Last updated: 2026-03-04

77
GoodReliability score: 77 out of 100, rated Good
2024 GMC Terrain

2024 GMC Terrain Reliability Score & Common Problems

The 2024 GMC Terrain scores 77/100 ("Good"). With 1 recall and 29 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.

2024 is the last model year of the Second generation (2018).

Recalls

1

Complaints

29

Complaint Rate

3.5

per 10k sold

Below avg

Est. Annual Cost

$558

About avg

Major Repair Risk

17%

NHTSA Rating

5/5

Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity35%
74/100 (Good)

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs30%
70/100 (Good)

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact20%
88/100 (Excellent)

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity15%
84/100 (Excellent)

Breadth of reported problem categories

Consider

Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.

Top Issues

POWER TRAIN (13)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)

1 recall on record

Generation & Refresh (US)

Final Year

2024 is the last model year of the Second generation (2018).

  • Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
  • 2 years after the last refresh (2022).
  • 2nd generation Terrain (US).

What this means for buyers

Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.

Second generation (2018)

2018redesign
2019
2020
2021
2022refresh
2023
2024selected

Should You Buy the 2024 GMC Terrain?

The 2024 GMC Terrain scores 77/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory. 2024 is the last model year of the Second generation (2018).

With 29 owner complaints, some reported issues may need attention, but we don't yet see evidence of a single dominant failure mode.

A pre-purchase inspection is recommended for used examples, with particular attention to power train (13). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.

Compared to the 2025 GMC Terrain, which scored 1 points higher. See also the 2023 GMC Terrain for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • Acceptable reliability score
  • Infrequent unscheduled repairs
  • Low recall count
  • Below-average complaint rate for SUV

Cons

  • POWER TRAIN: Significant transmission issues with the 2024 GMC Terrain, including complete... (13 complaints)
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Rear camera and infotainment system (4 complaints)

Compare 2024 GMC Terrain With

Common Problem Categories

Safety

  • 1 manufacturer recall issued

Other

  • POWER TRAIN (13)
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4)
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
  • FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2)
  • FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)
  • AIR BAGS (1)
  • SERVICE BRAKES (1)
  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1)
  • ENGINE (1)
  • STEERING (1)
  • STRUCTURE (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

1

recall on record

The 2024 GMC Terrain has 1 recall on record. This is a low count. Recalls are manufacturer-initiated fixes for safety or compliance issues and are repaired at no cost to the owner at authorized dealerships.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

3.5

per 10k sold

Segment avg: 8.2

LowAvgHigh
Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

0

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2024 GMC Terrain Recall Details

1 recall has been issued for the 2024 GMC Terrain. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

23V8690002023-12-21

STRUCTURE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The door strikers may fracture, resulting in the door opening unexpectedly.

Consequence

A door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace all four door strikers and attaching bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232429911.

2024 GMC Terrain NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 18.5%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Not Available)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Not Available)Additional Air Bags (None)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard/Optional)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver/Roof)
View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

GMC Terrain Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$558

vs $521 avg for compact SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.3

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

17%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Terrain
$558
Category Avg
$521
All Vehicles
$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

When Buying a Used 2024 GMC Terrain

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.

  • Inspect transmission for erratic shifting or slipping
  • Check for any transmission fluid leaks
  • Test fuel system for proper operation and check for any stalling issues
  • Verify infotainment system functions correctly, especially when switching gears
  • Check for water intrusion in the cabin, particularly on the driver's side floor
  • Ensure all electronic warning systems and sensors are functioning properly

Check Any 2024 GMC Terrain's History Before You Buy

Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2024 Terrain in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific GMC Terrain with a free VIN lookup.

Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.

2024 GMC Terrain Common Problems by Component

29 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

13
4
3
3
POWER TRAIN (13)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2)FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)AIR BAGS (1)SERVICE BRAKES (1)VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1)Other (3)

POWER TRAIN

13 complaints

Owners report significant transmission issues with the 2024 GMC Terrain, including complete transmission failure and erratic shifting. Complaints frequently mention loss of power while driving, with vehicles unexpectedly switching to park or neutral, sometimes resulting in sudden stops. These issues typically occur at low mileages, often below 20,000 miles, and have led to vehicles being towed for extensive repairs. Safety implications are evident as multiple owners describe situations where the vehicle's loss of control could have led to accidents, particularly during highway driving or in traffic. Buyers should be aware of these recurring transmission problems when considering a used 2024 GMC Terrain.

13 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 complaints

Owners report several issues with the 2024 GMC Terrain, particularly related to the rear camera and infotainment system. Complaints frequently mention the rear camera displaying incorrectly, such as showing the top of the license plate, and persisting display issues when switching from reverse to drive. Multiple owners describe the infotainment system malfunctioning, with symptoms including the rear camera remaining active, sound volume controls failing, and non-functional steering wheel controls. Additionally, one owner notes the physical difficulty in lifting the hood due to the absence of assist springs or shocks, which could pose a safety concern if the hood falls. No specific mileage ranges are mentioned, but these issues appear to occur soon after purchase.

