2016 GMC Terrain: excessive oil consumption

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NC

My 2016 GMC Terrain 2.4L Ecotec first stalled while idling at a red light in Raleigh, NC. I restarted it and it sounded different, so I drove it home. The next morning it would not start. The failure occurred at approximately 69,939 miles with no meaningful warning. The dealer’s diagnostic report states there were no current relevant codes and no relevant codes in history. The dealer documented major timing-system failure: timing chain tensioner failure, timing chain guide failure, a timing chain guide bolt pulled out of the cylinder head, aluminum contamination in the cylinder head/oiling system, and engine replacement recommended. The vehicle was found unsafe to operate. This vehicle regularly transported my family, including my children. If the stall/no-start failure had occurred at highway speed, while merging, or in heavier traffic, it could have created a serious crash risk. The oil was maintained outside the dealership network and had been serviced before failure. I also topped off the oil shortly before this occurred. The 2.4L Ecotec engine family is known for oil-consumption issues, yet this vehicle gave me no direct warning that oil consumption had reached a dangerous level. A reasonable owner would not know to check oil every day when there were no relevant stored warning codes. Other the federal safety agency complaints involving 2016 GMC Terrain vehicles describe similar patterns: oil consumption, no warning lights, sudden stalling or no-start conditions, timing-chain failure, and engine replacement recommendations. I am filing because this appears to be an ongoing safety risk involving oil consumption without adequate warning, timing-chain/timing-guide failure, internal contamination, and sudden engine failure. I request the federal safety agency review this issue for investigation or recall expansion before this failure mode causes a preventable serious crash, injury, or fatality. The vehicle was inspected by a GMC dealer and remains unrepaired.

Filed Apr 18, 2026 · Engine · SC

I check my oil every time I get gas as to ensure that i don't go below the threshold for the oil, as I know these engines have an oil consumption issue. My terrain started having a loud grinding sound after losing power on the highway and I was able to pull off before the car died completely over 60 miles from home. I have since changed the upstream, and downstream O2 sensors (they needed it), VVT solenoids, and now going to be required to change my catalytic converter because the excessive oil consumption has clogged it almost completely. Why will GM not issue a recall for this engine and get it fixed, when they have knowledge that there is an issue. A recall was issued for previous years (on the same model) having the same issue, but yet we are left to "figure it out" at our own expense? Come on GM and the federal safety agency, get it together and issue a recall already, you have all the complaints, and history you need to start one.

Filed Feb 17, 2026 · Engine · MD

Carr paused, and then stopped in the middle of the highway, without any warning lights or identifiers. Other vehicles had to come to abrupt stops or even veer to avoid hitting me the manufacturer is aware, and has had a large lawsuit settlement due to a faulty rear seal causes massive internal oil consumption without any warning to the operator of of the vehicle. My research has shown that it is a catastrophic common issue with this vehicles model and year a certified GMC dealership has identified this as the reason for the sudden shut down without warning, not one warning light illuminated to indicate low or any other issue. The car has had regular oil changes and maintenance. This well-known defect should normally be caused for alarm and the safety of drivers would also for a mass recall.

Filed Feb 3, 2026 · Engine · MD

excessive oil consumption....caused engine to fail....yes, car is available for inspection ...caused the car to lag and initially break down without any warning lights ...confirmed form dealer new engine needed...law suits in other states have proven that this seal problem has been known to GMC for years and they haven't repaired these faulty parts...again, no warning lights came on...please assist

Filed Jul 7, 2025 · Engine · IL

Excess Oil consumption

Filed May 6, 2025 · Engine · MA

My 2016 GMC Terrain exhibited the excessive oil consumption outlined in both of the following Special Coverage Adjustment bulletins. In addition to the excessive oil consumption, the oil light and oil pressure warnings never gave any indication that there was an issue or that the oil was low. This ended in the engine shaking the whole car, jerking it forward when stopped, and causing the engine to seize and need replacing. GMC customer service has refused to acknowledge this issue, stating that until the government tells them to issue a recall, they can't do anything to fix my vehicle. GM acknowledged the issue for model years 2010 - 2013 (+2014 later) and alleged that they made production changes in 2013 that fixed the issue. From the experience with my vehicle and the posts on multiple consumer websites by other GM owners, it is clear that they did NOT fix the issue and that there are hundreds of owners of GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox vehicles with the 2.4L engines that have had this problem and have lost all the value in their vehicles as a result (or had to pay up to $10,000 for a new engine.) [XXX] [XXX] Class action lawsuit about previous model years: [XXX] v. General Motors INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 6, 2025 · Engine · MD

