NHTSA has 41 owner complaints on file for the 2023 GMC Terrain[1]. The biggest groups are the fuel and propulsion system and the engine[2][3].
Most reported problems
These are the complaint groups owners named, biggest first.
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 16 complaints[2]. Owners describe the SUV losing power, going into a limp mode, or shutting down at a stop light. Some stories point to the fuel pump or a fuel module.
- Engine. 15 complaints[3]. In the stories we read, a reduced power message appears and the car stalls or hesitates. One owner describes a leak that kept the car at the dealer for a long time.
- Power Train. 8 complaints[7]. Owners describe slipping, jerking and shaking when pulling away. One says a software update did not fix it.
- Unknown Or Other. 7 complaints[8]. These reports do not fit a clear component group.
- Electrical System. 7 complaints[9]. Owners describe the car turning off while driving, sometimes with no warning and with the power message on the dash.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. 6 complaints[10]. The median mileage at failure was 35,600[10].
- Lane Departure. 4 complaints[11]. Two of the reports mention a crash[11].
- Air Bags. 2 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2023 Terrain is necessarily included.
- Child Seat › Vehicle Latch Anchor (23V339), May 2023. About 668,187 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger (22V929), December 2022. About 9 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2023 GMC Terrain with 1.5L 4-cylinder[17] | 175 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2023 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 290 | 3 |
| 2011 | 386 | 4 |
| 2012 | 364 | 4 |
| 2013 | 364 | 3 |
| 2014 | 297 | 2 |
| 2015 | 298 | 3 |
| 2016 | 153 | 2 |
| 2017 | 135 | 1 |
| 2018 | 225 | 5 |
| 2019 | 186 | 3 |
| 2020 | 197 | 2 |
| 2021 | 36 | 2 |
| 2022 | 88 | 4 |
| 2023 | 41 | 2 |
| 2024 | 52 | 1 |
| 2025 | 13 | 0 |
| 2026 | 33 | 1 |
| 2027 | 1 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Terrain show 41 complaints and 2 recalls for 2023[4]. Among the 18 model years listed, 4 have fewer complaints than 2023 and 13 have more[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (1) and the most are for 2011 (386)[4]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2023 Terrain?
The 2023 GMC Terrain has 41 owner complaints on file[1]. Fuel and propulsion reports lead the list, followed by engine reports[2][3]. In the stories we read, owners describe sudden power loss that worried them in traffic. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales[1]. The page also lists 2 recalls, so check that section before you buy[4].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2023 GMC Terrain?
- Fuel/propulsion system reports lead with 16 complaints[2]. Engine reports follow with 15[3]. Owners describe power loss and stalling.
- Does the 2023 GMC Terrain have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year fact shows 2 recalls[4]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2023 GMC Terrain?
- See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
- Is the 2023 GMC Terrain reliable?
- NHTSA has 41 owner complaints on file[1]. These are unverified reports, so read the problems and recalls sections together.
- Is 2023 the best year for the GMC Terrain?
- See the by-year comparison on this page. It lays out each model year side by side.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the GMC Terrain
Compare all model years of the GMC Terrain
Other GMC models from 2023
Similar cars from 2023: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 41 owner complaints on file for the 2023 GMC Terrain (2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Terrain model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 29 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,600). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the lane departure component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 23V339, filed May 11, 2023: Child Seat › Vehicle Latch Anchor. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V929, filed December 15, 2022: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 28 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2023 GMC Terrain with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 175 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TERRAIN 4DR SUV AWD: length 183 in, width 72 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,622 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TERRAIN 4DR SUV AWD DENALI: length 183 in, width 72 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,801 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TERRAIN 4DR SUV FWD: length 183 in, width 72 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,448 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov