Makes›GMC›Terrain›2015

2015 GMC Terrain

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

GMC Terrain
Pictured: 2019 GMC Terrain Denali, front 2.29.20. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
Sle/Slt/Denali 4dr SUV AWD, Sle/Slt/Denali 4dr SUV FWD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
FFV, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
26 combined · 22 city / 31 hwy
Length
185.4 in
Curb weight
3,854–4,019 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 GMC Terrain is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 185 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,019 lb (Sle/Slt/Denali 4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway), 8% better than the 2015 small SUV average of 24 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 299 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility/wiper.

What changed for 2015

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Terrain — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Terrain →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Sle/Slt/Denali 4dr SUV AWD185.4 in72.8 in66.5 in112.6 in63 / 62.2 in4,019 lb56/44
Sle/Slt/Denali 4dr SUV FWD185.4 in72.8 in66.5 in112.6 in63 / 62.2 in3,854 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Terrain FWD FFV2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26+8%$2,600347
Terrain FWD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26+8%$2,600347
Terrain AWD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+2%$2,900381
Terrain FWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19-21%$3,550462
Terrain AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-16%$3,550481
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24 MPG2015 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 GMC Terrain.

Similar 2015 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 GMC Terrain (this car)26 MPGNot rated3
2015 Toyota RAV426 MPGNot rated4
2015 Honda CR-V29 MPGNot rated3
2015 Toyota 4Runner19 MPGNot rated9
2015 Subaru Forester27 MPGNot rated3
2015 Mazda CX-529 MPGNot rated3
2015 Toyota Highlander28 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (3)

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor · Mar 17, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V165000 · 681,509 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212352530.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights · Mar 8, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V137000 · 740,581 vehicles

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.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Oct 16, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V666000 · 395 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 GMC Terrain is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

299Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
9Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
6Injuries reported
65,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Visibility/Wiper101
Engine81
Electrical System31
Exterior Lighting23
Power Train21
Unknown Or Other21
Air Bags17
Visibility17
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/09: 123/10: 123/11: 123/12: 124/01: 624/02: 424/03: 124/04: 424/05: 124/07: 124/09: 225/01: 425/02: 225/04: 125/05: 125/06: 125/07: 125/08: 126/01: 226/03: 126/04: 226/06: 226/07: 226/10: 223/0923/1224/0324/0725/0225/0626/0126/06max 6

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 GMC Terrain buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Visibility/Wiper — 101 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  3. Engine — 81 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Electrical System — 31 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 65,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 GMC Terrain. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Terrain years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Terrain26–Not rated01
2026 Terrain27181.1 inNot rated133
2025 Terrain27181.1 inNot rated013
2024 Terrain26183.1 in★★★★★153
2023 Terrain26183.1 in★★★★★241
2022 Terrain27183.1 in★★★★★488
2021 Terrain27183.1 in★★★★★236
2020 Terrain27183.1 in★★★★★2197
2019 Terrain32183.1 in★★★★★3187
2018 Terrain32183.1 in★★★★★5226
2017 Terrain25185.4 inNot rated1135
2016 Terrain26185.4 inNot rated2153

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →