The 2015 GMC Terrain lasts around 200,000 miles with some serious engine and transmission problems. At $11,975 to $15,925, it’s cheaper than some other SUVs, but not worth the money since it will take a lot to keep it running as it ages.
Is the 2015 GMC Terrain a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 5/10 – 2015 is a bad year for the GMC Terrain since there are so many engine problems giving it a low overall rating. Owner reviews complain about slow acceleration, expensive repair bills, as well as transmission issues.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are luxurious for a compact SUV, the seats are very comfortable, cargo space is also good for an SUV its size.
- Reliability 4/10 – There are a lot of mechanical problems with the 2015 GMC Terrain. Avoid models from 2010–2015. Terrain models from 2016–2022 are more reliable.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is average from the 4-cylinder while the optional V6 offers great power for a compact SUV.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2015 Terrain is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. Standard safety technology includes a rearview camera. Lane departure, forward collision, as well as blind spot warning systems are all optional.
- Gas Mileage 6/10 – Fuel economy is poor at up to 26 MPG giving 465 miles of range from the 18 gallon tank. Gas costs are $18 higher than average at $244 per month.
- Value 6/10 – The GMC Terrain offers good luxury for the money, yet the expensive mechanical problems make it a bad value as a used SUV.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the GMC Terrain?
- Consumer Reports says the Terrain is left in the dust by the competition with very low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Terrain a 3.7/5 praising the upscale interior but doesn’t like the loose steering.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Terrain 4/5 enjoying the smooth handling although owners don’t like the poor off-road performance.
What Common Problems Does the 2015 GMC Terrain Have?
Common problems found on the 2015 GMC Terrain include the engine stalling while driving, broken windshield wiper motors, as well as transmission failures. Overall, these problems are more severe than on other compact SUVs from 2015.
The engine stalling while driving is a widespread complaint from owners at around 90,000 miles. There are several sources of the problem including a throttle body failure which costs $500 to replace, valves which are around $1,200 to change, along with expensive gasket issues that are over $2,000.
Broken windshield wiper motors show up on a lot of 2015 Terrain models at around 80,000 miles. The motors simply wear out as the SUV gets older. Changing out the wiper motors is a pretty easy task, costing around $200 per motor depending on local labor rates. If corrosion in the ball joints caused the motor to fail, it is covered by a recall for free.
Transmission failures also show up on some Terrain models in the first 60,000 miles. Owners report shifting hard between gears which ultimately leads to damaged components. Rebuilding the transmission costs around $1,800, while a full replacement can cost over $3,000.
There are 3 minor recalls on the 2015 GMC Terrain, which is better than some other compact SUVs. They cover the wiper motors, headlight reflections, along with air bags modules. Overall, none of the recalls are mechanically serious.
How Long Will the 2015 GMC Terrain Last?
A well-maintained 2015 GMC Terrain may last around 200,000 miles, which is about 100,000 less than the highly-rated Toyota RAV4. Regular annual maintenance costs are slightly higher than some competitors at $485 per year, according to data from Repair Pal.
Since nearly all 2015 GMC Terrain models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace the A/C evaporator for $1,250, sunroof motor costing $600, and the wheel speed sensors which cost $150 each.
My terrain has been a reliable vehicle for the past year and I drive about 80 miles a day too and from work everyday.
Yes it is reliable. Outside of normal maintenance such as oil changes and such I have not had any issues.
My terrain is very reliable but I have had a squealing noise from the front end since I got the SUV from the dealership. Also, the Bluetooth cannot pick up what you are saying because of the vehicle riding rough and the air noise that comes from everywhere.
So far it seems very reliable with only regular maintenance required, like regular oil changes and the occasional brake or whatever that eventually wears out over time.
It is reliable and I have had no major problems with it. One negative is that the engine on the sle is not that strong so it is a little difficult trying to accelerate quickly onto the interstate or other instances where you need to speed up quickly.
The GMC terrain sl is absolutely reliable. I have never had a problem with it. I travel with a small child, so dependability is very important!
I have not had any problems at this point. Maintenance was reasonably priced. No complaints from this guy.
No problems at all, extremely reliable great on gas mileage, not too expensive to fill up the tank either.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is very good in the 2015 GMC Terrain compared to other small SUVs with a standard 7-inch touchscreen stereo which also has Bluetooth connectivity. Safety technology is also better than average, featuring a standard backup camera along with OnStar. Optional safety equipment includes lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring systems.
