10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,210 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2015 GMC Terrain:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #65

Oct 182023

Terrain

  • miles
Engine timing chain broke car stop working in the middle of the road

- Rochester, IN, USA

problem #64

Jan 252024

Terrain

  • miles
The rear main seal for the engine fails because of a clogged PCV valve. This was a problem on previous years for the Terrain and other vehicles that carried a similar type of engine. There was a recall for those previous years (2011-2014). My vehicle is a 2015 GMC Terrain, and I am currently experiencing the same issue. I took my vehicle to a licensed dealership and they quoted me a price of close to $3,000 to make the necessary repairs. In my opinion, since the same issue/problem is occurring, there should be a recall issued to include at least the 2015 year models for that engine.

- Strasburg, OH, USA

problem #63

Feb 022023

Terrain

  • miles
The front and rear seal of the engine went out in the matter of two weeks spraying oil all over the roadway and making to car not drivable.

- Chattanooga,Tn, TN, USA

problem #62

May 012023

Terrain

  • miles
My Car is using oil excessively. I need to add about 1 1/2 to 2 quarts weekly. I only drive about 40 each week.

- Gloversville , NY, USA

problem #61

Dec 312023

Terrain

  • miles
Oil drained and no oil after oil change ra about 2300 miles and there is no indicator for low oil level or anything. Engine started rattling and engine sounded so that I pour oil then no more sound and working About month ago engine stopped while going slow in school line and after resting it worked and same rattling sound because of no oil

- Overland Park , KS, USA

problem #60

Oct 202023

Terrain

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up as needed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to oil not reaching the engine block and the engine burning. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

- Muscatine, IA, USA

problem #59

Aug 232023

Terrain

  • miles
Vehicle stalled, steering column was shaking. Fortunately, this took place when leaving work parking lot. Had it happened on the road, driver and passenger safety would've been at greater risk. In addition, this particular issue could've resulted in a fire in the engine compartment. Took to mechanics and was informed that cylinder #3 was no longer contributing to engine function. Technician discovered cylinder was leaking from exhaust valves. Vehicle has not been inspected by the other individuals. Prior to this incident, vehicle was consuming oil at an enhanced pace although the oil light indicator would never turn on. Engine light didn't appear until cylinder #3 failed. It's important to note there is a previous (successful) class action lawsuit for the 2010-2013 models for the same exact reasons noted above. Missouri is in the process of filing a lawsuit for the 2014-2017 models.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #58

Aug 142023

Terrain

  • miles
Engine started sputtering, then vehicle was shifting hard and occasionally jerking forward while braking/at a complete stop. Check engine light came on. Found there was no oil left. Was less than 3000 miles since prior oil change. Dealer service sticker stated oil change was not due until 5000 miles (synthetic). Oil light never came on. After refilling oil, check engine light turned off and vehicle started operating normally. Discovered many others with problems with this vehicle consuming oil. Luckily, we caught it before engine failure, but obviously worried that this could happen at any time.

- Hobart, WI, USA

problem #57

Jun 212023

Terrain

  • miles
Timing chain stretching or breaking that can cause drivers to have a wreck or lose control of vehicle and also causes damage to the engine

- Dresden, TN, USA

problem #56

Aug 132023

Terrain

  • miles
Timing chain issues that causes new engine because the way it-??s set

- Chicago , IL, USA

problem #55

Jul 192023

Terrain

  • miles
The engine burned a usually large amount of oil without warning the driver, resulting in engine failure. With minimal local driving and no warning, the engine was completely out of oil, resulting in an engine banging/rattling that began, resulting in total car failure. Like others with the same issue, a certified dealer diagnosed that a new engine was needed at a cost of $9500. An independent repair shop also confirmed a new engine would be needed.

- Glen Ellyn, IL, USA

problem #54

Jun 122023

Terrain

  • 186,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 186,000.

- Archer, FL, USA

problem #53

May 102023

Terrain

  • miles
My GMC terrian has 98567 miles and had check engine light problem. Dealer said that I needed new timing chain. Cost $2282.05. Have not found a recall on the timing chain problem, but have seen many complains about the same issue. With some being replaced multiple times. Why has GMC not done anything to cure this problem. Van does not burn oil. Have it serviced at the GMC dealer since I purchased it with only 16000 miles.

- Lyman, SC, USA

problem #52

May 262023

Terrain

  • miles
My vehicle keeps running extremely low in oil and not alerting me with any warning lights. My vehicle starts to shake like it is going to stall and the engine makes a rattling noise. This is a safety concern.

- Slatington , PA, USA

problem #51

May 192023

Terrain

  • miles
The vehicle excessively burned oil and the engine now needs replaced. 4 oil changes in the last 11 months on top of adding oil in between oil changes. At a stop light the car died and was towed to a dealership.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #50

Mar 122020

Terrain

  • miles
Engine lost power suddenly while driving. No warning. Fuel pressure slowed to where vehicle no longer moved forward. Again. No warning. Timing chain slipped TWICE and destroyed engine without warning. -??Engine power lost-?? appeared on dash from driving without warning or incident. Excessive oil consumption without warning. Smoking engine even though had regular oil changes. Engine had been inspected by dealership and allegedly had no issues. Car never smoked but did after second time of timing chain slipping/breaking. This issue has happened repeatedly to many drivers who own these vehicles. Had a difficult time stopping after engine and total power failure without warning.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #49

Jan 032023

Terrain

  • miles
During a long distance trip, the timing chain tensioner failed. There were no obvious signs of this condition when driving at highway speeds. No warning lights or reduced engine performance! After traveling over 200 miles, we stopped and discovered the engine was running very rough. We decided to stay overnight in a hotel and check the condition of the Terrain in the morning. The next day the car, started briefly and then stalled. It didn-??t start again. We had the vehicle towed and the repair shop determined the the timing chain tensioner broke at some point on our trip. This caused the chain to come partially loose and that in turn -??chewed up-?? the gear teeth. The metal fragments from the gears spread throughout the entire engine. This resulted in the engine to be declared unrepairable. If we hadn-??t stopped, the engine could have creased up, and the almost assuredly would have resulted in a serious car accident. This was an expensive repair, approx $8000 and we incurred the cost of staying in a hotel for a week.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #48

Mar 312023

Terrain

  • miles
Never had issues on my vehicle I only have 42,000 miles when I brought my vehicle it only had 28,000 miles I had two recalls recently fixed 2/21/2023 a month later while driving my vehicle stopped and check engine light came on also there is a dinging sound whenever I get into my car which wasn-??t there before I was in my parking lot parking my car when it shut off 3 times

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #47

Dec 262022

Terrain

  • miles
2015 GMC Terrain-The PCV system or rear engine seal froze and burst. It happened last month when GA experience record cold weather. When the vehicle-€™s PCV system freezes it caused pressure to build up in the vehicle-€™s crankcase that breaks or pops out the rear main engine seal and caused all of the oil to drain from the vehicle while driving. The engine has completely seized and will need to be replaced. There are several bulletins issues about this but no recall. After researching I see there has been a few class action suits filed within the past 12 months. This apparently has happened to quite a few people. I am now up to over 9K total. The PCV repair was 2800, then the timing chains 1800, only to find out that the engine suffered as well. New engine 4500. Please do something about this.

- Atlanta , GA, USA

problem #46

Nov 272022

Terrain

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started jerking, lost motive power, and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact continued to drive; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the -€œEngine Power Reduced-€ message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain had fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure but provided no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- South Bend, IN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »