2017 GMC Terrain: sudden loss of power

Filed Feb 4, 2026 · Engine · ME

On January 31, 2026, while driving on the highway, my 2017 GMC Terrain suddenly began shaking as if it was going to stall. Thankfully, I managed to exit the interstate before the vehicle lost power. Luckily, when this happened, it "only" blocked traffic on a side road. The Terrain was towed to my garage. The mechanic called to inform me that the vehicle was out of oil -even though it was not due for servicing, nor did a “check oil" warning appear. He noted that this was not the first time he had seen this problem occur with this particular make and model: the PCV valve had frozen due to recent cold weather, which led to the rear main seal fracturing, causing oil leaking. In addition, the manifold had also cracked. He explained that repairs would be costly given the labor needed to remove the transmission and perform other related tasks. He recommended that I "Google" the problem to gain an understanding of the time involved to complete this repair. My research corroborated that this was a very labor-intensive undertaking. More concerning was discovering an abundance of cases documenting this failure -as well as class action lawsuits- which underscores the fact that GM knows about this issue but refuses to address it. I am not sure why there hasn't been a recall—though perhaps that's a question for people much smarter than I am. Now, after spending thousands of dollars, I have a vehicle with an oil life monitoring system that doesn't function as intended—and worse, I know this could happen again.

Filed Feb 4, 2026 · Engine · IL

Traveling on the expressway, engine made wearing noise, reduced engine power and complete engine failure while driving. Rear main seal blowout due to a defective PCV system freezing. It is a known issue for GM2.4L engine especially in cold weather leading to massive oil loss and catastrophic engine damage. This has been confirmed by a GM authorized dealer.

Filed Jan 21, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · OH

I am filing this complaint to report a catastrophic engine failure involving my 2017 GMC Terrain equipped with the 2.4L Ecotec engine, which I believe is the result of a known manufacturing defect related to excessive oil consumption and premature internal engine wear. At approximately 88,000 miles, my vehicle experienced severe engine failure, including excessive oil consumption, timing chain failure, and complete engine failure, which has been confirmed in writing by a licensed repair facility. The shop determined that the engine failure was caused by oil starvation resulting from excessive oil consumption, leading to internal engine damage and timing chain failure. This failure occurred without warning and rendered the vehicle unsafe to operate. Sudden engine failure creates a serious safety risk, including loss of power while driving, inability to accelerate, and increased risk of collision. This engine failure matches a well-documented defect pattern involving General Motors’ 2.4L Ecotec engines, which have been the subject of class-action lawsuits, settlements, and jury verdicts related to premature piston ring wear, excessive oil consumption, and resulting engine damage or failure. These issues have been widely reported in Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles within my model year range. My vehicle was properly maintained, and this failure was not the result of neglect, misuse, or normal wear and tear, but rather a latent manufacturing defect that manifested after the warranty period but well within the reasonable life expectancy of the engine. I am requesting that the federal safety agency formally document and investigate this defect, as it presents a significant safety concern for drivers operating vehicles equipped with this engine. I also request that General Motors be required to address this defect to prevent additional engine failures and potential safety incidents.

Filed Feb 21, 2025 · Engine · IA

As per several other complaints on the GMC terrain of particular years my vehicle has had a rear main seal leak, a blown engine terrible amounts of oil consumption and now the second engine has malfunctioned. And made the vehicle inoperable. The safety of myself and others was put at risk as the vehicle lost all power and cut off. The problem has had class action lawsuits filed. The first time the engine failed no warnings came on the second time a reduced engine power came on that we had no idea existed. The vehicle consumed oil very quickly, with in days the oil could need replaced. Oil consumption has been going on for years. Even after replacing engine.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Transmission · NY

My car lost oil while I was driving. I also lost power. I had my car over to a garage and the mechanic diagnosed it was a ruptured rear main seal caused by a frozen PCV system. GM knows about the problem but has not recalled it. It is very expensive to repair. And because the manufacturer knows about it but never told the consumer, is fraudulent.

Filed Apr 24, 2024 · Engine · MI

The 2.4-liter engine contains a defect that causes them to improperly burn off and consume abnormally high amounts of oil. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Excessive oil consumption cannot be reasonably anticipated or predicted and causes the engine to run while low on engine oil, putting me and other drivers at risk due to engine fire, unexpected engine failure, vehicle jerking, power loss, etc. Yes, both certified dealers, independent service centers, and myself have observed and noted the low levels of engine oil as soon as 500 miles after an oil change. I have spoken with GM representatives via phone about the issue, but they are not interested in inspecting the vehicle or offering driver support. They have consistently denied awareness of an issue despite hundreds of documented complaints and a pending class action lawsuit in the state of Missouri. There are no warnings, messages, or symptoms prior to discovering low engine oil levels. This issue requires drivers to self-monitor the issue every 500-1000 miles and requires an excessive number of oil changes to keep the vehicle at a safe level of engine oil for operation.

Filed Apr 3, 2024 · Engine · OH

2.4L Ecotec engines contain a defect that consumes excessive engine oil leading to: unanticipated engine shutdowns, engine stalls, engine knocking, unexpected loss of power, and vehicle jerking. The first instance I was still in a parking lot, the second on was on a local street traveling at 25 mph. During the third instance, My son and I have driven our car on 4 separate occasions and while driving on the freeway at 70 mph just after rush yesterday when the engine shut off. I took the car to my mechanic who informed me that my vehicle that has less than 88k miles is burning up the oil and soon will need the engine replaced.

Filed Dec 26, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · PA

timing chain issues resulting in a loss of power of the vehicle while driving. The vehicle stalls out and shuts off. Or it will go into power saving mode and slow down to only 20mph. It did this to me one a MAJOR HIGHWAY and I almost was in an accident. Way to many issues with gmc owners and the timing chain on their vehicles

Filed Mar 2, 2022 · Engine · CT

Driving home from work and was about 4 miles away from home when the "service stabilitrak' and "reduced engine power" lights came on. Safely drove home, parked vehicle on road to shovel driveway (snow storm). When I went to start it to move it into driveway "oil pressure" light came on. After moving it off street noticed oil on road where vehicle was sitting. Had towed to dealer where I get my oil changed (which was done about 3 weeks prior) they stated rear main seal went causing oil to drain from engine which also ruined my valves and threw out the timing. GM says they'll pay 25% of total $6200 bill. Although GM has yet to return a call regarding the case I opened with them on this asking for a larger percentage.

Filed Feb 7, 2022 · Transmission · IL

While driving on the highway with my child, vehicle suddenly went into reduced power mode. 5 minutes later after exiting the highway, the low oil pressure Alert came on. The vehicle was parked two minutes later then towed home. After towing it to my local certified dealership, it was determined the pcv was clogged with ice resulting in a blown rear main seal. There was a recall for a defect in earlier terrains for this same issue (See SB 14882). Currently GM will not cover repair costs under this specific recall despite this vehicle apparently having the same 2.4L Ecotek engine. Apparently this a known cold weather issue for this vehicle.

Filed Jan 29, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 46,580 miles · CA

My check engine light came on along with a a message that states 'reduced engine power' and a message reading 'service stabilitrek when I was driving on the highway at 70 MPH. This created suddenly jerking and slow acceleration so that I had to pull off the road. I found a forum at [xxx] that reveals that this has been an issue with gmc modes at least as long as 2011. The duration for which this has been a problem with gmc models, and the fact that stabilitrek is an integral safety feature of the vehicle in avoiding accidents seems to merit a recall. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).