2013 GMC Terrain: engine stalls while driving

Filed May 28, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 172,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the transmission failed to shift as needed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stopped and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a transmission center, which determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a claim. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.

Filed Dec 16, 2024 · Engine · 113,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that prior to the vehicle stalling, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that one quart of oil was being added every week. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who added engine oil and was conducting an oil consumption test. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

Filed Jan 5, 2024 · Engine · 39,106 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and then to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to a lack of engine oil. The vehicle was not prepared. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,106.

Filed Feb 27, 2023 · Transmission · 143,083 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the check the engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and pulled over in a parking lot, where the vehicle again lost motive power and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 143,083.

Filed Feb 14, 2023 · Engine · 129,000 miles · IL

The contact's mother owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while she was driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam shaft sensor and timing chain needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer found that the oil level was very low level after having had an oil change the same day. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jan 17, 2023 · Engine · OH

I have almost been in 3 accidents. My 2013 Terrain has stalled while driving..Cut off at lights. Engine reduced while driving and massive oil leak that gas caused timing chain and engine failure. I have read other complaints, and this is sad GMC has been allowed to get away with this. These engines are dangerous and need to be replaced before someone looses their life.

Filed Jan 4, 2023 · Engine · IL

I was driving my 2013 GMC Terrain to a friends house, I stopped at a stop light, when I picked up speed, the car stalled and wouldn't get up to speed. Eventually, it did pick up speed. I went to turn into her neighborhood and the same thing happened. Trying to get to the destination, I continued into the neighborhood. I stopped at a stop sign, and when I tried to accelerate, the car died. No indicator lights were engaged. I turned the car off and waited a minute or so and turned it back on. I got to her house, and charged my battery and drove home without issue. The next day, I went to have my battery checked and they alerted me to a horrible oil leak. I had the car towed to the dealership. The next day, the dealership told me that GMC would specifically have to look at the vehicle to diagnose. I had the car towed to my trusted mechanic and he told me the rear main oil seal blew out and found a service bulletin regarding this issue #14882. I made an appointment with the dealership only to find out that this isn't covered under the bulletin, because it expired in November of 2022, and it's not covered under my warranty. The warranty company stated, "if there isn't evidence of moisture in the PCV it would be covered, but since it's a known issue and a consistent problem with the vehicle, it's not covered." So, my only choice is to pay out of pocket for a defective part that will continue to break and cause the rear main oil seal to blow out of the car, potentially putting me and my 9 year old daughter at risk, because GMC isn't acknowledging this issue and recalling the faulty part that is the ROOT of the problem and has been widely reported. There is also a class action lawsuit that is currently open and ongoing (Case 2:22-cv-10785-MAG-JJCG) which is trying to hold GMC responsible for not recalling the part sooner - when they were made aware of it - putting thousands of consumers at risk. It's also fraudulent for this information to not be disclosed at point of sale.

Filed Dec 28, 2022 · Engine · OH

Was driving vehicle all of a sudden reduce low power engine mode. Sign came on and something about stabilization traction. Not sure exactly what vehicle stalled out will not restart. Also have used too much oil constantly putting oil in one to 2 quarts every two weeks or more.

Filed Oct 13, 2022 · Engine · CA

Excessive oil consumption, on average this vehicle is burning off 2 or more quarts of oil over approximately 1,000 miles. The vehicle is also hard idling, jerky and lunging forward at a stop. The entire engine shakes until it sounds like it stalls out. The Check engine light turns on and off when it has been over 2500 miles after an oil change and when the gas gauge reads 1/4 of a tank or less. The diagnostic tool plug does not register anything; does not even turn the diagnostic tool on when plugged in. This vehicle has stalled while driving with no warning lights or indicators. I called GMC on 10/11/22 to inquiry about these issues the called me back on 10/12/22 and was told that they could not find a recall. I then mentioned the class action lawsuit and they said they found something. They then tried to tell me that recalls are ONLY VIN specific, which is a lie. I already got the recall notice but when I went to get it done they tried to tell me that I had to get services done with them for 6months before they would do the recall fix. And Now I have a car sitting in the shop that I can’t use because it needs a new engine.

Filed Aug 9, 2022 · Engine · OH

Excessive oil consumption, on average this vehicle is burning off 2 or more quarts of oil over approximately 1,000 miles. The vehicle is also hard idling, jerky and lunging forward at a stop, hard shutoff where the engine does not immediately shut off when the key is turned off and the entire engine shakes until it sounds like it stalls out. The vehicle also accelerates slowly with high RPMs, approximately 3500 RPMs before shifting gears. Check engine light turns on and off when it has been over 2500 miles after an oil change and when the gas gauge reads 1/4 of a tank or less. The diagnostic tool plug does not register anything; does not even turn the diagnostic tool on when plugged in. This vehicle has also stalled out while driving with no warning lights or indicators. I called GMC on 8/9/22 to inquiry about these issues and was informed my VIN is not included in any recalls or special conditions related to these known issues.

Filed May 9, 2022 · Engine · 138,000 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently stalled without warning. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that timing chain pretensioner and rear main seal had failed causing the engine to lose engine oil and cause severe damage to the engine. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed May 2, 2022 · Engine · VA

The vehicle lost sudden speed and stalled in the road and had to be pushed off the road to a safe location so I wouldn't get hit and be towed. The mechanic done an assessment to find out my timing chain broke and damaged my head and pistons. I was also advised by the mechanics that this goes along with the engine consumption issue that my Terrain had that GMC has refused to look at and take blame for. My car now needs a new motor. Consumer stated she has 5,000 worth of damages.