GMC Terrain
In Canada: generations, trims, common issues, recalls and fuel costs
This guide covers the GMC Terrain across 3 generations from model year 2010. Transport Canada lists 16 recalls for it since the 2010 model year, the latest issued in February 2026 (list read ). The first-generation Terrain was built at CAMI in Ingersoll, Ontario from 2009 to 2017.
Overview
The Terrain is GMC’s smallest SUV, a five-seat compact crossover that shares its platform and engines with the Chevrolet Equinox but wears GMC’s truck-like styling and a more upscale trim ladder. It arrived for 2010, took over from the Pontiac Torrent at many dealers, and its first generation was built at CAMI in Ingersoll, Ontario. Buyers are commuters and small families who want all-wheel drive for winter; the current Canadian Terrain comes with all-wheel drive as standard. For a Calgary owner the documented points are oil consumption on early 2.4 L four-cylinders, a wiper-linkage corrosion recall on 2010–2017 models, owner complaints of hard brake pedals on 2018–2020 models, and a fuel pump recall on some 2022s.
- Body type
- Compact crossover SUV
- Model years covered
- 2010 on
- Generations
- 3
- Production
- The first-generation Terrain was built at CAMI in Ingersoll, Ontario from 2009 to 2017.[2]
- Transport Canada recalls
- 16 since the 2010 model year
- NRCan fuel rating, 2026
- 8.8–9.5 L/100 km combined, about $2,856–$3,084 a year
Generations
Newest first. Years are model years; “on” means the generation is still in production.
-
Third generation
2025 on
A more rugged, truck-like redesign built in San Luis Potosí from October 2024, with a 15-inch touchscreen and the 1.5 L turbo; all-wheel-drive models use an eight-speed automatic, and every model does from 2027.[1][3]
-
Second generation
2018–2024
Production moved to San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Turbocharged four-cylinders replaced the old engines, including a 1.6 L diesel until 2019, and the 1.5 L turbo became the only engine from 2021. A 2022 refresh added the AT4.[1][2]
-
First generation
2010–2017
Built at CAMI Assembly in Ingersoll, Ontario on GM’s Theta platform, with a 2.4 L four-cylinder or a V6 (3.0 L, then 3.6 L from 2013) and front- or all-wheel drive. The Denali trim joined for 2013 and a facelift arrived for 2016.[1][2]
Trims and engines
Trims sold in Canada
| Trim | Years | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| SLE | 2010–2024 | The core trim of the first two generations.[1][4][5] |
| SLT | 2010–2024 | The better-equipped mid-level trim above the SLE.[1][4][5] |
| AT4 | 2022 on | The off-road-styled trim added with the 2022 refresh, with a skid plate and off-road tires; it returned for the third generation in 2026.[1][3][5] |
| Denali | 2013 on | The top luxury trim with chrome grille and trim, sold from 2013; on the third generation it returned for 2026.[1][3][5] |
| Elevation | 2025 on | The entry trim of the third generation; on 2020–2021 Terrains the name was used for an appearance package.[1][3] |
Engines
| Engine | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L Ecotec I4 | 2010–2017 | [1] |
| 3.0 L V6 | 2010–2012 | [1] |
| 3.6 L V6 | 2013–2017 | [1] |
| 1.5 L turbo I4 | 2018 on | Updated for 2023 with a higher-pressure fuel system; the only engine from 2021.[1][3] |
| 2.0 L turbo I4 | 2018–2020 | [1][4] |
| 1.6 L turbo-diesel I4 | 2018–2019 | [1][4] |
Common issues
Problems a source documents for this model, tagged by what kind of source it is. What each tag means:
- Recall
- A safety recall. Transport Canada’s list further down has the recall itself, and a dealer can tell you from your VIN whether it applies to your vehicle.
- Service bulletin
- A manufacturer’s technical service bulletin: its instructions to dealers for diagnosing and repairing the problem. A bulletin is not a recall.
