RoadVitals

2024 GMC Terrain Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
48
+1 complaint in 30 days
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
26
Reports on file since May 13, 2024

What this page shows

Our database holds 48 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2024 GMC Terrain. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 48 · page 1 of 2

Filed Jul 23, 2026

The rear access closes on its own after sitting open for a period of time. I was sitting at grocery pick up with the access open. This caused it to close on worker at grocery pick up. It stayed closed and I had to hit the button to open it back it did not auto go back up when it couldn’t close.

NHTSA ID
11752310
Incident
Jul 23, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 14, 2026

I was driving about 55 mph with adaptive cruise control set to maintain a three-car-length following distance. It was raining, and when the vehicle in front of me slowed down, my vehicle did not detect it or slow down as expected. Instead, it continued accelerating, and I had to brake to avoid rear-ending the vehicle ahead.

NHTSA ID
11750466
Incident
Jul 13, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 13, 2026

Leaking transmission fluid at 7,000 miles. Technicians noticed during routine oil change at dealership.

NHTSA ID
11749897
Incident
Jun 24, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 23, 2026

The vehicle has experienced a recurring transmission-related defect that has required multiple repair attempts by an authorized GMC dealership. The transmission system has also exhibited fluid leakage. Despite prior repairs, the problem has continued to reoccur. Transmission and associated transmission fluid sealing components. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. A transmission is a critical safety component that transfers engine power to the wheels. A transmission defect or fluid leak can result in loss of propulsion, hesitation, inability to accelerate as expected, unexpected changes in vehicle operation, or transmission failure while driving. These conditions could increase the risk of a crash, particularly when merging into traffic, crossing intersections, or traveling at highway speeds. Transmission fluid leaking onto roadways or vehicle components may also create additional safety concerns. The vehicle has been presented to an authorized GMC dealership for diagnosis and repair on multiple occasions. The dealership has acknowledged and attempted repairs related to the transmission. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired by authorized GMC service personnel. No police involvement. No independent inspection has been performed at this time. Manufacturer-authorized dealerships have documented the repairs. Symptoms included transmission-related concerns and transmission fluid leakage. The defect first appeared while the vehicle was under warranty and has continued despite repair attempts. The recurring nature of the transmission defect and fluid leak has reduced confidence in the vehicle’s ability to operate safely and reliably. The vehicle remains under warranty and has undergone multiple repair attempts without a permanent resolution.

NHTSA ID
11745857
Incident
Mar 19, 2026
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 18, 2026

Accelerator lag from any speed or stop. The care will take several seconds to hunt for the correct gear before shifting to accelerate. Or it will delay acceleration for several seconds while your pressing the accelerator. No SES indicator active. Mechanics can’t find issues. Other owners on forum a report the same sluggish behavior. These 1.5 turbo cars seem to need a software fix that they are not receiving. It’s like the drive by wire doesn’t register. Affects any gm vehicle with the 1.5 turbo and 9 spd auto.

NHTSA ID
11744960
Incident
Jun 17, 2026
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 17, 2026

Since purchase, this vehicle has consistently had an issue with the fuel system. When I call GMC they state only use no ethanol fuel. I wouldn’t have bought this car if that was the case. The dealership never said that when I was buying it. We replaced the entire engine for $11,000 because of a torn radiator hose, overheating and cracked a gasket. Now, the car is refusing to drive, giving engine power reduced

NHTSA ID
11744779
Incident
Jun 17, 2026
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 27, 2026

This is a continuation for NHTSA campaign number 11711615. While an additional NHTSA complaint has been filed for the power train, this focuses specifically on design failures in the braking system. Our vehicle experienced a highway failure of the fuel pump, but due to the nature of a powertrain failure the car could not be put into neutral, only remain in park. The car was stranded in the middle of the road. As a AWD vehicle it similarly could not be towed as both wheels were fully locked. Tow informed us that there should be a manual release under the shifting column, however, this design safety feature had been removed in the 2024 iteration. The car was stuck on the road behind a blind turn on a somewhat busy road with vehicles typically traveling between 25-50 mph. The failure of a manual override for neutral and braking is a critical design failure that can lead to major accidents and death in the event of engine or transmission failure. There were no warnings, nor instructions or ability to get the car off the road.

