BestCarRank
Gmc

2015 Gmc TERRAIN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Gmc TERRAIN has 382 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 287. The most common issue is visibility problems (32% of all complaints), specifically: sept. 30, 2015 we bought a 2015 gmc terrain from buick gmc of mahwah (nj). there was 88 miles on the odometer. at night (in darkness) visibility is only accessible thru the bottom section of the windshield. there is a dark horizontal line across the windshield at approximately the half way p. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 10 crash reports 5 injuries

382

Total Complaints

3

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

121 complaints
32%
  • SEPT. 30, 2015 WE BOUGHT A 2015 GMC TERRAIN FROM BUICK GMC OF MAHWAH (NJ). THERE WAS 88 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AT NIGHT (IN DARKNESS) VISIBILITY IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE THRU THE BOTTOM SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE IS A DARK HORIZONTAL LINE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD AT APPROXIMATELY THE HALF WAY P
  • IF WE USE ANY CLIMATE CONTROL SETTING BEFORE USING THE DEFROSTER, THEN TRY TO USE THE DEFROSTER, IT WILL ONLY BLOW COOL AIR. IF WE CHANGE THE SETTING TO VENT, HEAT OR A/C, WARM AIR WILL BLOW, BUT SWITCH IT BACK TO DEFROST AND ONLY COOL AIR BLOWS FROM IT. WE COULD NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD OF FOG IN
  • DURING A SNOW STORM IN MARCH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING! LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO RETURN HOME SAFELY SINCE I WAS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. I WENT TO UNION PARK AND GOT THE ISSUE FIXED FOR $110.00. I HAD TO PAY FOR IT SINCE UNION PARK TOLD ME I HAD 38,000 MILES ON MY LEASE AN
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

SEPT. 30, 2015 WE BOUGHT A 2015 GMC TERRAIN FROM BUICK GMC OF MAHWAH (NJ). THERE WAS 88 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AT NIGHT (IN DARKNESS) VISIBILITY IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE THRU THE BOTTOM SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE IS A DARK HORIZONTAL LINE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD AT APPROXIMATELY THE HALF WAY P

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Gmc TERRAIN

Based on 219 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 60K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
40
30-60K
61
60-100K
74
100-150K
37
150-200K
6
200K+
1

LIGHTING

Earlier than typicalmedian 48K mi · 13 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
1
60-100K
3
100-150K
3
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 31K mi · 10 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
4
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 47K mi · 16 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
7
60-100K
4
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

FUEL SYSTEM

Reported earliermedian 60K mi · 12 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
4
60-100K
3
100-150K
3
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 49K mi · 10 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
4
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 49K mi · 10 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
4
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW16/10/2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2015 Gmc TERRAIN

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,286
Per month
$191
Per mile
19.1¢
MPG
21
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$3,001/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2015 Gmc TERRAIN

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,585
Full coverage / month
$132
Liability only / year
$626
vs US avg
-5%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.98x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1585

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Gmc TERRAIN Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
45K mi
Engine coolant
150K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
23K mi
Engine air filter
45K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
45K mi

Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Gmc New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
6 yr / 100K mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Gmc. If you're buying a used 2015 TERRAIN, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
LIGHTING(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 382 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • VISIBILITY: SEPT. 30, 2015 WE BOUGHT A 2015 GMC TERRAIN FROM BUICK GMC OF MAHWAH (NJ). THERE WAS 88 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AT NIGHT (IN DARKNESS) VISIBILITY IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE THRU THE BOTTOM SECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE IS A DARK HORIZONTAL LINE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD AT APPROXIMATELY THE HALF WAY P

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, YESTERDAY, 3/22/15, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING WHILE CAROL TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AS WE WERE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT. AT THAT TIME THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING. IS THIS A NEW PROBLEM OR HAS IT BEEN REPORTED BEFORE? WHO DO I CONTACT TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSU

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: RADIO STOPPED FUNCTIONING ON AUGUST 26TH. THERE WAS NO VOLUME, I COULD NOT CHANGE THE STATIONS BY STEERING WHEEL OR TOUCH. THE BLUETOOTH WOULD NOT WORK. THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND REMAINED ON THE ENTIRE EVENING. I CALLED GMC SUPPORT AND THEY SAID TO UNPLUG THE BATTERY, BUT I DID NOT

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • LIGHTING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DID NOT FULLY ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE M

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
382
Recalls
3
Fire reports
1
Crash reports
10
Injury reports
5
Segment avg
287

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2015 Gmc TERRAIN