2015 GMC Terrain Powertrain & Transmission Problems

The blower fan for heat In my vehicle was replaced in October 2022, recently the Defroster will not engage and it is vital to winter driving. The mechanism that switches between which vent to blow out air was replaced and the Defroster will still not engage, rather it comes out of the heat and face vents. Shortly after the Defroster stopped engaging, the rpms will start fluctuating from 2 suddenly up to 6-8 without warning or acceleration then go back down and back up as if it's chugging along. Even when applying the brakes, this will continue to happen and there's concern for Rear-ending or crashing when this happens. When driving home 2 nights ago the county police pulled my vehicle over due to burnt out headlight, which was replaced less than 6 months ago. Took the car in to get bulb replaced today and multiple bulbs later, the light is not fixed and it was said to be electrical and need to go to another shop. Beginning to wonder if this is all a bigger problem about to happen with engine/ powertrain.. with commute to work in the dark and electrical problem in the headlight randomly and the acceleration issues there is definitely a concern for safety.

There have been problems with the 2015 GMC Terrains Timing chain. The timing chain will break when the vehicle is being operated which causes the driver to lose complete control of the SUV, additionally, the engine will be destroyed. The bigger issue is the loss of control when you are driving - especially at highway speeds. GMC had hundreds of complaints but refused to issue a recall. A recall was issued but for only certain batches of VINs. I contacted GMC corporate service to inquire about what they are doing for the other owners who are experiencing the symptoms before the chain breaks. The representative told me they were only recalling certain VINS, I explained that it was not a fluke that my car was experiencing the same issues as the recalled ones. The response was they weren't recalling my VIN. I inquired why there were only some, not all, and she said it depends on what time of day the car was assembled the weather, and the place. Just bizarre this answer, my vehicle is the exact vehicle model that is being recalled and is experiencing the same problem - it makes no sense. So if I am driving on the highway or any road USA and my chain breaks I may kill myself as well as others. Then there is the cost to repair this defective part, by recalling certain VINs they are acknowledging there is a defect that they are responsible for. I want my vehicle repaired at the expense of GMC as they are the cause of the issue. I don't want to die or kill anyone. Can you please help me and many other owners who are dismayed and just confused and angry? My car is now stalling out while I am driving, or moving at all.

The timing belt on the GMC Terrains from 2013 to 2015, mostly 2015 are breaking at a unusual amount. If you google it , there is story after story about this problem and GMC has not done anything. This appears to be a problem with the Terrain and I want them to issue a recall before mine breaks. It is expensive to fix and it can also be a huge problem if it breaks when you are driving. Something has to be done as this is not a coincidence that this is occurring to a large amount of Terrains.

My GMC terrian has 98567 miles and had check engine light problem. Dealer said that I needed new timing chain. Cost $2282.05. Have not found a recall on the timing chain problem, but have seen many complains about the same issue. With some being replaced multiple times. Why has GMC not done anything to cure this problem. Van does not burn oil. Have it serviced at the GMC dealer since I purchased it with only 16000 miles.

Never had issues on my vehicle I only have 42,000 miles when I brought my vehicle it only had 28,000 miles I had two recalls recently fixed 2/21/2023 a month later while driving my vehicle stopped and check engine light came on also there is a dinging sound whenever I get into my car which wasn’t there before I was in my parking lot parking my car when it shut off 3 times

The engine is burning oil at a rate of about a quart every 2k miles. The check engine light came on recently and very shortly after a reduced power warning came on and made the vehicle difficult to drive. Which was not safe on a major road. It had to be towed to my mechanic and he mentioned to me that the engines in this vehicle are known to be problems. The pistons have an issue that burns oil in excess he said. I looked this up and found a class action settlement was just awarded to people in 3 states. However not mine.

UNKNOWN The car shakes when I tried to reverse and when I try to move forward it doesn’t accelerate. The tire pressure lights went on but the tire pressure is fine. I had it towed to a shop and they said they’re getting transmission codes. Unfortunately that shop doesn’t specialize in transmission so I’m waiting for a transmission specialist to look at it. Also the driver side electric seat doesn’t move backwards anymore it’s stuck in one spot.

November 18,2021: Driving vehicle on the freeway 70mph, for 1.5 hours,then exit to a main street within speed limit during rush hour traffic. Parked the vehicle for 2.5 hours in a parking lot, returned to vehicle, turned onto street drove about 2 miles,30mph. The vehicle made a sound as if metal was being dragged, I tried to align the wheels but it was difficult. I turned on the emergency flashers & struggled to pull into a gas station parking lot,looked underneath the vehicle but saw nothing. The 2015 GMC Terrain AWD (less than 80,000miles) had to be towed to the GMC Dealership. November 19, 2021 service rep stated that the transfer case was damaged. Something broke a loose inside the case & caused damage, there are metal shavings visible. Cost for part, $2200 My response to him: What is a transfer case? Why is the part not inspected during regular maintenance? What warning would I have received if there was something wrong? Because it is a 2015 model & the platform for the vehicle has changed, GM supplier has to manufacture the part. It’s June 2022, the dealership notified me on the 10th that the part has been received. I can’t be the only consumer that has experienced this issue. In hindsight, luckily I was not on the freeway when this situation occurred.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED AND WAS UNABLE TO UPSHIFT INTO THE HIGHER GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER STERLING BUICK GMC (5853 FRONTAGE RD. I 49 SOUTH, OPELOUSAS, LA 70570, (337) 942-3516) AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,000.

VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE STUCK IN 4WD, UNABLE TO SWITCH OUT OF IT. CANNOT TURN VEHICLE.

TRANSFER CASE FAILED WHILE DRIVING, ONLY 50,000 MILES ON VECHICLE

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR SENSE I HAVE OWNED IT . FROM DAY ONE IT STARTED WITH MY WHEELS RUBBING AND SCRUBBING WHEN IN MOTION .I CALLED DEALERSHIP HAD REPAIRS DONE ON IT FOR THE FIRST 7 MONTHS .I REPORTED THE PROBLEM BACK THEN TO YOU ALL. THEN AFTER 3 YRS I STARTED TO FEEL SOME HESITATION WHEN SITTING OR TAKING OFF .THEN THE FORTH YEAR MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON HAD THAT FIXED NOW MY ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON CAR STILL HAVING SOME HESITATION ON AND OFF . I PAID TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE ON IT BY THE PLACE THAT DOES MY OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CODES WHERE OFF AND THEY WERE RESET BUT 5 DAYS LATER MY ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON ,IRONICALLY RIGHT AFTER MY FIVE YEARS LIMITED WARRANTY IS OVER AND MY CAR ONLY HAVE 38,490 MILES TO THIS DAY AND IT IS NOT YET PAID FOR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS ,I HAVE SPENT THE LAST 5 PLUS YEARS OF DEALING WITH THIS NEW LEMON AND ALL I GET IS ANOTHER BILL ADD TO THE 528.02 A MONTH I HAVE TO PAY ALREADY. THIS CAR CAME HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY THE SALES PERSON AND DEALERSHIP AND ALL I CAN SEE IS THAT THESE CARS ARE BEING PUSH ON HARD WORKING PEOPLE THAT JUST WANT SOMETHING RELIABLE AND ITS WRONG. THIS CAR IS FRUSTRATING AND STRESSING ME OUT ,I CANT RELY ON IT TO GET ME THROUGH 5 MORE YEARS I THOUGHT MORE OF THE GMC PRODUCT AND I CANT TAKE ANYMORE OF THIS TRYING TO MAKE THIS BAD SITUATION BETTER ON MY OWN. GMC NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE DEFECTIVE CARS PLEASE.

MY TRUCK HAS 30,000 MILES AND HAS THE 'CHEVY SHUDDER'. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL? GMC WANTS ME TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH. WHEN I AM DRIVING THE TRUCK IT BEGINS SHUDDERING AND SHAKING THROUGH CERTAIN SHIFT POINTS.

VEHICLE RANDOMLY SAYS SERVICE STABILITRACK AND TRACTION CONTROL. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COME ON. RPM GUAGE, SPEEDOMETER, DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER, TEMP GAUGE ALL WILL BOUNCE AND GO TO 0. VEHICLE STRUGGLES TO ACCELERATE WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING. WHEN IT KICKS BACK IN VEHICLE JOLTS. I CANNOT REPLICATE IT, DOES THIS RANDOMLY. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR DIAGNOSE IT. ALWAYS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING

