⌘K
Home›GMC›Terrain›2023
GMC · Compact SUV

2023 GMC Terrain

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA38
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA26 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2023 GMC Terrain is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Terrain AWD, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 38 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Terrain AWDGasAWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo242826$2,400
Terrain FWDGasFWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo242926$2,400

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 45828, 45824.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2023 GMC Terrain is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

Compare coverage →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Child Seat

N232403240
668,187 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."RiskThe inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.FixOwners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232403240.
NHTSA campaign 23V339000reported May 11, 2023General Motors, LLC
▲high

Air Bags

N222388911
9 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with ventilated front passenger seats. The Occupant Classification System may not properly disable the front passenger air bag when there is a small child or child restraint detected in the seat.RiskIn the event of a crash, a front passenger air bag that deploys with a child or infant in the front passenger seat can increase their risk of injury.FixDealers will replace the passenger presence system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222388911.
NHTSA campaign 22V929000reported Dec 15, 2022General Motors, LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
38complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2023: 1 · 2024: 7 · 2025: 10 · 2026: 20

Most-cited components

Engine14
Fuel/Propulsion System14
Unspecified7
Electrical System7
Power Train7
Fuel System, Gasoline6

What owners describe

“1st Failure. August 28, 2025. Vehicle stalled out while driving with NO warning. Check engine light stayed on. Could not drive. Car towed to dealership. Scanned codes found: p0089, p00c6 and p228c. Cause: Internal failure. Bulletin pertaining to this issue performed. Program of ecm per bulletin. 2nd Failure. February 1…”Mar 4, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“GM Flier PIP6071A - continued engine misfire/chugging/buck/skip under load, going up hills, trying to pass, etc. Was taken to shop January 2025 ~90,000 with these symptoms. Charged for spark plug replacement (visit 1). Taken back January 2026 ~150,000 miles, charged for ignition coil 1 and spark plugs. Immediately retu…”Feb 21, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“The high pressure fuel pump, the car randomly goes into limp mode and stalls and then when cranking it back up in the middle of 635 it hesitates to start, done this 3 times already”Jan 2, 2026 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Other Terrain model years

A

2027 GMC Terrain

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 GMC Terrain

1 recalls · 27 complaints

A

2025 GMC Terrain

0 recalls · 13 complaints

A

2024 GMC Terrain

1 recalls · 49 complaints

D

2022 GMC Terrain

4 recalls · 85 complaints

B

2021 GMC Terrain

2 recalls · 34 complaints

C

2020 GMC Terrain

2 recalls · 195 complaints

D

2019 GMC Terrain

3 recalls · 182 complaints

F

2018 GMC Terrain

5 recalls · 219 complaints

A

2017 GMC Terrain

1 recalls · 133 complaints

B

2016 GMC Terrain

2 recalls · 152 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

JSON for this page · API