GMC TERRAIN · model year

2023 GMC TERRAIN

35 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2023GMCTERRAIN carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2023 TERRAIN is engine with 6 filings, followed by electrical system (5) and fuel/propulsion system (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2023 TERRAIN. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

35
Complaints
4
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
2023 GMC TERRAIN — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2023 GMC TERRAIN. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

35 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
POWER TRAIN2
AIR BAGS1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
VISIBILITY1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
STEERING1
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST1

Recalls (2)

22V92900015/12/2022

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.

23V33900011/05/2023

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 fai

Recent Complaints

20260204ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The infotainment system is not working. It has the "black screen" issue.

20260120UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Complete engine failure @100,600 miles Engine power reduced and lost compression transmission module failure Will not exceed 20mph

20260102FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20260102ENGINE

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

20251107ENGINE

GMC Terrain with 12,564 total miles had experienced an engine failure. Under normal driving conditions, the car was sluggish and would not accelerate properly when pulling out into traffic or when getting on the freeway/interstate causing fear for driver safety and causing traffic slowdowns or congestion with a significantly increased risk of crash. While driving to work, the vehicle service engine light turned on and displayed "reduced engine power". Upon investigation the dealership found codes P0011, P0014, P0016, P0017, and quoted "Cylinder 4 intake rocker had fallen off and laying on head, found excessive debris and metal material around rocker 4, Found cylinder 2 intake rocker to be worn sideways. Found heavy damage to intake camshaft. Removed oil filter - found excessive metal in oil filter". Secondary issue, infotainment screen would randomly flash bright white on the right half, causing a major driver distraction. Engine, turbo, and infotainment system were all replaced, and

20251107ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

GMC Terrain with 12,564 total miles had experienced an engine failure. Under normal driving conditions, the car was sluggish and would not accelerate properly when pulling out into traffic or when getting on the freeway/interstate causing fear for driver safety and causing traffic slowdowns or congestion with a significantly increased risk of crash. While driving to work, the vehicle service engine light turned on and displayed "reduced engine power". Upon investigation the dealership found codes P0011, P0014, P0016, P0017, and quoted "Cylinder 4 intake rocker had fallen off and laying on head, found excessive debris and metal material around rocker 4, Found cylinder 2 intake rocker to be worn sideways. Found heavy damage to intake camshaft. Removed oil filter - found excessive metal in oil filter". Secondary issue, infotainment screen would randomly flash bright white on the right half, causing a major driver distraction. Engine, turbo, and infotainment system were all replaced, and

20250819POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH, and entering the roadway from the driveway, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there were no warning lights. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost electrical power. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle used a push-button gear shift PRNDL, and the contact was unable to set the vehicle into park(P) to restart the engine. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts and drove the vehicle to a dealer. The contact stated that on the drive to the dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated, but they kept driving. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the fuel module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,825.

Mileage: 12,825

20250819FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH, and entering the roadway from the driveway, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there were no warning lights. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost electrical power. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle used a push-button gear shift PRNDL, and the contact was unable to set the vehicle into park(P) to restart the engine. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts and drove the vehicle to a dealer. The contact stated that on the drive to the dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated, but they kept driving. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the fuel module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,825.

Mileage: 12,825

20250815FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While driving the fuel pump failed and started spraying gas everywhere in the engine compartment.

20250716CrashSTEERING

My son was making a left onto a freeway on ramp after traffic cleared and the steering wheel completely locked up resulting in him going over the curb and rolling completely over in a steep ditch. This occurred at a low speed (no more than 25mph), confirmed by the Life369 app. My son's description was that it felt like the wheels were against a wall and the wheel wouldn't turn even though he was using both hands in an attempt to turn. My son said there was no warning lights or any other indication that he noticed, other than the complete locking up of the steering. The resulting rollover into the ditch has totaled the vehicle so it was not inspected by any collision shop. I attempted to check the steering in the tow yard but the vehicle had no power.

