GMC Terrain transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
211 of the 1,149 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the GMC Terrain 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2019 (51), 2018 (41), 2020 (28). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
GMC Terrain transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 5 | 15% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 4 | 31% | — | 20 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 21 | 43% | — | 50 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 7 | 18% | — | 47 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 11 | 12% | — | 111 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 8 | 22% | — | 92 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 28 | 14% | — | 103 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 51 | 28% | 11k | 110 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 | 41 | 18% | 10k | 139 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2017 | 24 | 18% | — | 87 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 11 | 7% | — | 100 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2018: 9 · 2019: 17 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 22 · 2022: 18 · 2023: 34 · 2024: 21 · 2025: 44 · 2026: 41
Across the model years, half of the 65 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 5,000 and 57,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I bought this car a couple of months ago. This problem didn't happen when I took it on a test drive from dealership. It happened after I bought it. Specifically when I start driving it more often. Sometimes a slipping occurs when shifting between gears 5-6. This happens intermittently on internal roads, not at high speed.
Transmission slips from cold start No. Have not taken to Dealer No. No. Warning lights or messages
The turbine shaft in the transmission broke without warning. The part could have failed in an intersection leaving the vehicle in the middle of the road and potentially causing an accident as the vehicle was unable to move under its own power.
My 2018 Gmc Terrain sle has 41668 miles and has been serviced as needed. Anyhow, sometimes when I AM driving, I can feel the power train stall out when driving intermittently. This concerns me as a single parent with a 10 year old child that goes everywhere with me. I just want my vehicle to be safe
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill or making a left or right turn, the tires were skipping, and there was a clicking and whining sound coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 20V668000 HighOct 29, 2020 · 194,105 vehicles
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- 17V516000 HighAug 22, 2017 · 2,905 vehicles
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
Other systems with a record on the GMC Terrain
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: GMC Terrain problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich GMC Terrain years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2019, 51; 2018, 41; 2020, 28. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2024 (43%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the GMC Terrain?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 20V668000 (2020), 17V516000 (2018). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the GMC Terrain?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 18,200 miles across the model years; half of them between 5,000 and 57,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.