9.6

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$10,930
Average Mileage:
90,550 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace engine (4 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
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problem #5

Nov 192019

Terrain AWD SLE-2 3.6L V6 Sidi W Wt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,300 miles

This vehicle had a catastrophic engine failure at 60 mph and with only 63,000 miles!!! I am a lifelong GM customer and I have never experienced an engine or transmission failure before in my life. An engine failure at 63,000 miles is just extremely poor quality. This vehicle was well maintained with all its scheduled maintenance over the life of the car. I am not a mechanic, so I don't know exactly what happened, but something broke inside the engine and by the time I could pull over, the engine block had cracked. It was towed to White Plains GMC Buick where I was told that the engine and catalytic converters would have to be replaced and that this would cost close to $15,000. Since the engine only costs about $4,000, this repair cost seems greatly inflated.

I complained to Mary Barra, CEO of GM, that the trade in value prior to this failure was $10,000-$12,000, and that if they wanted me to ever buy another GM vehicle, that they should give me this amount toward the purchase of a new one. They did offer $2500 since I was a lifelong GM owner, but I deemed that too little too late. I signed the title over to the dealer and bought a new Subaru instead.

A well maintained engine should never fail at 63,000 miles, and GM's failure to back up its product has lost them my loyalty. I will not buy another GM vehicle, and urge others to heed my warning.

- Michael M., Cortlandt Manor, US

problem #4

Jun 192020

Terrain SLE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,243 miles

I have a 2013 GMC Terrain that I bought in January 2017 it was a gm certified vehicle. We were told how great the car was and that it would last us a long time. I guess they think 3 years is a long time Well it isn’t. So I’m driving down the street and all of a sudden the check engine light comes on. Every time I stopped at a light the car would start jolting forward so I put it in neutral and it would be fine. I got home and called o star to have them check the codes and was given P0016 and P0017. Decided that I should have the car towed to GM. They were unable to look at the car for a few days. Finally got a call telling me that I needed a new engine and that when they removed the valve cover that it was a mess in there. What I can’t understand is wouldn’t I have heard something to indicate that there was a problem? They are telling me to R&R the engine that parts and labor will cost me $8200 which is more than the car is worth. So I’m working with GM to try and get some help, in the mean time I am with out a car now for the last 2 weeks. I am disabled and need to get to doctor appt and now I’m not able to do that. Plus the fact that I’m still making payments on the car. Any help would be appreciated. Oh yeah they have the excessive oil recall but they can’t do that because it won’t run now.

- Linda G., Corvallis, US

problem #3

Apr 112019

Terrain SLE1 2.4L Ecotech

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

LIKE MOST COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS VEHICHLE, MINE WAS BURNING TOO MUCH OIL AS I NOW KNOW. LAST THURSDAY I WOKE UP TO HEAD TO WORK. STARTED MY VEHICLE, WHICH STARTED TO SHAKE AND THEN A MESSAGE STATING ENGINE POWER REDUCED CAME ACROSS THE CONTROL CENTER. VEHICLE WOULD NOT DO OVER 25MPH. I HAD TO CALL INTO WORK AND ATTEMPTED TO GO AHEAD AND GET MY OIL CHANGED SINCE IT WAS DUE, BUT MY CAR QUIT RUNNING ON ME AND I HAD TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. I STILL HAD BATTERY POWER BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT TURNOVER.

I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOTIFIED YESTERDAY THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THEY HAD TO PLACE 4 QUARTS IN JUST FOR THE OIL TO REGISTER ON THE DIP STICK. I DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING AT ALL THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. IT RAN PERFECTLY FINE UP UNTIL THAT MORNING. I HAD NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO CHECK ENGINE, NO NOISES.

I AM VERY UPSET, TO SAY THE LEAST, THAT THIS ISSUE WAS NEVER BROUGHT TO MY KNOWLEDGE WHILE I WAS PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE AND THAT GMC IS VERY WELL AWARE OF THIS, YET HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THIS, OF COURSE, HAPPENED RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY AND I AM STUCK WITH THE COSTS. IT DIDN'T EVEN HAVE 100,000 MILES ON IT YET.

- Leisa M., Texarkana, US

problem #2

Nov 082018

Terrain SLE 2.4L Eng

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,202 miles

2013 GMC Terrain engine failure do to excessive oil use. Replaced the engine with a Jasper engine and it failed because it blew a rear main seal due to condensation building up and freezing the PCV orifice. They replaced the engine again, and I am told that I have to keep the vehicle in a garage and cannot drive it if the temperature reaches zero degrees. GM says they do not have a fix for this yet so I am out $7000!

- Lucas R., Evansville, US

problem #1

Jan 012018

Terrain SLE 2.4L Ecotec

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,000 miles

It is apparently a common issue with the 2.4L Ecotec engines. If I had known what I know now, I would've never bought this vehicle. I am very disappointed with this GM product. It will be a long time before I buy anything new from this automaker again. That includes a list of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.

- John K., Elgin, OK, US