2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,575 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #13

Feb 112019

Terrain

  • miles
Emission control has went out twice within 3 months of being fixed. Cam shaft both sides had to be replaced. 4 times with 6 months the fuel light has came on stating the cap needs repaired, even though it was replaced. Alternator, battery has been replaced October 2019, while in another sate. Engine light has been on since I purchased it in Feb. 2019. Electrical shortage because of previous right side damage. Throttle has went out, while driving 65 on highways. Stability control stopped working. Crankshaft was replaced. Exhaust leak. Body control short, jerking while driving, timing warning

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #12

May 112019

Terrain

  • 145,000 miles
Takata recall my car has been throwing a engine power reduced and service stabil trak light. I have had it in the shop five times now, after replacing a coolant sensor which is a code it through, it has thrown three pedal sensors, after replacing it the first time the mechanic place told me the pedal was bad, sent it back replaced it again and the light came back on. This has been going on since the beginning of may and still not resolved. I have read several other people post about this on their Terrains.

- Burden, KS, USA

problem #11

Jul 112016

Terrain

  • 41,000 miles
Several times in 3 years, the dealership can not duplicate the problem loss of power starts running slow, wont go over 20 mph, check stability light comes on, check engine light starts blinking, acts like misfire or no fuel in vehicle, starts anywhere at any time, very unsafe and scary. At least taken to a certified dealership 7 or 8 times and every time they do something differant, yet the problem persists! the vehicle can be stationary at red light and big or while driving going 45 or 65 and drop to 20 mph and not want to go, I push the gas paddle to floor and it does nothing. This has been intermediate and a problem since month 3 of buying my vehicle. This is not safe and the dealership has basically givin up on me and my vehicle.

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #10

May 042016

Terrain

  • 85,000 miles
My 2012 GMC Terrain 2.4L is having an issue with excessive oil consumption. I am constantly having to check my oil and it gets to 1 qt or more low between my 5K oil changes. I've seen multiple complaints with this. Because of this I have a check engine light on indicating my catalytic converter may be bad. Ive had the car for about three years. It shouldn't need the catalytic converter already. My car is due for smog next month and I've akready had to repmace the intake and exhaust sensors on the engine because of the oil issue. This happens while car is in motion being driven. It is eating up oil.

- Cool, CA, USA

problem #9

Jan 182018

Terrain

  • miles
I experiencing problems with my GMC Terrain. I have contacted my local dealer (doral GMC, in miami, fl) on multiple occasions with no response. I have submitted a written complaint to GMC on April 10th, 2012 and never received a reply. I've experienced continuous car problems since the purchase of my vehicle. Within the first 3 months of purchase my car had already been kept at the dealer for 30 days on 2 separate occasions. Vehicle problems were, for example; the airbag service light turned on, car turned off while driving on a highway, this issue was taken care of but returned several times to have it corrected as it kept happening. The vehicle also experienced transmission issues, the check engine light also kept turning on and service department couldn't figure anything out with my vehicle.this was my first GMC purchase and it has been my absolute worst experience with any american car company. The latest issue since December of 2017 has been the airbag service light once again and the stability track light. I took the vehicle in for service once again and I was charged for diagnostic service so that the issue could be found for each issue and was told I would have to pay $135 per issue. I only paid for the airbag issue since it seemed to be the most dangerous one and was told by service department that the module kit needed to be replaced. This new charge was $ $823.90 that I had to pay out of pocket. This issue seems to be a factory one and I would like to be reimbursed since this is a safety feature that should not have happened. I've never had an accident and have kept it serviced and well maintained at the dealer through out all the recalls and service problems. The reason I paid for this service was mainly for the safety of my family but once again, it's an inconvenience.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #8

Feb 152018

Terrain

  • 87,000 miles
While driving the vehicle, I experienced strong knocking vibrations and sounds seemingly coming through the floorboard. As I continued driving for about 5 miles trying to get home, the knocking became more pronounced and my steering was affected. I also began noticing an extremely strong odor necessitating lowering windows to breathe. I notified my dealership and took the vehicle in for diagnosis the very next morning without driving it after arriving to my garage. I was told the AWD had completely deteriorated. My concern was that I never received any dashboard notification of the problem, not did my onstar diagnosis indicate a problem. I have been quite disturbed that the vehicle became disabled before I was aware of any problem. I have taken my vehicle in for regular maintenance at my GMC dealership and would like an explanation regarding the failure to identify this problem through the regular maintenance checks. I am single senior woman who has no backup vehicle and am quite concerned about my safety on the highway and this issue has caused me to have serious safety concerns. I drove the car to the dealership to check on the problem on Friday, February 16, 2018. I called the GMC complaint center to check on possible recalls or any remaining warranties that might apply and I was told the center was assigning a sr. Advisor to contact the local GMC dealership that still has my car and the advisor was told the dealership needed more time to diagnose and assess the cause of the problem.I have had to rent a vehicle since it may be another 2-3 days before I even get a response regarding the nature and cost of the repairs. I was originally told the entire AWD system had to be replaced at a cost of $1500--$2000. I questioned the reason for the extreme malfunction without any warning notices appearing...main reason for my complaint and concern.

