2015 GMC TERRAIN Complaints and Recall Information
The 2015 GMC TERRAIN has 13 complaints and 3 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report engine-related problems, including excessive oil consumption, engine stalling while driving, and eventual engine failure. Other common complaints involve the liftgate malfunctioning and safety system issues with airbags.
Common Issues
- Engine oil consumption. The 2.4L Ecotec engine uses excessive amounts of oil, requiring frequent topping off between oil changes.
- Engine stalling. Reports indicate the engine stalls while driving, sometimes without warning lights, creating safety risks especially with passengers in the vehicle.
- Engine failure. Some vehicles suffered catastrophic engine failures linked to PCV valve malfunctions and related crank seal failures.
- Carbon buildup. Blockages in the intake manifold and PCV valve cause rough running, exhaust issues, and check engine light codes such as P0411.
- Piston ring gasket defects. Known fault affecting multiple model years, leading to engine damage and reduced engine life.
- Oil leaks. Instances of rear seal failure causing oil leaks and subsequent damage to engine components, including starters and camshaft sensors.
- Liftgate problems. Faulty liftgate struts cause trunks to close unexpectedly without warning, posing injury risk; the pump can fail causing the hatch to drop suddenly.
- Airbag deployment issues. At least one report of unintended steering wheel airbag deployment was recorded.
- Warning light illumination. Some vehicles display powertrain or engine warning lights linked to internal engine issues such as gas entering the engine or sensor faults.
- Error codes. Code P0016 related to crankshaft and camshaft position correlation prompts engine replacement diagnoses from multiple mechanics.
There are three recalls affecting this model year covering airbag inflators, headlight reflectors, and windshield wiper motors. The recalls affect safety systems and lighting components.
Recalls
- Side impact air bags. NHTSA Recall 15V666000 affected 395 vehicles. The inflator may rupture during deployment, causing the airbag to fail or send metal fragments toward occupants, risking injury or death. Dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules free of charge.
- Headlight reflectors. NHTSA Recall 22V137000 involves 740,581 vehicles. Headlight housings produce excessively bright light causing glare for other drivers, increasing crash risk. Dealers will install headlamp appliques at no cost.
- Windshield wiper motor. NHTSA Recall 22V165000 covers 681,509 vehicles. Corrosion in ball joints can cause windshield wipers to fail, reducing visibility. Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the wiper modules free of charge.
Owners facing repeated engine failures, safety system malfunctions, or unresolved recall repairs may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting a consumer protection attorney could provide guidance on available remedies.
2015 GMC TERRAIN Summary
2015
Model Year
13
Total Complaints
3
Total Recalls
1422485
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2015 GMC TERRAIN
740581 vehicles affected
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
2015 GMC TERRAIN
681509 vehicles affected
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
2015 GMC TERRAIN
395 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Complaints
2015 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2116521ENGINE
I own a 2015 GMC Terrain, 4D. Vehicle started displaying error P0016 during the evening of 07/27/2025, the following day the vehicle stopped working. I towed the vehicle to three different mechanics. All three mechanics indicated that the engine needs to be replaced. Two of the mechanics indicated that this was a common issue with this GMC SUV and I wanted to reported. P0016 states, "crankshaft position camshaft position correlation Bank 1". I am disappointed that this issue has not been reported or recall. There are multiple youtube videos and online chats regarding this issue.
2015 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2106013UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear hatch would open but then start to slowly drop. The local dealership diagnosed the problem and told me the pump needed to be replaced but quoted $1000. I chose not to have the repair done at that time but recently the hatch opened and then dropped suddenly hitting me on the head. There were earlier model recalls for this problem but not on the 2015. This is a potentially dangerous condition.
2015 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2102023UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Liftgate strut malfunctioned. Yes vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I activated the trunk with the key fob, while retrieving items out of my trunk, the trunk began closing on me without any warning. The liftgate sensor failed to recognize an object (ME), was in the trunk and nearly caused a severe crush injury which could have been fatal. Yes the problem was reproduce by an independent service center as well as a dealership. No the part was not inspected. There were no known warning lights or messages. Apparently as per consumers this is known problem with the 2010-2017 GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox.
2015 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2095681ENGINE
I GOT IN MY CAR AND PROCEED TO DRIVE AND THE POWER LOW ENGINE SIGN CAME ON. TOOK TRUCK TO MECHANIC AND PAID $1000 BECAUSE GAS WAS GOING INTO MY ENGINE.
2015 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2082610ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with cruise control activated, the RPM suddenly increased to redline, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve, which then caused a failure with the front crank seal, resulting in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 148,000.
2015 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2082609ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with cruise control activated, the RPM suddenly increased to redline, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve, which then caused a failure with the front crank seal, resulting in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 148,000.
2015 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2068393ENGINE
Catastrophic mechanical failure; engine failure. Below freezing day driving normally until the car just died right in the middle of a busy 4 lane road. No warning lights were displayed. Luckily I was able to drift the car over to the curb lane then manually push into a parking lot with cars driving around me. Vehicle taken to independent Auto Care Service which did an inspection stating the PCV valve was frozen which then caused the pressure to blow rear seal and metal fragments could be seen in the oil drippings. No issues or dashboard notifications prior to this event.
2015 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2065631AIR BAGS
Found steering wheel airbag deployed
2015 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2060791ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My vehicle began jerking, shaking and kept shutting off in a highway intersection. I looked on the ground after coasting into a gas station to find oil leaking from under my vehicle. I've never had an oil leak and it caused my starter to go and I've had to replace the camshaft sensors all within the same week. It appears the rear seal went after the cold streak we had. I need my vehicle to take my mother to treatments, etc. Is there any recalls on this?
2015 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2060790ENGINE
My vehicle began jerking, shaking and kept shutting off in a highway intersection. I looked on the ground after coasting into a gas station to find oil leaking from under my vehicle. I've never had an oil leak and it caused my starter to go and I've had to replace the camshaft sensors all within the same week. It appears the rear seal went after the cold streak we had. I need my vehicle to take my mother to treatments, etc. Is there any recalls on this?
2015 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2058399ENGINE
Clogged manifold and engine head. Blockage buildup in manifold and Pcv valve causing exhaust problems. Oil sludge block air in head and manifold causing CEL to come on. And these vehicles drink engine oil like water. Gives code P0411
2015 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2058394ENGINE
Oil consumption on this vehicle is terrible. All GMC for that matter. It burns in the engine and have to refill or top off multiple times a month.
2015 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2057858ENGINE
There is a well known piston ring gasket issue with various GMC Terrain model years. GMC had recalled some for the engine defect but not all years with the affected engine. The 24L Eco tec engine is faulty. The motor uses excessive amounts of oil between oil changes and all kinds of systems are affected by carbon buildup. The engines run rough and stall out WHILE DRIVING. GMC refuses to recall all of the vehicles with this problem and that includes my 2015 model year GMC Terrain with the 24L engine. This would cost me thousands to fix myself. This is a serious issue and also a safety issue that they can get away with selling such faulty vehicles to families and no one makes them fess up and fix the engines at their expense not ours. My wife has had the vehicle stall out constantly while driving and with our partially disabled child in the car. It has happened countless times to me as well. This will also eventually cause the motor to have a much shorter life. There is also a chance of the timing chain breaking and causing the engine to break. These defects should be fixed via a recall. This is a WELL KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT please look it up. It affects thousands of GMC Terrains and other GM vehicles with the 24L Ecotec motor.