Power Train Problems of GMC Terrain - part 1

Suvs check engine light turned on and went into reduced power mode, it has been very cold for approximately a month. Code p0299.

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The contact owns a 2026 GMC Terrain. While driving at 28 mph, the rpm became elevated to over 3,000 rpm. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately pulled over and then resumed normal operation after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact was advised to bring the vehicle back to the dealer if the failure reoccurred. Approximately one week after the initial failure, while driving approximately 30 mph, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to l2. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. A diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was provided a case number. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,300.

Powertrain system failure while driving, causing complete loss of power on road. The car lacks any accessible manual overrides to put in neutral or turn off parking break. This leaves the car stuck in park with all four wheels locked in the middle of the road in an incident with no safe way to move or tow the vehicle. When attempting to tow car must be dragged, and parking brake continuously engages. Tow attempt took nearly 3 hours to saddle the vehicle in the roadway. Vehicle currently awaiting formal inspection/repair from dealership.

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Vehicle was started for the second time that day on 1/5/26 and the engine light was on. I drove the vehicle to an auto parts store to have them check it with an obd-ii scanner. It had code p050f. I had no idea how serious this issue could be at the time. I made an appt with the GMC dealership and dropped it off the evening of 1/6/26. They said there was a software anomaly in the engine control module and needed to be reprogrammed. I paid the $200 diagnostic fee for them to reprogram it. I learned that this anomaly could have caused my brakes to not work while driving it. I had been driving the vehicle back and forth to work until I dropped it off. This issue could have caused serious harm or death to myself and others. While researching online, I've seen that other vehicles have had safety recalls and additional warranties added for these issues, but my vehicle isn't included in this.

See all problems of the 2019 GMC Terrain 🔎.

I am filing this complaint to report a catastrophic engine failure involving my 2017 GMC Terrain equipped with the 2. 4l ecotec engine, which I believe is the result of a known manufacturing defect related to excessive oil consumption and premature internal engine wear. At approximately 88,000 miles, my vehicle experienced severe engine failure, including excessive oil consumption, timing chain failure, and complete engine failure, which has been confirmed in writing by a licensed repair facility. The shop determined that the engine failure was caused by oil starvation resulting from excessive oil consumption, leading to internal engine damage and timing chain failure. This failure occurred without warning and rendered the vehicle unsafe to operate. Sudden engine failure creates a serious safety risk, including loss of power while driving, inability to accelerate, and increased risk of collision. This engine failure matches a well-documented defect pattern involving general motors’ 2. 4l ecotec engines, which have been the subject of class-action lawsuits, settlements, and jury verdicts related to premature piston ring wear, excessive oil consumption, and resulting engine damage or failure. These issues have been widely reported in Chevrolet equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles within my model year range. My vehicle was properly maintained, and this failure was not the result of neglect, misuse, or normal wear and tear, but rather a latent manufacturing defect that manifested after the warranty period but well within the reasonable life expectancy of the engine. I am requesting that NHTSA formally document and investigate this defect, as it presents a significant safety concern for drivers operating vehicles equipped with this engine. I also request that general motors be required to address this defect to prevent additional engine failures and potential safety incidents.

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Drove car approximately 15 miles. Parked car. Car would not turn off. Message- transmission/park. Wouldn't car stayed neutral. Had to call wecker to take dealership. . . . Diagnostic solenoid valve body faulty. . . . 2019 Terrain miles 91669. Is there recall. Have more reports of issue. Should this happen with a well maintained vehicle all maintenance updated to date.

The intercooler has been a document problem on GMC Terrains for awhile now. I had my intercooler replaced and now less than 10 months it is having the same problem. The vehicle will go into reduced power mode which would be a safety hazard because it will also stall sometimes when it is having performance issues. That could lead to someone colliding into me if it suddenly stops when someone is behind me. I believe this part should be recalled and fixed for free.

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The car went into limp mode while I was on the highway. The car said reducing engine power and then I couldn't go the speed limit I had to drive well under the speed limit and pull off the road as soon as possible. I brought it home and water came pouring out the intercooler after looking online. I found out this is a known issue for this vehicle.

