GMC Terrain jerking problems

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Airbags, Engine · WV

The transmission was jerking and when the heat is running it smells like it’s bout to catch fire

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Transmission · NV

GMC Adaptive learning transmission problems that lead to safety concerns, emissions reduction in MPG, and increased wear of the transmission. Regarding GM’s 9T45 automatic 9 speed transmission. Problem: - The GM Adaptive learning of the transmission does not have safe guards in place to prevent unsafe sift patterns and behavior. This results in shift flair behavior where the transmission will drop out of 3rd gear and pause before shifting to 4th gear. It will learn to lock out 9th gear and it will max out with 8th gear at freeway speeds reducing MPG. And it will fail to downshift appropriately while driving leading to the operator wondering why the vehicle will not accelerate when needed; this casual downshift delay then results in excessive downshifting to the lowest possible gear where the vehicle will then lurch forwards; and then it will pause and maintain said lower gear and continue accelerating for 1-2 seconds while the operator presses the brake pedal in response of the vehicle jumping forwards. Individual situations: 1) Lack of 9th gear use at freeway speeds. This is reducing the advertised emissions based on EPA testing. This behavior skews official EPA test results because vehicle operation is not as advertised. 2) Shift flair and unsafe shift delays. This is the most serious behavior. It leads to pauses and delays in acceleration of up to 5 seconds, and it leads to pauses and delays where the vehicle continues to accelerate up to 3 seconds after letting off the accelerator and pressing the brake. 3) Excessive wear. The badly learned behavior is causing issues with shift control pressure and logic, excessive clutch wear leading to damage and worn clutch packs. Analysis: - Resetting the GM Transmission adaptive learning to factory removes these problems, the trans will relearn bad behavior within 2-3 weeks of daily driving. Reset was performed using an Autel Hot function “Quick Learn” procedure for the transmission.

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Fuel system · MN

COMPONENT OR SYSTEM FAILED - GMC Dealership replacing fuel pump. SAFETY OR SAFETY OF OTHERS AT RISK - stalled in remote area with no internet/cell service. In order to get to safety we travelled 13 miles of narrow 2 lane roads with no shoulder or escape areas. Road included 3 miles of a steep downhill grade. HAS THE PROBLEM BEEN REPRODUCED OR CONFIRMED BY A DEALER - Yes, Walser GMC [XXX] WERE THERE ANY WARNING LAMPS, MESSAGES OR OTHER SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE - No, drove 400 miles w/2 stops, rest stop and lunch/gas. Got to our destination, shut off the car. Needed to move the vehicle to designated parking spot and at first the vehicle would not start, got it started but lurched forward, engine chugged, no acceleration and then stalled. Waited 10 minutes vehicle started with same symptoms but became drivable so we headed to safety 13 mile to nearest town, [XXX]. The area has recently been battling forest fires and in our area, although "safe", there was still HIGH fire danger. We did not feel safe w/o a vehicle for (possible) rapid escape. The city has limited services, no rental car company, no Uber/Lift, closest car dealership 90 miles away. Vacation cancelled. Hired North [XXX] Towing to transport vehicle and people 300 miles to Walser [XXX], [XXX]. Family member drove us to our home in [XXX]. To date vehicle mileage - 30,000 miles! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Engine · IL

I am submitting this complaint regarding the engine timing chain failure in my 2015 GMC Terrain because I believe it presents a serious safety hazard. Before the failure, the vehicle began experiencing intermittent symptoms, including engine jerking, shaking, rough operation, abnormal engine noises, and an intermittent check engine light. While driving on the highway, the engine timing chain failed, causing the vehicle to suddenly lose power. I was traveling at highway speed and had to safely maneuver the vehicle out of traffic. The unexpected loss of power placed me and other motorists at risk of a collision because I could no longer safely maintain the flow of traffic. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair facility, where the engine was diagnosed with a timing chain failure. I was informed that the engine had sustained significant damage and required replacement. After purchasing and installing a replacement engine, that engine also began exhibiting timing chain-related symptoms immediately after installation, including abnormal rattling noises and unstable engine operation, resulting in additional repairs and the vehicle remaining unsafe to drive. I am concerned that timing chain failures in this model can occur without sufficient warning and can cause a sudden loss of engine power while the vehicle is being driven. A sudden engine failure at highway speeds creates a significant risk of a crash, injury, or death. I am requesting that this issue be investigated to determine whether it represents a safety-related defect affecting other 2015 GMC Terrain vehicles.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · AR

Car aggressively shakes and steering wheel shakes / jerks itself side to side when accelerating. Getting worse with time. GMC has it as a known issue but has been for months. Problem is getting worse the more it is driven. GMC says it is “safe”.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Driver assistance · AR

Two issues here. First is that the car will give a danger warning when nothing is there. Sometimes goes as far as slamming on my breaks. Both in drive and reverse. Second is the lane keep assist. It’s like it is working backwards. I turned this all off because it would jerk me out of the lane and into the other lane or off to the sides of the road.

Filed Sep 17, 2025 · Engine · MS

My 2013 GMC Terrain suddenly began to jerk as I was heading to run an errand in town. I pulled my truck back in the drive way at [XXX] where it is parked now. I had a mechanic to come and tell me the engine will need to be replaced and an estimate of the cost to repair it. I could have been rear ended by another vehicle since this suddenly occurred with no prior warning which could result in my death. I have contacted GMC due to a recall on the engine. GMC is declining to honor my request repair my vehicle based on the estimate I provided. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 2, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

I have been having intermittent problems for well over 1 year with my vehicle not accelerating. I try to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle does not respond. I have the accelerator pedal pressed to the floor nothing happens for 10-15 seconds, then vehicle will lurch forward and start responding. This has happened several times as I am pulling into traffic. Major safety concern that could cause severe injury or fatality. I also have other issues with vehicle not shifting gears, engine feels as though it is skipping while driving. I have taken this to the dealership and was told that they could not recreate the issue. No engine code or service lights have ever displayed. Dealership told me is can't be anything major since there are no codes or service lights. Currently have 72,000 miles, did purchase an extended warranty. I have seen many complaints of this same problem from other Terrain owners. GMC needs to fix this problem before someone is killed in a collision because their product won't accelerate.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · MO

I purchased this in March of 2025. 2 or 3 weeks after I bought this I took it to an oil lube shop and they said there was not any oil on the.dip stick. Also I started noticing the car being jerky while driving and when shutting it off it sputters. I took it to Max motors, a GMC dealer for a diagnostic check because it uses a quart of oil a week. They told me the high pressure fuel pump is bad and the piston rings were no good. This was on the 18th of June. I had taken it to the dealer I bought it from and complained about the problems, but he wouldn't do anything about it . The warranty was good at that time. Max motors told me it would cost me about $5000 to fix it which I don't have. I read that there was a recall on these cars with a 2.4L engine for these problems.

Filed Jul 15, 2025 · Engine · 130,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and hesitating abnormally. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the piston rings were damaged, the high-pressure fuel pump had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.