- Owner complaint pattern
- Owners have reported it in complaints. A pattern in reports is not a recall, and not a finding that every vehicle has the problem.
-
Oil consumption on the 2.4 L four-cylinder
Piston ring wear can make the 2.4 L burn oil quickly enough to set off a low-oil-pressure warning. GM’s special coverage bulletins replaced the pistons and rings on 2011 models and, in the United States only, on 2013 models; those coverages have since expired by age. Owners have also filed many NHTSA complaints about oil use and timing chains.[6][7][17][18]
-
Windshield wiper linkage corrosion
Water draining from the cowl can corrode the wiper linkage ball joints until one or both wipers stop. The recall relocates the cowl drains and fits a revised wiper module. In Canada it covers vehicles registered in Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces and British Columbia, so an Alberta Terrain is only included if it came from one of those provinces; check by VIN.[8][9][10][11]
-
Hard brake pedal from vacuum pump failure
Owners of 2018–2020 Terrains have filed many NHTSA complaints about losing brake assist, typically a very hard pedal with a brake-assist warning traced to the vacuum pump. Treat any brake-assist warning as urgent.[19][20][21]
-
Fuel pump causing stalls
A recall covers fuel pumps that may reduce fuel flow, causing hesitation, a check-engine light or a stall that may not restart; owners of 2022 models have also reported fuel pump failures in NHTSA complaints.[13][14][22]
-
Transmission fluid leak from the start-stop accumulator
Missing bolts on the transmission’s start-stop accumulator cover can let fluid leak until drive is lost. The Canadian recall lists 2019 and 2020 Terrains; dealers inspect the accumulator and replace it if bolts are missing.[12][15]
-
Heat and defrost controls stop working
Software in the integrated centre stack could shut off the heating, air conditioning, defrost and radio controls on some 2010 Terrains. Dealers replaced the integrated centre stack.[16]
Transport Canada recalls
Transport Canada lists 16 recalls for the GMC Terrain since the 2010 model year, grouped below by generation, newest first. A recall that spans two generations is listed under both. Read from Transport Canada on .
Check one model year against Transport Canada’s live list with the recall check, or decode your VIN first with the VIN decoder.
Third generation 2025 on
1 recall
-
Recall 2026-086 · Other
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 1,255 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2026
- Manufacturer’s no.
- N252540430 / N252540431
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. On certain vehicles, the owner's manual may be missing. As a result, the vehicles may not meet certain requirements of Canadian regulations. Note: For the Escalade model, the recall also affects certain 2026 model year Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL models.
Safety risk. A missing owner's manual could cause confusion on how to safely operate the vehicle and increase the risk of injury or a crash.
Corrective action. General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to install the owner's manual.
Second generation 2018–2024
9 recalls
-
Recall 2023-279 · Seats And Restraints
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 44,722 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2020–2023
- Manufacturer’s no.
- N232403240
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. The coating may be too thick on the connection bars for the lower universal anchorage system (UAS) for securing a child or booster seat in the rear seat. As a result, you may not be able to properly attach a child seat in the rear seat using the UAS.
Safety risk. A child seat that isn't properly attached could increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective action. General Motors will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the bars for the lower universal anchorage system (UAS) in the rear seat. If necessary, the dealer will remove and replace the finish coating on lower anchorage bars. General Motors recommends to install child seats using the rear seat belts, as described in the vehicle owner's manual and child-seat manufacturer's installation guide, until the recall repairs have been completed.
-
Recall 2023-013 · Fuel System
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 1,534 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2022
- Manufacturer’s no.
- N222372310
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. On certain vehicles, a problem with the fuel pump may cause reduced fuel flow to the engine. If this happens, you may notice engine hesitation and the check engine light may turn on. This could also result in a sudden engine stall while driving and you may not be able to restart it.
Safety risk. A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective action. General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the fuel pump module.
-
Recall 2022-553 · Seats And Restraints
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 940 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2022
- Manufacturer’s no.
