GMC Terrain Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 473 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the GMC Terrain across 17 model years. The 2011 model year has the most (76). The words owners use most often: “timing chain” (8% of reports).
- 473power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $2,500typical repair cost reported by owners
- 30%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Timing chain: mentioned in 37 of 473 complaints (8%)
- Engine power: mentioned in 30 of 473 complaints (6%)
- Oil consumption: mentioned in 24 of 473 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the GMC Terrain at $2,500, and half of them between $1,600 and $3,900.
Based on 9 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2022), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 248 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 473 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury.
GMC Terrain power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Terrain | 5 | 15% | 3,250 |
| 2025 Terrain | 4 | 31% | — |
| 2024 Terrain | 22 | 42% | 3,787 |
| 2023 Terrain | 8 | 20% | 13,000 |
| 2022 Terrain | 8 | 13% | 18,443 |
| 2021 Terrain | 8 | 22% | 57,422 |
| 2020 Terrain | 28 | 14% | 53,500 |
| 2019 Terrain | 52 | 28% | 14,000 |
| 2018 Terrain | 41 | 18% | 10,300 |
| 2017 Terrain | 24 | 18% | 46,580 |
| 2016 Terrain | 11 | 7% | 53,964 |
| 2015 Terrain | 21 | 7% | 31,431 |
| 2014 Terrain | 33 | 11% | 55,125 |
| 2013 Terrain | 44 | 12% | 94,843 |
| 2012 Terrain | 37 | 10% | 87,114 |
| 2011 Terrain | 76 | 20% | 74,500 |
| 2010 Terrain | 51 | 18% | 70,059 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2018
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system:ignition; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
VIN: [XXX] Mileage: Approximately 103,576 Incident location: [XXX] Safety Complaint: While my wife was driving our 2019 GMC Terrain into a shopping center parking lot, the vehicle suddenly experienced a severe loss of braking assistance. The brake pedal became extremely stiff and difficult to…
GMC Adaptive learning transmission problems that lead to safety concerns, emissions reduction in MPG, and increased wear of the transmission. Regarding GMâs 9T45 automatic 9 speed transmission. Problem: - The GM Adaptive learning of the transmission does not have safe guards in place to prevent…
My 2023 GMC Terrain has experienced two separate incidents of complete loss of motive power/engine propulsion while being driven. The vehicle suddenly loses the ability to accelerate and maintain normal propulsion, creating a serious safety risk in traffic. The first occurrence was on August 8…
I bought this 2017 used on XXX I have had to put 1 quart of oil in the car every 500 miles. Because it burns oil like crazy. And now at this point, the transmission has just quit. I believe they call it the drive train. I am taking it to D and D auto repair in [XXX] on Thursday of this week. GMC…
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle failed to shift into park. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the contact was informed that three fault codes were found. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Terrains have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 473 owner complaints about power train for the GMC Terrain. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Terrain power train?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the GMC Terrain?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,500 (half paid between $1,600 and $3,900), from 9 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the GMC Terrain?
The most frequent phrase is “timing chain”, in 37 of 473 complaints, followed by “engine power” (30).
Other GMC Terrain problems
- Engine problems (1,211)
- Visibility/wiper problems (428)
- Electrical System problems (349)
- Service Brakes problems (266)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (227)
- Air Bags problems (167)
- Exterior Lighting problems (100)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (100)
See all GMC Terrain problems.