2018 GMC Terrain: jerking or lurching

Filed Feb 21, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · AL

My check engine light comes on intermittently, since March 2024, after having Cabin & Engine air filters replaced. Each time, I’m told it is code P0171. This has happened too many times for my comfort. Usually, it happens around the time my gas gets below 1/2 tank or after I fill up my gas tank. Originally, I was told by the mechanic that it could be one of four things, of which I’ve now had some of things done. InIn Aug. 2024, the check engine light came in. Code was P0171. Mechanic replaced the Brake vacuum pump. Once incident, almost a month later, on 9/24/24, was very scary. While driving on the interstate, I got ready to increase my speed, but heard a pop sound and noticed the speed wouldn’t accelerate. Next, the check engine light came on and the message in the dash popped up saying “engine power reduced” or something similar. I was able to coast from the fast lane over to the slower lane and off the highway into a parking lot. I turned the truck off. When I crunk it back up an hour later, it was shaking and jerking. While slowly driving, on the way to the mechanic shop, it jerked and shook each time I tried to accelerate after stopping at a light or slowing down with traffic. The code again was P0171. According to the mechanic, the intake hose had popped off. On 11/13/24, the check engine light came on. I again took it to have the code scanned and truck looked at. Test results again showed P0171. This time the Mass Air Flow Sensor was suggested. In a year I’ve had the fuel system cleaned twice, brake system flushed, & other routine maintenance such as oil change & brakes. Yet, my check engine light seems to still come on intermittently atleast once monthly. It came on two days ago, 2/18/25, when my gas was around 1/4 tank full. I added a fuel system injector, per mechanic suggestion, and filled my tank up with gas on today, 2/20/25. The check engine light had gone off within about 15 mins of me driving. I’m certain it will be back on soon with the same code.

Filed Aug 8, 2024 · Acceleration, Fuel system · NY

Hello. As I come to a complete stop the car will go into auto-stop. After releasing the brake pedal the car will jerk forward . As I press the gas pedal the car Jerks and shakes . The rpm jumps way up and the mph say low.. there's been times I try to accelerate and the car with jerk and put itself into park.. in the middle of traffic.. heart pounding to say the lease. I also notice theres alot of black liquid dripping for the front right side under the front bumper. There were no problems with the car or lamp indicating there were before this. I went to where I brought the car and they told me my warranty expired and that I will need to pay $265 just to diagnose the issue. I didnt have that money. I do have a car code reader and I did my best to find a solution. Codes P0700, P171D, And P187D all appear on my device. I then looked up recalls and my VIN wasn't confirmed.. but I am certain it is the same issue . You do have a open recall for this very particular issue for my particular model . I love my car and GMC. Please remedy this situation and have me driving safely and free minded again and soon ! Please reach back with any feedback as soon as possible. Thanks !

Filed Dec 10, 2023 · Engine · TX

The 2018 GMC Terrain has the AutoStop feature but does not incorporate a switch to defeat AutoStop. In heavy stop and go traffic or when fast acceleration from stop is required, the response of the engine in having to restart creates not only a nuisance condition but a severe accident hazard. It not only hesitates from stopped, it lurches forward after hesitating, which could cause a collision with a vehicle in front. I have had several other vehicles equipped with AutoStop, and all of them have a defeat or cancel AutoStop switch to allow the operator the opportunity to turn AutoStop Off. My 2018 Terrain Denali is now on its third battery. Having a dead battery in traffic also constitutes a safety hazard as does the inherent danger of using jumper cables. I have asked my dealer for a way to defeat the faulty feature, but they either cannot or will not do it. There must be a software code to easily allow this that the dealer can perform or a slight hardware modification to allow the operator to defeat AutoStop when it creates a safety hazard.

Filed Jul 18, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · OH

I have a 2018 GMC TERRAIN which I bought brand new from General Motors. In May 2022, the vehicle started jerking/hoping and trying to stall when the speed gets to 55 miles per hour or higher. I have taken it to the dealership on three different occasions for repair and I still have this issue. General Motors engineers were involved in every step of the repairs. They just do not know what is going on with the car or fix it and they are too stubborn. The dealership told me today that they cannot do anything else to the car. They also said they had a code from the engine last week and General Motors said they do not know what that code means. They are forcing me to accept/drive the car in this unsafe condition. I have contacted them multiple times and they do not care.

