GMC Terrain Complaints

3,167 consumer complaints on file.

#11685543September 7, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Two weeks ago I was driving on the highway. My car felt fine. No warning light the dashboard. Suddenly I receive a notification on my dash stating “engine speed reduced” and my check engine light went on. My car at this point still feels fine, not shaking, no smoke, etc. I’m on the highway and not in a safe position to pull over. 2 minutes later I receive another notification on my dash stating “service breaks”. I immediately tap my brakes to check and they are stiff. I let off the gas as I was approaching the exit and begin pumping my brakes. They continue to be stiff. Luckily there was no one I front of me as this exit led to a rotary. I was able to coast around the rotary and into a parking lot where I attempted to push the E- break which did not work. My steering tightened and then my car died. I have the car towed to GMC where I bought the vehicle. Am told I will be charged a diagnostic fee and they will let me know what they find before repairs are made. I receive a call back the following day stating “the vacuum pump exploded causing you to loose brakes”. I was told “the vacuum pump and repairs would be about $1,200. BUT they could not guarantee that once the vacuum pump was removed, there wouldn’t be more debris and destruction to the cam shaft and engine”. We asked they continue with the diagnostics and check the engine for debris. We receive a call back stating “the vacuum pump exploded and there are shards of medal debris in your engine”. Recommendations are that I need a new engine as "the vacuum pump explosion caused catastrophic damage to the engine". My safety and the safety of other innocent drivers on the highway were put in extreme danger! I lost all break control, power steering, and emergency break control. I had minutes from the time the first warning alerted to the time I lost complete control of the car. This is a known issue with GM Motors specifically made between 2016-2019.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685259September 5, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I was driving my morning commute to work, when I came upon a stop light. I was pressing the brakes and the brakes failed to engage which caused me to hit a car in front of me. I did not have any warnings that the brakes were defective. The warning on the dash did not indicate that there was anything wrong with brakes. I had my set belt, was going the speed limit and my brakes just gave out. I have injury’s to my arms, shoulder, neck, and head. The other vehicle driver was not hurt. Thank the Lord.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11684492September 2, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684171August 31, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
While driving the vehicle the car went into limp mode and the back brakes stopped working. The car had to be drifted into a parking lot. The vacuum pump malfunctioned and has damaged the engine. If it was me in the driver seat instead of my partner, the incident would’ve 100% been an accident. The car was really unable to be controlled and we just happened to have that space that was empty to turn into. The car gave code when this happened. When getting a tow the car also wouldn’t take itself out of park or start to go into neutral to move the car to get it towed. Nothing is working with each other anymore and we were on a busy road of people when our brakes just went out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683566August 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683657August 28, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the infotainment system screen and radio inadvertently switched stations from AM to FM. On other occasions, while driving and using the GPS system, the screen went blank. The contact stated that on several occasions the screen was turned off, and on other occasions, the screen was turned off and on however, the failure was temporally fixed. The vehicle was not diagnosed of repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683671August 28, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I just purchased a brand new 2025 Terrain. The entire windshield is defective. The glass is distorted and causing visual impairment. It is VERY unsafe. I have contacted the dealership multiple times and have not yet received a response.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683425August 27, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I went to start my vehicle up my two days ago (8-25-25) It made a horrible sound and just shut off. The lights on the dashboard would not go out when I turn it off. I also couldn't put in gear. It had to be towed using a dollie to the repair shop. I was told that the module fuel pump power control had to be replaced. The shop owner then went on to tell me that this very same brand (GMC), has been entering his shop at a shockingly alarming rate with this same problem. I'm not very pleased with having to have this repair done as my vehicle is no longer under warranty. It cost me $432.18. I'm not rich and am living in a time as many others are that don't have a bunch a money laying around to throw away. I find this very distressing as well as unfair to my family and I to have to have this replaced on a relatively newer vehicle. If you are aware of this problem, it out to be addressed. I as well as others should have been made aware as well. At the least, I think that I am entitled to a refund for the cost of the repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683139August 26, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sunroof/moonroof/sunshade and frame leaking for 2nd time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683172August 26, 2025
ENGINE
I was driving back from out of state and all the sudden the engine just got loud. So I pulled over and check oil levels. Except there is no access to the transmission oil. The only way to check this is to remove the front driverside tire, take a bolt out and see if any oil drips out. This is insane that there is no dip stick. I am taking it to a mechanic on Monday but to not have quick access to this is wild.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683246August 26, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
As I was driving down the Ohio Turnpike on my way to work on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, my check engine light came on. Almost immediately I got a notification that the car was operating at reduced power. I had no previous issues with the vehicle. As I got off the turnpike my braking system failed. I was able to come to a stop partially in the grass before entering into oncoming traffic. The entire car shut down. I was unable to restart the car. We were also unable to put the car into neutral to push it off of the road the remainder of the way because the wheels were completely locked up at this point. The parking brake was engaged on its own. We also could not get the car into neutral. I had the car towed to a local repair shop, not knowing at all what the issue was. The vacuum pump had failed and broke apart in the engine. This caused my braking system to fail completely also. The vacuum pump on my 2020 GMC terrain has been noted as faulty or defective. However, an official recall has not been issued for my vehicle. Had the pump failed a moment sooner I could have been in a crash trying to exit the turnpike. I took my vehicle to a repair shop and spent $1400 out-of-pocket. The car still does not run correctly now as there are pieces in the engine of my vehicle that were unable to be retrieved.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682782August 25, 2025
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682985August 25, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have brand new GMC Terrain 2026, I leased dog on Aug 4th 2025. After one week into driving the vehicle, OnStar, GPS NAV stopped working and the Emergency calling is not working. All features related to locating the vehicle through OnStar or through google stopped working, in addition to SoS not working. I took it to the dealership they said the Telematics module needs replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682338August 22, 2025
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
It starts to “warn” you by the seat doing whatever it does and the dash lights up collision flashing and slams on the brakes when nothing is even around
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682188August 21, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 87,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682242August 21, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES
ABS Brake problem and have tried to get it repaired for over 3 months and cannot seem to be able to get the part and call GM with no help. Can not tell me when or where to buy the part. Nobody seems to be able to get a new part and no help from GM. If there is this many problems that there is no part left available it should be a national recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681961August 20, 2025
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield became foggy. The driver rolled down the windows to clear the windshield and the glass; however, the windshield became foggier. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and clear the windshield by hand. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the windshield was collecting excessive moisture from the air inside the vehicle but was unable to provide a specific diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681792August 20, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681490August 19, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The bolts fell out and the bracket that holds the drive shaft in place fractured while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681669August 19, 2025
POWER TRAIN, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH, and entering the roadway from the driveway, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there were no warning lights. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost electrical power. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle used a push-button gear shift PRNDL, and the contact was unable to set the vehicle into park(P) to restart the engine. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts and drove the vehicle to a dealer. The contact stated that on the drive to the dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated, but they kept driving. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the fuel module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,825.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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