- Russellville, AR, USA

problem #7

Jun 232017

Terrain

  • 63,575 miles
My 2012 GMC Terrain has been stalling for a few days now the stabilltrack sensor was replaced this year the engine light comes on and off. And my radio sometimes cuts off on it's own but now my key keeps getting stuck in the ignition switch and the car keeps stalling but when I get a jump it starts with no problem but once it stalled when I was driving thank god I was a few blocks from home. Then when I try to start again it won't start. It's only 5yrs. Old I've read many complaints about this modle. I think I bought a lemon 😕

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #6

Mar 312015

Terrain

  • 45,000 miles
Summary: I had to decide to brake or shoot through a yellow light, going about 35 mph, I braked! all of a sudden I heard a clunk and then alarm ding from the dash as well as message "service stabiltrak" then "reduced engine power". I was unable to go any faster than 25mph. I drove in this mode for about 2 miles taking the back streets to my destination. At destination shut vehicle off to see if this would reset something, it did! it was super scary. So now terrified to brake hard.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #5

Mar 062016

Terrain

  • 58,940 miles
My check engine light came on about a month ago and was serviced for a problem with the camshaft. After getting my GMC Terrain back I noticed that on occasion the RPM would shoot up while driving and then crash back down causing almost a jerking motion (it has happened in all types of scenarios I.e. while driving on the highway, back roads (all while at a steady speed) and then finally yesterday 3/5/2016 while breaking as I approached a stop sign.) now this morning (3/6/2016) I went out to start my car and immediately after it turned over the engine was making a very loud noise that I can only describe as the sound of an airplane engine with a light knocking sound. I stood there unsure of what to do and the car just turned off. I went inside, got my husband, started it again this time without the noise, but the dashboard was filled with lights on- check engine, traction control, and a warning service stabilitrack. I let it run for about 5 minutes, turned it off, and restarted it. The check engine light is now off, but the traction control and stabilitrak warning remained on. I decided to try to drive the car around the block to check it out as of course it's Sunday and I can't get in touch with the service department and also because I am the primary driver of two children under 10. I backed out of the driveway, and went into drive and the car stalled again. I got it started and got halfway back up my driveway before it stalled again. Truthfully, I am scared to even try to drive it now, and if I am being honest I don't think that the car will make it to the dealership (1hr. Away by highway) without stalling. I've noticed others with similar complaints on GM/Chevy all makes and models, and don't understand why this issue is not being resolved. What are they waiting for- a family of 4 driving on a highway causing an accident because their car stalled" death"

- Goshen, NY, USA

problem #4

Jan 252015

Terrain

  • miles
I have had issues with this vehicle ever since its purchase 01/2015. I took the vehicle in for service and was told the service contract would not cover my issue and that the issue was caused by lack of maintenance, which is not the case as I maintain the oil in this vehicle and even had to purchase a new battery for the vehicle recently.this car's engine repeatedly stops, especially when approaching a red light or stop sign or at the moment of acceleration. I have had to avoid many accidents due to people driving up on me because I should have been accelerating at the time but my car turned off. The battery would die on this car on a weekly basis which caused me to purchase a battery and there is still no progress in the vehicle. The motor knocks badly upon startup, especially in the mornings. The engine is very weak after an independent diagnostic check. And just last week, as I was driving on the highway at normal speeds, the muffler shield broke, fell, and began scraping against the highway. There are electrical issues as well as the lighting in the car gets dim when we are in the dark but bright when the sun is out. Also, the seatbelt for the passenger's side constantly rings sending a notification that the seatbelt needs to be latched, even when no one else or nothing else is in that seat. I fear that one day I may need that air bag and it might not work because the seatbelt appears to be faulty. Also, another issue, which is not necessarily a safety issue, but an extreme nuisance and also maybe an electrical issue is the car radio and volume will freeze at any given moment and the car has to be stopped and idle for a period of time before the radio is active and able to turn channels again. The safety issues for this car are real and I am in fear that I will get hit from behind due to the faulty engine.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #3

Jul 072015

Terrain

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. While driving at approximately 25 mph, the traction control and the stability trac warning lights illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #2

Dec 132013

Terrain 6-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
I own a 2012 Terrain sle2 with approximately 20,000 miles. On Friday, December 13, 2013, I joined the innumerable owners of GM products (found on the various owner forums on the internet) that have experienced the service stabilitrak light coming on with rough idling. Other owners have expressed the loss of power when this event occurs. Luckily, I was backing out of my garage and not traveling on the expressway so I cannot advise whether there was loss of power since I was going so slow. The light went off when I turned the vehicle off in order to come inside and call the dealer (woody Buick GMC in naperville il). The dealer was able to find code PO300 (random cylinder misfire) but they could find nothing wrong. I was told the vehicle fixed itself (which I find highly doubtful and very disturbing). I am a one vehicle family and now in a complete panic whenever I drive this vehicle. I fear for my life, my passengers" and others because loss of power can happen at any time and I am concerned about being rear ended since the driver behind me would have no clue, as I don"T, that my vehicle will lose power. Since this is a huge safety concern, I am shocked that GM has not addressed this failure of its products.

- Elk Grove Village, IL, USA

problem #1

Feb 072013

Terrain 6-cyl

  • 17,956 miles
The vehicle has been in the shop for 10 to 12 times due to failure with the engine misfiring as well as traction control lights and stability trac as well as transmission not shifting right and loss of power while driving on major highways and brought into the dealership where they tell me they can find or make the problem reappear. But have shown the dealership service department video and have had 3 general motor techs that they hired from hp and been told the vehicle is safe and that there will be no more problems but have been in the vehicle while the problems have happened and have it on video to the point where I almost lost my life yesterday night. The vehicle is a death trap and many customers including myself on GMC Terrain forum as well as online have had the same problem and have been told the same thing that it is nothing to worry about but it is. Please help have been told by GM to keep my mouth shut they would offer me 5,000 dollars for my troubles and that my kids are worth that much from a legal advisor at General Motors legal. Have ask to be taking out of the vehicle for something safe and still I'm being told no......please help

- Easton , PA, USA