I am reporting excessive oil consumption in my 2016 GMC Terrain with the 2.4L Ecotec engine. The vehicle burns through an abnormal amount of oil between routine oil changes, often requiring additional oil changes without any visible leaks or dashboard warnings until the oil level is dangerously low. This issue has been diagnosed by a certified GMC dealership, but the repair was not covered under warranty. I’ve learned this is a known and widespread defect related to faulty piston rings and PCV system issues in this engine model, which has led to engine damage or failure in many cases. GMC has not issued a recall for my VIN, and my request for goodwill assistance was denied despite the safety risk of low oil pressure and potential engine failure while driving. I believe this issue poses a safety concern and warrants formal investigation and potential recall expansion.

Filed Feb 1, 2025 · Airbags, Engine · MO

consumption of oil! I got my oil changed January 1, 2025. It is now February 1. I have driven less than 500 miles. I had no oil. I have no Leaks or anything wrong. The car just consumes . I have had to have 6 oil changes in the past 3 months. Shop after shop. Has said it just consumes oil and this vehicle is trash. I noticed there was also a lawsuit against it. If you do not put a recall out on my vehicle ASAP, I am going to file a personal lawsuit and sue the hell out of you! For your scam! Somebody better give me a call immediately. Or set me up at my local GMC dealer to fix this issue. I better be expecting a notice in my mailbox or an appointment for a free fix and this better be a recall immediately! Or you’re asking for another lawsuit! I was told my car could blow up. With my kids and it could kill us! You better fix this immediately!!!!!!!

Filed Jan 16, 2025 · Engine · IN

I was driving my vehicle to the gym when I noticed it was driving weird, it would not accelerate like normal, was having a hard time getting going and was making a weird noise. I had just put some oil in the car because we had known for a little while that it had a problem with burning oil because of the make and model (as told by other mechanics previously), when I got to the gym I heard a pop noise and the car stalled on me, I eventually got it started up again after 2 hours of being stranded at the gym. The next day I had to drive 40 minutes away for nursing school Clincial where on the way home it was back to driving weird and making a loud horrible noise from the engine. I was only 5 minutes from home when it was really bad and once there I noticed the burning smell from the engine. When I checked the oil level after an hour and half of cooling down I could not get any oil reading on the dipstick, after adding almost 4 quarts there was still no reading on the dipstick. We finally drove the car to my mechanic (8 minutes away) and it was already back to making the loud noise, having trouble accelerating, and producing the foul odor. I was told the PCV was restricted and caused the engine to over pressurize and that lead to the Main Rear bursting and all the oil in my car being thrown over the entire underside and probably the roads. They also checked the oil filter in the car to see if the engine itself was salvageable, where they found metal flakes in the oil filter and deemed the engine failed and are saying the engine needs replaced in order to fix the car I’ve had for 15 months… I’m still paying this car off and I have only driven it for less than 17,000 miles. It is a 2016 GMC terrain that only has 91k miles, I truly hope GM makes this right seeing as so many have come with the same exact problem due to poor design and vehicle quality. My car has had regular oil changes and I check the oil every week because of the prior burning problem.

Filed Oct 1, 2024 · Engine · CA

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shook abnormally and lost motive power. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the low engine oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test at the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had recently received an oil change at Walmart. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 16, 2023 · Driver assistance, Engine · MN

The engine - My engine blew because oil evaporated out of the #1 cyclinder, which drained the oil. No warning lights went on and the vehicle stalled in the middle of rush hour traffic. The dealership told me it was because of a factory defect, but no recall on that part of the vehicle. This could have been much worse if the vehicles behind me were going faster than they were and not able to stop before rear ending me. Because this was a factory defect it should have been recalled and I should have been notified of this problem when I bought the vehicle.

Filed Nov 10, 2021 · Engine · ND

I have to put oil in my car every 2 weeks. There are no leaks. The engine is burning oil.