GMC Terrain sudden acceleration problems

Filed May 20, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · MI

Unintended acceleration in forward and reverse: the vehicle experiences unintended acceleration both in forward and reverse. While driving in heavy traffic, the vehicle continues to maintain throttle position for approximately two seconds after releasing the throttle, creating a dangerous situation where the vehicle continues to accelerate towards other cars. This defect requires emergency braking to prevent a collision. In reverse , the vehicle also holds throttle position after the accelerator is released. This results in the vehicle unintentionally accelerating in reverse at a rapid pace. This requires the driver to depress the brake moderately to control the reverse speed. During this event the driver is fighting against the motor with the brake pedal until the vehicle decided to stop accelerating on its own.

Filed Sep 3, 2024 · Brakes · MI · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2021 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while the brake pedal was depressed, it was released and the vehicle suddenly accelerated aggressively. The contact attempted to avoid crashing into the vehicle in front and swerved however the front of the vehicle still impacted the vehicle in front. The air bags deployed upon impact. A police report was filed. The contact stated no medical attention was provided, but did suffer bruises from the air bag and seat belt. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Dec 17, 2019 · Acceleration, Body · 60,000 miles · CO · crash

While pulling into a parking spot very slow the vehicle accelerated and damaged car in front there are traction marks showing the sudden acceleration. The car would not stop until the ignition was turned off. Because the cars in front were hit I placed the car in park after the ignition was turned off.

Filed Apr 4, 2019 · Driver assistance · MI · crash

Stop and go traffic on I-75. The vehicle jumped forward. Driver trying to push the brake pedal but it was not working, auto sensoring had taken over the vehicle and caused the vehicle to rearended the vehicle ahead of it pushing that vehicle into the vehicle ahead of that one.

Filed Jan 11, 2018 · Fuel system · 248 miles · CA

This car, a 2018 gmc terrain is equipped with auto start / stop, a standard feature that turns off the engine when brake is applied, such as at a stop light. The engine turns off while briefly stopped at a stop sign. This is dangerous and a safety issue. While attempting to pull into a traffic lane with the engine off, I have experienced an unsafe lag before the engine restarts. Gm has stated, the engine can be turned back on by removing your foot briefly from the brake pedal. Seriously ??? While behind another vehicle, I will not follow this procedure. I have no confidence the engine will restart and lunge forward, striking the vehicle ahead. I want gm to provide the capability to provide the driver the ability to enable or disable auto start / stop. The feature is also touted as saving fuel while stopped. Perhaps a tiny amount while at a long light or train crossing. Certainly not at a stop sign or stopped behind another vehicle.

Filed Nov 30, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 24,461 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 gmc terrain. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the water pump, timing belt, gasket kit, and chain links for the timing belt failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After being serviced, the vehicle later began to lunge forward and the gears attempted to shift. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,461.

Filed May 10, 2016 · Fuel system · 25,542 miles · CA

Periodically auto will surge forward (without the benefit of gas pedal being depressed.) I managed to stop before there was a crash. Dealer states that no problems like this have been reported. I am certain this is a dangerous situation. The dealer has stated that there is no problem with this car. I have to trust that they did something to stop the surging (computer adjustment??)

Filed May 1, 2016 · Acceleration, Airbags · MI · crash · 1 injury

Sudden unintended acceleration when vehicle shifted from park to drive, resulted in extreme high speed acceleration and no control of vehicle. This resulted in a high impact crash into garage side wall. Also air bag did not deploy. Assume throttle wide open causing sudden acceleration. Insurance report , and police report pending

Filed Mar 14, 2014 · Acceleration, Body · 44,039 miles · FL

On 8/2/12 I purchased my gmc terrain brand new in ashland city, tn. I moved to west palm beach in october 2012. The current miles on the vehicle are 44,039. I got an oil change, filter and multi-point inspection on 10/24/13 by the local gmc dealer. On 10/23/13 I took my vehicle in to have a recall repaired at schumacher buick/gmc. The recall # is 12312. A month later the vehicle would lunge sharply forward while driving and a heavy shaking vibration (both while driving and at a stop) below my feet in the vehicle (floor board). I took the vehicle to schumacher buick/gmc 3031 okeechobee blvd, on 11/11/13 and it remained until 11/15/14 and the problem was not identified. I returned the vehicle for the same problem on 12/21/13 (same dealer) and it was picked up on 12/31/13. The first service advisor was rob deal he told me that the vehicle shifts its drivability to the driver and nothing was wrong. I took my vehicle back a second time for the same problem this time (it was getting worst) my rep was "[xxx]". He said it was the "eco" button in the car, if pushed makes the car run rough." on march 7, 2014, I contacted gmc corporate office and spoke to sherry and requested a full analysis of my car. This time I went to another gmc dealer locally (lake park schumacher) and my service tech was [xxx]. Per [xxx] it is a transmission issue -left on my voicemail and saved" specifically he said it was the "control pressure valve causing it to lunge forward and it was improper." he said it was "uncommon to see this issue." the reason I took the vehicle in is that I almost rear ended two people while driving due to the vehicles lunges and have my body jolted into the glass the force was so strong with the lunge. I fear for my safety and that of my 12 year old daughter in this car. I was contacted on 3/13/14 that the vehicle was ready for pick-up and it had been fixed. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 30, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 23,970 miles · FL · crash

On 10/17/2013 my wife experienced a sudden acceleration while pulling into a parking space at our local walgreen's pharmacy. As she was pulling into a parking space in front of the pharmacy the car kept moving forward slowly although she was pressing on the brake pedal as hard as she could. The car crawled up the concrete curb stop slowly and hit the steel pipe bollard placed in front of the curb stop to protect the walkway front of the store. No injuries occurred to my wife, no one was on the walkway at the time. Only damage was to the bollard (bent over) plastic bumper, grill and right front fender of the car. Bollard and a trash receptacle brought the car to a stop. This is the second time this occurred. The first occasion was about a year ago when I was driving on a neighborhood residential street approaching a stop sign. As the car was slowing down and I was pressing on the brake pedal the car kept moving forward with the brakes being fully applied. Could hear the engine straining at an increased RPM. I lifted my foot off the brake pedal and jammed it down hard again and the car came to a stop at the stop sign with the engine in normal idle. In the three years we have owned this car these are the only occasions the problem has occurred.