What is the 2010-2017 GMC Terrain 2.4L I4 Excessive Oil Consumption and Piston Ring Failure?

The 2.4L LEA and LE9 four-cylinder engines in 2010-2017 Terrain are among the most reported excessive oil consumption issues in GM's lineup. Many owners consume 1 quart of oil every 1,000-2,000 miles. The root cause is inadequate piston ring tension combined with piston ring land… Repairs typically run $1,200-$6,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2018-2025 GMC Terrain 1.5L Turbo PCV System Failure and Coolant/Oil Intrusion?

The 2018+ Terrain with the 1.5L turbocharged engine (LFV/LYX) experiences PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) diaphragm failure inside the valve cover. The integrated PCV diaphragm tears, causing excessive crankcase pressure that forces oil into the intake manifold and intercool… Repairs typically run $400-$2,800. Severity: high.

What is the 2010-2014 GMC Terrain Ecotec 2.4L Timing Chain and Tensioner Failure?

The GM Ecotec 2.4L in the 2010-2014 Terrain has the same timing chain stretch and tensioner failure as the Equinox and Malibu. GM Special Coverage Adjustment SCA 12313C covers some vehicles. The 2010-2011 models are worst affected. Improperly hardened piston rings on 2010-2013 mo… Repairs typically run $1,000-$3,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2010-2012 GMC Terrain Electric Power Steering Sticking / Increased Steering Effort?

First-generation Terrains (shared with the Chevy Equinox) develop a "sticky" power-steering condition where the wheel binds on-center - most often after long straight-highway driving - and requires noticeably higher effort to turn. NHTSA investigated roughly 781,000 2010-2012 uni… Repairs typically run $600-$1,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2021-2023 GMC Terrain High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure Causing Engine Stall (Recall)?

On 1.5L turbo Terrains, a component inside the high-pressure fuel pump can fracture prematurely, generating metallic debris that migrates through the fuel line and blocks the injector inlets, starving the engine of fuel and causing sudden stalling and loss of power while driving… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: high.

What is the 2010-2017 GMC Terrain 6T40/6T45 6-Speed Transmission Shudder and Harsh Shifts?

The 2010-2017 Terrain uses the GM 6T40 (2.4L) and 6T45 (V6) 6-speed automatic transmissions, both of which suffer from torque converter shudder, harsh shifts, and solenoid failures. The shudder occurs at light throttle between 30-50 mph when the torque converter clutch locks up. Repairs typically run $150-$2,800. Severity: medium.

What is the 2010-2017 GMC Terrain Water Pump Failure and Coolant Leak?

The engine-driven water pump develops bearing/impeller wear or seal leaks, allowing coolant to weep (often visible as dried Dex-Cool on the timing-chain cover or flung from the pump pulley) and eventually causing overheating. On both the 2.4L Ecotec and 3.6L V6, the pump is timin… Repairs typically run $1,008-$1,443. Severity: medium.

What is the 2018-2022 GMC Terrain Electronic Shifter Fault - Vehicle Stuck in Park / "Shift to Park" Message?

Second-generation Terrains with the electronic precision (push-button/monostable) shifter throw a persistent "Shift to Park" warning and refuse to shift out of (or fully into) park even when correctly positioned. GM traced it to build-up/contamination on the Park switch contacts… Repairs typically run $150-$1,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2010-2017 GMC Terrain Throttle Body / Throttle Position Sensor Failure - 'Reduced Engine Power' Warning?

First-generation Terrains (2010-2017) are prone to a sudden 'Reduced Engine Power' warning caused by a failing electronic throttle body. Carbon and grime build up inside the bore and the internal throttle position sensor (TPS) fails or reads erratically, causing the ECM to enter… Repairs typically run $250-$650. Severity: medium.

What is the 2010-2017 GMC Terrain HVAC Blend Door Actuator Failure (Clicking Noise, No Temperature Control)?

The HVAC blend/mode-door actuators fail as their internal plastic gears strip, producing a repetitive clicking or knocking sound from behind the dash and causing loss of temperature or airflow control. On dual-zone systems one side commonly blows hot while the other blows cold, o… Repairs typically run $150-$450. Severity: low.

What is the 2013-2019 GMC Terrain IntelliLink Infotainment Freezing/Rebooting and Backup Camera Black Screen?

The IntelliLink/MyLink touchscreen freezes and spontaneously reboots, losing control of radio, climate, navigation and Bluetooth, and often displays a black screen or a frozen backup-camera image. During a reboot, phone calls drop and the rear camera can go dark while in reverse… Repairs typically run $100-$900. Severity: low.

