I was leaving the area of Hiram and my car started running different and you could hear a taping noise. I drove it to the GMC dealer down the street and they said it was the timing chain. I recently had an oil change and I was wondering if that could be the problem. The dealer gave me no recommendations or indications that I needed to change belts or components and my service engine light has ne…
2016 gmc Terrain powertrain problems
moderate 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
LESS THAN 62,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT. AFTER SEARCHING TO ORDER THE PARTS, I NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS COME UP ACROSS NUMEROUS WEBSITES WHERE OWNERS STATE THAT THEIR VEHICLES TRANSMISSION HAS DIED AROUND 60,000 MILES. THIS TELLS ME GMC IS AT LEAST AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD ENACT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE PARTS SHOULD BE COVERED BY GMC.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 gmc Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 9 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?
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 $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.
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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