16 complaints reported

2019 GMC Terrain Power Train

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
16
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Aug 2025

The GMC Terrain P187E transmission code indicates a problem with the transmission senor or shift interlock. It prevented our car from shifting into park. The car won't start now. We had to disconnect the battery because the car would not stop beeping. Milage is only 22000 miles and we have owned it for less then 2 months. It is a 9 speed transmission which I understand this to be an on going issue with this transmission.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2025
May 2025

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to the Nissan dealer where it was purchased for an oil change, the dealer informed the contact that there was a crack in the transmission. The vehicle was then taken to a GMC dealer, where the contact was informed that the crack was more than two months old. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,700.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2025
Apr 2025

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral(N) and the vehicle lost motive power while the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the vehicle had shifted from park(P) to drive(D) and into neutral(N). There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not identified. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2022
Mar 2025

While driving the car went into power save mode and completely shut down. There were no prior lights or warnings that the car was having issues. While driving at 45mph on a busy road it just suddenly shut down. It would not move to get it out of the road. I was almost hit from behind. After the car was towed, it was diagnosed as a broken vacuum pump and exhaust camshaft. Our Terrain only has 67,773 miles at the time of the incident which was unfortunately just outside of warranty. Since this incident and the repair, the car has had to go back to the shop 4 times. It is still not driving correctly and stalled as I pulled out onto a main road almost causing an accident. Still working on getting it diagnosed and repaired correctly. The mechanics I have spoken to indicated this engine/car is known for these issues. Without any warning lights or signs of issues prior it really put us in a dangerous situation.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2024
Apr 2024

First the car started jerking while drive over 50mph, next day driving down the street and the car shut off, stating loss of power. I replaced the battery, it was giving battery low codes, only to get a certified mechanic say the timing chain was out. Just purchased the car in March 2022.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2023
Dec 2023

jerking at times while driving.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2023
Feb 2023

My car automatic transmission is acting up when shifting from gear 5-6. It slips and it feels like the car is on Neutral for few seconds ( the engine RPM goes up to more than 4000 RPM)after it shifts to the 6th gear. When It shifts it feels like somebody hit us from the back. This is happening in internal roads, intermittently and on speed around 30mph. I'm worried this will cause the cars behind us to hit us when it happens. Everytime it occurs my baby starts crying. I'm concern about the safety of my family when we drive this car. I took the car to the dealership multiple times and they said that there's nothing wrong with the car.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2023
Jan 2023

I bought this car a couple of months ago. This problem didn't happen when I took it on a test drive from dealership. It happened after I bought it. Specifically when I start driving it more often. Sometimes a slipping occurs when shifting between gears 5-6. This happens intermittently on internal roads, not at high speed. When the car shifts the RPM goes up to 4000 RPM, sometimes even more, it feels like the car is in neutral for a few seconds, before it switches to the 6th gear. I have to remove my foot from the gas pedal to not let the RPM get very high. When this happens it feels like somebody hit us from the back. Last time my baby started crying when this happens. I'm a little concerned about our safety when we drive this car. The issue is that this problem is difficult to duplicate. Sometimes it happens more than once in 1 day and sometimes it doesn't happen for a while. I did some research online about similar cases with GM SUVs and some said that their problem was resolved after changing a defective valve Body and TCM and some said it's the clutch. It also can be transmission fluid but this car has a low mileage (28500) I doubt the transmission fluid need to be changed. Based on the GMC maintenance schedule, the transmission oil should be changed when this car reaches 45k. I took this car to the dealership multiple times, they check it and they tell me that they're unable to duplicate this issue. I'm not sure what else to do! I love this car. I'm disappointed that I had to deal with this issue that I believe is a safety hazard and could cause accidents. I need your help please!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2023
Jul 2022

Transmission slips from cold start No. Have not taken to Dealer No. No. Warning lights or messages

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2021
Oct 2021

TRANSMISSION WOULD REV UP BETWEEN 4TH AND 5TH GEAR ONLY IN THE ON THE FIRST DRIVE. AFTER THAT IT WOULD SHIFT NORMALLY . WENT INTO DEKALB GMC ILLINOIS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS SOME PISTONS AND OTHER PARTS. THEY HAD IT FOR A WEEK OR TWO BECAUSE OF OTHER TRANS JOBS AHEAD ON MINE. GOT CAR BACK AND IT WAS WORKING FINE FOR A MONTH OR SO AND THEN IT STARTED TO SHIFT BAD AGAIN BETWEEN THE SAME TWO GEARS ONLY LONGER GAP BETWEEN SHIFTS THIS TIME. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE TECH ORDERED MORE PARTS TO REPAIR THE TRANS AND SAID I WOULD POSSIBLY GET IT BACK ON OCTOBER 19TH BY END OF DAY. IS THIS GOING TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM? IF SO WHAT IS THE LAW ABOUT 3 OR MORE REPAIRS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS THE SECOND REPAIR SO FAR.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2021
Feb 2021