I bought this Terrain brand new from betten baker Chevrolet in muskegon mi in 2019 with 500 miles. That same year we had transmission slippage causing it to slip out of gear then slam back into gear while driving. I took it to the dealer to have it looked at. They did nothing and informed me it was known by the manufacturer that this was an issue. I then had to bring it back for electrical issues as the lights would all start going off in the cab including dome lights and shift buttons. All key fob would not be recognized by the car and would have to be reprogrammed counting 5 times now. Now I am sitting at just oflver 100,000 miles and what I thought was going to be a simple spark plug change gas turned into a complete motor failure. Did an oil change and there was no oil in it. The turbo was replaced and now the engine started making a lot of rattling noises and just stopped. The dash says service transmission, ecs, extremely low battery voltage and has jost die after oil started pouring out the bottom of the car. It is now sitting at the dealership service department where I was told by am employee there that they have been seeing them come in at 150,000 miles for complete rebuilds and mine was early. Let me tell you that this car isn't even paid off yet. And the 2006 ram 1500 is more reliable.

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill or making a left or right turn, the tires were skipping, and there was a clicking and whining sound coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that a friend test-drove the vehicle and informed that the vehicle had experienced transmission failure. Neither the independent mechanic nor the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 20v668000 (power train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 104,000.

The contact owns a 2022 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 5-10 mph, the vehicle stopped independently, and the gear shifter failed to shift to neutral(n). A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump power control module needed to be replaced. The fuel pump power control module was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,777.

Front drivers side wheel makes a clicking/popping noise when turning to the right.

The contact owns a 2022 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle stalled, and the contact was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the message "battery critically low" was initially displayed, and then the message "engine and transmission system - schedule service now" was displayed. The contact was assisted by police officers in redirecting traffic away from the vehicle to prevent a crash. The contact stated that the tow truck driver inspected the battery and informed the contact that the battery was in good condition. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift to neutral(n), which required a special tow truck to tow the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was then towed to the dealer the same day. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,200.

Vehicle struggles to shift from low gears; seems to completely miss 3rd gear. Codes from maintenance indicate tcc slip.

The contact owns a 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact's wife attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the gear shifter failed to move from neutral(n) and remained in low power mode. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and dtc: p0700 and p073e were retrieved. In addition, the contact related the failure to technical service bulletin: pip5974e; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,766.

GMC consumer relations subject: structural undercarriage safety defect – 2012 GMC Terrain sle vehicle information: year/make/model: 2012 GMC Terrain sle VIN: [xxx] mileage at purchase: 148,305 date of purchase: [xxx] location: rochester, new york I am filing a complaint regarding a severe undercarriage safety defect in my 2012 GMC Terrain sle. The rear undercarriage of this vehicle shows heavy structural corrosion on suspension brackets and mounts. The condition produces clanging noises during normal driving, and an independent licensed mechanic has refused to work on the vehicle because the suspension integrity is unsafe. When I returned the vehicle to the dealer, I observed additional brackets being attached under the rear subframe area, suggesting reinforcement of compromised structural points. This confirms that the corrosion directly affects suspension geometry, alignment, and stability. This corrosion is not cosmetic. It is advanced structural deterioration affecting the mounting points for trailing arms and lateral links. These components are critical to safe turning, stability, and control. The corrosion compromises the ability of the suspension to keep the wheels aligned, creating serious risks of loss of control or wheel separation. What makes this more alarming is that the vehicle passed a new york state safety inspection on 07/13/2025, yet within days a mechanic refused to perform unrelated service because of the undercarriage condition. This raises questions not only about inspection validity, but also about the underlying durability and corrosion. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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April 2025, vacuum pump went out meaning lost breaks going 60 miles per hour down the road after engine light came on. Left me and two children stranded 2 hours from home with no way to get back except a tow. Now September 2025 cam shafts are out as well as vacuum pump. Stranded boyfriend and I two hours away again. Now metal in oil and warranty is not willing to cover it due to the vacuum pump going out. Made a post on facebook and got lots of feedback on how their newer Terrains have done the same things. Work in insurance and have people car pertaining to their Terrains wondering if we cover engine replacements. There is major issues with these vehicle. Mine only has 107,000 miles on it and I have 12,000 left to pay. The motor is shot and dealership wants to “flush” the metal out of the engine. Very frustrated, I put 12,000 out of my college fund to have a reliable vehicle for my two kids and now this is all I have. A car that doesn’t run. I called warranty and the man I talked to even said that they get a lot of calls for these cars needing to be fixed. I am at a loss on what to do now. The below information about the incident is for the most recent one happening in September. I know that this sounds like a warranty and dealership issue but I guaranty if you send something out to Terrain owners they will report major issues that they have had. Leaving them stuck in loans and no where to go.

See all problems of the 2018 GMC Terrain 🔎.

