Is the 2015 GMC Terrain a bad year?
299 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Terrain years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2015 GMC Terrain are in line with other Terrain years. Visibility and wipers stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2015 Terrain owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 71,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 120 (40%) | 59k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 84 (28%) | 58k–119k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 24 (8%) | 6k–91k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 21 (7%) | 28k–82k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 31 (10%) | 25k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 18 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 17 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 14 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 71,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 299 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 6 report an injury · 13 say the car was towed.
11 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
On 1/10/18, I was on my way to work and received message "Engine power reduced", the engine light came on and power was reduced to 25 mph.
At roughly 106500 miles our terrain started 'jumping' when stopped at a stop sign. We brought it in and our oils was low even though we are regular in oil changes and check it regularly.
I had a brand new motor put in my car at 73547 miles and now at 124079 I am having the same issues. They told me that they won't pay for it because the 100,000 warranty is up.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 71,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2015 GMC Terrain: 3
The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from GMC: 510
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2015 GMC Terrain. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
Neighbouring years
2014 Terrain: 297 complaints, consider selling · 2016 Terrain: 153 complaints, keep it.
Every GMC Terrain year
2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Terrain years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2015 GMC Terrain a bad year?
299 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Terrain years. At 71,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 GMC Terrain?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: visibility and wipers (120), engine (84), exterior lighting (24), transmission and drivetrain (21), electrical system (31).
How many recalls does the 2015 GMC Terrain have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 22V-165), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 22V-137), Air bags (NHTSA 15V-666). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.