Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2024 GMC Terrain owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact's wife attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the gear shifter failed to move from neutral(N) and remained in Low Power Mode. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and DTC: P0700 and P073E were retrieved. In addition, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: PIP5974E; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,766.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and preparing to complete a left turn, there was an abnormal pop coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the driveshaft had fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that several days later the contact heard a loud pop, prompting the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the sound. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,200.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact became aware of a fluid leak underneath the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a leaking torque converter seal, allowing transmission fluid to leak onto the ground. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,787.
I was leaving work when my car had trouble accelerating from stop. The engine revved, but the gear would not engage. It happened several more times after I stopped at a light or slowed to get on the highway. It would take a minute or so to engage, and then I could drive the car, but it made it dangerous when trying to merge on to the highway or to make any turns in to traffic. It then happened two more times as I slowed to make turns until my engine light came on as I was turning on to my street. When I finally made it to my house and put it in reverse to back into my driveway, the car wouldn't move at all. I took it to the GMC dealership because it is still under warranty. The next day when I called, they told me a piston shot through the transmission housing which caused a leak of transmission fluid. …
Purchased new from dealership 2024 GMC Terrain 4/2024. On 6/26/24 while driving the vehicle the transmission came apart and the vehicle suddenly stopped and would barely move off of the roadway. Had this happened 2 min prior while at highway speeds in crowded conditions, I can only imagine how many injuries could have occurred. My vehicle had 3800 miles on it. Upon my personal research, I found that this is a known problem with the 2024 GMC Terrains and dealerships across the country are filled with vehicles with the same problem. The dealership admitted to me that this has become "a known issue" and that they currently had 7 others with the same issue. They had my car for 8 weeks and according to my paperwork had to repair it twice as it failed the first repair road test! I filed a compaint with GM and was told "to not believe third party sites". …
Bought new car August 16th 2024. Few days later, I was turning left at a light and the car lost power as I was turning and error messages came up on the dash screen saying service transmission. I also observed that the cars gear indicator went to Park by itself even though the car was still moving. Pushed the engine start button and car came back on and I switched the gear to Drive. Took car in on the 19th to get looked at. Week later, driving down the city street going 40-45 MPH, car lost power again and car gear indicator switched to Park again, service transmission indicator came up and low fuel indicator came up even though I had over 1/2 a tank left. Took in to dealership on August 26th, 2024. Over this weekend, my wife was driving home from up north at a very busy freeway intersection and the car lost power again and luckily she was able to get over to the shoulder. …
I purchased a new 2024 GMC Terrain in March 2024. At the time of the incident the mileage was approximately 18,000 miles. On [redacted], as I was driving on a MA state highway, the car lost power with no warning. I was able to "coast" into a parking lot where I contacted OnStar; a flatbed tow truck was dispatched and the car was towed to the local dealership where it was purchased. At this time, the car is still at the dealer as I was informed by dealer service consultant that it's a "massive" transmission job and parts were on back order from GMC for over three weeks. I specifically purchased this vehicle to be safe on my monthly trips to NY to visit grandchild. I no longer feel safe in this vehicle and have no guarantee this won't happen again. The fact that the transmission failed in 1 yr. old car at 18,000 miles is of great concern to me.
Was driving along and transmission downshifted (?) wouldn't change gears. Tachometer was like a race car. Just went wild. Limped it along to a dealership. They informed us it was probably the transmission. It was determined it was indeed the transmission. They also stated that they had 7 more waiting in the service area waiting for parts to repair. Ours was to be #8. We called the dealer we bought it from, they sent a tow truck and towed it to their service area. Luckily, I wasn't out on the interstate going 70 mph as I would have been in just a few more minutes. Very scary situation as I was in 3 lanes of traffic. It was in town, so traffic wasn't moving fast. I was 2 hours into my vacation. Needless to say, that put a damper on things. Had to rent a vehicle, unpack my vehicle and repack the rental. Oh, and by the was it is a 2024 Terrain with ONLY 2400 miles!
Unintended acceleration in forward and reverse: the vehicle experiences unintended acceleration both in forward and reverse. While driving in heavy traffic, the vehicle continues to maintain throttle position for approximately two seconds after releasing the throttle, creating a dangerous situation where the vehicle continues to accelerate towards other cars. This defect requires emergency braking to prevent a collision. In reverse , the vehicle also holds throttle position after the accelerator is released. This results in the vehicle unintentionally accelerating in reverse at a rapid pace. This requires the driver to depress the brake moderately to control the reverse speed. During this event the driver is fighting against the motor with the brake pedal until the vehicle decided to stop accelerating on its own.
ON [redacted] my spouse was driving her new 2024 GMC Terrain in Asheville, NC. When suddenly the car stopped and when was able to maintain control and coast to a safe area. The vehicle was subsequently taken to the dealers service center GMC Asheville, NC (Harry's on the Hill). The diagnosis was determined to be a defective a transmission valve body. In discussion with the dealer service manager he indicated this is a common occurrence with the valve body. Needless to say this defect can be fatal especially during inclement weather, fast speeds, winding narrow mountains roads! As of 15 May 2024, the dealer, GMC nor the manufacturer of the valve body has not provided a replacement part for this vehicle.
Transmission complaints in other Terrain years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2024 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2024 GMC Terrain, 42% of the model year's 52 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › torque converter (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2024 GMC Terrain transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2024 GMC Terrain, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2024 GMC Terrain transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 4,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.