2016 Gmc Terrain problems
The GMC Terrain is a crossover SUV by American manufacturer General Motors under its GMC marque. Sharing its platform with the Chevrolet Equinox, the first-generation Terrain was built on GM's Theta platform, while the second-generation model is currently built on the Delta platform. The Terrain is the smallest GMC vehicle, slotted below the Acadia. It also indirectly replaced the Pontiac Torrent which was typically sold via the same dealerships prior to General Motors dropping the Pontiac brand.
First generation (2010)
The 2010 Terrain debuted in April 2009 at the New York International Auto Show, introduced as a replacement for the Pontiac Torrent, which ended production after GM shut down the Pontiac brand in 2010. Although the preceding Pontiac Torrent had the same Theta platform, the Torrent was a rebadged version of the original Chevrolet Equinox from 2005 to 2009, while GM decided to differ the look of the Chevrolet Equinox with its 2010 Terrain and still use the Theta platform. Early 2010 models had the GM Mark of Excellence logo applied on the sides of the vehicle.
The Terrain initially came in SLE and SLT trims. For the 2013 model year, a Denali trim was added, featuring additional chrome trim and slightly improved interior quality, the 3.6-liter SIDI V6 that is shared with the 2012 Cadillac SRX, and firmer front struts. The Denali also offers cross-traffic detection, blind-spot warning, and a power passenger seat as options. A low-end SL trim was added for 2015.
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Common 2016 Gmc Terrain problems
The GMC Terrain 2016 has had its fair share of issues, as reported by owners of this car. Here are some of the most common problems:
- Engine Issues: The 2013 GMC Terrain's engine may exhibit many issues with no exact cause, such as excessive oil usage, stalling, poor engine power, and severe engine damage. These issues may start showing up as early as 52,000 miles or later at around 108,000 miles.
- Faulty Transmission: Transmission failure is a significant issue in the GMC Terrain years to avoid, including the 2010 and 2011 models. This issue can be just as expensive as engine failures to deal with and twice as annoying, as it can prevent you from going anywhere you need to in your day.
- Excessive Oil Consumption: The GMC Terrain models, including the 2010 and 2011 options, face excessive oil consumption issues. This can lead to the vehicle burning out fast if not careful, causing extensive damage to the engine.
- Faulty Airbags: Some owners of the 2017 GMC Terrain have reported airbags that tend to malfunction, failing to deploy in the event of a collision or crash. This is a massive safety risk, as it can lead to injuries due to the non-deployment of airbags.
These issues have been reported by owners of the GMC Terrain 2016 and can lead to costly repairs and safety concerns. It is essential to address these issues promptly to ensure the vehicle's longevity and safety.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 GMC Terrain?
Owner Reported Trouble Spots
- In-car Electronics. Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display. ...
- Engine Major. ...
- Exhaust. ...
- Climate System. ...
- Fuel System/Emissions. ...
- Engine Cooling. ...
- Engine Minor. ...
- Paint And Trim.
What is the common problem with the GMC Terrain?
Including the terrain SUV from 2018 to 2019.. The issue is an inadequate coating on the rear brake caliper Pistons.
How many miles will a 2016 GMC Terrain last?
How Long Do GMC Terrains Last? The average lifespan for passenger vehicles is around 200,000 miles. The GMC Terrain life expectancy is above the average at around 300,000 miles. If you drive an average of 15,000 miles per year, you could be driving the same vehicle for 20 years with no major problems.
Are there any recalls on a 2016 Terrain?
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 GMC Terrain?
Owner Reported Trouble Spots
- In-car Electronics. Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display. ...
- Engine Major. ...
- Exhaust. ...
- Climate System. ...
- Fuel System/Emissions. ...
- Engine Cooling. ...
- Engine Minor. ...
- Paint And Trim.
What is the common problem with the GMC Terrain?
Including the terrain SUV from 2018 to 2019.. The issue is an inadequate coating on the rear brake caliper Pistons.
How many miles will a 2016 GMC Terrain last?
How Long Do GMC Terrains Last? The average lifespan for passenger vehicles is around 200,000 miles. The GMC Terrain life expectancy is above the average at around 300,000 miles. If you drive an average of 15,000 miles per year, you could be driving the same vehicle for 20 years with no major problems.
Is the GMC Terrain a reliable car?
