98 of the
4,355 complaints filed about the GMC Terrain
are about the throttle and cruise control —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2011.
98
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
6
Crashes
1
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
I was driving the vehicle on the highway the cruise control was on. All of a sudden I got a warning on vehicle info panel that stated vehicle power is reduced. The vehicle decelerated on its own and I could not accelerate past 55. The check engine light came on. I pulled off the road and turned the vehicle off. After about 10 minutes, I started the car back up and proceeded down the highway at normal speed. The check engine light remained on. I stopped at a Chevrolet dealer service center in Ft Stockton, TX, to have the vehicle looked at. They could find no error codes and could not duplicate the problem. I was sent on my way. This has happened multiple times while driving on roads in my area. Mostly while on the highway.
NHTSA complaint #11740102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Random problems accelerating. Like I can be pulling out of my parking spot in revese then switch it to drive an try to move and it won’t move at all or very slowly then out of nowhere it accelerates fast
NHTSA complaint #11731643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Friday July 25, 2025 I was driving my 2019 GMC Terrain SLE and when exiting the interstate the brake pedal got hard and I could not stop. After almost rear ending another vehicle, I got the vehicle into the ditch and safely off the road. After several attempts to correct the problem, I was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed home and seen by a mechanic. The vacuum pump went out while I was driving.
NHTSA complaint #11676573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 6/22/2025, brakes stopped working while trying to make a turn. Next multiple engines light came and car went into reduced speed mode. As I tried to find a safe place to stop, the vehicle went into limp mode and shut down in the middle of the road. The dealership said the issue was the vacuum pump which caused the timing chains to break. There have multiple recalls for this exact issue but my car is not on the list. My manufacture warranty ended on 5/21/2025. When I spoke to a GM representative I was told there was nothing they can do because there is not a recall for my vehicle. They explained even though I had the same problem the recall is for other vehicles. GM also issued a warranty extention on the vacuum pump to 10 years 150,000 miles. However my vehicle is not on the list for the extention. this issue is a safety hazard regardless of the vehicle type. I was lucky that no one was behind me or they would have hit me.
NHTSA complaint #11669590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unintended acceleration in forward and reverse: the vehicle experiences unintended acceleration both in forward and reverse. While driving in heavy traffic, the vehicle continues to maintain throttle position for approximately two seconds after releasing the throttle, creating a dangerous situation where the vehicle continues to accelerate towards other cars. This defect requires emergency braking to prevent a collision. In reverse , the vehicle also holds throttle position after the accelerator is released. This results in the vehicle unintentionally accelerating in reverse at a rapid pace. This requires the driver to depress the brake moderately to control the reverse speed. During this event the driver is fighting against the motor with the brake pedal until the vehicle decided to stop accelerating on its own.
NHTSA complaint #11662023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving on slightly uphill 55 mph highway, vehicle started jumping & losing engine power. Engine light came on, I made it to the top as it was slowing down. Pulled off to the side. Put it in park for a minute. Message showing on dash read - acceleration power reduced. Drove it on home (engine light stayed on) parked it & had it towed to dealership the next morning. Got a call from dealership the same afternoon saying the vehicle was ready to be picked up. Picked up later in evening from dealership. They left keys & paper in car for pick up. We still tend the paper left it in the box showing we picked it up. The vehicle drove good back home. Drove it the next day, As I was pulling out from a stop sign, it started jumping again for a few seconds. Got home & had my husband to drive it, as we were coming up a small hill, it started jumping & losing power again engine light was blinking at this point. Dash board read engine power reduced. My husband kept on the accelerater & when we got on top of the hill engine light went off & we drove it back to the dealership & left it to be checked again. They kept the vehicle for 7 days & said they were not able to find concern. We picked it up again. Drove it back home without any incident. It has been parked since we got it home.
NHTSA complaint #11658371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 70-71 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated. There was a red flashing light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle then accelerated. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated, and the message that the sensor was dirty was displayed. The contact stated that the windshield was clean and clear but utilized the windshield wipers, and the warning light disappeared. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 6,912.
NHTSA complaint #11626382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We have had 4 transmissions since we bought the vehicle. It slows down to almost a stop after it hits 30 mph and makes weird noises all throughout the vehicle. The back right tire sticks to the pavement and jerks when i start to drive. The key ignition has been fixed several times and still sometimes won't turn with the key or come out. Yes Warranty told the repaid service company to fix whatever, and they did but it still after 2 more transmission hasn't fixed the issues. Engine light and not sure what else.
NHTSA complaint #11617850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hello. As I come to a complete stop the car will go into auto-stop. After releasing the brake pedal the car will jerk forward . As I press the gas pedal the car Jerks and shakes . The rpm jumps way up and the mph say low.. there's been times I try to accelerate and the car with jerk and put itself into park.. in the middle of traffic.. heart pounding to say the lease. I also notice theres alot of black liquid dripping for the front right side under the front bumper. There were no problems with the car or lamp indicating there were before this. I went to where I brought the car and they told me my warranty expired and that I will need to pay $265 just to diagnose the issue. I didnt have that money. I do have a car code reader and I did my best to find a solution. Codes P0700, P171D, And P187D all appear on my device. I then looked up recalls and my VIN wasn't confirmed.. but I am certain it is the same issue . You do have a open recall for this very particular issue for my particular model . I love my car and GMC. Please remedy this situation and have me driving safely and free minded again and soon ! Please reach back with any feedback as soon as possible. Thanks !
