I’m crying out to you because I bought a 2019 GMC Terrain in April of this year with about 14,000 miles. The suv ran great for about 2 months and since then I’ve been dealing with nothing but a nightmare. We’re dealing with a situation where the suv goes into park while driving. We’ve brought the suv multiple times to GMC dealership and even reached out to GMC, and had no luck resolving the…
2019 GMC Terrain engine problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2019 GMC Terrain's 1.5L and 2.0L turbocharged engines have serious problems: vacuum pumps failing and causing complete engine failure (often requiring $5,000+ replacement), transmission shifting to park while driving, turbo boost tubes separating, and engines stalling or overheating unpredictably. Owners report GM dealerships know these are chronic issues but haven't issued recalls, and warranty coverage is being denied.
The 2019 Terrain's turbocharged engines are failing in multiple catastrophic ways. The vacuum pump stands out as a chronic failure point—it's a $75-90 part that owners say dealerships want $800+ to replace, and when it goes, it can destroy the entire engine, requiring a full replacement costing thousands. One owner's pump failed while driving at 70 mph on the highway, the vehicle shut down and caught fire. Another owner was told by a GM dealership this pump is a "well-known issue" across multiple makes and models and recommended replacing it every 80,000 miles despite what the owner's manual says.
Transmission problems are frequent: multiple owners report the transmission suddenly shifting into park while driving—a dangerous defect that's happened up to four times for one owner, with dealerships unable to fix it.
Power loss and stalling are widespread: turbo intake tubes separate on the highway, engines misfire and lose power during acceleration, vehicles stall at highway speeds or toll booths and won't restart. One vehicle burned on the interstate at 70 mph with just 14,000 miles on it. Another owner's vehicle overheated with engine oil contaminating the coolant, but the dealership refused warranty coverage even when an independent mechanic cited an applicable service bulletin.
Stop-start automatic shutdown appears linked to additional failures: the battery overheats and the starter smokes when the engine shuts off and won't restart. Dealership mechanics have reportedly told owners "it just happens with these engines, they just go out."
Same GMC Terrain engine reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Vacuum pump failure with catastrophic engine damage
Vacuum pump mechanical failure causing widespread internal engine damage requiring full motor replacement. Owners report this is a known issue across multiple makes/models, with the part costing $75-90 but GM dealerships charging $800+ for replacement. One owner notes the pump is prone to noise and failure, and suggests GM recommends replacement every 80k miles despite what the owner's manual states.
When: 1 year after purchase on used vehicle; another case at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle enters limp mode and runs very poorly; Brake pedal becomes nearly impossible to push; Engine noise from pump before catastrophic failure; Engine shut down while driving on highway at 70 mph; Vehicle catches fire under hood; Loss of power while driving
Codes mentioned: Check engine light illuminated (related complaints)
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required; pump replacement part cost $75-90 but dealership wanted $800; diagnostic fee $250
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; GM dealership stated this is a well-known issue requiring preventative replacement every 80k miles; manufacturer referred one contact to NHTSA with no assistance offered
Engine failure with battery/starter overheating and smoking
Engine fails during stop-start automatic shutdown, with battery overheating and starter smoking. Occurs shortly after purchase on pre-owned vehicle with prior dealer service. Owner reports dealership knows of defect but will not call back or assist.
When: Shortly after purchase; approximately 118,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Battery gets extremely hot and smokes; Starter smokes when vehicle attempts to start; Engine shuts off during stop-start automatic shutdown and will not restart; Vehicle completely non-functional
Codes mentioned: Fuel pump control module fault, Enable circuit performance failure, Passenger side seat belt switch circuit fault
Repairs/costs cited: Engine out of service; dealership performed Regen before sale; battery and starter smoking suggests electrical/thermal issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty declined due to out-of-state service concerns; dealership mechanic stated 'it just happens with these engines they just go out'; GMC working with owner on buyback
Engine overheating with cooling system oil contamination
Engine overheating caused by cooling system contaminated with engine oil. Dealership initially unable to diagnose. Independent mechanic cited Service Bulletin 22-NA-240 as applicable remedy but dealership refused coverage, claiming bulletin does not apply to 2019 model year and warranty had expired.
When: Presented November 27, 2023 at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating; Cooling system contaminated with engine oil; Continuous need to refill coolant
Repairs/costs cited: Service Bulletin 22-NA-240 mentioned by independent mechanic as applicable; dealership claimed not applicable to 2019 model
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin 22-NA-240 issued but dealership stated it does not apply to 2019 model year; warranty denied due to expiration on December 18, 2023
Timing chain, gears, cam phasers, and sensor failure
Complete failure of timing drivetrain components along with cam phasers and sensors, requiring replacement of multiple critical engine parts. Vehicle experienced abnormal engine sound and low power message before stalling.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal sound from engine; Low power message displayed on dashboard; Vehicle stalled and failed to restart
Codes mentioned: Low power message
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis indicated timing chain, timing gears, vacuum pump, cam phasers, and sensors all needed replacement; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but offered no assistance; contact referred to NHTSA
Turbo body tube separation with power loss
Turbocharger intake tube separates from engine during normal operation causing catastrophic loss of boost and power. Defect reoccurs immediately after dealership repair attempt.
When: After 1,000 miles on new vehicle; recurred within 24 hours after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Turbo body tube blows off suddenly during highway acceleration; Engine power reduced to half; Check engine light illuminates; Defect recurs same day after repair
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership attempted repair on July 11, 2019 but same failure occurred July 12, 2019
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership performed repair attempt but defect reoccurred; no further response documented
Transmission shifting to park while vehicle in motion
Transmission unexpectedly shifts into park while vehicle is being driven, presenting serious safety hazard. Occurs multiple times after recent purchase. Dealership has been unable to resolve despite multiple visits.
When: Approximately 2 months after April 2019 purchase with ~14,000 miles; occurred 4 times in owner's possession
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts to park while driving; Vehicle shudders when reversing; Check engine warning light illuminated; Service engine light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Service engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealership visits with no resolution; engineer evaluation still pending at one dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted; dealership engineer evaluation pending but not completed
Cylinder misfire with power loss during acceleration
Engine misfires and loses power during aggressive acceleration for merging or passing, accompanied by illumination of multiple warning lights. Occurred first at 2,000 miles and again at 4,500 miles after dealership service.
When: 2,000 miles, then 4,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power when aggressively accelerating; Three sensor lights flash and illuminate simultaneously; Traction control light illuminates; AWD light illuminates; Check engine light illuminates; Cylinder misfire indicated
Codes mentioned: Cylinder misfire, Traction control fault, AWD fault, Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle serviced at dealership after first event at 2,000 miles; returned to dealership after second event at 4,500 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership serviced vehicle but did not resolve recurring issue
Engine hesitation, RPM fluctuation, and stalling
Multiple instances of engine hesitation, abnormal RPM fluctuations, and complete stalling with check engine warnings. One case involved vehicle stalling at toll booth during stop-start shutdown and refusing to restart.
When: 117,951 miles in one case; 118,000 miles in another; unknown mileage in third case
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle hesitates during acceleration; Check engine warning light illuminates; Abnormal RPM fluctuations while driving; Vehicle stalls completely; Vehicle stalls during stop-start automatic shutdown at toll booth; Vehicle refuses to restart after stalling
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostic performed at independent mechanic but details not provided to owner; dealership unable to diagnose or repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in one case; no assistance offered in others
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2019 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 engine problem on the 2019 GMC Terrain?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 17 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 80,150 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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.
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/2019/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.