NHTSA ID
11734066
Incident
Jan 16, 2026
Fuel system
Filed Apr 27, 2026

On January 16, 2026 our 2024 GMC Terrain Denali experienced complete loss of power. The car was unmovable from the road, unable to shift into neutral, and unable to release the braking system in addition to the emergency brake. There were no warnings or indications prior to the vehicle's failure at 30,000 miles. The failure happened on a somewhat busy road with no ability to move the car out of the line of higher speed traffic. The cause was ultimately determined to be a fuel pump failure. The part was replaced under the 60,000 mile warranty, however, the issue relating got the fuel pump is known by GMC and has previously been litigated under a class-action suit. Therefore the "resolved" fuel pump issue remains a pressing and potentially dangerous and expensive issue.

NHTSA ID
11734055
Incident
Jan 16, 2026
Electrical
Filed Apr 24, 2026

The screen continues to go out. Screen contains many safety functions. When it malfunctions it is distracting.

NHTSA ID
11733500
Incident
Feb 21, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 20, 2026

While driving the vehicle, the engine light came on, plus message board said service transmission and the engine went into limp mode. We let the car sit for awhile and checked the car. A scan said it was the pressure solenoid A in the transmission. The car sat for a day and the light was off. Drove the car and then it acted up again and now reverse doesn't work.

NHTSA ID
11732341
Incident
Apr 2, 2026
Airbags
Filed Apr 15, 2026
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 5 MPH on an intersection, another vehicle driving 40 MPH crashed into the driver's side of the vehicle, by the driver's side door. The driver's side curtain air bag deployed. The contact stated that the three holes on the air bag propelled burning air, which melted and burned through the three layers of clothing of the driver. The driver sustained second-degree burns and blisters on the hip. The contact picked up and transported the driver to Urgent Care, where medical assistance was provided. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the police officer. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, pending assessment from the insurance company. The dealer and the manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ID
11731421
Incident
Apr 15, 2026
Mileage
55,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 13, 2026
Fire reported1 injury reported

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID
11730821
Incident
Apr 2, 2025
Filed Apr 11, 2026

this just started on it's own. back up rear camera shows distortion from time to time and appears to be getting worse or happening more.

NHTSA ID
11730573
Incident
Apr 6, 2026
Transmission
Filed Mar 23, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11726445
Incident
Mar 20, 2026
Mileage
3,787 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 11, 2026

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON 12-22-25 I LOST POWER MY CAR DIED ON I94. BATTERY DIED THE DEARLSHIP COULDNT GET THE CODE. GOT THE CAR BACK ON 12-26-25. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CARRIE GMC REPLACED BATTERY . CAR BACK ON 12-29-25.. ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON 12-31-25 CAR BACK ON 1-8-26 REPLACLED CATALYTIC CONVEERTED AND OXY SENSOR. 2-20-26 DRIVING ON 1-94 LOST ENGINE POWER CAR BACK ON 2-25 FEUL PUMP AND FEUL LINE. DROVE 300 MILES ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON. BACK TO CURRIE GMC ON 2-26-26 UNTILL 3-2-26 REPLACRED HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR . 3-6-26 REPLACED CATELYTIC CONVERTER AND OXYGER SENSOR FOR THE SECOND TIME.

