Power Train Problems of GMC Terrain - part 1

Automatic transmission solenoid control valve body got stuck open and ruined the whole transmission. This has been a reoccurring problem with these vehicles. Image is from a code read. Issue was confirmed by gastorf Chevrolet, and an independent transmission shop.

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The contact owns a 2022 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle began to shake independently. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front drive axel needed to be replaced. The contact was relating the failure to technical service bulletin: 20-na-227 (wobble or vibration during hard acceleration); however, the VIN was not included in the bulletin. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they informed the contact there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

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Took dealer 3/26 for sam issue engine power reduced after already cause me hit curb. Got it out 4/1/26 now 4/5/26 it happened again same codes after they claimed they fixed it. Also keep having emergency services come on a caused my dashboard out. My issues is car keeps stalling losing power. Same codes as week ago after dealer fix. Also 4 time took for noises in my car from passenger side. They keep telling me they can’t replicate it, but you can clearly see where the door is not lined up. This has been going on for over 30,000 miles for that. Like some of these issues have been going on since the 36,000 but now I’m having issues where I’m losing power like this is insane all before 60,000 miles which I’m about to hit. It’s gonna end up getting me killed on the interstate.

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While driving the vehicle, the engine light came on, plus message board said service transmission and the engine went into limp mode. We let the car sit for awhile and checked the car. A scan said it was the pressure solenoid a in the transmission. The car sat for a day and the light was off. Drove the car and then it acted up again and now reverse doesn't work.

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Out of nowhere and driving this morning, my engine reduced power came on. Then I started losing power in the car then it died on me once out of nowhere. I managed to make it home an hour and a half later, but that could’ve got me killed stopped by autozone since dealerships closed today and it tells me that it’s code p228c, p0089 fuel pump. And then last night my emergency service calling came on which one I looked it up so something to do with onstar and could be a module so I’m not sure what that is. And then you add on the fact all the sudden in the last 24 hours, my screen keeps going in and out are not working last week. My volume wasn’t working. I love this car, but it seems to have a lot of issues all of a sudden and I’m fixing to be at 60,000 miles which is a big problem considering warranty will be expired. I’ve already had issues with squeaking and squealing from the windows that they claim they can’t find nothing and I’ve had to listen to it for almost 60,000 miles. I had to get this car because my other car blew up on me and I can’t afford another new car. I’ll be taking it to the dealership first thing in the morning and I hope to god that something can be fixed cause we’re in one car family.

The contact owns a 2026 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the accelerator pedal after coming from a complete stop, the vehicle started wobbling. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with technical service bulletin: pit6466 (shimmy, shake or wobble when leaving a stop); however, the VIN was not included in the bulletin. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall for the failure, and opened a case. The failure mileage was 5,200.

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral(n). There was transmission fluid on the ground, and the vehicle became disabled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a transmission accumulator leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,400.

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The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact was informed by his wife that while attempting to accelerate from being stationary, the vehicle was shaking abnormally and hesitated before accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed but the cause of failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer opened a case for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.

I bought my car in July of 2025 and since then my car keeps derating and reducing engine power while driving down the road at 70 miles an hour. It cuts out and decreases power. I took my car to the shop twice to have them tell it needed an update. I drove away and then the car does it again. Since December my car has down this decreased power, derated notice more than 30 times!! it is a safety risk for me and my family because you never know when it will happen on the interstate and when you will lose power. I have almost been rearended 3 times due to this issue and no one can seem to fix the issue.

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. While attempting to shift to reverse(r) out of a parking spot, the message “transmission unable to shift” was displayed on the instrument panel, and the transmission was unable to shift into reverse(r). The contact called for tow truck assistance. The vehicle was unable to shift into neutral (n). The contact stated that prior to the transmission failure, the “service transmission soon” message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 245,000.

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I was driving the car on 12-22-25 I lost power my car died on i94. Battery died the dearlship couldnt get the code. Got the car back on 12-26-25. Engine light came on carrie GMC replaced battery . Car back on 12-29-25. . Engine light back on 12-31-25 car back on 1-8-26 replacled catalytic conveerted and oxy sensor. 2-20-26 driving on 1-94 lost engine power car back on 2-25 feul pump and feul line. Drove 300 miles engine light back on. Back to currie GMC on 2-26-26 untill 3-2-26 replacred heated oxygen sensor . 3-6-26 replaced catelytic converter and oxyger sensor for the second time.

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

Vehicle did not go into park when the ignition was turned off. Car started to roll while passenger was getting out of the vehicle as another vehicle was parking beside us. The other vehicle could not avoid our rolling vehicle. Passenger had to quickly sit down to avoid being hit. The next day the vehicle was taken to the dealership, and they could not find anything wrong. They gave us a copy of bulletin#08-07-30-026i. We were not aware of any problems or bulletins being issued prior to the accident. We had repairs of $2,705. 71 and don't know what the other driver incurred.

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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.

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.

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.

Car locks itself into 2 wheel drive when conditions are "unfavorable" meaning sometimes rain and most commonly in cold weather. If anyone has driven on snowy and icy roads during the winter, they know how much of a problem this can cause in the winter. Not only has the dealership's maintenance department not been able to diagnose the issue but gm themselves are refusing to acknowledge this problem as well. This is a huge safety hazard given the instability of the vehicle driving in those conditions, especially if you cant gain traction while on a busy road. The only indicator is the light that shows awd and 2wd is in 2wd and an orange color. This is a big accident waiting to happen, if it hasn't happened to someone else already, given the state I've seen some of the newer models in.

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 car has always had an issue where it would just get stuck in a low gear and rpms would go high. Does this every single day. But recently it also started acting like it was put into neutral for a few seconds and then back into drive.

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.

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.