Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 15% | 5,000 miles |
| 2025 | 4 | 31% | — |
| 2024 | 22 | 42% | 4,000 miles |
| 2023 | 8 | 20% | 13,000 miles |
| 2022 | 8 | 13% | 19,000 miles |
| 2021 | 8 | 22% | 79,000 miles |
| 2020 | 28 | 14% | 57,000 miles |
| 2019 | 52 | 28% | 17,000 miles |
| 2018 | 42 | 19% | 10,000 miles |
| 2017 | 24 | 18% | 47,000 miles |
| 2016 | 11 | 7% | 55,000 miles |
| 2015 | 21 | 7% | 38,000 miles |
| 2014 | 33 | 11% | 60,000 miles |
| 2013 | 44 | 12% | 96,000 miles |
| 2012 | 37 | 10% | 87,000 miles |
| 2011 | 76 | 20% | 78,000 miles |
| 2010 | 51 | 18% | 72,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Terrain. While driving at 28 MPH, the RPM became elevated to over 3,000 RPM. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact immediately pulled over and then resumed normal operation after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact was advised to bring the vehicle back to the dealer if the failure reoccurred. Approximately one week after the initial failure, while driving approximately 30 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to L2. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. A diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was provided a case number. …
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while attempting to depress the accelerator pedal after coming from a complete stop, the vehicle started wobbling. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: PIT6466 (Shimmy, Shake or Wobble When Leaving a Stop); however, the VIN was not included in the bulletin. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall for the failure, and opened a case. The failure mileage was 5,200.
Vehicle did not go into park when the ignition was turned off. Car started to roll while passenger was getting out of the vehicle as another vehicle was parking beside us. The other vehicle could not avoid our rolling vehicle. Passenger had to quickly sit down to avoid being hit. The next day the vehicle was taken to the dealership, and they could not find anything wrong. They gave us a copy of bulletin#08-07-30-026I. We were not aware of any problems or bulletins being issued prior to the accident. We had repairs of $2,705.71 and don't know what the other driver incurred.
Incident 1: Pulled out from stop sign car made funny noises, light came on said it couldn't shift to drive. Had towed to dealer. They said couldn't find issue except it was quart and a half low of transmission fluid. The car had approx 3,500 miles on it. Incident 2: For about two weeks when pulling out felt like it was skipping but didn't feel like transmission. Felt like over powered. Then it done same as Incident 1. Pulled out made noise would not move. Notice that is couldn't shift and check engine light came on had it towed again. Approx 6,300 miles on it. They then said it was very low on transmission fluid and they did find a small hole in hose. Danger is pulling out and it just stops in cross traffic and won't move could easily be hit. It is very scary to drive not knowing if or when it is going to happen. I have no current invoice on vehicle as it is still in shop.
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 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH, and entering the roadway from the driveway, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there were no warning lights. The contact stated that the vehicle had lost electrical power. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle used a push-button gear shift PRNDL, and the contact was unable to set the vehicle into park(P) to restart the engine. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts and drove the vehicle to a dealer. The contact stated that on the drive to the dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated, but they kept driving. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the fuel module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,825.
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.
Related recalls (2)
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: 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.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017.
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Terrain years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (76), 2019 (52), 2010 (51), 2013 (44) and 2018 (42) model years. Transmission complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for GMC Terrain transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 20V-668 (automatic transmission, Oct 29, 2020); 17V-516 (driveshaft, Aug 22, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Terrain transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 40% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (7 mentions), followed by the transfer case (4-wheel drive) (3).
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.