NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
50 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jul 10, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
*Trans clutch drag recall *While driving, it would take a minute to shift gears and the vehicles behind me would ride up on the back of my car until it would shift into the next gear and pick up speed to do the speed limit. *Took the Terrain to aFontaine in Ann Arbor, MI and the service center reprogramed the Transmission Contr…
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*Trans clutch drag recall *While driving, it would take a minute to shift gears and the vehicles behind me would ride up on the back of my car until it would shift into the next gear and pick up speed to do the speed limit. *Took the Terrain to aFontaine in Ann Arbor, MI and the service center reprogramed the Transmission Control Module and setup with SPS 0.7 *Yes, the vehicle was inspected by LaFontaine dealership in Ann Arbor, MI *No warning messages, I could hear the transmission not shifting when it should be. The transmission problem starting happening in Sept 2019 and brought it into the dealership in Oct 2019.
NHTSA ODI #11424218
27,000 miles · Feb 15, 2021
Power Train
WHEN I SHIFT IT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE ON A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE, THE ENGINE WILL REV AND NOT ACCELERATE AFTER I INITIALLY START MOVING FORWARD. IT ACTUALLY ALMOST COMES TO A STOP BEFORE FINALLY ACCELERATING. IT HAS NOW STARTED DOING IT WHILE DRIVING AND STALLED IN THE HIGHWAY ON 2/13. I CARRIED IT LAST YEAR FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BU…
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WHEN I SHIFT IT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE ON A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE, THE ENGINE WILL REV AND NOT ACCELERATE AFTER I INITIALLY START MOVING FORWARD. IT ACTUALLY ALMOST COMES TO A STOP BEFORE FINALLY ACCELERATING. IT HAS NOW STARTED DOING IT WHILE DRIVING AND STALLED IN THE HIGHWAY ON 2/13. I CARRIED IT LAST YEAR FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT. TODAY, THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. THEY CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. EVEN THOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ON-STAR TOLD ME TO CARRY IT TO A DEALER. THE SERVICE TECH GUY ALSO TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE HAD 67,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS LESS THAN 30,000 (NOT SURE ON THE EXACT NUMBER SINCE IT IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP.) IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT SINCE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IT, THEY AREN'T EVEN GOING TO INVESTIGATE IT FURTHER.
NHTSA ODI #11396389
10,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION KEPT SLIPPING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR AND A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PERUZZI BUICK GMC (156 LINCOLN AVE, FAIRLESS HILLS, PA 19030, (866) 526-8445) WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS P…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION KEPT SLIPPING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR AND A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PERUZZI BUICK GMC (156 LINCOLN AVE, FAIRLESS HILLS, PA 19030, (866) 526-8445) WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO SLIP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE 02 SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA ODI #11280304
17,000 miles · Aug 19, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHAMALEY BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 955 CROCKETT ST, EL PASO, TX 79922, (915) 231-4000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THE POWER TRAIN C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SHAMALEY BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 955 CROCKETT ST, EL PASO, TX 79922, (915) 231-4000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 95389790118. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA ODI #11245016
1,900 miles · Jul 30, 2019
Power Train
ON OR ABOUT MAY 22ND, I LEASED A NEW GMC TERRAIN FROM LAMBERT GMC IN CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO. ON JULY 2 WITH LESS THAN 1900 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT ENACTING FULL EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 LANE ROAD CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE OR ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. VEHIC…
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ON OR ABOUT MAY 22ND, I LEASED A NEW GMC TERRAIN FROM LAMBERT GMC IN CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO. ON JULY 2 WITH LESS THAN 1900 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT ENACTING FULL EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 LANE ROAD CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE OR ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RON MARHOFER IN NORTH CANTON OHIO. FINALLY AFTER A WEEK DELAY ON 7/8 I RECEIVED A CALL THAT THE VALUE CASE WAS DAMAGED FROM MANUFACTURING. AS OF THIS COMPLAINT, NO RESOLVE TO THE REPAIR. I AM REQUESTING/DEMANDING UNDER GOOD FAITH THAT GM PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BACK.
