RoadVitals

2016 GMC Terrain Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Aug 26, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 151 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 GMC Terrain submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 26, 2024

Back right tail light filling with water when it rains. Affecting electrical wires and water dripping into back cargo. No cracks or damage found on tail light.

NHTSA ID
11610903
Incident
Aug 15, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 31, 2023

Thermostat/coolant sensor malfunctioning causing engine fan to constantly run as if the engine is over heating. Some engine exhaust door/flap is stuck open or closed causing check engine light to come on. And or the actuators doors are broken causing windows to fog and obstruct view. Not sure what would cause this issue but I have had to have work done on my vehicle twice for this issue within 3 years.

NHTSA ID
11514747
Incident
Mar 11, 2023
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 8, 2021

2016 GMC Terrain SLT, service engine light came on, vehicle stalled many times, restarted but drove and misfired, stalled again, was able to get it to repair garage who I trust. He checked code and said I had to put a complete timing chain kit. Total cost came to $992.36 and didn't have a vehicle for a week due to weekend and a holiday. The vehicle only had 30,763 miles on it at the time but was out of factory warrantee. Reading other customer complaints, this looks like an ongoing problem and I feel should warrant a recall. Additional info such as repair invoice is attached. Please reply when received and thank you for your time.

NHTSA ID
11436115
Incident
Sep 2, 2021
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 24, 2021

VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE SHOWS NO SIGNS OF LEAK BUT GOES THROUGH OIL AT ABOUT 1 QUART EVERY 1000 MILES MAX. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON, SENSORS INDICATE POSSIBLE FAULTY PISTON RINGS. ALL WERE PROBLEMS IN LATER MODEL GMC TERRAINS. WHEN LOW ON OIL WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY ALL LIGHTS WILL LIGHT UP AND ENGINE WILL GO INTO REDUCED POWER MODE SAYING TO SERVICE STABILITRACK. CAR WILL NOT GO ABOVE 10 MPH WHEN IN THIS MODE, SOMETIMES UNABLE TO MOVE AT ALL. GOES AWAY AFTER MORE OIL ADDED. GMC TERRAIN HAD RECALLS ON YEARS 2010-2013 FOR ALL ENGINE FAILURE PROBLEMS/REPAIRS DUE TO FAULTY PISTON RINGS/OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. NUMEROUS 2014-2016 GMC TERRAINS HAVE CLAIMS OF THE REDUCED POWER/STABILITRACK PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION, I BELIEVE BOTH PROBLEMS ARE DIRECTLY RELATED.

NHTSA ID
11397807
Incident
Sep 14, 2020
Mileage
111,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 4, 2019

I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO ED RINKE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC ON 12/27/18, BECAUSE MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN I TRY TO ROLL IT UP AND DOWN OR JUST GETS STUCK AND DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR PARKED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 47,455 MILES ON IT AND IT WOULD BE $99 FOR THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. I PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED A 2006 GMC ENVOY WHICH I STILL OWN AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS DOING THE SAME THING PRETTY EARLY AFTER I PURCHASED IT. I ENDED UP HAVING TO PAY OVER $400 TO GET IT FIXED AND LATER ON FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT ISSUE (DRIVER'S DOOR CONTROL PANEL.) I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN THE TERRAIN AND L THINK IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED WITH NO COST TO ME. PLEASE CHECK AND SEE IF OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. I AM HOPING THIS ISSUE CAN BE REPAIRED AND I AM ABLE TO PROPERLY ROLL MY WINDOW UP AND DOWN IN THE COLD WEATHER WE ARE EXPERIENCING NOW......THAN YOU

NHTSA ID
11165550
Incident
Dec 27, 2018
Mileage
44,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 22, 2018

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR WILL NOT RESPOND CORRECTLY TO THE ACCELERATOR, DELAYED RESPONSE. THE CAR WILL ALSO NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY (AS THOUGHT YOU ARE SHIFTING MANUALLY). WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S GAUGES WILL JUMP UP AND DOWN FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COMING ON. CAR WILL THEN GO INTO REDUCED POWER MODE. WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR THE ENGINE WILL REV AND THEN THE CAR SLAMS DOWN INTO 2ND GEAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN A GMC CERTIFIED GARAGE 7 TIMES AND OUT OF SERVICE WHILE IN THE GARAGE 40 DAYS AND COUNTING. NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR HAVE OBVIOUSLY BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. GM IS REFUSING TO BY THE CAR BACK BECAUSE I BOUGHT IT AT PREMIER CHEVROLET GMC IN MORGANTOWN, WV USED WITH 27,768 MILES ON 2/5/17.

NHTSA ID
11121628
Incident
Apr 25, 2018
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 6, 2018

2016 GMC TERRAIN WILL SHOW THE CHECK ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHTS AFTER GAUGES JUMP UP AND DOWN. VEHICLE WILL THEN GO INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN SUDDENLY SLAM INTO 2ND GEAR. THIS OCCURS AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE, AS WELL AS, NORMAL ROADS. THE VEHICLE WILL THEN STAY IN 2ND GEAR AND WILL NOT GO INTO ANOTHER GEAR WHEN IT IS PLACED IN MANUAL EITHER. SOMETIMES, AFTER RESTARTING SEVERAL TIMES, IT WILL DRIVE NORMALLY. OTHER TIMES, IT WILL NOT START ONCE IT IS TURNED OFF. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE GARAGE FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. THE STARTER WIRE AND STARTER RELAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED, LOOSE GROUND WIRE TIGHTENED, AND THE ECM REPLACED YET THE CAR CONTINUES TO REPEAT THE SAME CYCLE. CAR CURRENTLY HAS 53,300 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID
11100255
Incident
Apr 24, 2018
Mileage
52,800 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 4, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (SULLER GMC LOCATED IN FARMINGTON HILLS, MICHIGAN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT RODENTS HAD EATEN THE ELECTRICAL WIRES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS PRODUCED USING SOY BASED MATERIALS, WHICH ATTRACTED RODENTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 09/06/17*LJ *JS

NHTSA ID
11012860
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
Mileage
11,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 10, 2016

THE DIGITAL CLOCK DOES NOT KEEP ACCURATE TIME, EVEN WHEN IT IS RESET. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED THE CLOCK IS SEVERAL HOURS OFF. THE DEALER THAT SOLD US THE VEHICLE CLAIMS THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT WE DO NOT HAVE AN ONSTAR SUBSCRIPTION. I CONTACTED BOTH GM AND ONSTAR, AND BOTH STATED THE CLOCK ISSUE IS NOT RELATED IN ANY WAY TO ONSTAR

NHTSA ID
10915108
Incident
Oct 1, 2016
Mileage
25,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .