2022 Gmc Terrain Safety Report

The 2022 GMC Terrain presents a mixed safety picture. While it boasts excellent crash test performance, achieving a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, including 5 stars for frontal and side impacts, and 4 stars for rollover, its complaint data reveals significant powertrain reliability concerns. With 67 total complaints, a notable pattern emerges around the fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 16 complaints, and the fuel system, gasoline, with 9 complaints. These issues frequently manifest as sudden stalling, loss of motive power, and failure to restart, often linked to the fuel pump module. Several complaints explicitly mention a P129F code for the fuel pump driver control module, and some owners note a recall for this part on similar models, even if their specific VIN isn't included. Recall history for the 2022 GMC Terrain includes two significant safety-related recalls. One addresses potentially excessive powder coating on the rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars, which could prevent proper child seat installation and increase injury risk in a crash. The second recall concerns a stripped or loose bolt at the driver's seat frame height-adjust pivot, which could compromise occupant restraint during a crash. These recalls highlight specific manufacturing defects that could directly impact occupant safety. Despite the strong crash test ratings, the high number of complaints related to sudden loss of power and stalling, particularly concerning the fuel system, raises significant operational safety concerns. While there are no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths directly linked to these complaints, a vehicle stalling unexpectedly on a highway (as described in several complaints) inherently poses a high risk of collision. The recurring nature of these fuel system issues, even with a relatively low total complaint count for a new model year, suggests a potential systemic problem that could affect a broader population of vehicles.

Our recommendation: While the 2022 GMC Terrain offers strong crash protection, potential buyers should be aware of the documented fuel system and stalling issues; thoroughly check for recall completion and consider an extended warranty covering powertrain components.