2010 GMC Terrain: complete transmission failure

Filed Jan 4, 2022 · Transmission · FL

The transmission failed as I was driving on interstate 4 in orlando florida. The vehicle slipped out of gear and revved as I applied the gas. It slowed and I had to slip it into neutral then back into to drive to get it to catch. Had the vehicle stopped on the interstate it could caused accidents and/or personal injury to me or other drivers. This with just under 70,000 miles on the vehicle. The problem was confirmed by orange buick gmc service center on west colonial drive in orlando florida, as well as at universal automotive on turkey lake road in orlando florida. As to the inspection by the manufacturer, the closest is orange buick gmc. There was no advance warning to me that this might happen. Two weeks earlier I had it at orange buick gmc for regular maintenance.

Filed Apr 10, 2018 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 gmc terrain. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the 'overheated transmission' message displayed on the message center and the vehicle started to decelerate. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle still failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Oct 29, 2017 · Transmission · 47,526 miles · WA

Transmission failed. Shop said it was a broken wave plate. This problem has been recalled on other gmc models but not on mine. The problem is a safety hazard because it causes the wheels to be disconnected from the engine resulting in loss of control. I think gmc neglected to recall all models affected by this defect. My warrantee expired by date but not millage since my vehicle has less than 48,000 miles. Gmc has been advised of this failure and declined to reimburse my cost.

Filed Jan 19, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · MD

I am adding on additional information to my previous complaint #10938600. Gmc sca #14159, 14232, 15810, 12313, and my transmission failure all seem to fall victim to excessive heat. I was pulling into traffic when the transmission failed. My terrain has fallen victim to three possibly four of the five calamities. There is no reason to believe all five will not fail under the same driving conditions. Somehow not once did warning lights come on for multiple engine oil occurrences, nor for my transmission failure. I was an HVAC chiller technician for 28 years. When I hear ECM referenced, as in sca#12312, I have to ask which values were changed and why. Thermistors and pressure switches designed to protect vital engine compartment components run through the ECM yet no warning. My transmission failed on december 4, 2016, the catalytic converter may be bad, the steering gear is suspect, and the engine warning lights have not done what they are supposed to do. The unnecessarily long delay in addressing the oil consumption issue outlined in sca#14159 probably compromised my engine in other ways. Sca#12313 resulted from gm delaying the repair of sca#14159 for so long. What, why, and how. We know what is failing. Simply replacing the part in kind or similar is not addressing why. How do we keep it from happening again is definitely not being addressed. Safety as well as quality issues are at hand here. Gm has ignored my requests for all information regarding sca#14159, 14232, 15810, 12313, and 12312, as well as the transmission. Why they are failing is excessive heat. That is just my guess. They know what it is. I can not afford a costly transmission bill that only finds me back in an unreliable vehicle with some serious safety issues.

Filed Oct 21, 2016 · Transmission · WI

Returning towards home and transmission malfunctioned. Limped at 5 MPH to stark stoughton wi. Sales dept helped with a loaner car because service was closed. Called next day and had to replace transmission.I think around june 8th 2016. Finished around june 17th. Luke piper / [email protected] stark automotive (608)873-5661

Filed Sep 19, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · MD

Requesting a recall on the 2010 gmc terrain. Mileage that was on the sticker was incorrect. Far from the truth. Major oil consumption, never seen anything like it. Tapping noise was reported @ 3,000 was told it was normal. Knew it was not. Had to replace camshaft, electrical problem, head lights constantly going, never lasting anytime. Will now have to replace transmission and probably engine. Gmc stated they have no record of any problems with the terrain they stated if there were any problems there would have been recalls and that the federal safety agency would have done this. Will this be done? Not sure how gmc is getting away with this. So many complaints on line. Are there any class action suits for the terrain? Can we start one? There are plenty of people with the exact same problem. Not even similar it's exact.

Filed Jul 26, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 41,119 miles · CA

While entering a freeway onramp, vehicle would not accelerate. Pulled over and waited a few minutes. Started and limped to the nearest dealer. Transmission went out at 41k miles, 5 years "80 days" (sept 2015) into ownership! Dealer did not offer to do an full goodwill repair, despite the low miles and 80 days past the warranty. Engine constantly uses/burns oil. Service documentation available on request.

Filed May 11, 2016 · Transmission · 103,000 miles · TX

While driving on the highway the transmission stopped working and did nothing but rev high rpms. Had to pull over to the emergency lane, at which point I had to turn off the terrain. Once restarted, the transmission did not shift out of first gear. A month and a half and $3000+ later, a new transmission and 4 computers later, the terrain is still being worked on! According to many different dealers, this is a common issue on the terrains, and many have been in the dealerships for the same issue. So why has this not been a recall issue?

Filed Jan 6, 2016 · Transmission · 100,052 miles · FL

While stopped at a traffic light, the transmission failed and the vehicle switched itself into reverse, propelling the vehicle backwards almost striking the vehicle behind me. The entire transmission required replacement and since it was 52 miles over the warranty period, gmc would not warranty it. The issue that I am asking you to investigate, is gm's response to me when I explained the transmission failure and the car putting itself in the reverse mode. I had been speaking with one of the executive customer service reps who works directly for the ceo of gm, wendy and I was abruptly told this transmission failure and throwing itself into reverse is not considered a problem or issue with gm. I feel that it is a serious problem and concern when the passengers safety is an issue. I cannot believe their attitude and non-action or even concern over this matter as this could have been a tragic occurrence, particularly if it could have been prevented by the manufacturer, gm. I am prepared to take this situation to any level and agency that I need to and I purposely kept the old parts of the transmission that failed. We have a potentially deadly situation here and I am unable to convince any one within gm of the seriousness of this situation. Therefore, I am asking for your assistance as I am convinced that a thorough federal investigation is appropriate and I am also convinced that gm is "sweeping" this issue under the carpet and withholding the truth from the consumer. Anything I can do, please email me or call me any time. Thanks for your concern and action. [xxx] 'information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Jul 25, 2015 · Engine · 35,000 miles · IL

I've had issues with this engine since I first leased the car brand new in 2010 and eventually bought it. The service stabilitrak warning light came on at various times, coupled with really rough idle. I didn't think much of it as it was so random I never thought I had a serious engine defect. In july of 2014 I was driving about 60 miles to work one way, and that is when the real trouble began. The service stabilitrak error message would come on several times during those car trips reducing power. I would pull over to the side of the road and turn the engine off, turn it back on, and most times the car resumed normal driving condition. One day in july 2014 the car just died, it wouldn't run. I had it towed to a gmc dealer and they said it was under warranty as I had under 36,000 miles on the vehicle. They replaced transmission, transaxle, tensioner, chain, chain package, gasket, water pump, and balance shaft replacement. They also reprogrammed ECM and performed more diagnostics on service engine soon warning light. From january 2015 thru july 2015 I've had horrible issues with service stabilitrak errors and the engine going into low power mode. It would go away long enough periods that I just didn't get it looked at but now it comes on reducing power every time I drive the car. I really hope this is covered under warranty somehow or able to be fixed through recall. I feel like I got a lemon from the beginning but didn't know until much later. I'm hesitant to take it into a dealer again now after reading so any horror stories about how the dealers are guessing on how to solve the issues and from my own experience of not getting my issues resolved by the dealer. I'm not blaming the dealer, but it seems there is a fundamental design flaw with this engine.