VEHICLE PURCHASE FROM COULTER CADILLAC TEMPE AZ - 9/1/2018. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED 3 TIMES. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES "WE PUT YOU IN A BAD CAR". PROBLEM: VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION (STREET/INTERSECTION/HIGHWAY), WILL JUST "SHUT DOWN" AND MOVE IN "LIMP MODE" FASHION. THE ENGINE AND STABILITY LIGHTS WILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD AND ON THE MOST RECENT EVENT, ALL THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD SHUT DOWN. AFTER THE SHUT DOWN,1 & 2 GEARS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO REACH A SPEED BETWEEN 20 / 30 MILES AN HOUR IN ORDER FOR THE 3RD GEAR TO ENGAGE. THE LAST TIME THIS SITUATION HAPPENED WAS ON THE FREEWAY @ 65 MPH. I WAS IN THE HOV LANE WITH MY 3.5 YEAR OLD GRANDSON AND MY WIFE. ALL THE TRAFFIC @ 4:45 PM ON THE NORTHBOUND LANE OF THE AZ 17 HIGHWAY CAME TO A STOP BECAUSE OF THE RIPPLING EFFECT THIS PROBLEM CAUSED. FORTUNATE FOR US, OTHER DRIVERS ALLOWED TO US TRAVERSE TO THE OFF RAMP. THE DEALER INDICATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE BATTERY THAT BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP AND "LIMP MODE". THERE WERE NO BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS VISIBLE ON THE DASHBOARD TELLING ME THE BATTERY WAS IN DANGER OF FAILING AS NOTED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALL 3 TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE DEALER HAS PROVIDED 3 DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN ON THIS WEB SITE NO LESS THAN 15 COMPLAINTS RAISING THIS PROBLEM TO THE NHTSA ATTENTION. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM COULTER/GMC AND THE NHTSA NEED TO TAKE ACTION TO REMOVE/RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. SEE ATTACHED EXHIBIT T / U / O.

THE VEHICLE WILL OFTEN SHIFT UNPREDICTABLY. MOVING FROM A DEAD-STOP, THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES DEMONSTRATE SIGNIFICANT HESITATION (TO SHIFT) FOLLOWED BY A LOUD AND VIOLENT ENGAGEMENT. IN SOME INSTANCES THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT HAS BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AUTOMOBILE WILL SHUDDER AND SLIP AND JERK WHEN IT SHIFTS BETWEEN GEARS. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. THE DEALER CAN NOT FIX THE ISSUE, BUT UNDERSTANDS THE VEHICLE PROBLEMS.

THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER AN 3 DAYS AFTER OIL CHANGE AND BEGIN TO CUT OFF WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TO CARMAX AND THEY SAID IT WAS A FAULTY SENSOR WHICH WAS COVERED BY THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. CARMAX SUGGESTED I TAKE THE CAR TO A GMC DEALER FOR REPAIR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE GMC DEALER, THEY REPAIRED IT AND 1 1/2 WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS CUTTING OFF AGAIN. I WENT TO THE GMC DEALER A SECOND TIME AND THEY SAID, "THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE MY CONCERNS, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, THE ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON AND THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR 10 MINUTES WITHOUT ANY ISSUES". AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 5 DAYS, THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AND THE CAR IS STALLING. I HAVE TO ACCELERATE OVER 10 - 20 MILES FOR THE CAR TO STAY ON. I KNOW THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG, I HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO DRIVE BECAUSE WITH THE CAR CUTS OFF ON ME AND NO ONE HAS GIVEN A REASON AS TO WHY. I DO NOT WANT TO GET HIT FROM BEHIND. I DRIVE THE HIGHWAY WITH A SMALL CHILD DAILY. I AM CONCERN THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR!!!

LEAVING MY PARKING SPOT AFTER GOING OUT TO EAT I WENT IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AT ABOUT 5MPH, TURNED THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND THEN TURNED BACK ON. PUT IT IN DRIVE AND JUST AS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE IT STALLED. THIS HAPPENED 10-12 TIMES WHILE I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT. VEHICLE STALLED WHILE LEAVING CAR WASH AS I WAS EXCELLERATIG OUR. VEHICLE STALLED AS I WAS LEAVING A COMPLETE STOP FROM A STOP SIGN ON A CITY STREET. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE STALLING WHILE STARTING TO ACCELERATE. 43,000 MILES FROM FIRST OCCURRENCE CURRENTLY AT 43,300 STILL HAPPENING ON A REGULAR BASIS.

THIRD TIME WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS THE CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE AND STALL. I PULL OVER OR STAY IN PLACE AS THE CAR PROCEEDS TO TURN OFF. THE SERVICE STABILITY TRACTION AND ENGINE LIGHTS LIGHT UP AND THE CAR DIES. EACH TIME I AM ABLE TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON WITHIN A FEW MINUTES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, GASKET KIT, AND CHAIN LINKS FOR THE TIMING BELT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER BEING SERVICED, THE VEHICLE LATER BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD AND THE GEARS ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,461.