38 of the 4,355 complaints filed about the GMC Terrain are about the suspension — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2013.
38
Complaints
1%
Share of all complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
SUSPENSION
Car aggressively shakes and steering wheel shakes / jerks itself side to side when accelerating. Getting worse with time. GMC has it as a known issue but has been for months. Problem is getting worse the more it is driven. GMC says it is “safe”.
NHTSA complaint #11737213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the front driver’s side suspension while driving over bumps in the roadway, and while braking and turning the steering wheel. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where a test drive was performed; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 14.
NHTSA complaint #11731543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
My SUV pulls hard to the right when braking at speeds above 50 mph and much more on the interstates at 65 mph and above. I first experienced this after three weeks of ownership on a drive up I-95 on a trip to NC. It has happened numerous times while traveling on the interstates and has almost caused loss of control when having to brake hard when cut off by another driver or traffic suddenly coming to a stop. The vehicle has been to the service department numerous times....at first they suspected a braking issue and have had both calipers replaced, all brake lines replaced, lower control arms replaced and the right side strut replaced. None of these repairs have solved the problem. The factory service rep who took over the situation tested 3 other GMC 2025 Terrain suvs and all had the same problem. He reported the issue on a safety report to GM in Michigan and the response from GM was that it is a normal condition for the Terrain models. I have never owned, driven, or ridden in another vehicle in over 50 years of driving which performed like this, this is not a normal condition in my opinion.
NHTSA complaint #11728525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Vehicle “wobble” under moderate acceleration and in corners, can be felt in the seats and steering wheel.
NHTSA complaint #11724409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
2015 gmc terrain sle awd. Suv was taking in for oil change found excessive rust on frame under all four doors. On both sides rust and holes near the front of both rear wheels. I believe its called the "rocker" I'm unsure. I bought the car at a little over 71,000 miles in 2022-2023 now just getting to 94,000 in February 2026. If there was rust which there probably was the car should have not been sold if the rust was enough to cause problem later on. I may need to go purchase a new car while still owe some money in the car loan. Rust and hole in the rear control arm. The amount to replace and repair all the parts with labor exceeds current value.
NHTSA complaint #11721580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Front drivers side wheel makes a clicking/popping noise when turning to the right.
NHTSA complaint #11693908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Recently experience rear differential binding with vehicle resulting in an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11689378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
GMC Consumer Relations Subject: Structural Undercarriage Safety Defect – 2012 GMC Terrain SLE Vehicle Information: Year/Make/Model: 2012 GMC Terrain SLE VIN: [XXX] Mileage at Purchase: 148,305 Date of Purchase: [XXX] Location: Rochester, New York I am filing a complaint regarding a severe undercarriage safety defect in my 2012 GMC Terrain SLE. The rear undercarriage of this vehicle shows heavy structural corrosion on suspension brackets and mounts. The condition produces clanging noises during normal driving, and an independent licensed mechanic has refused to work on the vehicle because the suspension integrity is unsafe. When I returned the vehicle to the dealer, I observed additional brackets being attached under the rear subframe area, suggesting reinforcement of compromised structural points. This confirms that the corrosion directly affects suspension geometry, alignment, and stability. This corrosion is not cosmetic. It is advanced structural deterioration affecting the mounting points for trailing arms and lateral links. These components are critical to safe turning, stability, and control. The corrosion compromises the ability of the suspension to keep the wheels aligned, creating serious risks of loss of control or wheel separation. What makes this more alarming is that the vehicle passed a New York State safety inspection on 07/13/2025, yet within days a mechanic refused to perform unrelated service because of the undercarriage condition. This raises questions not only about inspection validity, but also about the underlying durability and corrosion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11687398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
When driving down the interstate the vehicle sways and makes steering challenging. Potential lack of control when hitting bumps on road at highway speeds. Taken to the dealership that sold the vehicle. They confirmed the issue. No warnings lights or notifications at this time.
NHTSA complaint #11671245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
First time I had problems with my 2021 Terrain I took it to victory GMC on 9/20/24. At the it had 45,000 miles. Every time I would drive and accelerate it would shake extremely bad in the floorboard. There was also transmission fluid leaking. I picked the car up on 9/27/2024 and was advised that both front axles were replaced, which corrected the shaking and the driver side axle seal was replaced, which was where the leak was coming from. this was covered under warranty but at 45,000 miles I should not have been already having axle problems or any type of leak. I dropped my car off again on May 5, 2025. When I called them the day I made the appointment I let them know I had a service transmission message show up and then go away, I told them it’s taking longer to kick into gear when I’m on the highway, I told them it revs up past 4 1/2 RPMS at times when it had not previously done this and it just sounded like the engine is working harder. I also told them I had a check engine line come on and go off and it was code P2271 which was an oxygen sensor code. I also told them when I had the oil changed. They told me there was a slight oil cooler leak starting. All this was supposedly addressed when I dropped it off to be serviced on 5/5/25. I was called on five 625 to pick up my vehicle notifying me that they found no issues. They were unable to verify concern concerning my check engine light. They said there was no oil cooler leaking, it was just slightly seeping, so not considered a leak. And they said no transmission concern operated as designed. Fast forward to May 9, 2025… I got in my car in the morning and once again the check engine light was on. I drove it straight to GMC and had them put the reader on it. The oxygen sensor code came on. The same code I told them about on the 5th that they said was fine on the 6th. I made an appointment once again to get this check engine light looked at although the check engine light is not on at the moment again.