The 2024 GMC Terrain has a predicted reliability score of 88 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
2016 Gmc Terrain car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Gmc Terrain problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Visibility/wiper problems
- Engine problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Exterior lighting problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2016 Gmc Terrain vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2016 Gmc Terrain
The NHTSA has received 123 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Gmc Terrain. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2016 Gmc Terrain vehicles.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-29
- VIN: 2GKALPEK9G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shook abnormally and lost motive power. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the low engine oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test at the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had recently received an oil change at Walmart. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-22
- VIN: 2GKALMEK6G6
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Code p0700 was indicated at a professional transmission shop. My vehicle started driving different. It is a scary feeling. I have a ten year old daughter who I commute to school and safety is the utmost of importance. I don't want to have a accident in a vehicle I recently purchased for safety and end up having to look for another vehicle because of a total loss accident or a transmission problem that would cost a lot of money I don't have. My fear is the gears slipping as I drive my daughter to school. I got a quote of close to 3,000 $ to have the transmission rebuild or fixed. Money that I don't have to give a shop for a vehicle I purchased to not have problems like this. I called GMC to make an appointment to perform a transmission flush. The p0700 code indicates TCM failure. This is a very nerve wrecking situation. Please help me .
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-04
- VIN: 2GKFLPE36G6
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: My steering wheel locked while driving. This has prevented me from turning the wheel AT ALL (100% completely locks while the car is in motion). The locked steering wheel lasts approximately 15 seconds. This has happened multiple times over a few month period. I took it to GMC who couldn't replicate the issue and said that GMC no longer makes the steering column assembly component, which they aren't sure would fix the issue, so there was nothing they could advise be done other than sell the car or spend a lot of money on diagnostic fees, which they said they wouldn't do if it were them. My safety and those around me were put at risk because I lost steering function while the car was in motion. The only option was to break and stop the vehicle. There were no warning lights or other indicators to alert of an issue.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-15
- VIN: 2GKFLUE31G6
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Back right tail light filling with water when it rains. Affecting electrical wires and water dripping into back cargo. No cracks or damage found on tail light.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-17
- VIN: 2GKFLUEK4G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: When starting the vehicle, I received a “reduced power” warning and then the check engine light came on. I was afraid to drive it to the service center, so It was towed. The repair center informed me that the timing chain failed and that engine will no longer start at all. I cannot afford to have the engine repaired no matter the cost because I’m still responsible for almost $6k of the loan for this vehicle, in addition to full coverage insurance required by the lender. Also, probably taxes as well because I now have a very expensive lawn ornament. Oh, and towing fees to deliver the ornament to the lawn. And then there’s the cost of finding transportation so I can actually work to throw money at all of those costs. Being buried financially because I put faith in this product is an injury and an expensive lesson.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-11
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 2GKFLTEK5G6
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owned a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while making a right turn, a Dodge Ram truck ran through a stop sign causing the contact to crash into the truck head-on. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's daughter arrived at the scene and transported him to the local hospital to be evaluated for brain, neck, left-hand fingers, swollen right leg, and back pain injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed but the police report number was not available. The vehicle was towed to a salvage junkyard. The dealer was not contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-01
- VIN: 2GKFLUE30G6
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: the radio / back up camera and close object display goes on and off intermittently. If backing up all vision and warnings are lost. Unit is no longer available and is obsolete and discontinued by GMC. This was determined and tested at the dealer Cappalino GMC.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-17
- VIN: 2GKFLPE37G6
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: While the key is still in the ignition (first time, vehicle was running; second time, vehicle was off), the car doors locked without any one pushing the button to lock the doors.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-01
- VIN: 2GKALNEK2G6
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: When driving in a rainstorm, there was a loud pop, and the driver side windshield wiper stopped moving. After I finally got home I checked the pivot point of the wiper arm and the nut was still tight. I ordered a new wiper motor module, and replaced it. On the old module I discovered one of the arms had disconnected at a pivot point. I understand NOW that GM has an extended warranty for the part so I will be pursuing reimbursement.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-24
- VIN: 2GKFLTEK9G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking noise heard coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle was towed to the residence and then to the local mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The local mechanic stated that the rear main seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,394.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-10
- VIN: 2GKFLNE33G6
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The OBD airbag deployment sensor is displayed. The GM dealership service center advised the airbag may not deploy in the event of an accident. The service center advised that we would need to pay for the airbag and sensor to be replaced / repaired regardless of the ACRO agreement to replace and repair airbags. This is unacceptable and a danger to all drivers or passengers of the vehicle. It appears several other complaints have been filed where drivers or passengers were injured due to this issue.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-19
- VIN: 2GKFLTEK6G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the timing chain had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 104,000. The contact was instructed to take it and have it diagnosed by the dealership he bought it from so I spent more money to have the garage take it on their roll back and drop it off at the dealership. The email stated I needed an engine with a $9000 estimate.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-17
- VIN: 2GKALPEKXG6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Driving down the road yesterday and outta nowhere I lost power and got a low oil pressure warning then the car just shut off merging onto a busy highway. Blown rear main seal and locked up the engine with no warning. Only 65k miles on the car. Dealership wants to charge me 11k to replace the engine. This is a very common occurrence with this vehicle I’m reading now. This could’ve caused a major accident
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-28
- VIN: 2GKFLVEK5G6
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: My wife was driving on the highway to work when it was raining. Both of the wipers stopped working all of a sudden causing her to not be able to see out of the windshield. When she got home that night I could see that the linkage arm had came off the ball joint.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-27
- VIN: 2GKALPEK4G6
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: I have a 2016 GMC Terrain, garage kept and seldom driven, with ONLY 53,260 miles on it. Last night while leaving the movie Theatre in the RAIN my WIPERS stopped working while in motion. I had to drive home in the rain unable to see!!! Looked on NHTSA.gov site and saw where recalls were issued for 2015’s but not 2016’s, although I’m reading numerous complaints for the same occurring on my model suv. Can GMC provide some insight into this?
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-24
- VIN: 2GKFLUE39G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: This is a 2016 GMC all wheel Terrain. Over the past several years when accelerating the car would shake violently, because we could not reenact dealership could not diagnose the problem ,however as the issue has gotten worse we have been able to recreate and diagnose AND we are looking at a $2,000 repair based on a known ISSUE which DID NOT lead to a recall. The ACTUAL ENGINE IN ITS ENTIRETY SHAKES VIOLENTLY when accelerating!! How in the hell is this possible that these cars are allowed on the street without a recall. You should be ashamed!
ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-05
- VIN: 2GKFLTEK0G6
- Components: ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: The engine - My engine blew because oil evaporated out of the #1 cyclinder, which drained the oil. No warning lights went on and the vehicle stalled in the middle of rush hour traffic. The dealership told me it was because of a factory defect, but no recall on that part of the vehicle. This could have been much worse if the vehicles behind me were going faster than they were and not able to stop before rear ending me. Because this was a factory defect it should have been recalled and I should have been notified of this problem when I bought the vehicle.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-05
- VIN: 2GKFLPE32G6
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: While driving in the rain, my windshield wipers stopped working. No lights on, nothing showing in my GMC app. I've noticed many others with this same issue, and am aware of the recall on the 2014-2015 models. GMC should extend the recall to cover the 2016 as well since this is a known issue.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-25
- VIN: 2GKFLRE3XG6
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: I was driving while it was raining. My windshield wipers were on and functioning without issue. I heard a noise and my windshield wipers had stopped moving and now they do not work. I called several places to schedule an appt for my car/wipers to be assessed and repaired. I was told by 3 different shops that a recall had been issued for the year adjacent to my car and my issue sounded like the recall issue.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-14
- VIN: 2GKFLTE39G6
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: Was coming back from a hospital and it started to rain and had the wipers on and all of a sudden they stopped working! When I got home I tried to see if it was a fuse and it wasn’t! Called my mechanic who looked at it today and I needed a whole new wiper mtr/ w/ linkage! That was a road hazard and never should have happened on my GMC Cost me $430 to repair and I feel like GMC should reimburse me!