WHEN I SHIFT IT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE ON A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE, THE ENGINE WILL REV AND NOT ACCELERATE AFTER I INITIALLY START MOVING FORWARD. IT ACTUALLY ALMOST COMES TO A STOP BEFORE FINALLY ACCELERATING. IT HAS NOW STARTED DOING IT WHILE DRIVING AND STALLED IN THE HIGHWAY ON 2/13. I CARRIED IT LAST YEAR FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT. TODAY, THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. THEY CAN'T EXPLAIN WHY IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. EVEN THOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ON-STAR TOLD ME TO CARRY IT TO A DEALER. THE SERVICE TECH GUY ALSO TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE HAD 67,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS LESS THAN 30,000 (NOT SURE ON THE EXACT NUMBER SINCE IT IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP.) IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT SINCE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IT, THEY AREN'T EVEN GOING TO INVESTIGATE IT FURTHER.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2021
Nov 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION KEPT SLIPPING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR AND A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PERUZZI BUICK GMC (156 LINCOLN AVE, FAIRLESS HILLS, PA 19030, (866) 526-8445) WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO SLIP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE 02 SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2018
Sep 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR FROM THE PARKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BRICKELL BUICK & GMC (665 SW 8TH ST, MIAMI, FL 33130, 786-504-1353), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AGAIN TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION UNABLE TO SHIFT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEHMAN BUICK GMC (21200 NW 2ND AVE, MIAMI, FL 33169, (305) 356-7579). THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS AUTHORIZED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS CURRENTLY DIAGNOSING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2018
Jul 2019

ON OR ABOUT MAY 22ND, I LEASED A NEW GMC TERRAIN FROM LAMBERT GMC IN CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO. ON JULY 2 WITH LESS THAN 1900 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT ENACTING FULL EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 LANE ROAD CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE OR ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RON MARHOFER IN NORTH CANTON OHIO. FINALLY AFTER A WEEK DELAY ON 7/8 I RECEIVED A CALL THAT THE VALUE CASE WAS DAMAGED FROM MANUFACTURING. AS OF THIS COMPLAINT, NO RESOLVE TO THE REPAIR. I AM REQUESTING/DEMANDING UNDER GOOD FAITH THAT GM PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BACK.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Feb 2019
Jul 2019

THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JUNE 22, 2019, WITH 19 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND HAD 1102 MILES ON IT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. ON 19 JULY, 2019 MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 NEAR THE ROCKY MOUNT EXIT WHEN I PULLED INTO THE PASSING LANE TO GO AROUND SLOWER TRAFFIC (APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH). UPON PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED, BUT THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DID NOT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SURGE (TO THE EXTENT THAT I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN REAR-ENDED) AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. AT THIS POINT, WE WERE STARTLED, AND CONTINUED UNTIL EXITING NC HWY 13 WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENT OTHER THAN THE CRUISE CONTROL BECOMING INOPERATIVE AFTER THE INITIAL INCIDENT. UPON ARRIVING AT THE OUTSKIRTS OF GREENVILLE, NC WE ENCOUNTERED A RED LIGHT AND HAD TO STOP. UPON PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE RPM ONCE AGAIN INCREASED AND ANOTHER VIOLENT SURGE WAS EXPERIENCED. AT THAT POINT, WE ENTERED A GAS STATION AND CALLED ONSTAR FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CAR WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP (BROWN & WOOD GMC) WHERE THE ON-DUTY MECHANIC DUPLICATED THE UNSAFE CONDITION. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS SO NEW, AND THEY COULD NOT CONTACT CORPORATE UNTIL MONDAY (JULY 22). I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP SATURDAY (JUL 20) TO GET A STATUS AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A LOANER VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE VEHICLE WAS EVEN WORSE THAN THE DAY BEFORE - I DID NOT INQUIRE AS TO WHAT THAT MEANT BECAUSE IT WAS PRETTY UNSAFE AND SCARY TO EXPERIENCE IT THE DAY BEFORE. I WAS NOTIFIED YESTERDAY BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE ISSUE IS A VALVE BODY, BUT THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE TO RECEIVE THE PART.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2019
Jun 2019

JUST OVER 5200 MILES STARTED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE WHEN STOPPING OR STARTING. AROUND 5500 MILES STARTED HEARING LOUD CLICKING ROARING SOUND. WAS RETURNING HOME FROM VACATION ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND KNEW ALL SERVICE AREAS OF ALL GM DEALERSHIPS WOULD BE CLOSED BUT HEADED TO A NEARBY CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN BOSSIER CITY, LA TO LEAVE CAR TO BE LOOKED AT ON MONDAY. NEVER MADE IT. CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. I LEFT CAR AND RETURNED HOME TO MCKINNEY TX. FOLLOWING TUESDAY RECEIVED TEXT MESSAGE FROM DEALERSHIP THAT THE PLANETARY GEAR AND SOME OTHER PARTS WENT OUT. PARTS ON ORDER BUT NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL FOLLOWING FRIDAY. SEARCHING INTERNET FOUND SEVERAL REPORTS OF 2017, 2018, 2019 GMC TERRAINS HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. SEEMS GM HAS TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH THE TERRAIN TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING, SLIPPING, AND FAILING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2019 GMC TERRAIN, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2019

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2019 GMC Terrain has 16 Power Train complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.