GMC Terrain overheating problems

Filed Jun 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · OK

Since purchase, this vehicle has consistently had an issue with the fuel system. When I call GMC they state only use no ethanol fuel. I wouldn’t have bought this car if that was the case. The dealership never said that when I was buying it. We replaced the entire engine for $11,000 because of a torn radiator hose, overheating and cracked a gasket. Now, the car is refusing to drive, giving engine power reduced

Filed Jan 30, 2026 · MA

I own a 2020 GMC Terrain with approximately 110,000 miles. While driving in winter, the vehicle suddenly lost cabin heat and defrosting capability. The temperature gauge began fluctuating and the cooling fans continued running after the vehicle was shut off. A mechanic diagnosed the cause as a cracked radiator that allowed coolant to leak out, which is a known frequent failure on this model. Because the heater stopped working in sub-freezing temperatures, this created a safety hazard due to lack of defrosting and heat while driving. The failure occurred without warning, and no coolant warning light was displayed before the heater stopped working. The vehicle was not overheating at the time, but the loss of heat and defrost made winter driving unsafe.

Filed Jun 20, 2024 · Engine · LA

Engine overheating, cooling system contaminated with engine oil. Originally brought to dealership [Crown Buick GMC - 2121 Clearview Pkwy, Metairie, LA 70001 - (504) 302-8979] November 27, 2023. However, they were unable to identify the problem. Since the engine continued to overheat, brought the vehicle to an independent mechanic [EFI Services, Inc. - 5720 Heebe St., Harahan, LA 70123 - (504) 734-8200] January 25, 2024. They shared Service Bulletin 22-NA-240 and said it should be covered under powertrain warranty. Brought it back to the dealership [Crown Buick GMC] January 19, 2024. They informed me Bulletin 22-NA-240 did not apply to the vehicle year (2019) was not included. They also informed me no work would be covered under warranty because it expired December 18, 2023. I continue to have to refill the coolant due to overheating, and oil is clearly present.

Filed Oct 25, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · NE

My car wouldn’t start, later found out it was due to timing chain issue which ended up blowing up my engine. I live 40 minutes from work and am consistently driving on the interstate for at least an hour a day. GM said there’s nothing they can do even though there’s been class action lawsuits for the engine. My car has also had oil consumption problems. I bought my car in March of 2022. The engine blew up by November 2022. I barely got my car back in September 2023. After the engine replacement, still wouldn’t turn on, over heated immediately when I did get it back. After paying $7440 for the engine replacement I had to fork over snother $650 to replace the fuel pump control module, and an engine control unit. My car overheated AGAIN just 2 weeks ago!!!!

Filed Nov 3, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · WA · fire

First off before I got the car it had gone through a tune up. About a couple months after I got the car little things started to happen it would rock back and forth while idling I thought it was kind of an indicator that it needed oil but the percentage was still at a decent range and telling me it didn't need oil plus I hadent driven it 3000-5000 miles. Then engine light came on had it inspected codes ran came back telling me something about Throttle body So I purchased a whole new throttle body in Prosser at dealership costing me some booko buks and swapped it out when I got back home I then took it for test drive along with my 4 kids in the vehicle with me and then a little ways about 20 mins driving engine power reduced light came on along with stabilitrak and eventually lost power I was stranded in the middle of summer in the middle of nowhere with my kids windows rolled down ppl drove by and asked if I needed help and eventually came back with jumper cables tried to jump me but the car wouldn't budge I then left the car there overnight and took battery out to have it inspected the next day IT WAS FRIED (over 4 yrs old) so I had to purchase a new one costing me roughly 150 buks then took it back to where my car was stranded put it in and alarm went off and I clicked the button on key ring stuck it in ignition shit the door behind me locking keys in car while vehicle was still running and had to bust a window out to get to em. Got into car drove off made it back to my apt left it running outside while I went inside to get some stuff before I THOUGHT the problem was solved it shut off again.....I then had to replace the alternator costing me another pretty penny....about a couple weeks later I was starting a new job at a assisted living facility and arrived 10 mins early shit car off a noticed smoke coming from under hood I was confused because where the smoke was coming from couldn't have been it overheating I popped the hood and my car was on fire!!!!

Filed Jun 5, 2021 · Engine · MO

The engine locked up while driving on the interstate rendering it inoperable and undrivable. There were no warning signs (ie. leaks, noises, overheating, etc.). The vehicle now needs an entirely new or used engine and is unrepairable.

Filed Jan 11, 2021 · Brakes · OK

The automatic brake assist locks up the right front wheel. The wheel still turns but the brake overheats and starts smoking after just a few minutes of driving. It was being driven on a city street at about 30 to 40 MPH. Normal braking at stoplights and suddenly felt like a tire had gone flat. When I checked, the right front wheel was smoking. We had the calipers and pads replaced, but that did not fix the problem

Filed Sep 1, 2020 · Engine · 73,000 miles · CA

Vehicle transmission overheats in less than 40 minutes on a 70 MPH highway. Speed deteriorates and can no longer go faster than 55 MPH. Vehicle must be put in stationary in order to cool transmission. Incident has repeated in twice in a month.

Filed Jun 29, 2020 · 87,000 miles · IL

Have water or coolant leaking from an unknown location. Causing mold build up on the carpet from the front all the way to the rear passenger seats. Thought it could've been the AC drain tube, but pull the tube off and cleaned, still same issue. Car smells so bad of mold my pregnant wife is unable to drive that vehicle.

Filed Jun 26, 2019 · Transmission · 5,565 miles · TX

Just over 5200 miles started experiencing transmission slippage when stopping or starting. Around 5500 miles started hearing loud clicking roaring sound. Was returning home from vacation on a saturday afternoon and knew all service areas of all gm dealerships would be closed but headed to a nearby chevrolet dealership in bossier city, la to leave car to be looked at on monday. Never made it. Car stalled and would not go into any gear. Had it towed to dealership. I left car and returned home to mckinney tx. Following tuesday received text message from dealership that the planetary gear and some other parts went out. Parts on order but not available until following friday. Searching internet found several reports of 2017, 2018, 2019 gmc terrains having transmission issues. Seems gm has transmission issues with the terrain transmission overheating, slipping, and failing.