GMC Terrain Complaints (2024)

54 consumer complaints on file.

#11774027October 27, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Infotainment System Crashed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772662October 21, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owned 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while stopped, the gear shifter independently shifted from drive(D) to park(P). The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle several times and the vehicle operated normally. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be flushed because debris were found inside the transmission. The transmission was flushed and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 11,050.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768559October 2, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
I am reporting a recurring backup camera malfunction in my 2024 GMC Terrain AT4. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced repeated instances in which the rearview camera display goes completely black when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. This prevents me from seeing the camera image while backing up. The malfunction presents a safety concern because the rearview camera is an important aid in identifying pedestrians, children, objects, and other vehicles behind the vehicle. When the display goes black, I lose that visual assistance, increasing the risk of backing into a person or object, particularly in parking lots, driveways, and other areas where pedestrians may be present. I have taken the vehicle to authorized dealerships for multiple service visits and repair attempts. Despite these efforts, the same backup camera failure continues to occur. Although different components may have been inspected, repaired, or replaced during these visits, the recurring problem remains the same: the backup camera display goes black when the vehicle is in reverse. The underlying cause has not been adequately resolved. The vehicle has been presented to authorized GM dealerships for diagnosis and repair, and the relevant service records should document the repair attempts and the recurring complaint. I have also submitted a repurchase request to GM because of the ongoing issue, but my request was declined. I am requesting that NHTSA document and review this recurring malfunction because of the potential safety risk associated with losing the rearview camera image while reversing. I am concerned that this issue could result in a collision or injury if the driver is unable to see a person or obstacle behind the vehicle. I can provide available service records and make the vehicle available for inspection upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768619October 2, 2026
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
GMC Adaptive learning transmission problems that lead to safety concerns, emissions reduction in MPG, and increased wear of the transmission. Regarding GM’s 9T45 automatic 9 speed transmission. Problem: - The GM Adaptive learning of the transmission does not have safe guards in place to prevent unsafe sift patterns and behavior. This results in shift flair behavior where the transmission will drop out of 3rd gear and pause before shifting to 4th gear. It will learn to lock out 9th gear and it will max out with 8th gear at freeway speeds reducing MPG. And it will fail to downshift appropriately while driving leading to the operator wondering why the vehicle will not accelerate when needed; this casual downshift delay then results in excessive downshifting to the lowest possible gear where the vehicle will then lurch forwards; and then it will pause and maintain said lower gear and continue accelerating for 1-2 seconds while the operator presses the brake pedal in response of the vehicle jumping forwards. Individual situations: 1) Lack of 9th gear use at freeway speeds. This is reducing the advertised emissions based on EPA testing. This behavior skews official EPA test results because vehicle operation is not as advertised. 2) Shift flair and unsafe shift delays. This is the most serious behavior. It leads to pauses and delays in acceleration of up to 5 seconds, and it leads to pauses and delays where the vehicle continues to accelerate up to 3 seconds after letting off the accelerator and pressing the brake. 3) Excessive wear. The badly learned behavior is causing issues with shift control pressure and logic, excessive clutch wear leading to damage and worn clutch packs. Analysis: - Resetting the GM Transmission adaptive learning to factory removes these problems, the trans will relearn bad behavior within 2-3 weeks of daily driving. Reset was performed using an Autel Hot function “Quick Learn” procedure for the transmission.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768344October 1, 2026
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Electric Power Steering (EPS) gear assembly / rack and pinion failed completely. Yes, the component is available for inspection upon request; it is currently located at the servicing dealership. A total failure of the steering gear assembly caused immediate loss of power steering assist, making the vehicle extremely heavy, rigid, and difficult to steer or control. This sudden mechanical/electronic failure puts the driver, passengers, and other motorists at extreme risk of a collision, especially if it occurs at highway speeds or while negotiating a turn. This did fail on me driving down the Highway! Yes. The problem was officially diagnosed and confirmed by the franchise dealership. They quoted $3,500 to replace the failed assembly. The vehicle displayed a "service power steering" warning message on the dashboard alongside an immediate loss of steering power assist. The failure happened suddenly while driving with no prior mechanical warning signs, symptoms, or gradual degradation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761243September 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Factory powertrain programming actively locks out 9th gear (overdrive) during freeway driving at speeds exceeding 60–65 mph. The vehicle refuses to upshift from 8th to 9th gear, forcing sustained high-RPM operation during standard highway cruising.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752310July 23, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear access closes on its own after sitting open for a period of time. I was sitting at grocery pick up with the access open. This caused it to close on worker at grocery pick up. It stayed closed and I had to hit the button to open it back it did not auto go back up when it couldn’t close.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750466July 14, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I was driving about 55 mph with adaptive cruise control set to maintain a three-car-length following distance. It was raining, and when the vehicle in front of me slowed down, my vehicle did not detect it or slow down as expected. Instead, it continued accelerating, and I had to brake to avoid rear-ending the vehicle ahead.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749897July 13, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Leaking transmission fluid at 7,000 miles. Technicians noticed during routine oil change at dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745857June 23, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle has experienced a recurring transmission-related defect that has required multiple repair attempts by an authorized GMC dealership. The transmission system has also exhibited fluid leakage. Despite prior repairs, the problem has continued to reoccur. Transmission and associated transmission fluid sealing components. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. A transmission is a critical safety component that transfers engine power to the wheels. A transmission defect or fluid leak can result in loss of propulsion, hesitation, inability to accelerate as expected, unexpected changes in vehicle operation, or transmission failure while driving. These conditions could increase the risk of a crash, particularly when merging into traffic, crossing intersections, or traveling at highway speeds. Transmission fluid leaking onto roadways or vehicle components may also create additional safety concerns. The vehicle has been presented to an authorized GMC dealership for diagnosis and repair on multiple occasions. The dealership has acknowledged and attempted repairs related to the transmission. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired by authorized GMC service personnel. No police involvement. No independent inspection has been performed at this time. Manufacturer-authorized dealerships have documented the repairs. Symptoms included transmission-related concerns and transmission fluid leakage. The defect first appeared while the vehicle was under warranty and has continued despite repair attempts. The recurring nature of the transmission defect and fluid leak has reduced confidence in the vehicle’s ability to operate safely and reliably. The vehicle remains under warranty and has undergone multiple repair attempts without a permanent resolution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744960June 18, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Accelerator lag from any speed or stop. The care will take several seconds to hunt for the correct gear before shifting to accelerate. Or it will delay acceleration for several seconds while your pressing the accelerator. No SES indicator active. Mechanics can’t find issues. Other owners on forum a report the same sluggish behavior. These 1.5 turbo cars seem to need a software fix that they are not receiving. It’s like the drive by wire doesn’t register. Affects any gm vehicle with the 1.5 turbo and 9 spd auto.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744779June 17, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Since purchase, this vehicle has consistently had an issue with the fuel system. When I call GMC they state only use no ethanol fuel. I wouldn’t have bought this car if that was the case. The dealership never said that when I was buying it. We replaced the entire engine for $11,000 because of a torn radiator hose, overheating and cracked a gasket. Now, the car is refusing to drive, giving engine power reduced
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
#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
#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
#11726445March 23, 2026
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact became aware of a fluid leak underneath the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a leaking torque converter seal, allowing transmission fluid to leak onto the ground. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,787.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to GMC Terrain