2016 GMC Terrain: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 GMC Terrain: 2 recalls, 152 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment, Tires Vehicle recall #16V449000 · 2016 · 17 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #22V137000 · 2022 · 740,581 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: The bright reflection May cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (46): the most common themes are warning light on (20), stalls / loses power (14), excess oil use (10).
- Visibility/Wiper (46): the most common themes are electrical failure (6), noise or vibration (3), warning light on (2).
- Other / unknown (13): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (11): the most common themes are warning light on (5), stalls / loses power (4), hard / delayed shifting (3).
The 2016 GMC Terrain has 152 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 17 Terrain model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 184). Complaints peaked in 2022 (23 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 51,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (298 complaints, 3 recalls), 2017 (135 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 26 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 GMC Terrain.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2016 GMC Terrain. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 GMC Terrain problems?
Owners have filed 152 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (46), visibility/wiper (46), other / unknown (13).
What gas mileage does the 2016 GMC Terrain get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 GMC Terrain repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.