Filed Sep 10, 2020 · Transmission · 18,500 miles · PA · crash

The car keeps revving and doesn't shift into gear. You have to lift your foot off the gas pedal and give it a few seconds and them press it again. However when you press the gas again the car jumps into gear causing the steering wheel to jerk either left or right. It either revs too high or it feels like it downshifts. This last time, 9/8/20, I just reversed out of my driveway onto my residential street, going about 18 MPH when the car would not shift into 2nd gear. When it jerked into gear it jerked the steering wheel and it caused me to hit a parked car just 4 doors down from my house, causing $6000 worth of damage to my terrain likely totaling the 2010 corolla I hit. I have had a clean driving record for 30 years until now. Gmc will not own fault and now my insurance will go up as well for something that really was not my fault.

Filed Jul 4, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 18,000 miles · TN

Was leaving a parking spot. Vehicle reversed fine, put it in drive and it began to jerk and did not accelerate properly. Made it to the next aisle to park it and get out of way. Once parked, shut off vehicle. Started it. Reversed it and it would only rev up, did not reverse. Put it in drive and it jerked forward, hard and kept jerking as I pulled forward. Parked it again and turned it off. Called dealership, who called a tow service to tow it to them. Attempted to show tow guy the issue at his request, upon his arrival, put it in reverse and it revved up briefly then jerked into reverse. Had to move vehicle to clear area to get it on the tow truck so I put it in drive and it began to jerk constantly and barely accelerating as I drove and felt and sounded like it was going to shut off (but didn't) before I made it to where I could park again. Luckily I was in a parking lot and not on the road. I've had this vehicle exactly a month. Very scary.

Filed Feb 22, 2019 · 5,100 miles · NJ

When I drive my car after coming out of reverse the car revs up between 35 and 45 rpms. This is when it is going about 25 MPH. When I remove my foot from the gas the car jerks violently forward and rpms drop to 25rms. When I give it some gas the rpms go up again to the 35-45 RPM. The only way to get this to stop is to pull over, put the car in park, turn off the car and open the door. I let it sit for about 10 min and then turn it back on and drive. I have brought it to the dealer several times and they keep telling me there is nothing wrong that when they plug it in everything comes back fine. I have had other people in the car and it has happened with witnesses so I am not imagining it. This is a brand new vehicle and started happening a few days after I got it. The date I am giving of when it happened is the latest one - it started 8/18.

Filed Jan 14, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 2,500 miles · NJ

My vehicle is stalling and stuttering while trying to accelerate. It also does the same when decelerating. The truck will jerk and stutter. Also making noise like a vacuum cleaner while this is going on. I just purchased this vehicle in september 2018 and it has been going on since november 2018

Filed Nov 19, 2018 · Transmission · 3,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owned a 2018 gmc terrain. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle jerked backwards and "transmission hot auto engine" illuminated. The vehicle was taken to rainbow northshore buick gmc (888‑525‑9150, located at 2925 n hwy 190, covington, la 70433) to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there was no failure. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. The dealer admitted that they knew about the failure, but there was no remedy. The contact traded in the vehicle for a different year, make, and model. The contact called the better business bureau and was advised to call the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

Filed Jun 22, 2018 · Airbags, Engine · 2,500 miles · NE

First issue with the vehicle was a separation of the dash near and around the passenger side airbag. Unknown at this time if the airbag has been compromised. I won't know until the vehicle would be involved in an accident. The second issue involves the vehicle while in park. I am able to push the vehicle and it will actually move forward. There is also a very hard shift while the vehicle is in motion. This occurs usually between 2k and 3 k rpms. The vehicle will actually jerk as it is trying to shift.

Filed May 16, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 2,040 miles · MI

Vehicle was in service for 9 days for- (as identified on the information system) transmission, stabilitrak, parking assist and a message "the vehicle was unsafe to drive". On friday, may 12, 2018 I picked up vehicle from jim causley after repair and replacement as indicated on the service report. I drove no more that 15 miles and the vehicle jerked, stalled, made loud noises and smelled of something burning. The vehicle went from 35mph to 5mph. The vehicle would not accelerate beyond 10-15mph. I had to have the vehicle towed to my residence. On tuesday, may 15, 2018 I had it towed to jim causley. This is a continuation of the first complaint #11091743.

Filed May 12, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 2,040 miles · MI

Addition to report 11091743. The vehicle was serviced for warning of transmission, stabilitrak, parking assist and notification that vehicle was unsafe to drive (may 2, 2018). Vehicle picked up (may 11, 2018) after series of repairs. I drove approximately 15 miles and the vehicle began jerking and stalling. At the final jerk the vehicle went from 35 MPH to 5mph and would not accellerate. There were several loud noises and a burning smell. The vehicle had to be towed to my residence. When I picked up the vehicle from jim causley I asked if it was safe to drive. I received no response. I asked about the repairs and I was told there were some loose wires and minor adjustments. Once again my life was put in jeopardy because of a vehicle failing to operate while in heavy traffic.