Stopped at Kwik Trip to get coffee before work one morning. Restarted Terrain and while leaving the SUV lost power and went into limp mode in heavy traffic. Car was towed to repair facility. Diagnosed as timing chain and guides failed resulting in major engine damage. Bill was $4302.85. Vehicle had 87397 miles on it.
2015 gmc Terrain engine problems
moderate 60 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
60
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while reversing out of her driveway, the vehicle started making abnormal knocking sounds. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the battery was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the battery was replaced; however, the failure pe…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS CHECKING THE VEHICLE'S OIL LEVEL IN HIS DRIVEWAY, THE OIL PRESSURE SHOT UP FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LYNCH GM SUPERSTORE (2300 BROWNS LAKE DR, BURLINGTON, WI 53105, (262) 763-7500) IN MAY OF 2019 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT TH…
Engine died in the middle of the freeway when driving, creating hazardous condition. It was later found out there was no oil. Oil was changed less than 2000 miles prior by GM dealer, there was no leak on the garage floor and there was no warning that oil was low and the exhaust did not look any different. There was no way to tell the engine was burning oil. The engine had barely 110k miles.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2015 gmc Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 60 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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