GMC Terrain Complaints

212 consumer complaints on file.

#11737215May 12, 2026
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737214May 12, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Two issues here. First is that the car will give a danger warning when nothing is there. Sometimes goes as far as slamming on my breaks. Both in drive and reverse. Second is the lane keep assist. It’s like it is working backwards. I turned this all off because it would jerk me out of the lane and into the other lane or off to the sides of the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737213May 12, 2026
WHEELS, STEERING, SUSPENSION
Car aggressively shakes and steering wheel shakes / jerks itself side to side when accelerating. Getting worse with time. GMC has it as a known issue but has been for months. Problem is getting worse the more it is driven. GMC says it is “safe”.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736700May 8, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car reduced speed and the smell of gas filled the car. Car shut off. Check engine light came on with reduced speed. This is the second time this has happened. Gas leaked onto ground from car. Car stalls immediately while driving and does not allow you to press the gas to keep moving. Almost hit from behind on Main Street.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736699May 8, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car reduced speed and smells of gas. Will not crank and will stall immediately and just stops immediately. Car has only 30,000 miles and it has stalled out for the second time with the same issue. The first time the car stalled on the freeway and I was almost hit from the back. This second time reduced speed and quickly shut off on a Main Street and was almost hit again. Car does not allow you to press the gas and coast during the incident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735931May 5, 2026
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734629April 29, 2026
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734525April 29, 2026
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734066April 27, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
This is a continuation for NHTSA campaign number 11711615. While an additional NHTSA complaint has been filed for the power train, this focuses specifically on design failures in the braking system. Our vehicle experienced a highway failure of the fuel pump, but due to the nature of a powertrain failure the car could not be put into neutral, only remain in park. The car was stranded in the middle of the road. As a AWD vehicle it similarly could not be towed as both wheels were fully locked. Tow informed us that there should be a manual release under the shifting column, however, this design safety feature had been removed in the 2024 iteration. The car was stuck on the road behind a blind turn on a somewhat busy road with vehicles typically traveling between 25-50 mph. The failure of a manual override for neutral and braking is a critical design failure that can lead to major accidents and death in the event of engine or transmission failure. There were no warnings, nor instructions or ability to get the car off the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734055April 27, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On January 16, 2026 our 2024 GMC Terrain Denali experienced complete loss of power. The car was unmovable from the road, unable to shift into neutral, and unable to release the braking system in addition to the emergency brake. There were no warnings or indications prior to the vehicle's failure at 30,000 miles. The failure happened on a somewhat busy road with no ability to move the car out of the line of higher speed traffic. The cause was ultimately determined to be a fuel pump failure. The part was replaced under the 60,000 mile warranty, however, the issue relating got the fuel pump is known by GMC and has previously been litigated under a class-action suit. Therefore the "resolved" fuel pump issue remains a pressing and potentially dangerous and expensive issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733500April 24, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The screen continues to go out. Screen contains many safety functions. When it malfunctions it is distracting.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733140April 22, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Hard as rock brakes Long response time Mechanic friend says it’s break booster.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732341April 20, 2026
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732320April 20, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought this car new from Davidson's in Rome, NY in early March 2026. This is a 2026 model. Two days after I took possession, I noticed that the spare tire well was halfway full of solid ice. The car has a severe leak through the back right side window. The dealer states it needs to be replaced. The interior frames of the car were loaded with water for many weeks as it stood on the lot. Had the dealer done a final inspection of this car prior to transferring ownership to me, as they should have and stated they did, they would have found the solid ice that surrounded the spare tire and investigated the leak and repaired it BUT they would have been required to tell me of this leak I assume...if so, I would never have bought this car. They had the car in the shop now for 3 weeks as of today, April 20th, 2026, and no word on the resolution. They did give me a loaner car for use. They have to dry the car out completely and dehumidify it as well as replace the window that leaked. The risks going forward is to the internal wiring, mechanicals, etc. due to static water exposure for many weeks prior to the sale. Had the dealer done their job with prior inspection, this could have been avoided. I asked them for my money back and they refused so I am stuck with a brand-new car that was essentially flooded with rainwater because the dealer did not do a final inspection prior to my accepting ownership of it. I wrote letter to all the dealership principals involved and NONE of them answered me directly...as if I was invisible or completely silent on this issue. If given an option, I would give them this car back and get a full refund.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731814April 17, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The windshield has an optical distortion, characterized by "waviness" and "rippling." This condition is not merely a cosmetic imperfection; it is a safety hazard that causes visual impairment, and dizziness while driving. This defect compromises my ability to perceive distances and hazards accurately, especially when looking through the passenger side while making turns or looking for hazards. Current Status of the Issue as reported online Documented reports indicate that GMC dealers are aware of these "warped windshields" and that the issue appears to be a systemic quality control failure in the 2026 model year. • Safety Risk: This distortion constitutes a safety-related defect as defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as it interferes with the driver's primary field of vision. •Failure of Prior Remedies: I am aware that many owners have undergone multiple replacements only to have the same defect reoccur, suggesting that current replacement stock may also be compromised
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731543April 16, 2026
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the front driver’s side suspension while driving over bumps in the roadway, and while braking and turning the steering wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where a test drive was performed; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731486April 16, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed, and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle stalled on three separate occasions. The vehicle was able to restart each time after approximately 15 minutes of waiting, but the vehicle failed to accelerate above 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and DTC: P228C, P0089, and P006C were retrieved, and the contact was informed that the fuel pump and fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11731421April 15, 2026
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 5 MPH on an intersection, another vehicle driving 40 MPH crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle, by the driver's side door. The driver's side curtain air bag deployed. The contact stated that the three holes on the air bag propelled burning air, which melted and burned through the three layers of clothing of the driver. The driver sustained second-degree burns and blisters on the hip. The contact picked up and transported the driver to Urgent Care, where medical assistance was provided. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the police officer. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, pending assessment from the insurance company. The dealer and the manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11730821April 13, 2026
FIRERELATED
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11730573April 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
this just started on it's own. back up rear camera shows distortion from time to time and appears to be getting worse or happening more.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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