This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 GMC Terrain powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 GMC Terrain have filed 21 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 38,400 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Terrain | 69 |
| 2012 Terrain | 36 |
| 2013 Terrain | 42 |
| 2014 Terrain | 33 |
| 2015 Terrain (this page) | 21 |
| 2016 Terrain | 10 |
| 2017 Terrain | 23 |
| 2018 Terrain | 39 |
| 2019 Terrain | 49 |
When does it fail?
Of the 21 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 GMC Terrain, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30, 6T35, 6T40, 6T45, and 6T50 Transmissions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a cluster of critical powertrain failures across this generation. Timing chain breaks occur with some owners losing complete engine power and having their vehicle enter limp mode; a partial recall exists for certain VINs only, leaving other owners with identical symptoms uncovered. Engine stalling during normal operation—sometimes with total electrical shutdown of radio and gauges—happens unpredictably from parking lots to highway speeds. Dealers often cannot replicate or diagnose the problem despite multiple visits.
Transmission issues include loss of lower gears after shutdown events and slipping after timing belt repairs. One transfer case broke internally at 50,000 miles, requiring a $2,200 replacement with a six-month wait. Hesitation and loss of acceleration are common, with accelerator pedal becoming unresponsive even when floored. Excessive oil consumption (roughly a quart per 2,000 miles) points to a piston design issue; a class action settlement exists in three states but not all. Dashboard gauges bounce erratically or drop to zero at random, with service lights for stability control and traction coming on during these electrical glitches. Most concerning: owners report these failures happen during highway driving, creating genuine safety hazards, and dealer service often fails to fix the underlying problem.
Same GMC Terrain powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Timing Chain Failure
Timing chain breaks or fails while vehicle is in operation, causing loss of engine power and potential catastrophic engine damage. Owner reports incomplete recall—certain VINs excluded despite experiencing identical symptoms. One owner also reports car stalling during normal operation.
When: 24,461 miles reported in one case; others unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Timing chain breaks during operation; Complete loss of engine power; Stalling while driving; Abnormal noise from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis noted water pump, timing belt, gasket kit, and chain links failure requiring replacement. Cost not specified in most narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Partial recall issued for certain VINs only; other owners with same vehicle model and symptoms refused coverage. Manufacturer acknowledged defect through selective recall.
Engine Stalling and Shut-Down
Engine randomly stalls or shuts down while driving or at stops, sometimes with all electrical systems cutting off (radio, gauges). Occurs unpredictably across various speeds and driving situations. Dealer cannot replicate or diagnose in multiple service visits.
When: Ranges from 5,412 miles to 43,000+ miles; sporadic over extended ownership periods
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off while accelerating from stop; Complete electrical system shutdown (radio, gauges); Vehicle enters limp mode; Stalling 10–12 times during single parking lot exit; Dinging sound before shutdown
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Service Stabilitrack, Traction Control Light, Service Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer initially blamed battery in one case, but no battery warning lights appeared. Multiple diagnostic attempts by same dealer yielded different diagnoses each time. Sensor replacement performed at CarMax; issue recurred within 1.5 weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated unable to replicate problem or find fault. One owner reports letter from manufacturer received but specifics not detailed.
Transmission Slipping and Shifting Failure
Transmission loses lower gears (1st and 2nd) after sudden shutdown, requiring vehicle to reach 20–30 mph for 3rd gear to engage. One case involved transmission slipping after timing belt repair. Another reports transmission codes and shaking on reverse/forward movement.
When: Varies; one incident occurred at 65 mph on freeway
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of 1st and 2nd gears after shutdown; Vehicle enters limp mode after electrical shutdown; Transmission slipping and jerking; Difficulty accelerating; Shaking when reversing or moving forward; Transmission codes present
Codes mentioned: Transmission slipping, Limp mode engagement
Repairs/costs cited: One case required vehicle to reach 20–30 mph to engage 3rd gear for mobility. Transmission not repaired in at least one case.
Transfer Case Failure
Transfer case breaks internally, producing grinding or dragging sounds and visible metal shavings. Occurs after normal freeway and city driving. Part requires replacement from GM supplier with extended lead time due to platform change.
When: Below 80,000 miles; one case at exactly 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sound of metal being dragged underneath vehicle; Grinding noise; Difficult steering wheel alignment; Metal shavings visible inside transfer case
Repairs/costs cited: Transfer case replacement cost $2,200. Part not available immediately; 6+ months wait for GM supplier to manufacture replacement due to platform change.
Excessive Oil Consumption
Engine burns oil at abnormal rate. Mechanic attributed to piston design issue. Owner found class action settlement awarded in 3 states for this defect, though not all states included.
When: Mileage not specified; noted as ongoing issue
Symptoms owners cite: Burning approximately 1 quart every 2,000 miles; Check engine light illuminates; Reduced power warning appears
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Reduced power warning
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic stated pistons have known issue causing excess oil burn. Class action settlement exists in some states.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action settlement awarded in 3 states (not owner's state).
Hesitation and Acceleration Loss
Vehicle hesitates during takeoff or normal driving. Accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive—vehicle will not exceed 20 mph despite throttle input, or barely moves when accelerated. Occurs with check engine light.
When: Reported at various mileages: 5,412 miles in one case; after 4 years of ownership in another
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation during takeoff or low-speed movement; Vehicle will not exceed 20 mph with throttle input; Accelerator pedal feels disconnected; Vehicle barely moves when accelerated
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: One case involved oil and transmission fluid leaks alongside hesitation. Repairs performed at dealer, but failures recurred. Diagnostic codes reset after independent shop testing, but issue returned within 5 days.
Instrument Cluster and Gauge Malfunction
Dashboard gauges (RPM, speedometer, temperature) bounce erratically, drop to zero, or all electrical systems briefly fail. Occurs randomly during driving with no warning and cannot be replicated by dealer.
When: Ongoing; one case mentioned after recalls performed in February 2023
Symptoms owners cite: RPM gauge bounces from 2 to 6–8 without acceleration input; Speedometer fluctuates; Temperature gauge drops to zero; All dashboard gauges shut down simultaneously; Service Stabilitrack and Traction Control lights illuminate
Codes mentioned: Service Stabilitrack, Traction Control Light, Service Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Identified as possible electrical issue requiring specialist shop. Not repaired; owner concerned this signals broader powertrain failure.
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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…
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.…
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…
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…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 GMC Terrain?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2015 GMC Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 21 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 6,000 and 44,000 miles, with the median around 38,400. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,000; a quarter make it past 44,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/GMC/Terrain.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.