Is the 2015 GMC Terrain a Good Value?
No, the 2015 GMC Terrain is a bad value since there are a lot of serious mechanical problems. Blue book prices range from $11,975 to $15,925, making it cheaper than a Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester. When new, the price range was $24,070 to $37,240. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 15% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the GMC Terrain?
There are three models of the GMC Terrain offered for 2015 from the base SLE all the way up to the luxurious Denali.
SLE is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Cruise Control
- 7-Inch Touchscreen Stereo System
- Bluetooth
- OnStar
- Rearview Camera
- 6-Speaker Stereo System
SLT is a step up, adding:
- 18-Inch Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Sunroof
- 8-Speaker Pioneer Stereo System
- Power Driver’s Seat
Denali is the most luxurious model which has:
- 18-Inch Chrome Wheels
- Premium Leather Seating
- Lane Departure & Forward Collision Warning System
- Blind Spot Monitoring
What Engines Come In the GMC Terrain?
- The base engine is an average 2.4L 4-cylinder which makes 182 horsepower while getting up to 26 MPG.
- An available upgrade is the strong 3.6L V6 which generates 201 horsepower at up to 20 MPG. Performance is good, taking 7 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH. The towing capacity is average at up to 3,500 pounds.
What Colors Does the GMC Terrain Come In?
How Comfortable Is the GMC Terrain?
The 2015 GMC Terrain is a comfortable compact SUV with seating for up to 5 people. Interior materials are luxurious for an SUV in its price range, with comfortable seats as well.
Passenger room is good throughout the cabin with enough leg room for adults in the back seats which are also very comfortable.
How Much Storage Space Does the GMC Terrain Have?
Cargo space is less than other compact SUVs with enough room for 5-6 suitcases behind the back seats, and over 10 with the seats folded flat.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The first generation of the GMC Terrain was introduced in 2010 and replaced by the second generation in 2018.
2013: Stronger V6 engine added, new touchscreen stereo, as well as a new Denali model.
2014: New wheel options as well as a chrome package.
2015: 4G WiFi hotspot added.
2016: Blind spot monitoring & lane departure warning added to SLE-2 & SLT models.
2017: Standard 18-Inch alloy wheels, black nightfall appearance package.
2018: Fully redesigned for the 2018 model year with new interior, exterior, and engines.
2019: Upgraded rearview camera, new exterior appearance packages.
How Does the GMC Terrain Compare to the Competition?
The GMC Terrain is worse than other compact SUVs on the market since there are still a lot of expensive mechanical problems.
The Chevy Equinox is another compact SUV which costs around $500 less. Both the GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox are built on the same platform with more luxurious interior materials in the GMC Terrain. We recommend avoiding both models for 2015 since they suffer from the same mechanical problems.
The Ford Escape is another popular SUV available for about $800 less. Standard technology is better in the Ford Escape, while the seats are more comfortable in the GMC Terrain. We recommend the Ford Escape for 2015 since there are fewer serious problems reported by owners.
Do Owners Recommend the GMC Terrain?
Yes, spacious and stylish. I love the head and leg room because my father who is 6 foot 8 inches and myself at 5 foot 11 inches are very tall and we are super comfortable in my terrain.
Yes, it is AWD and durable in the winter. I have not had any issues so far. It is a roomy SUV for my family.
Yes, it is a good vehicle but it does ride rough. I have had a few issues with it but nothing that would make it a bad vehicle. Also, because of the roughness of the ride your Bluetooth can never understand what you are saying.
Yes, it has a nice quiet ride, comfortable seats, and GMC vehicles are fairly sturdy. Mine also comes with some premium features like heated seats and remote start making it great for places with cold winters.
It is a good, basic vehicle. It has enough updated features (big radio/screen, Bluetooth) to make it feel modern, without paying a big price tag.
I would definitely recommend the 2015 GMC terrain sle. It is very spacious and a good family vehicle. This car also does amazing on gas mileage. There's a lot of room in the back seat for car seats for children.
I love it, great gas, comfy ride. No issues I can think of to report. All and all it was a great purchase.
Absolutely love it, best car I have owned in a long time, good on gas, easy to take care of, holds a lot when I travel.