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#BS-2016-GMCTER-344A

2016 GMC TerrainProblems, Recalls & Reliability

Based on reports from 184 owners and 2 recalls for this exact model.

Data updated ·checked October 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026

Complaints
184
Crashes
13
Fires
0
Recalls
2
TSBs
1,232
🟢

Preliminary Verdict

Proceed with Caution

Based on 184 complaints, 13 crashes, 0 fires, and 2 recalls.

See full verdict with buy/skip conditions

Top reported problems

1

excessive oil consumption

4 complaints • Severity 9/10

$X,XXX
2

paint peeling

2 complaints • Severity 7/10

$X,XXX
3

the airconditioner turns off and the heat comes in summer

1 complaints • Severity 8/10

$X,XXX
4

wipers stopped working

1 complaints • Severity 6/10

$X,XXX
5

infotainment system screen goes black

1 complaints • Severity 8/10

$X,XXX

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Mechanic Inspection Checklist

!Check the EngineHIGH

46 owners reported engine issues — failures commonly reported around 51K miles.

!Inspect the VisibilityMED
Look for symptoms of wear and premature failure
+ 6 more items in full checklistUnlock

Failure Timeline by Mileage

13
0–30K
32
30–60K
11
60–90K
15
90–120K
2
120–150K
2
150K+

Peak failure range: 30–60K miles (32 reports) • Median: 51K miles

Full report: which components fail at each mileageUnlock

30,000-Mile Cost Projection

Best Case

$X,XXX

Most Likely

$X,XXX

Worst Case

$X,XXX

Top cost driver: Engine (46 reports).

Includes fuel costs, common repairs, and recall riskUnlock

Also in your report

Owner Intelligence

AI-synthesized themes from real complaints

Buyer Lot Checklist

Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers

Negotiation Talking Points

Data-backed dollar deductions

Buy / Skip Verdict

Final recommendation with conditions

10 sections total in the full reportUnlock all

Where the complaints fall

Engine46 (25%)
Visibility46 (25%)
Other13 (7%)
Drivetrain11 (6%)
Airbags10 (5%)
Lights10 (5%)
Electrical9 (5%)
Steering6 (3%)

2016 GMC Terrain: Known Issues & Problem Areas

Engine Issues

Engine complaints account for 25% of all reports filed for the 2016 GMC Terrain, with 46 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 51,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 51K-mile mark.

Visibility Issues

Visibility complaints account for 25% of all reports filed for the 2016 GMC Terrain, with 46 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to visibility-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Drivetrain Issues

Drivetrain complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2016 GMC Terrain, with 11 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Airbags Issues

Airbags complaints account for 5% of all reports filed for the 2016 GMC Terrain, with 10 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to airbags-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.

Complaint trend by year

4
16
3
17
14
18
17
19
19
20
34
21
25
22
19
23
16
24
19
25
14
26

Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2016 GMC Terrain. Recent trend: stable.

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Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict

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Recall History (2 recalls)

16V449000Jul 2016

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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."

22V137000Sep 2022

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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."

Recall severity analysis & seller scripts

The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.

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2016 GMC Terrain NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall

★★★★★

4 of 5 stars

Frontal crash

★★★★★

4 of 5 stars

Side crash

★★★★★

5 of 5 stars

Rollover

★★★★★

4 of 5 stars

From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.

NHTSA Defect Investigations (2)

All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.

EA19005ClosedOpened Dec 2019 · closed Nov 2022

Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative

VISIBILITY

RQ18002ClosedOpened Nov 2018 · closed Dec 2019

Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure

VISIBILITY

The worst model year for the GMC Terrain is the 2011 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.

2016 GMC Terrain vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD)

This vehicle

184

Class avg

212

Complaint volume is roughly in line with other small sport utility vehicle 4wd vehicles from 2016.

Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.

About this data

NHTSA Complaints

Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 184 records for this vehicle.

NHTSA Recalls

Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 2 recalls found for this vehicle.

Repair Cost Data

Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.

Last updated (checked October 30, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.

Other GMC Terrain Model Years

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010
View all GMC Terrain years →

2016 GMC Terrain: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the 2016 GMC Terrain?
The most commonly reported issue with the 2016 GMC Terrain is related to the engine, with 46 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Is the 2016 GMC Terrain reliable?
The 2016 GMC Terrain has 184 complaints, 13 crash reports, and 0 fire reports filed with NHTSA. The full report analyzes whether these numbers indicate real risk or are proportional to the vehicle’s popularity.
How safe is the 2016 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA rates the 2016 GMC Terrain 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars in frontal crash tests, 5 stars in side crash tests, 4 stars for rollover resistance. Where NHTSA tested more than one version, the lowest rating is shown.
How much does it cost to fix 2016 GMC Terrain problems?
Repair costs vary by issue. The full BumperScan report includes detailed repair cost estimates (low/median/high) for every major issue, plus a 30,000-mile total cost of ownership projection.
Does the 2016 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
Yes, the 2016 GMC Terrain has 2 recalls on record. The full report includes recall severity analysis and scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
What mileage do GMC Terrain problems start?
Based on 75 complaints with mileage data, the median mileage at time of complaint is 51,000 miles. The highest concentration of reported issues occurs in the 30–60K mile range. The full report breaks down exactly which components fail at each mileage bracket.
When was the 2016 GMC Terrain data last updated?
BumperScan last checked this vehicle against NHTSA on October 30, 2026, covering owner complaints received through October 28, 2026 plus the latest recalls, investigations and technical service bulletins. Its numbers last changed on October 21, 2026.
What’s in the full report?
10 sections of AI analysis: severity-ranked issues, component scores (0-100), 30K-mile cost projection, failure timeline by mileage, recall details with seller scripts, owner sentiment analysis, mechanic checklist, buyer lot checklist, negotiation ammo with dollar figures, and a buy/skip verdict.
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
NHTSA gives you raw complaint text. BumperScan cross-references 2.1M+ complaints with community repair cost data, EPA fuel data, and recall records — then uses AI to synthesize it into actionable advice with dollar figures.
How is this different from Carfax?
Carfax is VIN-specific history ($45/report). BumperScan is model-level reliability intelligence — what problems this car is known for, what they cost, and whether you should buy it. Complementary, not competing.
What if the report isn’t useful?
100% money-back guarantee. If the report doesn’t help you make a more informed decision, we’ll refund you — no questions asked.
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