NHTSA complaint #11607419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Was driving along and transmission downshifted (?) wouldn't change gears. Tachometer was like a race car. Just went wild. Limped it along to a dealership. They informed us it was probably the transmission. It was determined it was indeed the transmission. They also stated that they had 7 more waiting in the service area waiting for parts to repair. Ours was to be #8. We called the dealer we bought it from, they sent a tow truck and towed it to their service area. Luckily, I wasn't out on the interstate going 70 mph as I would have been in just a few more minutes. Very scary situation as I was in 3 lanes of traffic. It was in town, so traffic wasn't moving fast. I was 2 hours into my vacation. Needless to say, that put a damper on things. Had to rent a vehicle, unpack my vehicle and repack the rental. Oh, and by the was it is a 2024 Terrain with ONLY 2400 miles!
NHTSA complaint #11600652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On October 13, 2023, I was driving on the highway when my 2014 GMC Terrain power was reduced. Suddenly, the engine light came on and car began throttling. Second, an error message appeared on my dashboard indicating “ engine power is reduced.” Then it stopped in the middle of the highway. I was able to restart my vehicle and drove it to a nearby mechanic shop. The mechanic said the problem was my timing chain and that my vehicle was not drivable. I left my vehicle at the mechanic shop because it was the weekend and It needed it to be towed to the dealership. On Monday, October 16, 2023, I had my vehicle towed to Buick Classic Service Center. After waiting for two days, I received a call from the service center stating that my 2014 GMC Terrain timing chain and pressure gas pump was the cause of the problem - with my vehicle. After, reading other owners similar complaints ; why is there not a recall to address this problem? Now, I am stuck without a vehicle and the company has no idea how long it will take to get the parts needed to fix my vehicle. I was told that the timing chain and a tension is on back order due to the employees of GMC being are on strike.
NHTSA complaint #11551737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 4/10/2023, I took my vehicle to a local GMC dealership because it was stalling and didn't have any power. Upon accelerating the vehicle it would stall and take off at a high speed. The dealership has had my vehicle periodically from April 2023 and it presently sets at the dealership because they ain't getting a code, But after the dealership drove the truck for over 200 miles, they were finally able to duplicate the stalling yet are not able to diagnose the problem!! This vehicle is very dangerous to be on the road and I have almost gotten hit twice and I'm not driving the vehicle anymore at this time. I have previously reached out to you all and I would be most thankful if you could get in touch with me. Thank you
NHTSA complaint #11549930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the accelerator was depressed to overtake a vehicle; however, the vehicle hesitated, and RPM revved to 4,000 RPM. The vehicle then shifted into gear with a jerk, causing the vehicle to shake abnormally. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while accelerating from a stop. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle but was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but persistent. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #11544078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While on highway service brake system warning light came on,brake became hard to apply almost causing an accident. Vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop(dealer).after paying over $1600 the problem was not resolved and found there are numerous complaints about issues with the terrain and no recall issued.are they waiting til someone dies before a recall?
NHTSA complaint #11539270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle begin stalling when accelerating (mostly after stopping) June 2023. My vehicle has almost cause me to have two accidents because it intermittently stalls when I try to cross an intersection. This is my fourth time taking my vehicle to the GMC dealership, and they tell me they can't find anything wrong if there is not a code. I have reached out to Corp, and I'm waiting to see if they can help get to the bottom of my problem. My car has been sitting at the dealership since June 30th 2023....I call the dealership periodically, and they never reach out to let me know what's going on. I am afraid to drive my vehicle at this time because next time another car may not be able stop and give me time to get across the road. I'm filing this complaint because I seriously think someone is gonna get killed.. Thank you
NHTSA complaint #11538258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was backing out of a parking spot when I came in contact with a vehicle going east bound in the parking lot the contact was on the rear right side of my vehicle before I could do anything my vehicle sped up and proceeded to go forward jump a curb I had my foot on the brakes when I realized I wasn’t stopping and heading for a garage I turned right trying to avoid the garage but still hit the corner of garage causing damage then vehicle stopped and shut down.The Vehicle is still being repaired the mechanic said there was damage to a box and cable going to transmission but couldn’t say if it was the fault reported to police end insurance but haven’t gotten any response reported it to General Motors but haven’t gotten a response
NHTSA complaint #11522061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
timing chain issues resulting in a loss of power of the vehicle while driving. The vehicle stalls out and shuts off. Or it will go into power saving mode and slow down to only 20mph. It did this to me one a MAJOR HIGHWAY and I almost was in an accident. Way to many issues with gmc owners and the timing chain on their vehicles
NHTSA complaint #11498874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.