NHTSA ID
11723520
Incident
Feb 25, 2026
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 9, 2026

While driving several times smelt gas and car cut out engine came on and car stopped mid driving multiple times. Says they replaced fuel pump reset car etc

NHTSA ID
11723116
Incident
Feb 26, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 4, 2026

I bought my car in July of 2025 and since then my car keeps derating and reducing engine power while driving down the road at 70 miles an hour. It cuts out and decreases power. I took my car to the shop twice to have them tell it needed an update. I drove away and then the car does it again. Since December my car has down this decreased power, derated notice more than 30 times!! It is a safety risk for me and my family because you never know when it will happen on the interstate and when you will lose power. I have almost been rearended 3 times due to this issue and no one can seem to fix the issue.

NHTSA ID
11722117
Incident
Mar 4, 2026
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 4, 2026

Check engine light is coming on, indicating reduced engine power. Took vehicle to GMC dealer and they advised that the repair shop was getting assistance from the GMC Tech line to update a module to correct the issues. I was informed today that the high pressure fuel pump will have to be replaced, along with a hose or pipe to correct the issue. The vehicle has 57k miles on it. Upon researching the issue, I found that this has been a persistent issue with this model vehicle, dating back to 2020. It appears that it has not been resolved and the vehicles could stall or stop at any time. There is currently a class action lawsuit pending on this issue. Please help, this is dangerous

NHTSA ID
11722070
Incident
Mar 2, 2026
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 25, 2026

On Febuary 14 2026 I was driving on the feeder of the freeway with speeds of 50 mph my car suddenly down shifted in the middle of driving started shaking real bad stalled wouldn’t start wouldn’t go in gear at all would just die and say engine power reduced. This is after it had just been at the dealership and they said all I needed was an update. It had to be towed and the dealership said it was my high pressure fuel pump had failed. They replaced it and gave me the car back. I staled the next morning going to work on the freeway going 70 mph same exact thing happened except this time I could smell gas so strongly. I had to sit on the side of the highway until it was picked up due to gas smell and fear of fire. They say a bolt broke off of the high pressure fuel pump they just installed

NHTSA ID
11720325
Incident
Feb 14, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 2, 2026

Transmission dropped complete out of gear while driving. Got vehicle moving again. Took to dealership. Found complete internal transmission failure at 6779 miles. Transmission replaced with new unit. New transmission has erratic / hard shifts. Found replacement transmission leaking fluid due to front pump / porous case at 14800 miles. Customer Satisfaction Program N232433890 issued May 16, 2024

NHTSA ID
11714938
Incident
Mar 19, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 17, 2026

Powertrain System failure while driving, causing complete loss of power on road. The car lacks any accessible manual overrides to put in neutral or turn off parking break. This leaves the car stuck in park with all four wheels locked in the middle of the road in an incident with no safe way to move or tow the vehicle. When attempting to tow car must be dragged, and parking brake continuously engages. Tow attempt took nearly 3 hours to saddle the vehicle in the roadway. Vehicle currently awaiting formal inspection/repair from dealership.

NHTSA ID
11711615
Incident
Jan 16, 2026
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 17, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11687798
Incident
Sep 12, 2025
Mileage
6,766 mi
Filed Sep 10, 2025

The rear camera is displaying the top of the license plate! It wasn’t doing it when I first purchased the car. Dealer states it is normal. I do not agree.

NHTSA ID
11686436
Incident
Sep 1, 2025
Fuel system
Filed Aug 18, 2025

FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AT 42K MILES.

NHTSA ID
11681275
Incident
Jun 27, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 16, 2025

My wife and I took our new vehicle on a 7k mile road trip this summer. Two times while on the freeway around 70 MPH, the sensors went wild. The cars auto break came on and red lights and collision warnings went off in the seat and the HUD. The vehicle slowed down to about 35 immediately! Then everything turned off and we sped back went down the road like nothing happened. Luckily there was no behind us or in front of us for a good distance. The thing is during both of the there was a car in the lane next to us at our 1 or 2 o'clock position. Perhaps the sensors. Mistakingly thought we were about to hit that car. Can these seniors be adjusted?

NHTSA ID
11681027
Incident
Jul 15, 2025

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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