NHTSA ODI #11240528
1,102 miles · Jul 23, 2019
Power Train
THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JUNE 22, 2019, WITH 19 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND HAD 1102 MILES ON IT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. ON 19 JULY, 2019 MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 NEAR THE ROCKY MOUNT EXIT WHEN I PULLED INTO THE PASSING LANE TO GO AROUND SLOWER TRAFFIC (APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH). UPON PRESSING THE ACCELERATO…
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THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JUNE 22, 2019, WITH 19 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND HAD 1102 MILES ON IT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. ON 19 JULY, 2019 MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 NEAR THE ROCKY MOUNT EXIT WHEN I PULLED INTO THE PASSING LANE TO GO AROUND SLOWER TRAFFIC (APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH). UPON PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED, BUT THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DID NOT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SURGE (TO THE EXTENT THAT I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN REAR-ENDED) AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. AT THIS POINT, WE WERE STARTLED, AND CONTINUED UNTIL EXITING NC HWY 13 WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENT OTHER THAN THE CRUISE CONTROL BECOMING INOPERATIVE AFTER THE INITIAL INCIDENT. UPON ARRIVING AT THE OUTSKIRTS OF GREENVILLE, NC WE ENCOUNTERED A RED LIGHT AND HAD TO STOP. UPON PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE RPM ONCE AGAIN INCREASED AND ANOTHER VIOLENT SURGE WAS EXPERIENCED. AT THAT POINT, WE ENTERED A GAS STATION AND CALLED ONSTAR FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CAR WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP (BROWN & WOOD GMC) WHERE THE ON-DUTY MECHANIC DUPLICATED THE UNSAFE CONDITION. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS SO NEW, AND THEY COULD NOT CONTACT CORPORATE UNTIL MONDAY (JULY 22). I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP SATURDAY (JUL 20) TO GET A STATUS AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A LOANER VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE VEHICLE WAS EVEN WORSE THAN THE DAY BEFORE - I DID NOT INQUIRE AS TO WHAT THAT MEANT BECAUSE IT WAS PRETTY UNSAFE AND SCARY TO EXPERIENCE IT THE DAY BEFORE. I WAS NOTIFIED YESTERDAY BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE ISSUE IS A VALVE BODY, BUT THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE TO RECEIVE THE PART.
NHTSA ODI #11234113
10,000 miles · Jul 9, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR FROM THE PARKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BRICKELL BUICK & GMC (665 SW 8TH ST, MIAMI, FL 33130, 786-504-1353), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AGAIN TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE SERVICE TRANSMISS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR FROM THE PARKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BRICKELL BUICK & GMC (665 SW 8TH ST, MIAMI, FL 33130, 786-504-1353), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AGAIN TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION UNABLE TO SHIFT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEHMAN BUICK GMC (21200 NW 2ND AVE, MIAMI, FL 33169, (305) 356-7579). THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS AUTHORIZED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS CURRENTLY DIAGNOSING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA ODI #11230413
5,565 miles · Jun 26, 2019
Power Train
JUST OVER 5200 MILES STARTED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE WHEN STOPPING OR STARTING. AROUND 5500 MILES STARTED HEARING LOUD CLICKING ROARING SOUND. WAS RETURNING HOME FROM VACATION ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND KNEW ALL SERVICE AREAS OF ALL GM DEALERSHIPS WOULD BE CLOSED BUT HEADED TO A NEARBY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN BOSSI…
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JUST OVER 5200 MILES STARTED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE WHEN STOPPING OR STARTING. AROUND 5500 MILES STARTED HEARING LOUD CLICKING ROARING SOUND. WAS RETURNING HOME FROM VACATION ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND KNEW ALL SERVICE AREAS OF ALL GM DEALERSHIPS WOULD BE CLOSED BUT HEADED TO A NEARBY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN BOSSIER CITY, LA TO LEAVE CAR TO BE LOOKED AT ON MONDAY. NEVER MADE IT. CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. I LEFT CAR AND RETURNED HOME TO MCKINNEY TX. FOLLOWING TUESDAY RECEIVED TEXT MESSAGE FROM DEALERSHIP THAT THE PLANETARY GEAR AND SOME OTHER PARTS WENT OUT. PARTS ON ORDER BUT NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL FOLLOWING FRIDAY. SEARCHING INTERNET FOUND SEVERAL REPORTS OF 2017, 2018, 2019 GMC TERRAINS HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. SEEMS GM HAS TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH THE TERRAIN TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING, SLIPPING, AND FAILING.
