Is the GMC Terrain more reliable than the Honda CR-V?

Based on our data, the Honda CR-V is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the GMC Terrain or the Honda CR-V?

The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) compared to the GMC Terrain (19). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the GMC Terrain or the Honda CR-V?

Adjusted for sales volume, the GMC Terrain has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 sold versus 8 for the Honda CR-V. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the GMC Terrain or the Honda CR-V?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda CR-V is cheaper to maintain at $407/year versus $558/year for the GMC Terrain.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

GMC Terrain vs Honda CR-V: Reliability Compared

GMC Terrain

Good

More Reliable

Honda CR-V

Good

Choosing between the GMC Terrain and the Honda CR-V? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Honda CR-V currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 72/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the GMC Terrain and Honda CR-V Generations Compare?

The Honda CR-V is currently in its sixth generation, which began in 2023. As a new platform, potential buyers should be aware that early models in a generation can sometimes experience first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial kinks. However, Honda's reputation for reliability often means these are minor. The previous fifth-generation CR-V, last facelifted in 2020, was a mature platform known for its reliability. In contrast, the GMC Terrain is in its second generation, launched in 2018, with a facelift in 2022. This positions it as a more mature platform, typically offering well-sorted reliability compared to newer designs.

Verdict

The Honda CR-V is more reliable than the GMC Terrain, scoring 74/100 vs 72/100.

The Honda CR-V demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 89/100 compared to the GMC Terrain's 76/100. Despite having more recalls, the CR-V has a lower owner complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 sold versus the Terrain's 4.8, when adjusted for sales volume. Additionally, the CR-V benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs of $407, compared to the Terrain's $558. While both models have issues with their electrical systems and engines, the CR-V's overall reliability metrics make it a more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Honda CR-V costs $151 less per year to repair
2GMC Terrain has 27 fewer total recalls
3Honda CR-V has 8% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

2GMC Terrain

—

3Honda CR-V

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

GMC Terrain vs Honda CR-V: Which Is More Reliable?

GMC Terrain vs Honda CR-V at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	GMC Terrain	Honda CR-V
Reliability Score	72/100	74/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	19	46
Complaints per 10k Sold	4.8	8
Annual Repair Cost	$558/yr	$407/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	17%	9%
Year Wins	2 (1 tied)	5 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the GMC Terrain and Honda CR-V?

The Honda CR-V exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in steering and forward collision avoidance systems, with 1159 and 656 complaints respectively, both having significant numbers linked to crashes. In contrast, the GMC Terrain's most reported issues concern the service brakes and power train, with 146 and 135 complaints, though these numbers are considerably lower than those of the CR-V. Notably, the CR-V's service brakes also account for a higher crash link with 33 incidents, while the Terrain's service brakes have 8 crash-linked complaints. Though both vehicles have issues with electrical systems, the CR-V again shows a greater number of complaints, indicating broader reliability challenges.

GMC Terrain vs Honda CR-V common problem areas comparison
Component	GMC Terrain	Honda CR-V
STEERING	0.1Very Low	1.8Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	0.9Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	1Very Low	0.4Very Low
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	0.8Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1Very Low	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	1Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.5Very Low	0.3Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.6Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: GMC Terrain or Honda CR-V?

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Honda CR-V is a more cost-effective option for maintenance and repairs compared to the GMC Terrain. The CR-V costs $407 annually for repairs, while the Terrain costs $558, leading to a $151 difference per year or $755 over five years. Both vehicles have the same repair frequency at 0.3 visits per year, but the CR-V's major repair risk is significantly lower at 9% compared to the Terrain's 17%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda CR-V presents a better value with lower annual costs and a reduced risk of major repairs.

How Does GMC Terrain vs Honda CR-V Reliability Compare by Year?

GMC Terrain vs Honda CR-V year-by-year reliability scores
Year	GMC Terrain	Honda CR-V	Edge
2025	78/1000R / 8C	80/1006R / 201C	Honda CR-V
2024	77/1001R / 29C	77/1004R / 406C	Tie
2023	75/1002R / 21C	72/1007R / 578C	GMC Terrain
2022	72/1004R / 65C	76/1005R / 242C	Honda CR-V
2021	74/1002R / 28C	77/1003R / 241C	Honda CR-V
2020	68/1002R / 160C	74/10010R / 358C	Honda CR-V
2019	68/1003R / 163C	69/1007R / 996C	Honda CR-V
2018	66/1005R / 201C	65/1004R / 1960C	GMC Terrain
2026(predicted)	77/100(predicted)	76/100(predicted)	GMC Terrain

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 GMC Terrain scored 78/100 and the 2025 Honda CR-V scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the GMC Terrain vs the Honda CR-V?

If you prioritize reliability and lower running costs, the Honda CR-V is a strong choice. With a reliability score of 89/100, it stands out for its dependability, despite having a higher number of recalls at 46. The CR-V's estimated annual repair cost is notably lower at $407, and it has a lower major repair risk of 9%. While it does have some issues with steering and the forward collision avoidance system, its overall performance and fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold (8) make it a reliable option for those who value peace of mind and cost-efficiency. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a vehicle with fewer recalls and are willing to accept a slightly higher potential for major repairs, the GMC Terrain might suit your needs. It has a reliability score of 76/100 and a moderate repair frequency of 0.3 times per year. With fewer recalls (19) and lower owner complaints per 10,000 sold (4.8), it may appeal to those who are less concerned about repair costs and more focused on minimizing the hassle of recalls. However, be prepared for a higher estimated annual repair cost of $558 and a 17% major repair risk.

GMC Terrain vs Honda CR-V: Common Questions

Is the GMC Terrain more reliable than the Honda CR-V?: Based on our data, the Honda CR-V is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the GMC Terrain or the Honda CR-V?: The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) compared to the GMC Terrain (19). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the GMC Terrain or the Honda CR-V?: Adjusted for sales volume, the GMC Terrain has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 sold versus 8 for the Honda CR-V. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the GMC Terrain or the Honda CR-V?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda CR-V is cheaper to maintain at $407/year versus $558/year for the GMC Terrain.

More GMC Terrain comparisons

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More Honda CR-V comparisons

Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-50 reliability Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4 reliability Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Tucson reliability Honda CR-V vs Kia Sportage reliability Honda CR-V reliability by year Honda CR-V years to avoid

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

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.

Repair Costs

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

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.

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.

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