2016 GMC TERRAIN — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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4/5

★★★★

Safety Rating

174

Owner Complaints

12 Crashes

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

30

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2016 GMC TERRAIN

The 2016 GMC TERRAIN has received a total of 174 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, TIRES. 30 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Visibilitywiper (44 complaints), Engine (42 complaints), and Unknown Or Other (12 complaints).

Recalls for the 2016 GMC TERRAIN

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2016 GMC TERRAIN, potentially affecting up to 740,615 vehicles.

Recall 22V137000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

| 740,581 vehicles affected

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.

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Recall 16V449000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

| 17 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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Recall 16V449000 — TIRES

| 17 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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Owner Complaints for the 2016 GMC TERRAIN

174 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 GMC TERRAIN. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11718490 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
Carr paused, and then stopped in the middle of the highway, without any warning lights or identifiers. Other vehicles had to come to abrupt stops or even veer to avoid hitting me the manufacturer is aware, and has had a large lawsuit settlement due to a faulty rear seal causes massive internal oil consumption without any warning to the operator of of the vehicle. My research has shown that it is a catastrophic common issue with this vehicles model and year a certified GMC dealership has identified this as the reason for the sudden shut down without warning, not one warning light illuminated to indicate low or any other issue. The car has had regular oil changes and maintenance. This well-known defect should normally be caused for alarm and the safety of drivers would also for a mass recall.
#11715195 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
excessive oil consumption....caused engine to fail....yes, car is available for inspection ...caused the car to lag and initially break down without any warning lights ...confirmed form dealer new engine needed...law suits in other states have proven that this seal problem has been known to GMC for years and they haven't repaired these faulty parts...again, no warning lights came on...please assist
#11711301 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
I bought the vehicle in November of 2025. No warning lights or problems running. Check the engine oil upon purchase and have the dealership sticker showing oil change was recently done and oil showed that it was full. Approximately 3 weeks after purchasing, the car starting idling rough and stalled a few times during my commute to work. The check engine light came on and it showed that the vvt was a possible solution for the code P0014 this was on December 12th 2025. I replaced the suspected part with no change in vehicle condition. I checked the oil and found that it was empty/no oil on dipstick. I had to add 5 quarts of oil and then it showed it was in the safe zone on the dip stick. Today (January 15th 2026) I checked the oil again and it showed no oil on the dipstick. I had to add 2 quarts for it to be at the bottom of the safe zone on the dipstick.
#11711023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | | N/A miles
the car is having stability control issues
#11705536 | AIR BAGS | | 129,000 miles Crash 1 Injury
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, a second vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. During the crash, the vehicle sustained severe damage to the front passenger side, but no air bags inside the cabin of the vehicle deployed. The driver of the other vehicle reported no injuries, and the air bags in her vehicle did deploy. The contact was transported from the scene of the crash to the local hospital with multiple injuries that included a head contusion and burn, left knee contusion, right hand, and right foot contusions. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed to the local collision center. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 129,000.

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Safety Rating for the 2016 GMC TERRAIN

The 2016 GMC TERRAIN received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Test Category Rating
Overall Rating ★★★★ (4/5)
Frontal Crash ★★★★ (4/5)
Side Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Rollover ★★★★ (4/5)

Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2016 GMC TERRAIN

General Motors, LLC has issued 30 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2016 GMC TERRAIN. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

PIP4783B — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

This Prelimary information informs the dealer of a diagnotic trouble code that may set due to a failed high pressure fuel pump. Dealers are to check fuel pressure as per current testing outlined in GM service information and replace the fuel pump if needed.

PIT5696D — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This preliminary information discusses potential for a code C0010.5A to store in the brake controller which appears to be setting falsely or is induced by the customer.

19NA259 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of HVAC Pop Up on Infotainment Screen Blank, Displays Red Box, or Has Incomplete Information After Initial Start Up.

19NA259 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of HVAC Pop Up on Infotainment Screen Blank, Displays Red Box, or Has Incomplete Information After Initial Start Up.

19NA259 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of HVAC Pop Up on Infotainment Screen Blank, Displays Red Box, or Has Incomplete Information After Initial Start Up.

PIP4964D — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on. Technician will find Diagnostic Trouble Code P2097 or P2099. Technician will need to perform an injector balance or Active Fuel Injector Tester prior to going further. Technician will also...

19NA125 — EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians and customers on possible carpet color mismatch.

PIT5205B — VISIBILITY

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a blower speed knob only goes to 8 with less than expected high blower speed air flow. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Dealer should advise the customer to turn the ECO button Off...

PIT5205B — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a blower speed knob only goes to 8 with less than expected high blower speed air flow. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Dealer should advise the customer to turn the ECO button Off...

PIT5402A — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician for a forward collision alert or lane departure warning inoperative with no diagnostic trouble codes stored.  This concern could be caused by an aftermarket windshield.  Verify there is the General Motors logo in the lower right corner of the windshield. 

Showing 10 of 30 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2016 GMC TERRAIN

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the GMC TERRAIN

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Other GMC Models

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