4 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 complaints

Owners of the 2024 GMC Terrain frequently report issues related to the electrical system, particularly involving water intrusion and electronic malfunctions. Symptoms described include fog emanating from air vents, water accumulation on the driver's side floor, and subsequent failures of speakers and signal lights, with one owner linking these issues to a clogged drain line. Another common complaint involves persistent error messages related to the blind spot assist feature, with the issue occurring intermittently since purchase. Additionally, a severe incident is reported where the vehicle in PARK displayed a brake system failure message, leading to compromised braking performance and increased stopping distances. These problems are noted at low mileages, such as 3,757 miles, and may pose safety risks, especially in the case of brake system warnings.

3 complaints total
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2 complaints)

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 complaints

Owners report issues with the fuel system on the 2024 GMC Terrain, with problems occurring at various mileages, including 25,423 and 42,000 miles. Complaints frequently mention a complete failure of the fuel pump or fuel module, leading to the vehicle stalling. One owner describes a scenario where the car quit while driving, resulting in a loss of control and the vehicle stopping across two lanes of a highway, posing a significant safety risk. These issues may require intervention such as towing and part replacement, which prospective buyers should consider when assessing this vehicle.

2 complaints total
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 complaint
2025-07-15

My wife and I took our new vehicle on a 7k mile road trip this summer. Two times while on the freeway around 70 MPH, the sensors went wild. The cars auto break came on and red lights and collision warnings went off in the seat and the HUD. The vehicle slowed down to about 35 immediately! Then everything turned off and we sped back went down the road like nothing happened. Luckily there was no behind us or in front of us for a good distance. The thing is during both of the there was a car in the lane next to us at our 1 or 2 o'clock position. Perhaps the sensors. Mistakingly thought we were about to hit that car. Can these seniors be adjusted?

AIR BAGS (1 complaints)

AIR BAGS

1 complaint
2025-04-30

The contact owns a 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Service Vehicle Soon" message was displayed, and the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint
2025-04-13

The contact owns a 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating while accelerating. The contact stated that the vehicle was stalling, and the brake pedal was spongy. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions, but the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 10.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint
2025-04-20

Driving on slightly uphill 55 mph highway, vehicle started jumping & losing engine power. Engine light came on, I made it to the top as it was slowing down. Pulled off to the side. Put it in park for a minute. Message showing on dash read - acceleration power reduced. Drove it on home (engine light stayed on) parked it & had it towed to dealership the next morning. Got a call from dealership the same afternoon saying the vehicle was ready to be picked up. Picked up later in evening from dealership. They left keys & paper in car for pick up. We still tend the paper left it in the box showing we picked it up. The vehicle drove good back home. Drove it the next day, As I was pulling out from a stop sign, it started jumping again for a few seconds. Got home & had my husband to drive it, as we were coming up a small hill, it started jumping & losing power again engine light was blinking at this point. Dash board read engine power reduced. My husband kept on the accelerater & when we got on top of the hill engine light went off & we drove it back to the dealership & left it to be checked again. They kept the vehicle for 7 days & said they were not able to find concern. We picked it up again. Drove it back home without any incident. It has been parked since we got it home.

ENGINE (1 complaints)

ENGINE

1 complaint
2024-10-22

The contact owns a 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and merging onto the highway, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed. The contact was informed that an undisclosed faulty sensor was the cause of the failure. The contact was informed that the sensor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle had remained at the dealer for two weeks unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.

STEERING (1 complaints)

STEERING

1 complaint
2024-10-17

While driving, the dash warning "service power steering" light up and my steering wheel locked making me unable to steer or manuever the car to safety. I was stuck in the middle of the road. I turned it off and on and was able to make it to a parking lot where the same safety messages illuminated four more times. I tried reversing and the same steering lock occurred again making me unable to drive the vehicle.

When Do 2024 GMC Terrain Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

2,400–22,000 milesTransmission failures
25,000–42,000 milesFuel system failures

Best & Worst GMC Terrain Years

Best GMC Terrain Years to Buy

The best GMC Terrain year is 2025 with a reliability score of 78/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2024 (77/100) and 2023 (75/100).

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.

See full GMC Terrain years-to-avoid analysis →

GMC Terrain Reliability Score Trend

GMC Terrain reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 76/100 compared to 69/100 for older years.

avg 72
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

GMC Terrain reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201866/100Good
201968/100Good
202068/100Good
202174/100Good
202272/100Good
202375/100Good
202477/100Good
202578/100Good

GMC Terrain Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
202677/100 (predicted)Predicted00
202578/100+1Good08
2024(selected)77/100+2Good129
202375/100+3Good221
202272/100-2Good465
202174/100+6Good228
202068/1000Good2160
201968/100+2Good3163
201866/100Good5201

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2024 GMC Terrain reliable?
The 2024 GMC Terrain has a "Good" reliability rating with a score of 77/100. It is reasonably reliable with 1 recall and 29 owner complaints, though some issues have been reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2024 GMC Terrain?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2024 GMC Terrain include: POWER TRAIN (13 complaints), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3 complaints), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2 complaints), FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.
How many recalls does the 2024 GMC Terrain have?
The 2024 GMC Terrain has 1 recall on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.
Is the 2024 GMC Terrain expensive to maintain?
The 2024 GMC Terrain has estimated annual repair costs of $558/year, which is $37 more than the compact SUVs average of $521. With a reliability score of 77/100, some repairs may be needed, but overall ownership costs are manageable.

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

See incorrect data? Report an issue