20250716CrashLANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

My son was making a left onto a freeway on ramp after traffic cleared and the steering wheel completely locked up resulting in him going over the curb and rolling completely over in a steep ditch. This occurred at a low speed (no more than 25mph), confirmed by the Life369 app. My son's description was that it felt like the wheels were against a wall and the wheel wouldn't turn even though he was using both hands in an attempt to turn. My son said there was no warning lights or any other indication that he noticed, other than the complete locking up of the steering. The resulting rollover into the ditch has totaled the vehicle so it was not inspected by any collision shop. I attempted to check the steering in the tow yard but the vehicle had no power.

20250709FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My GMC Terrain was stopped in traffic at a Red Light. When I stepped on the gas pedal to proceed, the SUV shut-down. Could not move SUV in Traffic. Called Police and SUV was towed. SUV towed to GMC Dealer. The K111 Fuel Module was causing the problem. GMC Dealer Repair Shop removed and replaced the K111 Fuel Module. They claimed SUV is OK. I don't trust this SUV any longer. I read of similar problems with 2022 GMC Terrain and the Fuel Module defect causing the SUV to shut down. This is a safety hazard to the Driver and other vehicles on the highway.

20250626FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the message "Engine Power Reduced” was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle the lost motive power in the middle of the roadway. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the high-pressure fuel pump, causing fuel to leak into the oil, resulting in damages to the catalytic converter and Oxygen sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 41,000.

Mileage: 41,000

20250626ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the message "Engine Power Reduced” was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle the lost motive power in the middle of the roadway. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the high-pressure fuel pump, causing fuel to leak into the oil, resulting in damages to the catalytic converter and Oxygen sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 41,000.

Mileage: 41,000

20250626ENGINE

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the message "Engine Power Reduced” was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle the lost motive power in the middle of the roadway. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the high-pressure fuel pump, causing fuel to leak into the oil, resulting in damages to the catalytic converter and Oxygen sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 41,000.

Mileage: 41,000

20250323FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While driving 40-45 mph the engine light came on and 50% loss of power was displayed on screen. Thankfully I wasn’t far from home and was in limp mode for the last 2 miles. The mileage of vehicle is 42,000 miles. The codes are reading low fuel pressure and faulty fuel pump. Any help would be appreciated as this shouldn’t be happening to this new of a vehicle.

20250316ENGINE

At stop light turning right, the car stalled, cut on and cut back off, cut on and back off with about 30 cars behind me. Sputtering. On the dash board it said “Engine power reduced”. I had to be pushed out a main highway by police, and thankfully my [XXX] daughter wasn’t in the back seat. I have had this car 12 days with 48256 miles on it. I’m extremely concerned with the safety of this car. And when towed was leaking gas like fluid. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20250316ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

At stop light turning right, the car stalled, cut on and cut back off, cut on and back off with about 30 cars behind me. Sputtering. On the dash board it said “Engine power reduced”. I had to be pushed out a main highway by police, and thankfully my [XXX] daughter wasn’t in the back seat. I have had this car 12 days with 48256 miles on it. I’m extremely concerned with the safety of this car. And when towed was leaking gas like fluid. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20250316FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

At stop light turning right, the car stalled, cut on and cut back off, cut on and back off with about 30 cars behind me. Sputtering. On the dash board it said “Engine power reduced”. I had to be pushed out a main highway by police, and thankfully my [XXX] daughter wasn’t in the back seat. I have had this car 12 days with 48256 miles on it. I’m extremely concerned with the safety of this car. And when towed was leaking gas like fluid. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20250124ENGINE

Rear main seal leak car has been with dealer since 12/30/24 until present day. No updates other than I may need a engine.

Compare 2023GMCTERRAIN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2023 GMC TERRAIN have?
The 2023 GMC TERRAIN has 35 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2023 GMC TERRAIN?
The 2023 GMC TERRAIN received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2023 GMC TERRAIN?
Yes, the 2023 GMC TERRAIN has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 GMC TERRAIN?
The most-complained component for the 2023 GMC TERRAIN is ENGINE with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2023 GMC TERRAIN safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2023 GMC TERRAIN has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.