Model year 2016 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2016 GMC Terrain: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2016 GMC Terrain at 18–26 mpg combined across 5 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 153 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
2
EPA combined mpg
18–26
NHTSA overall rating
4/5
Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a GMC dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2016 GMC Terrain recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2016 GMC Terrain, newest first.
Exterior lighting: Headlights
NHTSA 22V137000Reported Mar 8, 2022
Filed by
General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N222363740)
Units affected
740,581 (estimate)
Problem
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 comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. 46600)
Components
Equipment: Other: Labels; Tires
Units affected
17 (estimate)
Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles manufactured October 16, 2015. 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."
Risk
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.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1050, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 46600.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2016 GMC Terrain fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2016 GMC Terrain crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2016 GMC Terrain NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2016 GMC Terrain SUV AWD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
17.4%
Optional
2016 GMC Terrain SUV FWD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
19.1%
Optional
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2016 GMC Terrain owner complaints
Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Terrain, most recently on Oct 19, 2026. 10 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 10 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2016 GMC Terrain complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Engine
46
Visibility/wiper
46
Unknown or other
13
Power train
11
Air bags
10
Exterior lighting
10
Electrical system
9
Steering
6
Service brakes
5
Vehicle speed control
4
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