NHTSA ODI #11222812
11,000 miles · Jun 12, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
I PURCHASED A 2019 GMC TERRAIN VIN: [XXX] ON JAN 17, 2019 AT RIZZA BUICK GMC 8415 W. 159TH STREET, TINLEY PARK IL, 60487, ON JANUARY 17, 2019. THIS WAS MY FIRST BRAND NEW CAR AND I WAS EXCITED. I TRADED IN A 2014 GMC TERRAIN IN THE PROCESS, KNOWING I WOULD BE UPSIDE DOWN ON THE LOAN. I HAD THE FIRST SERVICE DONE ON APRIL 23, 201…
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I PURCHASED A 2019 GMC TERRAIN VIN: [XXX] ON JAN 17, 2019 AT RIZZA BUICK GMC 8415 W. 159TH STREET, TINLEY PARK IL, 60487, ON JANUARY 17, 2019. THIS WAS MY FIRST BRAND NEW CAR AND I WAS EXCITED. I TRADED IN A 2014 GMC TERRAIN IN THE PROCESS, KNOWING I WOULD BE UPSIDE DOWN ON THE LOAN. I HAD THE FIRST SERVICE DONE ON APRIL 23, 2019 AT SAID DEALERSHIP. AT THAT VISIT I EXPLAINED THAT I WAS HEARING A NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE VENT EVEN WHEN THE HVAC WAS NOT RUNNING. I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS DETECTED AND MY VEHICLE WAS FINE ON MAY 24, 2019, I DROVE MY VEHICLE TO MEMPHIS TENNESSEE WITH MY FAMILY FOR MEMORIAL DAY. ON MAY 25, 2019 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I WAS LOSING POWER TO THE ENGINE. THAT SAME NIGHT CUSTOMER SERVICE TOWED MY VEHICLE TO SUNRISE CHEVROLET BUICK GMC, 1800 COVINGTON PIKE MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 38128, A NEARBY GMC DEALERSHIP AND SET UP A RENTAL CAR IN THE AREA FOR ME TO DRIVE. BECAUSE IT WAS THE HOLIDAY, ENTERPRISE WAS CLOSED, AND I HAD NO VEHICLE TO DRIVE FOR TWO DAYS. THIS WAS AN INCONVENIENCE TO ME AND MY FAMILY, I HAD TO ALTER MY TRIP PLANS THAT WERE MADE BACK IN FEBRUARY 2019. ON MAY 27, 2019 I WAS TOLD BY [XXX] THE TECHNICIAN AT SUNRISE CHEVROLET THAT AIR BOX TUBE WAS LOOSE AND NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AND COULD HAVE BEEN DONE DURING MY SERVICE I HAD DONE APRIL 23RD. I WAS ASSURED EVERYTHING WAS OKAY AND I WAS GOOD TO GO. ON MAY 31, WHILE TRAVELING BACK HOME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. SAME MESSAGE ON THE DASH AND IT WAS RAINING AT 3AM. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED IT FROM. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SERVICE SINCE MAY 31, 2019 AND I AM JUST FINDING OUT THAT I HAVE A PART THAT IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH MY EXPERIENCE AN I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11219404
2,500 miles · Apr 22, 2019
EnginePower Train
I HAVE A 2019 GMC TERRIAN WITH 2500 MILES. I WAS DRIVING IT AND THE CAR FLASHED LOW FUEL, CHECK TRANSMISSION AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING AND SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS AS A HIGHWAY SPEED. I WAS FORTUNATELY OK, HOWEVER IT STRANDED ME AT A SPOT WITH MERGING TRAFFIC, NO SHOULDER AND NO POWER TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF THERE. THE VEHICLE …
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I HAVE A 2019 GMC TERRIAN WITH 2500 MILES. I WAS DRIVING IT AND THE CAR FLASHED LOW FUEL, CHECK TRANSMISSION AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING AND SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS AS A HIGHWAY SPEED. I WAS FORTUNATELY OK, HOWEVER IT STRANDED ME AT A SPOT WITH MERGING TRAFFIC, NO SHOULDER AND NO POWER TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF THERE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START UP SHORTLY, THEN I HAD TO DEAL WITH GETTING GOING AGAIN IN THIS PRECARIOUS SPOT.
NHTSA ODI #11202890
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
Mar 7, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192209550.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