- N222377890
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. On certain vehicles, the bolt for the height-adjustment pivot on the driver seat may be loose or stripped. As a result, the bolt could pull out of the joint and allow the seat to move in a crash. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with a power driver seat that is not equipped with the memory function.
Safety risk. A seat that moves in a crash could create an increased risk of injury.
Corrective action. General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver's seat cushion frame.
-
Recall 2021-489 · Tires
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 870 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2021–2022
- Manufacturer’s no.
- N212343560
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. Certain vehicles were built with tires that may have a manufacturing defect. As a result, the tire tread could separate while driving. Note: This recall only affects certain Hankook tires with a date code of 0521, and a specific internal bar code.
Safety risk. A tire tread separation could affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective action. General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect and replace the tires, as necessary.
-
Recall 2020-520 · Powertrain
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 22,911 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2019–2020
- Manufacturer’s no.
- N202313440
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. On certain vehicles, the start-stop accumulator in the transmission may be missing bolts. As a result, transmission fluid could leak and eventually cause the transmission to stop working. If this happens, there could be a loss of power to the wheels.
Safety risk. A transmission fluid leak onto a hot surface can create the risk of a fire. Additionally, a loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective action. General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the transmission start-stop accumulator. It will be replaced if any bolts are found missing.
-
Recall 2019-120 · Seats And Restraints
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 24 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2019
- Manufacturer’s no.
- N192209550
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. On certain vehicles, the head-restraint bracket of the rear-right seat may be not be properly welded. This could allow the head-restraint to move in a crash.
Safety risk. A head-restraint that does not stay in place during a crash could create an increased risk of injury.
Corrective action. The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have the rear-right seatback frame replaced.
-
Recall 2018-461 · Brakes
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 19,385 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2018–2019
- Manufacturer’s no.
- 18279
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. On certain vehicles, a problem with the rear brake system may cause gas bubbles to form in the brake fluid. This could cause a soft brake pedal feel and a reduction in brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.
Corrective action. Dealers will bleed the rear brakes.
-
Recall 2018-289 · Fuel System
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 73 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2018
- Manufacturer’s no.
- 18188
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. On certain vehicles, a joint on the high-pressure fuel pump may have been improperly welded during the manufacturing process. Over time, this could cause the weld to crack and create a potential fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could increase the risk of fire, causing injury and/or damage to property.
Corrective action. Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump and high-pressure fuel pipe.
-
Recall 2018-279 · Airbag
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 12,711 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2018
- Manufacturer’s no.
- 18179
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. On certain vehicles, the Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM), which controls the airbag system, may not shut down correctly when the vehicle is turned off. If this happens, the SDM may not work when the vehicle is started, making it unable to detect a crash or deploy the airbags, and increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective action. Dealers will reprogram the SDM with updated software to correct this problem. Note: If the SDM is inoperative when the vehicle is started, the airbag warning lamp would illuminate, a “service restraint system” message would be displayed and warning chimes would sound.
First generation 2010–2017
6 recalls
-
Recall 2018-137 · Visual System
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 15,611 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2010–2017
- Manufacturer’s no.
- 25300
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. In certain vehicles, water may drain from the windshield cowl area onto the windshield wiper transmission link joints. Over time, this could result in corrosion and/or wear to the joint, which could result in the separation of the wiper link ball from its corresponding socket. If separation were to occur, the windshield wipers could become inoperative, which could limit the driver's visibility under certain operating conditions and increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.
Corrective action. Dealers will relocate drain holes in the windshield cowl and install a wiper module with revised joints. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2016-318 to include vehicles originally sold or registered in the province of British Columbia.
-
Recall 2016-318 · Visual System
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 141,407 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2010–2017
- Manufacturer’s no.
- 25300
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. In certain vehicles registered and operated in areas where road salt is used on the roadways during winter months for extended time periods (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland-Labrador), water may drain from the windshield cowl area onto one of the windshield wiper transmission link joints. Over time, this could result in corrosion and/or wear to the joint, which could result in the separation of the wiper link ball from its corresponding socket. If separation were to occur, the windshield wipers could become inoperative, which could limit the driver’s visibility under certain operating conditions which may increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.
