Last updated: 2026-05-15
GMC Terrain vs Hyundai Tucson: Reliability Compared
GMC Terrain
Hyundai Tucson
Choosing between the GMC Terrain and the Hyundai Tucson? 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 Hyundai Tucson currently leads with an average score of 73/100 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 Hyundai Tucson Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Hyundai Tucson is more reliable than the GMC Terrain, scoring 73/100 vs 72/100.
The Hyundai Tucson outperforms the GMC Terrain in reliability with an average score of 83/100 compared to the Terrain's 76/100. Despite having more total recalls, the Tucson has a lower estimated annual repair cost at $426 versus the Terrain's $558. However, the GMC Terrain has a lower owner complaint rate with 4.8 per 10,000 units sold, compared to the Tucson's 8.9. While both vehicles share common issues, the Tucson's higher reliability score and lower repair costs make it the more reliable choice overall.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Tucson costs $132 less per year to repair
- 2Hyundai Tucson has 7% lower major repair risk
- 3GMC Terrain has 4.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
GMC Terrain vs Hyundai Tucson: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | GMC Terrain | Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 72/100 | 73/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 19 | 23 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 4.8 | 8.9 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $558/yr | $426/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 17% | 10% |
| Year Wins | 2 (3 tied) | 3 (3 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the GMC Terrain and Hyundai Tucson?
The Hyundai Tucson exhibits a higher volume of complaints overall, particularly concerning its engine, which accounts for 397 complaints, including 3 crash-linked incidents. Its power train and electrical system also stand out, with 260 and 231 complaints respectively, indicating potential areas of concern. In contrast, the GMC Terrain's primary issues lie with the service brakes and power train, totaling 146 and 135 complaints respectively, but with fewer crash-linked incidents than the Tucson. Notably, the Tucson's forward collision avoidance system has 106 complaints, 12 of which are crash-linked, suggesting a significant safety concern not mirrored in the Terrain's profile.
| Component | GMC Terrain | Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1Very Low | 1.3Low |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 1.9Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1Very Low | 1.1Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.6Very Low | 1.1Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.5Very Low | 1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —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 Hyundai Tucson?
How Does GMC Terrain vs Hyundai Tucson Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | GMC Terrain | Hyundai Tucson | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 78/1000R / 8C | 75/1006R / 251C | GMC Terrain |
| 2024 | 77/1001R / 29C | 77/1004R / 87C | Tie |
| 2023 | 75/1002R / 21C | 75/1002R / 142C | Tie |
| 2022 | 72/1004R / 65C | 66/1003R / 433C | GMC Terrain |
| 2021 | 74/1002R / 28C | 78/1001R / 58C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2020 | 68/1002R / 160C | 73/1001R / 153C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2019 | 68/1003R / 163C | 68/1001R / 349C | Tie |
| 2018 | 66/1005R / 201C | 68/1001R / 362C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2026(predicted) | 77/100(predicted) | 76/100(predicted) | GMC Terrain |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 GMC Terrain scored 78/100 and the 2021 Hyundai Tucson scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the GMC Terrain vs the Hyundai Tucson?
GMC Terrain vs Hyundai Tucson: Common Questions
- Is the GMC Terrain more reliable than the Hyundai Tucson?
- Based on our data, the Hyundai Tucson is more reliable with an average score of 73/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the GMC Terrain or the Hyundai Tucson?
- The Hyundai Tucson has more recalls (23) 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 Hyundai Tucson?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the GMC Terrain has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 8.9 for the Hyundai Tucson. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the GMC Terrain or the Hyundai Tucson?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Hyundai Tucson is cheaper to maintain at $426/year versus $558/year for the GMC Terrain.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between GMC Terrain and Hyundai Tucson? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue