Last updated: 2026-10-10
GMC Terrain Reliability by Year
GMC Terrain reliability is good for the class, but 2018 and 2019 carry brake vacuum pump and transmission risks. The 2024 is the year to buy.
GMC Terrain Reliability Overview
Used Terrain buyers get a model that rates good and sits above average among SUVs, as long as the year is chosen with care. Skip 2018 and 2019. The big risk is the brake booster vacuum pump, which can fail and leave the pedal rock hard before debris wrecks the engine. Transmission slipping and harsh shifts are the second worry. The 2024 model is the safer pick.
Current generation: 3rd gen (2025–present).
Best & Worst GMC Terrain Years
Best GMC Terrain Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe best GMC Terrain year is 2024 with a reliability score of 77/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2023 (75/100) and 2021 (74/100). Newer model years (2025–2026) score higher partly because they've had less time to accumulate owner complaints.
GMC Terrain Years to Avoid
The worst GMC Terrain year is 2018 with a score of 66/100, primarily due to service brakes (48) issues. Also avoid 2020 (68/100).
GMC Terrain Reliability Score Trend
GMC Terrain reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 77/100 compared to 69/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 82/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 GMC Terrain
0 recalls · 0 complaints
The strongest standing of any Terrain year, with no complaints or recalls on file, though that record is short because the year is so recent.
2025 GMC Terrain
0 recalls · 8 complaints
Rated good with no recalls and few complaints so far, though early transmission reports include a failure to hold in park.
2024 GMC Terrain
1 recalls · 29 complaints
Rated good and above average among 2024 SUVs, with early transmission failures as the main concern and one recall in the Structure area.
2023 GMC Terrain
2 recalls · 21 complaints
A middle-of-the-pack year with good reliability, far fewer complaints than 2022, and stalling tied to fuel delivery as the main concern.
2022 GMC Terrain
4 recalls · 65 complaints
Fuel pump module stalls drew the most complaints, though the standing is still good and the 2023 rates better with far fewer complaints.
2021 GMC Terrain
2 recalls · 28 complaints
Far fewer complaints than the 2020, yet drivetrain shudder and sudden power-loss reports keep it from being trouble-free.
2020 GMC Terrain
2 recalls · 160 complaints
Brake assist failures dominate complaints, and this year sits among the weaker of nine Terrain years even though its overall standing is good.
2019 GMC Terrain
3 recalls · 163 complaints
Rated good but among the weaker Terrain years, with brake vacuum pump failures and 9-speed transmission trouble leading owner complaints.
2018 GMC Terrain
5 recalls · 201 complaints
Weakest of the nine scored Terrain years, with five recalls and brake vacuum pump failures that can wreck the engine.
Found Your GMC Terrain? Check Its History
Power train (2) problems come up most in GMC Terrain owner complaints, and 19 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
GMC Terrain Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$558
Repair Frequency
0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk
17%
$37 above the compact SUVs average of $521/yr.
Ranked #22 of 26 among compact SUVs.
GMC Terrain Resale Value
The GMC Terrain is estimated to retain about 58.7% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 58.7%
- Depreciation
- 41.3%
- Listings Analyzed
- 225
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore GMC Terrain depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comGMC Terrain Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable GMC Models
Compare all GMC models by reliability
Compare GMC Terrain With Similar SUVs
The GMC Terrain competes with other compact suvs such as Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4.
Terrain vs Chevrolet Equinox
9 years tracked · 1623 complaints
Terrain vs Honda CR-V
9 years tracked · 5017 complaints
Terrain vs Toyota RAV4
8 years tracked · 2734 complaints
Terrain vs Nissan Rogue
9 years tracked · 2539 complaints
Terrain vs Hyundai Tucson
9 years tracked · 1838 complaints
More GMC Terrain comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for a used GMC Terrain?
- The 2024 model is the site's pick. It has been on the road at least two years, draws far fewer complaints per 10,000 sold than 2018 or 2019, and has one recall. The 2025 and 2026 years look clean, but they are too new to judge.
- Is the GMC Terrain reliable?
- Yes, with a caveat about the year. Its standing is good and above average among SUVs. The 2018 and 2019 models have serious brake pump and transmission complaints, while later years have far fewer filings, though transmission reports still show up.
- What are the most common GMC Terrain problems?
- Service brakes lead the complaints, followed by the power train, electrical system, and engine. The worst brake pattern is a pedal that suddenly goes rock hard. Transmission reports describe slipping, revving without an upshift, and harsh shifts. Infotainment screens also go black or reboot.
- What is the brake vacuum pump problem on the Terrain?
- The camshaft-driven brake booster vacuum pump can fail, which makes the brake pedal turn rock hard and lengthens stopping distances. The pump can shatter and send metal into the engine, damaging the camshaft or ruining the engine. Many drivers say no warning appeared first. Eight brake complaints are linked to crashes.
- How much does it cost to repair a GMC Terrain?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $558. That is a bit above the $521 average for compact SUVs. A failed vacuum pump that damages the engine can cost far more than the pump repair alone.
How we score the GMC Terrain
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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