Is the 2016 Gmc TERRAIN reliable?

The 2016 Gmc TERRAIN has 180 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Gmc TERRAIN?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (49 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (45 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (13 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Gmc TERRAIN?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Contact any Gmc dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Gmc TERRAIN?

The 2016 Gmc TERRAIN gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Gmc TERRAIN?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Gmc TERRAIN is approximately $1,585/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Gmc TERRAIN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Gmc TERRAIN has 180 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 287. The most common issue is visibility problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: while driving on a illinois interstate highway during heavy rain the wipers suddenly stopped in the extended positiion partically blocking my view of the highway. i pulled over and could only return the wiper blades to the home position and they would not work at this point. took to my dealer and it. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

7 crash reports 7 injuries

180

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

49 complaints

27%

• WHILE DRIVING ON A ILLINOIS INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY RAIN THE WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE EXTENDED POSITIION PARTICALLY BLOCKING MY VIEW OF THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED OVER AND COULD ONLY RETURN THE WIPER BLADES TO THE HOME POSITION AND THEY WOULD NOT WORK AT THIS POINT. TOOK TO MY DEALER AND IT
• FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019 THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY, TRAVELING THROUGH A MAJOR THUNDERSTORM WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST RELATED TO THIS DEFECTIVE PART WAS $1156.98. I UNDERSTAND THIS
• WHEN DRIVING 65MPH IN AN INTENSE RAINSTORM, WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE UP POSITION, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO QUICKLY TURN ON MY 4 WAYS AND TRY TO FIND THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO PULL OVER (WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE OUT OF MY WINDSHIELD) ON A VERY BUSY ROADWAY. THIS IS WHILE 7

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING ON A ILLINOIS INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY RAIN THE WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE EXTENDED POSITIION PARTICALLY BLOCKING MY VIEW OF THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED OVER AND COULD ONLY RETURN THE WIPER BLADES TO THE HOME POSITION AND THEY WOULD NOT WORK AT THIS POINT. TOOK TO MY DEALER AND IT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Gmc TERRAIN

Based on 75 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 51K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 44K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 58K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 67K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 46K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 70K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (2)

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS21/06/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles manufactured October 16, 2015. The certification labels may have incorrect tire/rim size and cold tire pressure information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Risk: If the information on the certification labels is incorrect, the operator may install incorrectly sized tires or rims or may improperly inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1050, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 46600.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Gmc TERRAIN

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

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

Show:

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 2016 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.

Your state (affects local premium average)

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 2016 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

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 180 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: WHILE DRIVING ON A ILLINOIS INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DURING HEAVY RAIN THE WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE EXTENDED POSITIION PARTICALLY BLOCKING MY VIEW OF THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED OVER AND COULD ONLY RETURN THE WIPER BLADES TO THE HOME POSITION AND THEY WOULD NOT WORK AT THIS POINT. TOOK TO MY DEALER AND IT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SELLER GMC DEALER LOCATED AT 3800 GRAND RIVER AVENUE FARMINGTON HILL, MI 48335, PHONE NUMBER: 248-478-8000. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH INDICATED THAT RODENTS WERE ATTRAC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE WHOLE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, INCLUDING BACKUP CAMERA AND NAVIGATION, IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. ACCORDING TO REPORTS FROM THE GMC DEALERSHIP AND FROM ONLINE BLOGS, THIS IS A WELL KNOWN SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT GM IS NOT ADDRESSING. SAFETY ISSUES: 1. THE BACKUP CAMERA DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY AND FAILED TO CHANGE GEARS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)