NHTSA complaint #11663450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
My transmission keeps sticking when I shift into drive or reverse. Just a couple of days ago, it happened the worst it has ever done before. I shifted into reverse and my vehicle was completely stopped when I shifted. I began to let off of the brakes and gently push the accelerator to start moving back, my vehicle then punched itself into reverse. I felt after that incident, something had to have been damaged. I’m almost afraid to drive my vehicle after that. When my vehicle punched itself into reverse, I was literally jolted towards the steering wheel and thankfully my seatbelt caught me. Incidents with the the shifting into drive or reverse have happened before, but never nearly as intense. About a year ago, I brought my vehicle in to my local GMC Dealership for a concern with my transmission shifting weirdly and holding itself in gear at an unnecessarily high RPM speed. The technician stated to me, “with these 9-speeds, they tend to get confused at various speeds”. I asked him to elaborate and he could not. These issues have now gotten worse. With my suspension, every turn I take, I get a kreaking sound from my front driver side wheel well. It sounds as if my tire if going to break off. I’ve done visual inspections and nothing out of the ordinary is noticeable to the eye. My vehicle is a 2019 with less than 40,000 miles on it. I should not be having all of these issues. I’m genuinely concerned for my safety.
NHTSA complaint #11606036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Will like car facts
NHTSA complaint #11571851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
When turning right or left from a stop, the steering wheel jerks sharply in the opposite direction as soon as the car starts to accelerate. Diagnostic tests and inspection determined that the steering gear is loosing voltage causing the jerk in the steering wheel. The gear has the latest calibration and needs to be replaced. Cost estimate to replace is $2035.63
NHTSA complaint #11552276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Transmission and control arms
NHTSA complaint #11543242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Just purchased this vehicle has about 64500 miles on it. When accelerating between 40-55 (hard acceleration) my vehicle wobbles really bad, seems like a tire issue. Have had the front end looked at, and tires all balanced and inspected. Noting out of the ordinary. Then all of a sudden my rear view back up camera works, but my back up assist symbols are not showing/working. I checked the settings and they are turned on. To top off the cake, when the weather is cold outside my windshield wiper fluid will not spray from the front windshield or rear, then when it warms up or is parked in a garage it works again. I have made sure the correct wiper fluid is added as well so it does not freeze. But apparently it is getting stuck somewhere......
NHTSA complaint #11507301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the contact heard a sound coming from the rear of the vehicle and had the shocks replaced. While the vehicle was getting a routine oil change, the mechanic noticed that the vehicle was rusted, causing the rear suspension trailing arms to detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #11495297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Water in spare tire component area stays there even when it rains and during car washes; also I replace the suspension and still hearing cracking noise as I make turns
NHTSA complaint #11465866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE DUE TO A VIOLENT SIDE TO SIDE WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END MUCH LIKE THE JEEP DEATH WOBBLE. THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY ANYWHERE FROM 30MPH - 70MPH USUALLY AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP OR WHEN TURNING HARD. THE TURNING ASPECT IS WHERE IT HAS BECOME VERY DANGEROUS ON SLIPPERY SURFACES AS THE CAR THEN SLIDES OUT. I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS WHERE THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURANCE. I AM ACTUALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. THE DEALERS HAVE CONFIRMED THE ISSUE, BUT STATES THAT GM DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THIS AS OF NOW. I HAVE HEARD THIS IS AFFECTING ONLY THE AWD TERRAINS AND EQUINOX PLATFORMS. GM HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TRYING TO GET AN ANSWER OR GETTING THIS FIXED. THE CAR HAS BEEN INTO MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR TURNED ABOUT 2400 MILES AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY SINCE THEN FOR THE PAST 6000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11396428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I HAVE HAD THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT REPLACED BY THE DEALER TWO TIMES. IT HAS BEEN SHORTING OUT AND COME TO FIND OUT THE PLUG THAT THE BULB CONNECTS TO HAS BEEN BROKEN AND NO ONE FIXED THE ISSUE. ALSO I HAD MY FRONT AXLE'S HAVING ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #11373930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I WAS HAVING THE STRUTS AND SHOCKS LOOKED AT IN MY CAR. WHILE THE WORKER FINISHED THE JOB, HE PUT THE CAR DOWN AND TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE TO MAKE SURE IT WAS GOOD TO GO. ONE THAT TEST DRIVE, HE SAID SOMETHING DID NOT SEEM CORRECT. AFTER HE GOT IT BACK TO THE SHOP AND BACK ON THE RACK, THE FRAME WAS CRACKED AND RUSTED THROUGH. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE WHEN MY CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY WORKED ON BY GETTING A NEW BALL JOINT BACK IN THE FALL OF 2019.
NHTSA complaint #11325677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.