GMC Truck›Terrain›2016›Overview/gmc-truck/terrain/2016/base/

2016 GMC Truck Terrain

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Terrain.

Body SUV

The 2016 GMC Terrain is a compact crossover built on the CUV platform that delivers a balanced blend of practicality and modest power, requiring 5.0 quarts of 5W‑30 or 0W‑30 oil for its engine. Among its notable specifications, the vehicle’s 5.0‑quart oil capacity and dual viscosity options accommodate a range of operating conditions while maintaining engine integrity. In the broader reliability context, the 2016 model sits within a span of 2010‑2026 where overall owner complaints peaked in 2011 and fell to a low of 12 in 2025, indicating a steady improvement in durability that benefits this particular year’s reliability profile.

Model year2016 2015 2014 2013 2012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 660 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 660 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Tire size235/55R19OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731742 alt 12580255
Engine air filter	23335811
Spark plug	12681658 alt 12681660
Battery	88866291 alt 88866115
Front wiper blades	19432579 alt 19432580
Serpentine belt	12634319 alt 12636138
Thermostat	03522676 alt 12622410
Cabin air filter	20901295

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil, Synthetic · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	DEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.2-6.3
Automatic Transmission Fluid	DEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.2-6.3
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	Synthetic · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.0 qt
Engine Coolant	Dex-Cool

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	89 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	89 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	10
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	11.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission	37.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts	Inner: 77.0; Outer: 44.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	NVG900: 11.0, Gertag 760: 29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	NVG900: 18.0, Gertag 760: 29.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	Install a new nut and torque to 151.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	Install a new nut and torque to 151.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-5-4-3-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Ac Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.037 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.43 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	660 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	47

Service checks

Pressure Test	15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	43-58 @ idle psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-94
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	43-58 psi at idle psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-100

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: 20; Rear: 20 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 140; Rear: 92 Use; Front: 140; Rear: 92
ABS Sensor Torque	6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: 1.060; Rear: .720 /; Front: 1.060; Rear: 0.720
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.001 / 0.001
Maximum Rotor Runout	.002 / 0.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 100

18 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: loosen all bolts completely, Step 3: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 110

22 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil.

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	155 degrees	155 degrees
3	Front bolts 26.0 ft. lbs.	26 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. · M11 Bolts

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	150 degrees; M8 Bolts	150 degrees
1	11.0 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
2	75 degrees	75 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

34.0

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70

15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2016 GMC Truck Terrain dominate in one area — the visibility/wiper, 46 of 149 reports (31%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the visibility/wiper, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 9 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the visibility/wiper pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1230

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

149

Owner complaints

9 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15’16’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 149 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper46

Engine33

Exterior Lighting9

Unknown Or Other7

Air Bags5

Power Train4

Steering4

Visibility3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V449000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 21/06/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles manufactured October 16, 2015. The certification labels may have incorrect tire/rim size and cold tire pressure… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer…

22V137000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 08/03/2022

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1230 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP6113	2026-05-18	Unknown Or Other	This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set…
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Terrain. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 48 battery Vehicles taking 5.0 qt Engine oil filter 12731742 Engine air filter 23335811 Spark plug 12681658 Battery 88866291

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2016 Terrain take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 meeting GM Dexos 1 specification or equivalent. Where temperatures fall below -20 degreesF, GM recommends using either an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 Terrain have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.