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-05
- VIN: 2GKALNEK8G6
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: A severe rain down pour started, I turned on my front windshield wipers, and they swiped about twice, than stopped completely, in a vertical position. I could not see, and had to try to get to the side of the road, to pull over to safety. This was extremely dangerous, and from what I am reading, happens frequently to GMC Terrains. Apparently, there was a recall for 2013-2015, seems the 2016 needs added!! No warning lights are on in the car. No failure report via my GMC app.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-13
- VIN: 2GKALNEK0G6
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Multiple brake lines have corroded out of the gas tank. This caused gas to slowly leak from the vehicle . Not available for inspection - currently being fixed. Dealer confirmed multiple lines corroding. It has been inspected by a certified dealer, Golling in Chelsea, Michigan. There was no warning. Initially smelled gas, but could not pinpoint where it was coming from. Eventually the leak became so large that gas usage was excessive and smell was very strong.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-11
- VIN: 2GKFLPE32G6
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: Thermostat/coolant sensor malfunctioning causing engine fan to constantly run as if the engine is over heating. Some engine exhaust door/flap is stuck open or closed causing check engine light to come on. And or the actuators doors are broken causing windows to fog and obstruct view. Not sure what would cause this issue but I have had to have work done on my vehicle twice for this issue within 3 years.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-18
- VIN: 2GKALNEK3G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: While just starting on my way home on a cold 9 degree day,I have an 2016 GMC Terrain that I had since 2018 and bought from a dealer. After driving for about 12 miles on the interstate the Terrain engine light came on and there was a vibration coming from the front of my GMC. There was an exit ramp about 1/4 mile so i pulled off the interstate and my vehicle showed loss of power and steering and shut down, barely made it on the exit ramp. Very dangerous not having steering with little notice. I noticed alot of oil dripping from the undercarriage so I called a local automobile shop to get my vehicle towed. They diagnosed that I needed a new engine and comented that the 2.4 engine had many issues. I recently had it towed to my house and currently going to have a local chevy dealer give me a second opinion and cost for repairs since I still have a loan on the vehicle.I believe that this is a very unsafe vehicle and needed to be reported so nobody gets hurt. Thank You
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-06
- VIN: 2GKALMEK7G6
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Was driving home from work and the engine light came on. Shortly after the stabilitrak warning light came on followed by the reduced engine power warning. I had a GM dealer work on why the engine light came on while the car was still under warranty and i thought that would have fixed it. I have been reading on articles how the engines in these models are defective and consumes a lot of oil. I always have to add oil in between changes. I had a mechanic look at my car and run a diagnostic and basically the pistons need replacing...due to the defective engine. I feel the engine repairs that will be needed should be covered.
2016 Gmc Terrain recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2016 Gmc Terrain.
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Consequence: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Summary: 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."
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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.
Negative 2016 Gmc Terrain car reviews
Positive 2016 Gmc Terrain car reviews
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The GMC Terrain is a great mid-small SUV with plenty of interior space and a spacious back seat, making it perfect for road trips. According to the computer on our last trip to Canada, it can get up to 35 mpg. However, after about 7500 miles, we noticed some small rattles in the interior, and the 2.4L engine can be quite loud. Although the noise suppression system seems to kick in a bit late, leaving it noisy around 40 to 45 miles per hour, if you don't mind an occasionally noisy interior and a buzzy engine when you need power, then this is still a great vehicle. I'm not sure if I will lease another GMC next time unless some of these issues are addressed.
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After our GMC Envoy XL had major problems, we chose this vehicle based on cost. However, we are very happy with our choice. Although we wanted an Acadia, the $10K+ price difference was too much. The Terrain is a comfortable and pretty spacious 'compact' SUV that rides great and is easy to drive. It has way more room in the back seat than the Envoy did and better front passenger area. We were able to fit five of us (kids 16, 8 & 3), but it was a little tight. The back seat can be adjusted to make more space, but not by much without sacrificing legroom. Even when loaded down, it's easy and comfortable to drive, and it's mostly quiet. However, there is a lot of tire noise (not sure if it's the car or the tires though) which can get really loud on the highway. Although the cargo area is a little small considering this isn't really a small vehicle, we recently took a 2500+ mile trip with all of us and all the luggage (including a roof cargo box) and the ride and handling were very good. Even after 12+ hours in the car, we didn't feel really stiff or sore and we survived with 3 in the back seat. The 4 cyl motor is good 90% of the time for us, so it probably is the better overall choice. However, we wished we got the 6 cyl motor for our recent trip. It really struggled at higher speeds (70 MP+) with all of us and the luggage; although understandably so considering it was probably about 1000 lbs of people & gear. We only got about 23 MPG for the trip so I was disappointed in that (I expected about 25 MPG with the cargo box). The constant shifting gets annoying, but overall, we are very happy with our choice.Especially when it kicks down a couple of gears, this SUV feels like two different vehicles when it comes to mileage (even without the cargo box). If you stay between 60-65 MPH, it easily gets 28-30 MPG. Once you start going 70 or more, it drops off to low to mid 20's, probably because of the squared-off styling. Overall, I really like this SUV, and my wife and I enjoy driving it. It's comfortable, rides and handles well, and gets good mileage (especially compared to averaging about 15 MPG with our Envoy). We have over 28K miles in the year we've had it and never had a problem and no rattles, random noises, etc. The styling, comfort, ride, stereo, gas mileage (most of the time), and safety ratings are all great. There are plenty of storage places, cup holders, and charging ports. The center console is quite large, which can make it a little hard to find things with too much stuff in it. I think the headlights and fog lights work great; good brightness and distance so you don't have to use high beams all the time. However, there are a few things that could be improved. The 4-cylinder engine struggles when the vehicle is loaded up, and there are no rear A/C vents, and the front ones are low (glad we got a light-colored one). The cargo area is a little small, and my 8-year-old says the center seat in the back is too hard. The transmission downshifts a lot because it always tries to get to the highest gear, making it difficult to accelerate a little bit without it downshifting (and sometimes it goes down 2 gears). A little thing that continues to annoy me is the back wiper design. It doesn't extend away from the window very far, so it makes it difficult to clean the whole wiper blade and where it rests, making it hard to keep the window and blade clean. However, my biggest problem is still the engine.Accelerating quickly can be a bit of a challenge with this vehicle. It tends to downshift multiple gears, resulting in a lot of engine noise but very little forward motion. While it's generally fine for regular driving, lane changes or passing other vehicles require some planning. If you're looking for more horsepower without sacrificing gas mileage, GMC could benefit from developing an engine that falls between the current two options. Perhaps the turbo 4 (2 liter) that GM uses in many of their other cars, or even the diesel from the Canyon, would be ideal (although this is unlikely to happen). I recently switched to driving a 2003 Highlander as my daily driver, and while it doesn't quite match up to the Terrain in terms of ride, handling, and noise, the V6 engine makes highway driving much easier and I still get about 22 mpg.
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This is my first Terrain. When I test drove this car, I was actually considering the Equinox at first. However, I found that I liked the Terrain better because it looks more like a truck, which I personally prefer. One of the best things about this car is that it provides a very comfortable ride - it's very quiet, has good shock absorption, and the seats are comfortable with plenty of room for both passengers and the driver. On the downside, the 4 cylinder engine is quite weak and lacks the power that many cars have. While it's not essential for me to have a lot of power at this stage of my life, it would be nice to have when I'm in high speed traffic. It can feel a bit like a turtle moving slowly along. Overall, I would recommend this car to small families looking for a comfortable cruiser or to anyone who doesn't need a lot of power.
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I've been driving my 2015 GMC Terrain for three weeks now and I absolutely love it! The exterior is shiny with chrome features that really make it stand out. I'm particularly fond of the front end style, the grill and headlights are so classy. It's comfortable, stylish, affordable (lease), great on gas, and easy on the eyes. Coming from a four-door sedan, I love the higher ride. The interior features are good, although the vent placement could be better. I like air movement, whether it's cool or warm air - I like to feel it on me. Unfortunately, the placement of the vents doesn't allow that to happen unless I lean towards the center over the armrest. The steering wheel is in the way and while I can adjust the wheel to tilt and extend, it doesn't help much. I will update again once I've owned it for a while and have taken it for a spin in the snow. So far, I'm really impressed. I feel like I'm driving a luxury vehicle at a mid-class price level. I highly recommend taking it for a test drive if you're at all interested.
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I've owned a Chevy Trailblazer, Jeep Liberty, and most recently a 2009 Chevy Cobalt. When I started looking for a new vehicle, I knew I wanted a Terrain. After a year of admiring them from afar, I finally went to a local GM dealer to test drive one. I fell in love with the AWD 2016 Terrain and drove it off the lot that same day. As a 22-year-old female, I wanted something sporty yet safe for Ohio's winter weather, and the Terrain fit the bill perfectly. The exterior is stunning, with bulky fenders and a hood that give it a rugged look. The interior is just as impressive, with comfortable seats and thoughtful details like red stitching and a touch screen radio with AUX input. The cargo area is spacious enough for my 100+lbs dog, and I even purchased a barrier off of Amazon to keep him safely in the back. The Terrain handles great in winter weather, and I highly recommend getting AWD if you live in a snowy area. Overall, I am thrilled with my purchase and plan on sticking with the GMC Terrain in the future. I absolutely love this vehicle!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2016 Gmc Terrain problems:
3 Reasons NOT to BUY a GMC Terrain SLE (Issues buyers should ...
Nov 24, 2020 ... Good video on the following topics ! 1. Chevy Shake (platform vibrates about 60 MPH) 2. Wiper Failure (know recall) 3.