Corrective action. Dealers will relocate drain holes in the windshield cowl and install a wiper module with revised joints.
-
Recall 2014-311 · Seats And Restraints
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 29,555 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2010–2012
- Manufacturer’s no.
- 14271
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. On certain vehicles equipped with power height adjustable front seats, a bolt securing the adjuster mechanism may loosen and fall out. This would cause the seat to drop to the lowest vertical adjustment position, which could affect the driver's ability to safety operate vehicle controls as well as cause reduced driver visibility. These issues could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.
Corrective action. Dealers will replace the bolt.
-
Recall 2010-446 · Seats And Restraints
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 13,120 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2011
- Manufacturer’s no.
- 10370
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. On certain vehicles, the driver and/or front passenger seatbelt buckle anchors may fracture and separate near the seat attachment during a vehicle crash. If this were to occur, the seatbelt system may not restrain the seat occupant as intended, which could increase the risk of personal injuries during a crash.
Corrective action. Dealers will modify the passenger and, in some cases, the driver seatbelt buckle assemblies.
-
Recall 2009-363 · Heater And Defroster
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 8,356 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2010
- Manufacturer’s no.
- 09298
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. On certain vehicles, the software in the Integrated Center Stack can cause the heating, air conditioning, defrost, the radio controls, and the panel illumination to become inoperative. Driving without some of these functions could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage, personal injury or death.
Corrective action. Dealers will replace the Integrated Center Stack.
-
Recall 2009-355 · Electrical
- Date
- Units affected in Canada
- 528 (whole recall)
- Covers
- TERRAIN 2010
- Manufacturer’s no.
- 09332
Issue, risk and remedy
Issue. Certain vehicles built for Canada have the U.S. Body Control Module Security System Data file which is non-compliant with the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. This situation poses no safety risk and was corrected at the manufacturing plant on September 3rd 2009.
Source: Transport Canada, Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Fuel economy and cost
Natural Resources Canada’s combined ratings (55% city, 45% highway driving) for the newest model years it has rated. NRCan rates every drivetrain, transmission and package separately, so each row gives the range across them. The yearly cost assumes 20,000 km a year, the distance NRCan’s own fuel consumption search tool assumes, at Statistics Canada’s average self-serve price in Calgary for August 2026: regular 162.3¢/L, premium 188.4¢/L, diesel 210.6¢/L. Each rating is costed at the fuel NRCan rated it on. How far and how you drive will move it.
| Year | Engine | Fuel | Combined L/100 km | Fuel a year (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1.5 L, 4 cylinders (3 versions) | Regular | 8.8–9.5 | $2,856–$3,084 |
| 2025 | 1.5 L, 4 cylinders (2 versions) | Regular | 8.8–9.3 | $2,856–$3,019 |
| 2024 | 1.5 L, 4 cylinders (2 versions) | Regular | 9.0–9.3 | $2,921–$3,019 |
| 2023 | 1.5 L, 4 cylinders (2 versions) | Regular | 9.0–9.2 | $2,921–$2,986 |
| 2022 | 1.5 L, 4 cylinders (2 versions) | Regular | 8.6–9.0 | $2,792–$2,921 |
| 2021 | 1.5 L, 4 cylinders (2 versions) | Regular | 8.6–9.0 | $2,792–$2,921 |
| 2020 | 1.5 L, 4 cylinders (2 versions) | Regular | 8.6–9.0 | $2,792–$2,921 |
| 2020 | 2.0 L, 4 cylinders | Premium | 10.2 | $3,843 |
| 2019 | 1.5 L, 4 cylinders (2 versions) | Regular | 8.6–9.0 | $2,792–$2,921 |
| 2019 | 1.6 L, 4 cylinders diesel (2 versions) | Diesel | 7.4 | $3,117 |
| 2019 | 2.0 L, 4 cylinders | Premium | 10.2 | $3,843 |
Source: Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings, read . Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Prices: Statistics Canada, Table 18-10-0001-01, Monthly average retail prices for gasoline and fuel oil, by geography (https://doi.org/10.25318/1810000101-eng), used under the Statistics Canada Open Licence.