We have been keeping up with all maintenance and oil changes. We have only driven the car for less than a year. At time of oil change; the oil has been low, resulting in over oil consumption; requiring an extra quart of oil to be added between oil changes. When we purchased the vehicle, there was an strong exhaust smell; the shop that we bought the vehicle stated there were no issues and we have taken it to them multiple times an hour away from our home. The car completely shut off while my minor son and I were driving. Placing both of our lives at risk! it would never start back up. Now the car has seized and requires an engine replacement. It is sitting at a local garage while we wait for the dealership to help us, to no avail.

The GMC Terrain p187e transmission code indicates a problem with the transmission senor or shift interlock. It prevented our car from shifting into park. The car won't start now. We had to disconnect the battery because the car would not stop beeping. Milage is only 22000 miles and we have owned it for less then 2 months. It is a 9 speed transmission which I understand this to be an on going issue with this transmission.

On or around August 15th I was in traffic and my 2016 GMC Terrain just shut off in the middle off traffic almost causing the car behind me to hit me is the rear. I got it started and then slowed down for a car that was turning in frount of me and it shut off again almost causing another car to rear end me. There where no warning light no warning at all just shut off I called a flat bed and it was taken to clintscales Chevrolet in belton SC. They have informed me that it is a problem with the timing chain causing me to need a new motor. I have done research and it shows gm has had problems with this problem in numerous engines in this year. This is so dangerous it puts life's in danger by shutting of in traffic with no warning at all.

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Incident 1: pulled out from stop sign car made funny noises, light came on said it couldn't shift to drive. Had towed to dealer. They said couldn't find issue except it was quart and a half low of transmission fluid. The car had approx 3,500 miles on it. Incident 2: for about two weeks when pulling out felt like it was skipping but didn't feel like transmission. Felt like over powered. Then it done same as incident 1. Pulled out made noise would not move. Notice that is couldn't shift and check engine light came on had it towed again. Approx 6,300 miles on it. They then said it was very low on transmission fluid and they did find a small hole in hose. Danger is pulling out and it just stops in cross traffic and won't move could easily be hit. It is very scary to drive not knowing if or when it is going to happen. I have no current invoice on vehicle as it is still in shop.

See all problems of the 2025 GMC Terrain 🔎.

I have been having intermittent problems for well over 1 year with my vehicle not accelerating. I try to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle does not respond. I have the accelerator pedal pressed to the floor nothing happens for 10-15 seconds, then vehicle will lurch forward and start responding. This has happened several times as I am pulling into traffic. Major safety concern that could cause severe injury or fatality. I also have other issues with vehicle not shifting gears, engine feels as though it is skipping while driving. I have taken this to the dealership and was told that they could not recreate the issue. No engine code or service lights have ever displayed. Dealership told me is can't be anything major since there are no codes or service lights. Currently have 72,000 miles, did purchase an extended warranty. I have seen many complaints of this same problem from other Terrain owners. GMC needs to fix this problem before someone is killed in a collision because their product won't accelerate.

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the unintendedly decelerated and failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced with a used transmission, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that the replacement transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000. The VIN was not available.

While working out of town for work my engine light started flashing and the dash lights went nuts. My brakes were nonexistent and were hard as a rock. I had zero warning as to what happened. Working 3 hours away from home the car had to be towed and I was informed the engine code came back as my cam shaft. Took it to the dealer as gm has a bulletin put out. I didn’t know what that meant. Long story short and 3000. 00 dollars later I find out that the vacuum pump exploded which cause the cam shaft to fail. I was out of work for almost a month. There is a recall for almost all vehicles from this year but not the 2019 Terrain even though it contains the same vacuum pump as all the recalled makes and models. Vacuum pump, cam shaft, oil pan, oil pump had to all be replaced at under 100,000 highway miles. Someone needs to address this problem.

I purchased a new 2024 GMC Terrain in March 2024. At the time of the incident the mileage was approximately 18,000 miles. On [xxx], as I was driving on a MA state highway, the car lost power with no warning. I was able to "coast" into a parking lot where I contacted onstar; a flatbed tow truck was dispatched and the car was towed to the local dealership where it was purchased. At this time, the car is still at the dealer as I was informed by dealer service consultant that it's a "massive" transmission job and parts were on back order from GMC for over three weeks. I specifically purchased this vehicle to be safe on my monthly trips to NY to visit grandchild. I no longer feel safe in this vehicle and have no guarantee this won't happen again. The fact that the transmission failed in 1 yr. Old car at 18,000 miles is of great concern to me. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I have been experiencing loss of power when going from a full stop to acceleration. I purchased my 2020 Terrain. I almost got in a car accident for the 3rd time today due to this loss of power issue. Stopped at a stop sign, I accelerate but the vehicle will barely move no matter how far down you push the peddle down. The loss of power is anywhere from 4 to 6 seconds then all of the sudden power will return. I've looked for recalls but there are none for my VIN. This behavior is unpredictable and has occurred at stop signs, traffic lights, and when attempting to turn onto main roads. It has nearly caused accidents due to my inability to safely accelerate in time when merging or crossing traffic. I’ve read that GMC recalled certain 2021 and 2022 Terrain models for a fuel pump defect causing similar symptoms. My 2020 model is not currently included in that recall, yet it displays the same dangerous loss-of-power issue. I believe this is a serious safety defect that should be investigated and potentially included in the existing recall. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this issue further. I would also appreciate confirmation that this report has been logged. Vehicle info: 2020 GMC Terrain VIN: 3gkaltev8ll210696 engine: 1. 5l turbo mileage: 62,142 thank you for your time and your work in ensuring vehicle safety.

