First generation
2016 GMC Terrain
The most reported problem on the 2016 GMC Terrain is wiper failure, with 45 complaints, usually around 54,000 miles.
- 152owner complaints
- 2recalls
- 9involved a crash
- 52,800median miles at failure
Newest report Aug 14, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Terrain doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.
Is the 2016 GMC Terrain reliable?
The 2016 GMC Terrain has 152 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 248 for 2016 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Terrain model years since 2014, it has the 6th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 14 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs close to the 2017 (13). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- Wiper failure leads with 45 of the 152 complaints (30%), ahead of windshield at 35. A quarter of the 17 owners who gave a mileage for wiper failure saw it by about 49,000 miles, and half by about 54,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 10 of the 152 complaints (7%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 9 reports mention a crash and 9 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 5 of 9, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as wiper failure and windshield. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2022 at 23 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 16. So far in 2026, 12 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: windshield wipers stop working, 45 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
152 complaints is 1.7 times fewer than the median 2016 model on this site and 1.6 times fewer than the median 2016 SUV. Among the 8 Terrain model years here it ranks 6th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 GMC Terrain
GMC filed 1,231 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 GMC Terrain. 56 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Windshield cracks or distorts 8 bulletins · 35 complaints
Special Coverage. On certain 2010-2012 model year and 2016-2017 model year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, the ball joints in the front windshield wiper modules of these vehicles may experience high corrosion and wear that could result in the ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have may a helicopter type noise when a rear window is lowered.
6 more on this problem
This Bulletin provides procedures to correct a condition of Power Foldaway Mirror Glass Shake, Flutter at Normal Driving Speeds
This engineering information bulletin ends the need for information from the field on vehicles that have the condition of Front Windshield Wipers Inoperative.
Engineering Information Front Windshield Wipers Inoperative
This engineering information bulletin is requesting information from the field on vehicles that have the condition of Front Windshield Wipers Inoperative.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the wiper transmission and wiper motor to correct a customer concern that the windshield wipers are inoperative caused by to the wiper transmission linkage separating as a result of corrosion at the ball ...
THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ON A NORMAL CONDITION ON TEMPERED GLASS OF SPOTS SHOWING ON THE REAR AND SIDE WINDOWS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SUNLIGHT.
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 8 bulletins · 17 complaints
This service bulletin provides diagnostic aid information/procedures to perform inspections to determine if the engine needs to be replaced as opposed to just internal parts for knocking, rattle, squeak and/or squeal type noises from engine.
This service bulletin provides diagnostic aid procedure to perform inspections to determine if the engine needs to be replaced as opposed to just internal parts for knocking, rattle, squeak and/or squeal type noises from engine.
6 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to perform inspections to determine if the engine needs to be replaced as opposed to just internal parts for knocking, rattle, squeak and/or squeal type noises from engine.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information on a rattle, tick, or knock type noise. Any drivability concerns they should be addressed prior to the following diagnostic progression.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a knock noise, seized engine, lower end squeak or squeal from the engine. Technician will inspect the oil control solenoids for metal debris.
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION ADVISES THE TECHNICIAN ON THE STEPS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR A POSSIBLE RATTLE, TICK, OR KNOCK TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some vehicles may have rattle, tick, or knock type noise. If there are any drivability concerns they should be addressed prior to the following diagnostic progression.
If a vehicle comes into the dealership with a knock noise, seized engine, lower end squeak or squeal or any condition that you suspect a rod or main bearing failure.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 5 bulletins · 14 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer an issue where the vehicle's engine may stumble and/or stall at startup. The dealer is to evaluate for a faulty aftermarket or incorrect upstream oxygen sensor.
3 more on this problem
This Preliminary information communicatesIn ambient temperatures 100F (37.7 C)degrees or higher, DTCs P2635 and/or P018B may set.The vehicle may also exhibit a hesitation or stalling condition.Excessively Hot and sustained ambient temperatures over 100F (37.7 ...
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to perform a wire to wire repair on the engine harness to correct Intermittent Multiple IPC Warning Lamps Illuminated, Loss of Power Steering Assist, Service Power Steering Message on DIC, Malfunction Indicator ...
This preliminary informational bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of loss of power steering assist, hard to steer, and/or "Service Power Steering" message on in DIC.
Burns oil or oil level rises 3 bulletins · 12 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible cause of engine oil consumption, misfire, cylinder leakage or blow by.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block that have a possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible cause of engine oil consumption, misfire, cylinder leakage or blow by.
1 more on this problem
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ABOUT VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE LOW OIL PRESSURE MESSAGE. TECHNICIAN MAY ALSO FIND A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0521 IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.
Check engine light or misfire 26 bulletins · 11 complaints
This service bulletin provides inspection/diagnosis/correction information on a cold start misfire and/or rough idle and DTC P0300 that may also be set.
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce ...
24 more on this problem
This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to ...
This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or P0455 Set.
This Bulletin provides inspection/diagnosis/correction information on a cold start misfire and/or rough idle and DTC P0300 that may also be set.
This Preliminary information communicates the repair recommendations for misfire and DTC's immediately following HFV6 re-manufactured engines replacement.
This informational bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to ...
This Preliminary information communicates the repair recommendations for misfire in HFV6 re-manufactured engines.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0008 or P0009 may be set. Technician will need to inspect for loose timing chains or tensioners.
This engineering informational bulletin is requesting information from the field on vehicles that have the condition of Engineering Information ? Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) On DTCs P0171 Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 1 and/or P0174 Fuel Trim System Lean ...
This Preliminary Information communication informs dealer technicians of a potential whining noise that can occur after servicing the water pump, water pump chain or cylinder head without use of the water pump sprocket holding tool.
Plus 14 older ones not listed here.
Airbag warning light or recall 2 bulletins · 9 complaints
THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ON LOCATING AND RECONNECTING AIRBAG CONNECTORS THAT ARE NOT FULLY SEATED TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED, OR ONE, OR MORE, AIRBAG DTC(S) SET.
This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 4 bulletins · 5 complaints
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.
This service bulletin provides information for tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system concerns.
2 more on this problem
This informational bulletin provides information on installing the correct tires for vehicles with the condition of under hard acceleration at higher speeds, the traction control light will flash.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to allow a vehicle to be broken in prior to replacing the brake rotors for conditions of excessive brake noise on low mileage vehicles
Complaints filed by year
23 complaints came in 2022. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Front wiper transmission inoperative. Closed nov 28, 2022, led to recall 22V-165.
NHTSA summary
Windshield wiper transmission failure. Closed dec 19, 2019.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2016 GMC Terrain
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
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."
Risk and remedy
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.
All 2 recalls on the 2016 GMC Terrain, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 GMC Terrain?
Wiper failure, with 45 of the 152 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 54,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 GMC Terrain problems start?
Of the 74 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 32,000 miles and half by about 53,000.
Is the 2016 GMC Terrain better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has about as many complaints as the 2017: 14 a year against 13.
How many 2016 GMC Terrain complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
10 of them (7%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for wiper failure on the 2016 GMC Terrain?
No recall on file for the 2016 GMC Terrain is on the same system as wiper failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.