2015 GMC Terrain Reliability
The 2015 GMC Terrain has 317 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about visibility / wipers and engine. Compared with nearby Terrain model years (2013–2017), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Terrain's typical year, while the 2013 drew 370 complaints.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
317
NHTSA owner complaints
3
Recall campaigns
10
Complaints citing a crash
1
Complaints citing a fire
2015 GMC Terrain complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 model year, filed between 2015 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility / wipers | 121 | 38% |
| Engine | 82 | 26% |
| Electrical system | 35 | 11% |
| Exterior lighting | 30 | 9% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 26 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 22 | 7% |
| Air bags | 17 | 5% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 17 | 5% |
2015 GMC Terrain recalls
3 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2015 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15V666000 | Oct 16, 2015 | Air bags — side/window | 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… |
| 22V137000 | Mar 8, 2022 | Exterior lighting — headlights | 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… |
| 22V165000 | Mar 17, 2022 | Visibility / wipers — windshield wiper/washer / motor | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail. |
How the 2015 compares with nearby Terrain years
Verdicts compare these Terrain model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 370 | 3 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2014 | 302 | 2 | Engine | Solid |
| 2015 (this page) | 317 | 3 | Visibility / wipers | Solid |
| 2016 | 153 | 2 | Visibility / wipers | Solid |
| 2017 | 135 | 1 | Engine | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2015 GMC Terrain
- Visibility: test the wipers at every speed, washers, defrosters and the climate system (fogging is a common complaint).
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Lights: check headlights (low and high), brake lights and turn signals; condensation inside the housings is worth noting.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 3 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2015 GMC Terrain can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2015 GMC Terrain reliability FAQ
Is the 2015 GMC Terrain reliable?
The 2015 GMC Terrain has 317 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about visibility / wipers and engine. Compared with nearby Terrain model years (2013–2017), it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the Terrain's typical year, while the 2013 drew 370 complaints.
What are the most common 2015 GMC Terrain problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2015 GMC Terrain are visibility / wipers (121), engine (82), electrical system (35), exterior lighting (30). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2015 GMC Terrain have recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2015 GMC Terrain, including 15V666000 (air bags — side/window) and 22V137000 (exterior lighting — headlights). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2015 GMC Terrain compare with the 2014 and 2016 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2014 has 302 complaints and 2 recalls (solid); the 2016 has 153 complaints and 2 recalls (solid). The 2015 has 317 complaints and 3 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2015 GMC Terrain?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More GMC Terrain research
Other GMC Terrain model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2015 Terrain, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.