2016 GMC Terrain: Q&A on Rough Idling & Common Problems
Jun 13, 2019 ... Take the battery cables off the battery, hold the ends together for 10 seconds then attach them to the battery and see what happens. This will ...
GMC Terrain - TOP PROBLEMS & ISSUES 2010 - 2017 (common ...
Mar 14, 2022 ... Video on top common problems, issues and fixes on GMC Terrain SUV from my own experience. If you are on the market to buy a used GMC Terrain ...
2016 GMC Terrain Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2016 GMC Terrain? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
2016 GMC Terrain Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · In-car Electronics · Engine Major · Exhaust · Climate System · Fuel System/Emissions · Engine Cooling · Engine Minor · Paint And ...
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Are you having problems with your 2016 Gmc Terrain?
Johnson Bernhard 2025-07-05
****Update,**** below is my review after owning the vehicle for a month or so. It has been 6 months since then and I have sold the vehicle. Although I thought I would adjust to the weak engine, it continued to annoy me more every day. Living near Pittsburgh PA, where there are a lot of hills, the Terrain seemed to struggle the most. However, if you live in a more flat area, you may be happy with it. On the bright side, the vehicle was comfortable, spacious, and reliable. I really liked all other aspects of it. There are tons of these and the Equinoxes with 4 cyl. out there, so maybe I just expected too much. ******Original****** I recently purchased this vehicle and have put about 1500 miles on it so far. As this is my everyday driver, I wanted the 4cyl for the fuel economy. To date, I'm a little let down with the mileage, but I'm hoping it will improve when the cold weather goes away. Aside from that, the 4 cyl is a bit underpowered, especially living in hilly terrain. However, the rest of the vehicle is great. The interior is high-end and roomy, making it seem more than an entry-level SUV. Overall, I'm very happy with everything.The car has an 8-speaker Pioneer stereo with a subwoofer that produces clear and crisp sound. The volume potential is more than enough, even for me. The interior is very quiet, even at highway speeds. The seats are comfortable, and the seat heaters warm up quickly. Even in very cold weather, I find myself lowering the settings after just a few minutes. The back seat is spacious enough for adults to be comfortable. While the NAV has a flaw with the small information boxes on the left of the map screen, which tell you ETA, distance to the next turn, etc., it works very well otherwise. The ride quality is excellent, and the vehicle feels solid. Overall, I'm very happy with the vehicle, even though I knew going in that the 4-cylinder engine was weak. I'm adjusting to it.
Derick Donnelly 2025-05-01
The stabilitrak keeps stalling my car, and despite three costly visits to GMC certified mechanics, the problem remains unresolved. As a consumer who relies on my car, I'm not sure what to do next.
Nicholas Treutel 2025-03-27
Overall, the car is good. However, the 4-cylinder engine lacks power, is very noisy, and has high RPMs. It was sold after owning it for one year.
Jayme Bernier 2025-01-13
I purchased my 2015 GMC Terrain a year ago. Unfortunately, after only six months, the air conditioning stopped working and I had to pay $1,300 to fix it. Recently, I have been experiencing some issues with the vehicle stalling at red lights and when reversing, which is concerning as it could potentially cause an accident. I have consulted with a few mechanics, but they have advised me that the cost of repairs would be quite high and there is a chance that the issue may reoccur. Additionally, the remote start is also not functioning properly. Overall, I have had a negative experience with this vehicle and it has been quite disappointing. I am hesitant to purchase another GMC in the future.
Darron Rogahn 2024-05-15
This car should be avoided. Despite purchasing it with only 40,000 miles, we encountered numerous computer and electronic errors, stalling, and even had it turn off while driving on the freeway (fortunately, no injuries resulted). The final straw was when the stabilitrak and ABS began to malfunction. All of these issues occurred within 20,000 miles of ownership. Based on our experience, we cannot recommend this car.