Check a VIN

GMC Terrain knocking problems

63 of the 3,141 owner complaints about the GMC Terrain describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 2013 model year.

owner complaints
63
worst model year
2013
typical repair cost reported
$3,500
typical mileage
85,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Engine · 65,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the exhaust manifold was previously replaced due to an exhaust leak and the vehicle was towed. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption, and a quart of oil was added every 500 to 1,000 miles, causing an abnormal engine ticking sound and timing chain sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact retrieved DTC: P0420. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the timing chain and catalytic converter were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the engine ran rough and experienced reduced power, and the vehicle was idling rough and the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The contact became aware of an abnormal oil odor during the failure. Additional trouble codes P0017 and P0420 were retrieved. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Sep 30, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · NY

Without any type of warning, I was driving down the road when my car started making a knocking/ticking type noise then my engine light came on. I attempted to hit my brakes and stop, and I had no control. There was no brakes without pushing it all the way to the floor it was very hard to get my car to stop. I managed to get off the road and into a parking lot and now told that I have $5000 worth of repairs, including the vacuum pump, camshaft timing and guides. After reading information I see there is complaints filed regarding this failed vacuum pump and I would just like to report this.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · PA

The vehicle has had regular maintenance, oil change, and inspection including the brakes. My boyfriend is visiting me in [XXX] from the [XXX]. OnXXX while driving the vehicle the engine started. Making a ticking noise especially during idle and when accelerating in idle. About 15 minutes after the ticking stopped and all of a sudden there's a complete loss of breaks they locked up and the driver was unable to efficiently stop while going down a hill Road. Driver had to use the emergency brake to make the other brakes release and then the brakes from there would not work even though you could stomp on them stand on top of them there was no breaking power anymore. Vehicle was brought into a GMC dealership on the following Monday where they confirmed the issue was a failed vacuum pump connected to the engine and camshaft which is a known safety issue to GMC as part of an ongoing open case they had specialty coverage and bulletins regarding the Tahoe and Sierra but neglected to include the terrain on this issue. Cold the GMC manufacturer in both [XXX] and [XXX] to try and get cost assistance and specialty coverage as the vehicle as well under the mileage requirements but have been giving the push around and zero assistance. The risk to the drivers and passengers lives was significant as we were on the highway for1.5 hrand thankfully the brake lost didn't happen in full during that time. The repairs were completed and paid for in full by the client which should have been covered by the dealership and we are looking for cost recuperation and are now being ignored. Receipts are here to substantiate the claim. The ABS light is no longer on there was no warnings on the vehicle showing any issues or any codes as OnStar was called and diagnostics were received and the diagnostics came back clear prior to this happening, and following the break failure. Lack of codes and warnings is life-threatening and serious. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Engine · SD

This car burns 1 quart of 5w-30 synthetic blend oil every 200 miles! The pcv valve has been cleaned numerous times and this does not affect the burning oil issue and yes this can be inspected upon request. Safety put at risk you ask, this is a ticking timebomb ready to ruin the engine due to burning oil, leaves me stranded in my rural town for fear of mechanical breakdown, need to carry two 5 quart containers of oil, and dipstick needs to be checked every 100 miles. I have scheduled appt with GMC dealer in Chadron NE for mid January 2026. There are no warning lamps or messages that appear and this problem has been going on since August 2025, bought the car February 2025 from Chevy dealer in above mentioned town. KBB has a trade in value for this car at 1500 and private sale at 1900 for a 2017 Terrain SLT! Unbelievable!!!!!!

Filed Dec 12, 2025 · Engine · MN

Was driving my terrain and suddenly it started to shake and then check engine Light came on. Upon getting out I checked the dipstick and no oil was on dipstick. Start to put oil in and it's running out of the oil pan underneath the vehicle. Towed it home removed oil pan and engine parts laying shattered in bottom. Never got a low oil alert . Had codes misfire and knock sensor.

Filed May 2, 2025 · Engine · OH

GM recently recalled over 500,000 car engines. The warning signs to look out for was a “knocking” sound coming from the engine. I had recently experienced the same issues that the recalled car engines were experiencing. I went to get it checked out and my mechanic said there were chunks of metal in the engine. The GM engine recall should include 2017 GMC TERRAINS SLT. If I had not got it looked at, it would have caused an accident that would have been unpreventable due to the warning signs of only the knocking sound. No other lights had came on in the car. Please consider putting this make and model in the engine recall! If someone reaches out to me, I have the name of my mechanic that can verify the engine issue of my GMC.

Filed Jul 19, 2024 · Engine · 150,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed to overtake another vehicle in the right lane and the RPM raised up 8,000 RPM. The contact stated that there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that smoke started coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine and check oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power and the contact pulled off the roadway and turned off the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that a rod bearing had fractured and pierced the cylinder into the engine block. The contact was advised by the mechanic that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that prior to the engine failure, the contact was continuously adding oil to the engine. The contact was adding one quart of oil every week for more than 10 months. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed May 9, 2024 · Engine · 160,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the message "Power Reduction Mode" was displayed, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, there was a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled another time. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine timing was faulty, and the engine had experienced a loss of engine compression. The contact was advised to contact a local dealer for service. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 160,000.

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 Feb 28, 2024 · Engine · 84,394 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking noise heard coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle was towed to the residence and then to the local mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed. The local mechanic stated that the rear main seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,394.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the GMC Terrain knocking

Which GMC Terrain years have engine knocking or ticking problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2013 (20 complaints), 2011 (11 complaints) and 2012 (11 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix engine knocking or ticking on the GMC Terrain?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,500 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used GMC Terrain?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history