Which Years Of Used GMC Terrains Are Most Reliable?
We've identified six of the most reliable GMC Terrain years. See which years (and which worst Terrain years you should avoid).
The GMC Terrain is a crossover SUV created by the iconic General Motors brand. Over the years, it’s proven to be a popular choice for luxury vehicles with plenty of room inside. If you’re interested in a GMC Terrain, it’s critical to make the most of your money. You might wonder - what is the most reliable year GMC Terrain offers?
If you want to ensure you’re getting more bang for your buck, dependability matters. With almost fifteen years of GMC Terrains on the market, it’s tricky to land on the right one. That’s where we come in. Read on to learn more about the most reliable year GMC Terrain offers, the general reliability of the car, and anything else you should know.
Most Reliable Years For The GMC Terrain
Those behind the wheel of the GMC Terrain enjoy it thanks to the easy-to-control features and spacious interior. It’s a luxury vehicle with plenty of room for everyone, seating up to eight people. Those who want to stretch their dollar as far as possible should think about the most reliable used choices. We’ve compiled a list ourselves to help you out.
THE GMC TERRAIN YEARS TO AVOID
The GMC Terrain is an excellent option if you’re looking for a new car. But, you might wonder - what are the GMC Terrain years to avoid? We can help you find the ideal vehicle for your next purchase.
Here are the most reliable used choices for the GMC Terrain:
- 2016 GMC Terrain
- 2017 GMC Terrain
- 2018 GMC Terrain
- 2019 GMC Terrain
- 2020 GMC Terrain
- 2021 GMC Terrain
If you’re searching for the most reliable year GMC Terrain offers drivers, pick one of these for your next investment opportunity in a compact crossover SUV.
These years are the best when considering all produced models in the lifespan of the Terrain. They operate well on the road, have minimal expensive repairs, and offer the fewest customer complaints online.
To maximize every cent, pick the most reliable year for the GMC Terrain. However, none of it will matter much if the general reliability of the Terrain across the board is low. Let’s talk about general dependability next.
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Are GMC Terrains Generally Reliable?
If you’re looking for a GMC Terrain, it’s critical to consider the reliability of all years. Even the most dependable GMC Terrain might not be worth it if all options lack reliability.
On average, the GMC Terrain isn’t the most reliable choice available. According to withclutch.com, the car scores 35, far below the average rating of 57. This number is heavily influenced by the earlier years of the vehicle.
It’s also ideal to look at a secondary source when considering the reliability of a vehicle. According to repairpal.com, the GMC Terrain scores 3.5⁄5 in reliability, putting it at 22nd out of 26 for compact cars. It’s on the bottom end of the group.
The annual repair cost for the GMC Terrain is $558, slightly higher than the average for similar vehicles. If there is a necessary unexpected repair, there is a 17% chance it will be severe, compared to an 11% average for other compact SUVs.
Drivers of the GMC Terrain report taking it in for severe repairs an average of .3 times a year, right on par with the other competitors. Although the GMC Terrain isn’t awful, it’s nowhere near the best when considering reliable compact SUV options.
Which GMC Terrain Years Are The Least Reliable?
The best choice you can make to get the most out of your investment is to buy a dependable year for the GMC Terrain, rather than the worst options. We’ve pulled together a list of the worst years to give you an idea of what to stay away from.
Here are the worst available years for the GMC Terrain available today:
- 2010 GMC Terrain
- 2011 GMC Terrain
- 2012 GMC Terrain
- 2013 GMC Terrain
- 2014 GMC Terrain
- 2015 GMC Terrain
If you’re searching for the most reliable year GMC Terrain, stay away from these years at all costs to keep more money in your pocket.
There were many severe issues in these years. A few of the worst included issues with the airbags, excessive oil consumption, transmission failure, and engine troubles.
You’ll find the most customer complaints in these years. However, some general issues appear across the board in the GMC Terrain, good and bad alike.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
What Are The Most Common Issues With A GMC Terrain?
Examine the common issues in any model across all years. Although the worst years are more likely to have problems, each car has troubles that pop up year after year in the design.
According to motorandwheels.com, here are the worst issues in the GMC Terrain:
- Excessive oil consumption: The GMC Terrain has been criticized for consuming oil excessively, regardless of the model year. Notably, the 2011 model received significant complaints soon after its release. The issue was severe enough to spark a class-action lawsuit in 2019, attributing the excessive oil consumption primarily to faulty piston rings.
- Lack of stability in the electrical system: The Terrain’s StabiliTrak electrical system has been a source of instability, affecting vehicle performance and control. Common symptoms include vehicle stalling, jerking, and erratic engine behavior, which can lead to total shutdowns.
- Failing transmission: Transmission failures are a significant concern for Terrain owners, with some experiencing problems before reaching 100,000 miles. Symptoms include jerking, hard shifting, and other transmission-related issues.
- Stalling or shutting down an engine on the road: Engine stalling and shutdowns while driving have been reported, with some resolutions involving engine or camshaft actuator replacements. Issues with the fuel pump and engine cooling have also been identified as contributing factors.
- Troubles with the wipers: Wiper functionality on the GMC Terrain has been problematic, particularly during adverse weather conditions, posing safety risks. The issues range from wipers stopping mid-use to associated electrical problems like melted headlight plugs and wires.
If these pop up, take a trip to the auto shop.
Most Terrain drivers will experience one of these issues every so often. However, they’re most likely to come up in the worst years.
We’ve gone over many items dealing with the reliability of the GMC Terrain. Now, it’s time for the ultimate question - is the GMC Terrain worth it?
THE BEST USED LUXURY CARS ON THE MARKET
Buying a used or CPO luxury car is one of the smartest buys you can make - you can get a lot of car for not much money. You can pick up a three-year-old luxury car for about half of what you’d pay new. Check out this list of the best used luxury cars on the market to find the best deals.
Is The GMC Terrain Worth It?
The GMC Terrain has many highlights and even more lows, making it a tricky choice for value. Overall, we’d say the GMC Terrain isn’t worth it. It’s expensive to repair and much more likely to experience severe troubles than similar vehicles.
If you want the luxurious ride and space of the GMC Terrain, go with one of the most reliable years. Otherwise, you’re better off picking another compact crossover to suit your needs.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the GMC Terrain is an okay choice, but it doesn’t provide high value for you as a driver. Pick the most dependable years of the GMC Terrain or go with another compact crossover for your next ride.
We hope this information is valuable! It’s tricky to narrow down the right vehicle with so many options, so this list should make it a little easier to land on the ideal year for your money.
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