The contact owns a 2024 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact's wife attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the gear shifter failed to move from neutral(N) and remained in Low Power Mode. The vehicle was…
2024 GMC Terrain powertrain problems
moderate 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 17 powertrain complaints filed for the 2024 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.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 40% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Multiple 2024 GMC Terrain owners report critical powertrain failures within the first year and low mileage (under 20,000 miles), including sudden loss of power while driving, internal transmission defects, and component failures that GM has not issued a public recall for despite internal service bulletins and known widespread occurrence. Repairs take 8–12 weeks with parts shortages, and replacements are failing again in days or at higher mileage.
Owners describe catastrophic powertrain failures starting just weeks after purchase. The most common complaint is sudden, complete loss of engine power while driving at highway or city speeds, forcing emergency coasts to the roadside. Gear indicators shift to Park on their own; vehicles enter limp mode or freeze in neutral. A pattern of transmission internal breakdown emerges: snap rings fracture, clutches burn severely, valve bodies fail, and pistons have shot through the housing. Dealers confirm up to eight identical vehicles waiting for repair in their service bays. One owner's vehicle failed twice during an initial 12-week repair cycle, then again five days after the rebuild. Replacement transmissions are arriving defective—one already leaking by 14,800 miles due to case porosity and pump seal failure.
Secondary failures include unintended acceleration lasting two seconds after the driver releases the pedal, driveshaft fracture, and pressure solenoid malfunctions that disable reverse. One 2025 model has entered limp mode more than 30 times since December despite dealer software updates. GM issued internal service bulletins (TSB PIP5974E regarding snap rings; CSP N232433890) starting May–July 2024, but no public recall. Owners report parts shortages keeping vehicles down for 8–12 weeks. GM has declined multiple buy-back requests and reportedly told owners not to trust third-party information about the defect.
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission loss of power and driveline dropout
Vehicle loses all engine power without warning while driving at highway or city speeds, requiring emergency coast to shoulder or safe area. Gear indicator may shift to Park on its own; vehicle becomes immobilized and requires tow.
When: Early ownership; 3,800–18,000 miles; one report at 6,766 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power mid-drive; Gear indicator shifts to Park without driver input; Service transmission and check engine lights illuminate; Vehicle enters limp mode; Engine/transmission unable to restart normally or gear shifter frozen in neutral
Codes mentioned: P0700, P073E
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers report '7–8 other vehicles with same issue' in service bays. GM issued Technical Service Bulletin PIP5974E. Parts on back order 3+ weeks; repairs take 8–12 weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Customer Satisfaction Program N232433890 issued May 16, 2024. Multiple service bulletins issued to dealerships; no public recall. GM declined owner buy-back requests.
Internal transmission failure and snap ring defect
Snap ring, clutch, and valve body defects cause transmission internal breakdown. Clutch burns severely; valve body fails. First repair fails; second repair with new transmission fails within days; third transmission leaks.
When: First failure at ~2 months ownership (June 2024); recurrence 5 days after first rebuild; around 6,779 miles at first complete failure; 14,800 miles after replacement unit installed
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slip or shift hesitation; Engine RPM increases suddenly without acceleration; Unable to engage reverse (reverse light blinks but no response); Transmission completely torn down on inspection; Piston shot through transmission housing causing fluid leak; Subsequent replacement transmission has hard/erratic shifts
Repairs/costs cited: First repair: TCM replaced (ineffective). Second repair: Snap ring, clutch, and both valve bodies replaced (12-week down time). Third repair: Seal or ring replaced (still failed). Fourth repair: Complete transmission replacement ordered. Replacement transmission develops porosity in case/front pump seal leak by 14,800 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM released bulletin July 30, 2024 regarding bad snap ring condition (after initial diagnosis). No recall issued.
Transmission valve body defect
Valve body fails, causing sudden loss of power while driving. Dealer confirms this is 'a common occurrence.' Fault codes reference valve body components.
When: Early ownership; one reported May 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden complete loss of power while driving; Service transmission warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement part unavailable as of complaint date (May 2024). Dealer notes defect is widespread.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; no recall or public notification.
Transmission fluid leak – torque converter seal and case defects
Torque converter seal fails allowing transmission fluid to leak. Replacement transmission develops porosity in case creating secondary leak at front pump seal.
When: Torque converter leak at 3,787 miles; replacement unit leak at 14,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid leak visible underneath vehicle; No warning light initially
Repairs/costs cited: First leak: torque converter seal. Replacement transmission: defective case and pump seal, leaking by 14,800 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Gear shift malfunction and transmission control module failure
Gear shifter fails to engage from park or neutral; reverse function fails or stops working. Initial diagnosis blamed TCM; replacement ineffective, pointing to internal transmission defect.
