NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
53 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 17, 2025
Engine
My vehicle’s engine was the component that failed. I was driving home from work. It is a forty-two minute commute. I was five minutes away from home when the vehicle slowed down in speed to a cruise. There were no issues prior after startup. There were no strange sounds, no start up issues, and no lights on the dashboard at all.…
Read full complaint
My vehicle’s engine was the component that failed. I was driving home from work. It is a forty-two minute commute. I was five minutes away from home when the vehicle slowed down in speed to a cruise. There were no issues prior after startup. There were no strange sounds, no start up issues, and no lights on the dashboard at all. I noticed that the vehicle had put itself into neutral gear. When I tried to stop the vehicle by hitting the break, the break did not work. I put my foot on the gas pedal and the car did not speed up. I could not change the gears. There was nothing I could do. The vehicle came to a complete stop when it powered off. When the car was put into accessory mode, there was an error message that stated the engine/vehicle was in low power mode. I was not able to start the car’s engine again. It was useless. The only way to move the car anywhere was to have it towed. This failure was scary and dangerous because it occurred in the middle of the night on a main road. Cars are known to drive above the speed limit past midnight in this area. I was glad that there were no cars on the road at the time. I was not aware of this failure occurring for my vehicle no were there any other known recalls. After doing some personal research, I found that GMC and certain Chevy models are having this problem, but no source listed any GMC Terrains as affected vehicles; although the same thing that happened to other people happened to me. I purchased an extended warranty through Fidelity Warranty Services, Inc. (Platinum) when I purchased the vehicle. They were the ones that had done all the necessary inspections for the filed claim once the vehicle was taken to a GMC Service center: Anderson Buick in Cockeysville, MD.
NHTSA ODI #11655132
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
My check engine light comes on intermittently, since March 2024, after having Cabin & Engine air filters replaced. Each time, I’m told it is code P0171. This has happened too many times for my comfort. Usually, it happens around the time my gas gets below 1/2 tank or after I fill up my gas tank. Originally, I was told by the mec…
Read full complaint
My check engine light comes on intermittently, since March 2024, after having Cabin & Engine air filters replaced. Each time, I’m told it is code P0171. This has happened too many times for my comfort. Usually, it happens around the time my gas gets below 1/2 tank or after I fill up my gas tank. Originally, I was told by the mechanic that it could be one of four things, of which I’ve now had some of things done. InIn Aug. 2024, the check engine light came in. Code was P0171. Mechanic replaced the Brake vacuum pump. Once incident, almost a month later, on 9/24/24, was very scary. While driving on the interstate, I got ready to increase my speed, but heard a pop sound and noticed the speed wouldn’t accelerate. Next, the check engine light came on and the message in the dash popped up saying “engine power reduced” or something similar. I was able to coast from the fast lane over to the slower lane and off the highway into a parking lot. I turned the truck off. When I crunk it back up an hour later, it was shaking and jerking. While slowly driving, on the way to the mechanic shop, it jerked and shook each time I tried to accelerate after stopping at a light or slowing down with traffic. The code again was P0171. According to the mechanic, the intake hose had popped off. On 11/13/24, the check engine light came on. I again took it to have the code scanned and truck looked at. Test results again showed P0171. This time the Mass Air Flow Sensor was suggested. In a year I’ve had the fuel system cleaned twice, brake system flushed, & other routine maintenance such as oil change & brakes. Yet, my check engine light seems to still come on intermittently atleast once monthly. It came on two days ago, 2/18/25, when my gas was around 1/4 tank full. I added a fuel system injector, per mechanic suggestion, and filled my tank up with gas on today, 2/20/25. The check engine light had gone off within about 15 mins of me driving. I’m certain it will be back on soon with the same code.
NHTSA ODI #11644047
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2025
EngineService Brakes
Brake vacuum pump failed causing engine damage. Camshaft on national back order. Vehicle has been in repair shop for 1.5 months waiting on part. No ETA. There has been recall for similar vehicles with same issue, failure, damage. But not for this VIN. It’s the same failure with same damage. How is this not a recall for this V…
Read full complaint
Brake vacuum pump failed causing engine damage. Camshaft on national back order. Vehicle has been in repair shop for 1.5 months waiting on part. No ETA. There has been recall for similar vehicles with same issue, failure, damage. But not for this VIN. It’s the same failure with same damage. How is this not a recall for this VIN?
NHTSA ODI #11643291
60,000 miles · Dec 30, 2024
EngineService Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the vehicle started coasting and stopped unintendedly. The contact stated that the vehicle drove for a while and then coasted and stopped. The message that the “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed. The contact stated that the brake system warning li…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the vehicle started coasting and stopped unintendedly. The contact stated that the vehicle drove for a while and then coasted and stopped. The message that the “Engine Power Reduced” was displayed. The contact stated that the brake system warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the camshaft had disintegrated into the engine. The mechanic informed the contact the vehicle was unrepairable. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #11633081
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2024
EngineService Brakes
I got my car out of the shop a week ago for my brakes the car was in the shop for a month and this past weekend my car is doing the same exact thing a week later I was on I 75 also hit a semi truck
NHTSA ODI #11633068
121,000 miles · Oct 9, 2024
Engine
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vacuum pump had failed and nee…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vacuum pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vacuum pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.
NHTSA ODI #11618985
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2024
EngineService Brakes
While driving the vehicle the vacuum pump failed and caused the camshaft to seize and physically break which caused the break peddle to become hard and breaking the vehicle was limited and almost nonexistent, which caused an extremely dangerous situation on the highway.
NHTSA ODI #11618092
92,000 miles · Oct 1, 2024
Engine
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 30 MPH, the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The contact stated that the vehicle was coasted off to the side of road. The vehicle was towed to the residence and…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 30 MPH, the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The contact stated that the vehicle was coasted off to the side of road. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #11617538
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2024
EngineService Brakes
In 2022 and now in sept of 2024 my entire braking system has failed. Cause you a complete in abilty to stop the vehicle. Upon this failure without any warning peice of the braking system connected to the engine shoots shrapnel into my engine and causes the cam to be destroyed. Now I can't get my car back because of a shortage on…
Read full complaint
In 2022 and now in sept of 2024 my entire braking system has failed. Cause you a complete in abilty to stop the vehicle. Upon this failure without any warning peice of the braking system connected to the engine shoots shrapnel into my engine and causes the cam to be destroyed. Now I can't get my car back because of a shortage on this part.
NHTSA ODI #11616710
342,000 miles · Jul 30, 2024
Engine
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, a message indicating that the engine was not at full capacity was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not not…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, a message indicating that the engine was not at full capacity was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 342,000.
NHTSA ODI #11605416
Official recalls
5Oct 29, 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Aug 30, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
May 31, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
May 24, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Terrain vehicles. The sensing diagnostic module (SDM) that senses a crash and deploys the necessary air bags may not power down correctly when the vehicle is shut off, causing it to be inoperative when the vehicle is restarted.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the SDM becomes inoperative, it will not detect a crash or command the necessary air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18179.
Aug 22, 2017
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