the transmission fluid condition.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 GMC Terrain SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2016 GMC Terrain SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
GMC Terrain recalls by year
- 2016 : 2 recalls · 152 complaints
- 2017 : 1 recall · 135 complaints
- 2018 : 5 recalls · 224 complaints
- 2019 : 3 recalls · 186 complaints
- 2020 : 2 recalls · 197 complaints
- 2021 : 2 recalls · 36 complaints
- 2022 : 2 recalls · 88 complaints
- 2023 : 2 recalls · 40 complaints
- 2024 : 1 recall · 52 complaints
- 2025 : 0 recalls · 13 complaints
Guides for this check
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the GMC Terrain 2016 have?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the GMC Terrain 2016. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the GMC Terrain 2016?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: engine (46 of 152 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 18, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).