When: Early ownership; one at ~2 months; another after 12-week repair
Symptoms owners cite: Unable to engage reverse (reverse light blinks but no gear change); Gear shifter frozen in Neutral or Park; Cannot shift out of Park
Repairs/costs cited: TCM replacement did not resolve issue. Later found to be snap ring, clutch, and valve body defects.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Initial diagnosis offered TCM replacement; later service bulletins indicated internal transmission root cause.
Unintended acceleration and throttle control failure
Vehicle continues to accelerate for approximately two seconds after driver releases accelerator in forward gear and reverse, requiring emergency braking. Throttle position held by transmission/engine control.
When: Not specified in detail; described as recurring in heavy traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle continues acceleration 2 seconds after throttle release; Unintended acceleration in reverse at high rate requiring moderate braking; Driver must fight engine output with brake pedal until system stops on its own
Driveshaft fracture
Driveshaft fractures without warning while driving. Sound recurs days later but dealer unable to duplicate or repair.
When: 1,200 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop from underneath vehicle; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer repaired driveshaft fracture. Pop recurred days later; dealer unable to isolate and no repair attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Engine power derate and shutdown while driving
Engine enters reduced power (derate) mode or cuts power completely while driving at highway speeds, occurring repeatedly and unpredictably. Limp mode triggered without clear resolution.
When: 2025 model year; reported as occurring more than 30 times since December
Symptoms owners cite: Engine power reduced/derated while driving 70 mph; Engine cuts out and decreases power; Service messages displayed; Unpredictable recurrence after software update attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted software update twice; derate continued.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; no effective remedy.
Pressure solenoid A malfunction and reverse gear failure
Transmission pressure solenoid A fault causes service transmission warning and limp mode. Check engine light intermittent. Reverse function stops working after second failure.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Engine light on and 'service transmission' message displayed; Engine enters limp mode; Light clears temporarily when vehicle sits; Reverse gear stops functioning on second occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Fault identified as pressure solenoid A via scan.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
We purchased our 2024 GMC Terrain on April 13, 2024 and on June 12, 2024 my husband and I were headed out to go to dinner and when leaving our neighborhood I noticed a weird transmission shift or slip and then the vehicle rpms increased suddenly. I pulled off the road and put the vehicle in park then I attempted to put the vehicle in reverse. The reverse lit up and just began to blink in the…
Bought new car August 16th 2024. Few days later, I was turning left at a light and the car lost power as I was turning and error messages came up on the dash screen saying service transmission. I also observed that the cars gear indicator went to Park by itself even though the car was still moving. Pushed the engine start button and car came back on and I switched the gear to Drive. Took car in…
Purchased new from dealership 2024 GMC Terrain 4/2024. On 6/26/24 while driving the vehicle the transmission came apart and the vehicle suddenly stopped and would barely move off of the roadway. Had this happened 2 min prior while at highway speeds in crowded conditions, I can only imagine how many injuries could have occurred. My vehicle had 3800 miles on it. Upon my personal research, I found…
I purchased a new 2024 GMC Terrain in March 2024. At the time of the incident the mileage was approximately 18,000 miles. On [XXX], as I was driving on a MA state highway, the car lost power with no warning. I was able to "coast" into a parking lot where I contacted OnStar; a flatbed tow truck was dispatched and the car was towed to the local dealership where it was purchased. At this time, the…
Was driving along and transmission downshifted (?) wouldn't change gears. Tachometer was like a race car. Just went wild. Limped it along to a dealership. They informed us it was probably the transmission. It was determined it was indeed the transmission. They also stated that they had 7 more waiting in the service area waiting for parts to repair. Ours was to be #8. We called the dealer we…
I was leaving work when my car had trouble accelerating from stop. The engine revved, but the gear would not engage. It happened several more times after I stopped at a light or slowed to get on the highway. It would take a minute or so to engage, and then I could drive the car, but it made it dangerous when trying to merge on to the highway or to make any turns in to traffic. It then happened…
Unintended acceleration in forward and reverse: the vehicle experiences unintended acceleration both in forward and reverse. While driving in heavy traffic, the vehicle continues to maintain throttle position for approximately two seconds after releasing the throttle, creating a dangerous situation where the vehicle continues to accelerate towards other cars. This defect requires emergency…
ON [XXX] my spouse was driving her new 2024 GMC Terrain in Asheville, NC. When suddenly the car stopped and when was able to maintain control and coast to a safe area. The vehicle was subsequently taken to the dealers service center GMC Asheville, NC (Harry's on the Hill). The diagnosis was determined to be a defective a transmission valve body. In discussion with the dealer service manager he…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2024 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 2024 GMC Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 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?
Based on the 17 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 3,918 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 $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/2024/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.