Canada notes
- The first-generation Terrain was built at CAMI in Ingersoll, Ontario from 2009 to 2017. GM then moved Terrain production to Mexico, which led to a strike at CAMI in 2017.[2]
- GMC Canada says the current Terrain comes standard with on-demand all-wheel drive.[3]
- From 2021 the optional engine block heater came with a cold-air grille shutter that uses temperature-sensitive springs to limit water build-up while the engine warms up.[1]
- Transport Canada’s wiper-corrosion recall first listed vehicles from Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, then British Columbia; Alberta was not among the listed provinces, so check a used Terrain’s recall status by VIN.[8][9]
Ask Calgary-area shops to quote on your GMC Terrain
Describe the job once. Local shops reply with their own prices.
Or browse shops for the work these issues and recalls lead to: Engine Repair & Diagnostics in Calgary · Brake Repair in Calgary · Tire Shops in Calgary · Inspection & Maintenance in Calgary.
Sources
The entry above was checked against these on . The numbers beside each fact point here.
- Wikipedia, GMC Terrain. Accessed .
- Wikipedia, CAMI Assembly. Accessed .
- GMC Canada, GMC Terrain small SUV. Accessed .
- GMC Canada, 2019 GMC Terrain SLE/SLT (archived). Accessed .
- GMC Canada, 2024 GMC Terrain (archived). Accessed .
- General Motors (via NHTSA), GM bulletin 15285D: special coverage adjustment, excessive engine oil consumption (2011 Equinox and Terrain 2.4 L). Accessed .
- General Motors (via NHTSA), GM special coverage N192291100: excessive engine oil consumption (2013 Equinox and Terrain 2.4 L). Accessed .
- Transport Canada, Transport Canada recall 2016-318: windshield wiper linkage corrosion. Accessed .
- Transport Canada, Transport Canada recall 2018-137: windshield wiper linkage corrosion (expansion). Accessed .
- NHTSA, NHTSA recall 16V582000: windshield wiper module ball joint corrosion. Accessed .
- NHTSA, NHTSA recall 22V165000: windshield wiper module ball joint corrosion. Accessed .
- Transport Canada, Transport Canada recall 2020-520: transmission start-stop accumulator bolts. Accessed .
- Transport Canada, Transport Canada recall 2023-013: fuel pump reduced fuel flow. Accessed .
- NHTSA, NHTSA recall 23V013000: fuel pump module. Accessed .
- NHTSA, NHTSA recall 20V668000: transmission start-stop accumulator bolts. Accessed .
- Transport Canada, Transport Canada recall 2009-363: centre stack software disables heat and defrost. Accessed .
- NHTSA, NHTSA owner complaints: 2012 GMC Terrain. Accessed .
- NHTSA, NHTSA owner complaints: 2013 GMC Terrain. Accessed .
- NHTSA, NHTSA owner complaints: 2018 GMC Terrain. Accessed .
- NHTSA, NHTSA owner complaints: 2019 GMC Terrain. Accessed .
- NHTSA, NHTSA owner complaints: 2020 GMC Terrain. Accessed .
- NHTSA, NHTSA owner complaints: 2022 GMC Terrain. Accessed .
Where the recall and fuel data comes from
- Transport Canada, Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
- Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open data).
- Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings search tool.
- Statistics Canada, Table 18-10-0001-01, Monthly average retail prices for gasoline and fuel oil, by geography.
Transport Canada’s recalls and NRCan’s fuel ratings: contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Pump prices: Statistics Canada, used under the Statistics Canada Open Licence. Neither government endorses GarageMap. More GMC guides: GMC models · all vehicle guides.