2023 GMC Terrain problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 GMC Terrain, most often about fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
40
Recalls
2
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Median mileage
25,500 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion is the most-reported problem area, named in 22 of 40 complaints (55%).
  • Engine (15) and transmission & drivetrain (8) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 25,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury.
  • The 2023 GMC Terrain has 2 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 14th of 17 GMC Terrain model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 33% fewer complaints than the 2022 model year (60).

2023 GMC Terrain problems by category

  • 22 complaints
  • Engine
    15 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    8 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    7 complaints
  • Electrical System
    7 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 2 crashes
    5 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    2 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Fuel/propulsion system16
Engine15
Power train8
Electrical system7
Unknown or other7
Fuel system, gasoline5
Lane departure: blind spot detection3
Air bags2

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k410k–30k330k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2023 GMC Terrain complaints that list mileage.

2023 GMC Terrain recalls (2)

  • Recall 23V339000May 11, 2023668,187 vehicles
    CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR

    General 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."

    Risk: The 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.

    Remedy: Owners 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.

  • Recall 22V929000Dec 15, 20229 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

    General 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.

    Risk: In 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.

    Remedy: Dealers 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.

Recent 2023 GMC Terrain complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 1, 2026TXEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    My 2023 GMC Terrain has experienced two separate incidents of complete loss of motive power/engine propulsion while being driven. The vehicle suddenly loses the ability to accelerate and maintain normal propulsion, creating a serious safety risk in traffic. The first occurrence was on August 8, 2026. The vehicle was subsequently diagnosed and repaired by an authorized Chevrolet dealership with General Motors involvement. After those repairs were completed and the vehicle was…
    NHTSA complaint #11768325 · source
  2. Filed Sep 20, 2026NJFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    I purchased this vehicle two weeks ago. It was my first time driving it since I bought it home from the dealer. I was on the highway driving about 55 mph in the left lane. All of a sudden the car started to slow down on its own going down to 15 mph without knowing what was happening. I tried to ease my way to the left and was almost hit by multiple vehicles. Once I got to the left lane the vehicle stopped running. I couldn’t start it. I noticed a pool of liquid on the right…
    NHTSA complaint #11765686 · source
  3. Filed Sep 1, 2026MIAirbags
    Harness for the airbag gave out. Puts the passenger at risk. Confirmed by service members at Rodenroth Motors Inc. in Sault Ste Marie MI. Message said service "Restraint system". There was no official incident date. One day whenever somebody sat in the passenger side the warning would appear.
    NHTSA complaint #11761445 · source
  4. Filed Aug 5, 2026MADriver Assistance & Safety TechEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    adaptive cruise disengaging alert on dash- no cars or weather conditions to induce this. loss of power and bucking on highway( near accident caused) catostostrophic sudden loss of power engine/transmission failure while mechanic driving resulting in car towed back to dealer. loss of power multiple times causing near accidents. sudden jolting at stop light causing car to propel forward requiered both feet on brake pedal to stop. 4 episodes of near collision 1st altert started…
    NHTSA complaint #11755131 · source
  5. Filed Aug 5, 202627,000 miMATowedEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated and failed to properly accelerate. The service transmission and service fuel management system messages were displayed, and the check engine warning light was flashing with several other unknown warnings illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and while test-driving the vehicle, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed back to…
    NHTSA complaint #11754923 · source
  6. Filed Jun 2, 2026CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown
    I have had 2 different instances where my vehicle stops in the middle of a busy intersection or traffic and have no warning what so ever. Vehicle just shuts off and I am not able to turn back on to move out of the way. First time I got it repaired it was related to the fuel pump and now I am waiting to hear back from my mechanic to see what the issue is but so far it is an indication of the fuel pump as well. Both times I required help from law enforcement because vehicle…
    NHTSA complaint #11741516 · source
  7. Filed May 29, 202645,000 miILTowedEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and the engine stalled. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the road, the engine seized. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed fuel pump. The contact was informed that…
    NHTSA complaint #11740826 · source
  8. Filed May 26, 2026TXFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control
    I was driving the vehicle on the highway the cruise control was on. All of a sudden I got a warning on vehicle info panel that stated vehicle power is reduced. The vehicle decelerated on its own and I could not accelerate past 55. The check engine light came on. I pulled off the road and turned the vehicle off. After about 10 minutes, I started the car back up and proceeded down the highway at normal speed. The check engine light remained on. I stopped at a Chevrolet dealer…
    NHTSA complaint #11740102 · source

Compare the 2023 GMC Terrain with another vehicle →

Other 2023 GMC models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology