2023 GMC Terrain: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 40 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (21% of complaints); the 2021 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 3 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall May 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2026
“Vehicle stalled while driving and would not restart. Strong gasoline smell present and on ground. Third occurrence. Vehicle stalled while driving at on busy road (safety issue both times). Strong raw gas smell. Would not crank afterward. Dash powered normally with check engine light. Happened previously around 27k miles in September 2025. Occurred again May 9, 2026. Occurred again today l, May 18, 2026. Vehicles is being towed to dealership again for the 3rd time”Owner report · Unknown Or Other,Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2026
“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 shut off in the middle of the road and safety to myself and other drivers was an issue until tow truck arrived to move my vehicle.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was driving down the hwy and all of a sudden the car went into reduced power mode and the dealership is saying it’s a high pressure fuel pump which is not covered under the standard warranty My vehicle only has 46000 miles Fennigan GMC Rosenberg tx”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2026
“Car reduced speed and the smell of gas filled the car. Car shut off. Check engine light came on with reduced speed. This is the second time this has happened. Gas leaked onto ground from car. Car stalls immediately while driving and does not allow you to press the gas to keep moving. Almost hit from behind on Main Street.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other,Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2026
“The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact was informed by his wife that while attempting to accelerate from being stationary, the vehicle was shaking abnormally and hesitated before accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed but the cause of failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer opened a case for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2026
“Complete engine failure @100,600 miles Engine power reduced and lost compression transmission module failure Will not exceed 20mph”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2026
“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”Owner report · Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2026
“Car reduced speed and smells of gas. Will not crank and will stall immediately and just stops immediately. Car has only 30,000 miles and it has stalled out for the second time with the same issue. The first time the car stalled on the freeway and I was almost hit from the back. This second time reduced speed and quickly shut off on a Main Street and was almost hit again. Car does not allow you to press the gas and coast during the incident.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2025
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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."
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Terrain years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Terrain by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2023 GMC Terrain reliable?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2023 GMC Terrain. The most complained-about area is engine (21% of complaints).
Does the 2023 GMC Terrain have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning child seat. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.