GMC · Known Issues

2010-2025 GMC Terrain Problems: 13 Issues Every Owner Should Know

2010-2025 model years · 3,010+ owner reports · Updated July 2026

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According to Au7o's analysis of 3,010+ owner reports, the 2010-2025 GMC Terrain has 13 documented known issues, with 7 rated critical. The most serious are 2.4L I4 Excessive Oil Consumption and Piston Ring Failure ($1,200-$6,500 repair), 1.5L Turbo PCV System Failure and Coolant/Oil Intrusion ($400-$2,800 repair), Ecotec 2.4L Timing Chain and Tensioner Failure ($1,000-$3,000 repair), Electric Power Steering Sticking / Increased Steering Effort ($600-$1,500 repair), Start/Stop Transmission Accumulator Endcap Missing Bolts - Fluid Leak & Loss of Propulsion (Recall) ($0-$800 repair), High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure Causing Engine Stall (Recall) ($0-$1,200 repair) and Engine-Driven Brake Vacuum Pump Failure - Sudden Loss of Power Brake Assist (Hard Pedal) ($400-$1,500 repair). The most commonly reported issue is 2.4L I4 Excessive Oil Consumption and Piston Ring Failure with 1,680 owner reports. Across all issues, repair costs range from $100 to $6,500. at .

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common GMC Terrain problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 3,010+ owner reports, the 2010-2025 GMC Terrain has 13 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 2.4L I4 Excessive Oil Consumption and Piston Ring Failure, 1.5L Turbo PCV System Failure and Coolant/Oil Intrusion, Ecotec 2.4L Timing Chain and Tensioner Failure. Of these, 7 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the GMC Terrain reliable?

The 2010-2025 GMC Terrain has 13 known issues documented across 3,010+ owner reports. 7 issues are rated critical: 2.4L I4 Excessive Oil Consumption and Piston Ring Failure and 1.5L Turbo PCV System Failure and Coolant/Oil Intrusion and Ecotec 2.4L Timing Chain and Tensioner Failure and Electric Power Steering Sticking / Increased Steering Effort and Start/Stop Transmission Accumulator Endcap Missing Bolts - Fluid Leak & Loss of Propulsion (Recall) and High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure Causing Engine Stall (Recall) and Engine-Driven Brake Vacuum Pump Failure - Sudden Loss of Power Brake Assist (Hard Pedal). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common GMC Terrain problems?

Repair costs for known GMC Terrain issues range from $0 to $6,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 2.4L I4 Excessive Oil Consumption and Piston Ring Failure, typically costs $1,200-$6,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year GMC Terrain is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the GMC Terrain. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2010-2025 GMC Terrain with 13 documented issues documented across 3,010+ owner reports.

All 13 Known Issues

Other GMC Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common GMC Terrain problems?

Is the GMC Terrain reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common GMC Terrain problems?

What year GMC Terrain is the most reliable?

2010-2017 GMC Terrain: 2.4L I4 Excessive Oil Consumption and Piston Ring Failure#

2018-2025 GMC Terrain: 1.5L Turbo PCV System Failure and Coolant/Oil Intrusion#

2010-2014 GMC Terrain: Ecotec 2.4L Timing Chain and Tensioner Failure#

2010-2017 GMC Terrain: Throttle Body / Throttle Position Sensor Failure - 'Reduced Engine Power' Warning#

2018-2020 GMC Terrain: Start/Stop Transmission Accumulator Endcap Missing Bolts - Fluid Leak & Loss of Propulsion (Recall)#

2010-2017 GMC Terrain: 6T40/6T45 6-Speed Transmission Shudder and Harsh Shifts#

2010-2012 GMC Terrain: Electric Power Steering Sticking / Increased Steering Effort#

2021-2023 GMC Terrain: High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure Causing Engine Stall (Recall)#

2018-2022 GMC Terrain: Engine-Driven Brake Vacuum Pump Failure - Sudden Loss of Power Brake Assist (Hard Pedal)#

2018-2022 GMC Terrain: Electronic Shifter Fault - Vehicle Stuck in Park / "Shift to Park" Message#

2013-2019 GMC Terrain: IntelliLink Infotainment Freezing/Rebooting and Backup Camera Black Screen#

2010-2017 GMC Terrain: Water Pump Failure and Coolant Leak#

2010-2017 GMC Terrain: HVAC Blend Door Actuator Failure (Clicking Noise, No Temperature Control)#