Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 15% | 1,000 miles |
| 2024 | 11 | 21% | 7,000 miles |
| 2023 | 15 | 37% | 41,000 miles |
| 2022 | 12 | 20% | 66,000 miles |
| 2021 | 11 | 31% | 79,000 miles |
| 2020 | 61 | 31% | 67,000 miles |
| 2019 | 70 | 38% | 72,000 miles |
| 2018 | 56 | 25% | 25,000 miles |
| 2017 | 81 | 60% | 85,000 miles |
| 2016 | 46 | 30% | 70,000 miles |
| 2015 | 83 | 28% | 94,000 miles |
| 2014 | 130 | 44% | 91,000 miles |
| 2013 | 205 | 56% | 91,000 miles |
| 2012 | 173 | 48% | 87,000 miles |
| 2011 | 199 | 52% | 85,000 miles |
| 2010 | 117 | 40% | 77,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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 the vehicle was parked, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and merging onto the highway, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed. The contact was informed that an undisclosed faulty sensor was the cause of the failure. The contact was informed that the sensor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle had remained at the dealer for two weeks unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and the engine stalled. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the road, the engine seized. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed fuel pump. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed fuel injector. The contact was informed that the fuel injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed Number 3 fuel injector. …
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated and failed to properly accelerate. The service transmission and service fuel management system messages were displayed, and the check engine warning light was flashing with several other unknown warnings illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and while test-driving the vehicle, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and an engineer was sent to the dealer to inspect the vehicle. No further information was available. The contact stated that the transmission module was previously replaced, but the failure persisted. The failure mileage was 27,000.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the contact was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the message "Battery Critically Low" was initially displayed, and then the message "Engine and Transmission System - Schedule Service Now" was displayed. The contact was assisted by Police Officers in redirecting traffic away from the vehicle to prevent a crash. The contact stated that the tow truck driver inspected the battery and informed the contact that the battery was in good condition. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift to neutral(N), which required a special tow truck to tow the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was then towed to the dealer the same day. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH, the contact received an email and text from OnStar with DTC: P129F, and the message to not drive the vehicle was displayed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump power control module had failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure was related to N252516900, a General Motors (GM) emission recall related to the Fuel Pump Power Control Module (FPCM and GM safety recall N222372310 - Inadequate Fuel Pump Flow. The local dealer was contacted, who stated that the fuel pump had failed to meet higher outputs. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no coverage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure had occurred intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 15-20 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond for approximately 1 minute. The vehicle was taken to the Nissan dealer it was purchased several times. The dealer retrieved diagnostic trouble codes: P057C and P057E, and the brake pedal position sensor was replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The Nissan dealer took the vehicle to a GM dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: PIT5994 (Diagnostic Tip for Reduced or Low Engine Power on Acceleration). …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was like GM Product Safety Recall: N222372310 (Inadequate Fuel Pump Flow). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the fuel pump had malfunctioned and damaged the camshaft. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Terrain years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (205), 2011 (199), 2012 (173), 2014 (130) and 2010 (117) model years. Engine complaints make up 56% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for GMC Terrain engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any GMC Terrain model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do GMC Terrain engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the exhaust system (5 mentions), followed by the engine (4).
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.