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while making a turn, the transmission shifted into neutral and briefly lost motive power and stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to function while shifting to drive(d) or reverse(r). The contact opened and closed the door to see if the vehicle would reboot. After several attempts, the vehicle returned to normal functionality. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the transmission was leaking transmission fluid. The transmission was constantly slipping. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the start/stop accumulator in the cap was missing bolts, which caused the transmission to fail. An unknown code was provided to the contact. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle was taken to various independent mechanics who confirmed that the transmission had failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle while transitioning to 4wd. The contact continued driving and the driving sound became more frequent while shifting into 4wd. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the driveshaft had detached and was hanging down from the suspension. An independent mechanic was contacted, and the contact was informed about NHTSA campaign number: 17v516000 (power train); which the mechanic associated to the failure. The contact called two local dealers and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Tensioner issues keeps breaking the timing chain. . Replaced twice at own cost. Fuel pump/ loss of power while driving. Back up camera doesn't work sometimes. Screen goes black. If key is left in the ignition it starts itself. If you try to use a car charger for a phone the ac shuts off and a "systems error" message pops up. This happens alot. It's an ongoing issue since I bought the car in feburary this year.

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On 6/22/2025, brakes stopped working while trying to make a turn. Next multiple engines light came and car went into reduced speed mode. As I tried to find a safe place to stop, the vehicle went into limp mode and shut down in the middle of the road. The dealership said the issue was the vacuum pump which caused the timing chains to break. There have multiple recalls for this exact issue but my car is not on the list. My manufacture warranty ended on 5/21/2025. When I spoke to a gm representative I was told there was nothing they can do because there is not a recall for my vehicle. They explained even though I had the same problem the recall is for other vehicles. Gm also issued a warranty extention on the vacuum pump to 10 years 150,000 miles. However my vehicle is not on the list for the extention. This issue is a safety hazard regardless of the vehicle type. I was lucky that no one was behind me or they would have hit me.

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure had occurred intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 15-20 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond for approximately 1 minute. The vehicle was taken to the Nissan dealer it was purchased several times. The dealer retrieved diagnostic trouble codes: p057c and p057e, and the brake pedal position sensor was replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The Nissan dealer took the vehicle to a gm dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB number: pit5994 (diagnostic tip for reduced or low engine power on acceleration). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 78,843.

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Throttle position system all of a sudden went bad. My 2017 Terrain started shaking. I was holding up traffic. The sun couldn't go over 5mph. I've read online where this is happening alot in 2010'2017 GMC Terrains.

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the transmission failed to shift as needed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stopped and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a transmission center, which determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a claim. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.

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I bought this car used and had only had it about a month when I was driving to work and was in slow traffic on the freeway when my car slowed to a stop despite the fact that I had my foot on the gas pedal. It turns out it was a transmission failure. My safety and the safety of the drivers around me were put at risk because I was unable to move my car over to the shoulder and out of the lane of traffic. Traffic was slow but was still moving. My vehicle is available for inspection but I’ve already had it repaired so I no longer have the faulty transmission. The problem was confirmed by an independent service center where I had it repaired. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer and the independent service center. The dealer had it for 12 days but was unable to diagnose it so I took it to an independent service center. It was also briefly looked at and listened to by the highway patrol officer who assisted me and he also thought that the transmission had failed. The check engine light was on when this incident occurred but I was having an issue with one of the glow plugs and I thought that that was the reason. The check engine light came on the night before the transmission failed.

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the Nissan dealer where it was purchased for an oil change, the dealer informed the contact that there was a crack in the transmission. The vehicle was then taken to a GMC dealer, where the contact was informed that the crack was more than two months old. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,700.