GMC Terrain shudder problems

Filed Feb 12, 2026 · Fuel system · MI

The contact owns a 2022 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and then lost motive power. The message "Restart Vehicle" was displayed, but the vehicle failed to restart. The contact was able to push the vehicle into the driveway. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, who determined that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V013000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 21, 2025 · Brakes · 183,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and failed to come to a stop while the brake pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a locked brake vacuum pump. The contact was informed that parts of the brake vacuum pump had entered inside the camshaft and valve cover. Several unknown local dealers were contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.

Filed Sep 13, 2024 · Engine · 100,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2015 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact turned off the vehicle and removed the key and the vehicle was shaking and shuddering until the vehicle independently turned off. The contact stated that there was an oil leak and oil was being added every four days. The contact stated that coolant was also frequently added. The contact stated that the vehicle was taking to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the engine power reduced message was displayed, and the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the residence and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2023 · Transmission · OH

We have had many GM vehicles my husband worked at GM retired now. Our complaint is we have a GMC Denali 2017 only 79000 miles on it. All upto date changes regularly all. Other like Transmission oil changed all upkeep to date. Transmission needs rebuilt. We are in our 80’s And don’t beat up our cars. Replace or rebuild transmission 3500 to 4500 bucks. That is a lot of money for us. No longer covered. It shudders when you drive at any speed and feels so unsafe. Took it to GM garage and they couldn’t find anything wrong. No warning lights came on and we paid over 150 to have it checked out so with the shuddering getting worse and not feeling safe to drive we took it to a Transmission shop and he took it out and said the Shuddering was caused by something in the transmission. I have seen on google where GM is having a lot of problems in this area. We just need help with the repairs. Thank you. A retired GM worker Lordstown, Ohio [XXX]. Retired 1999 [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Feb 14, 2023 · Engine · 129,000 miles · IL

The contact's mother owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while she was driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam shaft sensor and timing chain needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer found that the oil level was very low level after having had an oil change the same day. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Mar 7, 2022 · Engine · 94,000 miles · OH

The contact's wife owns a 2017 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while his wife was driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started to stall, and shuddered inadvertently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact met his wife at the scene and noticed that oil was leaking from underneath the front end of the vehicle onto the ground. The contact refilled the engine oil and his wife was able to drive the vehicle to their residence; however, oil continued to leak while she was driving. The contact refilled the engine oil and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear main seal was fractured and had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with the failure; however, the manufacturer offered to cover 13-percent of the repair cost. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Filed Sep 27, 2021 · Transmission · MI

My 2021 gmc terrain with 6000 miles on odometer. When driving up hill or going around corner transmission shudders so bad that it feels like front tires are coming off. I contacted the dealer and gm and was told there is a tsb for this complaint. GM and dealer acknowledged there was a problem but they didn't have a fix or known cause of problem

Filed Aug 16, 2021 · Engine · 98,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated the vehicle would not exceed 15 MPH and was consuming a significant amount of engine oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rings needed to be replaced. The contact stated the vehicle was not repaired; however, the engine oil was refilled. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer who replaced the rings, the catalytic converter, and the actuator under an unknown recall. The contact stated after the recall repair, the vehicle would inadvertently make abnormal sounds and shudder while driving. The check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the piston was rubbing against the motor and the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Mar 18, 2021 · Fuel system · 110,000 miles · MO

Earlier this month while driving, our gmc terrain began shuddering while in line at a drive-through. A few days later while driving, it died at a stoplight, and when restarted, immediately displayed a warning that there was reduced power due to an oil issue. We were not due for an oil change. We had the vehicle towed to a body shop who informed us that it was leaking oil drastically and had a leak in the rear main seal. We were told it was due to the cold weather and that we were the third gmc terrain he had seen in 24 hours with the same issue. We had to take it to a larger shop for the repair work, which totalled $2,407.33 to repair. The shop said the pcv system froze and caused the rear main seal to blow out. They also told us there were multiple other gmc terrains with the same issue. I later learned that gmc had to issue a special coverage adjustment for the exact same issue for terrains from 2010-2013. This was the exact same issue. The special coverage notes that "gmc terrain vehicle may experience a frozen pcv system during cold weather operation. This may increase crankcase pressure leading to a rear seal oil leak." the part number they required to be replaced was the same part number we had replaced.

Filed Aug 2, 2020 · Steering · 125,000 miles · MO

The vehicle will shutter very hard when accelerating out of either right or left turns or when you hold the steering wheel in a complete u-turn type action. The shudder is felt throughout the vehicle and can be very alarming. It feels like you have lost control of the vehicle and the brakes are locked up. It needs to be addressed with some notice to all terrain owners. I have now spent serious time and $1k attempting to address the problem.