GMC Terrain key fob problems

Filed Jan 19, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WV

Vehicle wouldn’t unlock/start with primary key fob or secondary key fob. Tried manual entry with both key fobs still could not enter.

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Electrical · VA

Towards the tail end of a nearly 2.5 hour drive, the Automatic Theft Deterrent System was activated on the interstate. I lost every display on the dash panel including my speedometer, battery, coolant, gas, turn signals, and windshield wipers. I went into the nearest parking lot and was unable to restart the vehicle. It was towed to the dealership closest to our home and was repaired for $2200. The technicians at the dealership were not sure of what caused it and had never seen an issue like this so it was “elevated” to the GM engineers at their headquarters. They replaced the electrical control module and both key FOBs. We have not experienced any similar issues.

Filed Dec 5, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MI

I bought this Terrain brand new from Betten Baker Chevrolet in Muskegon Mi in 2019 with 500 miles. That same year we had transmission Slippage causing it to slip out of gear then slam back into gear while driving. I took it to the dealer to have it looked at. They did nothing and informed me it was known by the manufacturer that this was an issue. I then had to bring it back for electrical issues as the lights would all start going off in the cab including dome lights and shift buttons. All key fob would not be recognized by the car and would have to be reprogrammed counting 5 times now. Now I am sitting at just oflver 100,000 miles and what I thought was going to be a simple spark plug change gas turned into a complete motor failure. did an oil change and there was no oil in it. The turbo was replaced and now the engine started making a lot of rattling noises and just stopped. the dash says service transmission, ECS, Extremely low battery voltage and has jost die after oil started pouring out the bottom of the car. It is now sitting at the dealership service department where I was told by am employee there that they have been seeing them come in at 150,000 miles for complete rebuilds and mine was early. let me tell you that this car isn't even paid off yet. And the 2006 Ram 1500 is more reliable.

Filed Jun 21, 2025 · MD

Liftgate strut malfunctioned. Yes vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I activated the trunk with the key fob, while retrieving items out of my trunk, the trunk began closing on me without any warning. The liftgate sensor failed to recognize an object (ME), was in the trunk and nearly caused a severe crush injury which could have been fatal. Yes the problem was reproduce by an independent service center as well as a dealership. No the part was not inspected. There were no known warning lights or messages. Apparently as per consumers this is known problem with the 2010-2017 GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox.

Filed Jan 26, 2025 · OH

My car is allowing me to drive without the key fob. I've drove two hours away from my house where my key fob was. It allows me to shut off the vehicle. Vehicle says ' no remote detected. Press Brake to restart. This is the 3rd incident. This is definitely a safty issue. Someone can take my car 2 hours or so from my residence.

Filed Feb 24, 2021 · Airbags, Body · 37,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Purchased gmc 2017 terrain 1 month ago today. The first week I had it the engine kept stalling while idling. I took it to the dealership for them to fix. I got it back and it seemed to run hard. 3 days later I found that not one but both key fobs would not work. The battery is brand new. When I spoke to service man at dealership, he stated that one fob was faulty and they would order a new one. I haven't heard back from them...today I got into a front end collision where the air bags did not deploy causing me injury. Only after the fact did the alarm sound and dash message came on stating service airbag. The four way lights would not stay on and the interior lights would not turn off. And there was a smell of something burning.. No return call from gmc.

Filed Jun 21, 2019 · Electrical · AL

Power lift gate will not open. The lift gate was working but would not stay in the up position. I had to replace the lift gate support strut. After replacing the right strut the gate would not open using the key fob, or the botton inside of vehicle, nor will it lift when using the botton on the gate.

Filed Sep 20, 2018 · Engine · 62,000 miles · GA

I parked, turned the vehicle off and exited the vehicle. The vehicle was parked for approximately an hour and a half before I re-entered the vehicle to retrieve some items from the passenger side. As I closed the door and used the key fob to lock the vehicle, it restarted itself. This has happened multiple times and the dealership tells me that it is not their issue and that it is a manufacturing issue. Please add this particular vehicle to the recall call list for this issue prior to personal injury or damages occurring.

Filed Sep 13, 2018 · Engine · 60,100 miles · GA

I parked my vehicle in the driveway. Upon exiting the vehicle I used the key fob to lock the vehicle, it beeped and began to walk away. As I was about 10 steps from the vehicle, it beeped again as if I hit the fob and restarted itself. It literally restarted itself. They keys were not in the ignition, they were in my hand. I was unable to unlock the vehicle using the key fob and had to manually open the door using the actual key in the door lock. I was unable to turn the vehicle off by reinserting the key in the ignition. I wiggled the shifter and the car turned off. This is the fourth the car has been running while the keys were not in the ignition and it is the second time the vehicle restarted itself without the key being in the ignition. This is clearly a manufacturing issue. What are you waiting for to add this vehicle to the recall list? Property damage and personal injury will eventually occur and then I will sue gmc for damages. I am officially putting gmc on notice. Please recall this vehicle and fix this issue.

Filed Sep 10, 2018 · Engine · 60,000 miles · GA

09/08/18 I put the vehicle in park, turned the ignition off, removed the key from the ignition and exited the vehicle. I got some items from my trunk and went about my business. About 45 minutes later, I returned to my vehicle only to notice the lights were on and it was running. I was unable to unlock the vehicle using the key fob and had to manually unlock the door. I put the key in the ignition to turn the vehicle off again and it would not turn off. I wiggled the gear shift and it finally turned off. This is the second time this has happened. Please add my vehicle to the recall list as this is the exact issue that the other gmc terrain 2012 are having.