AI Damage2023 GMC Terrain: common problems
Owners of the 2023 GMC Terrain filed 41 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel/propulsion system and engine. The maker issued 460 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 41
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 460
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 39% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 37% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 15% of all complaints
- 6 Lane departure 10% of all complaints
- 7 Forward collision avoidance 5% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 16 complaints (39% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Engine: 15 complaints (37% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 46.
- Powertrain: 8 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 43.
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 129.
- Fuel system: 6 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 9-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 41 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 0 | 18 |
| Engine | 15 | 0 | 46 |
| Powertrain | 8 | 0 | 43 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 | 129 |
| Fuel system | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| Lane departure | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 52 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 24 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 7 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My son said there was no warning lights or any other indication that he noticed, other than the complete locking up of the steering. The resulting rollover into the ditch has totaled the vehicle so it was not inspected by any collision shop.
The driver side seat belt is hard to lock and unlock into the clip. Sometimes it will not lock into the clip.
My 2023 GMC Terrain has experienced two separate incidents of complete loss of motive power/engine propulsion while being driven. The vehicle suddenly loses the ability to accelerate and maintain normal propulsion, creating a serious safety risk in traffic. The first occurrence was on August 8, 2026.
I also started to detect a strong smell of gasoline. I had to get towed off the road by calling 911 for assistance. The tow truck driver also confirmed that the liquid was gasoline. I had to get the car towed twice. It is now at my mechanic awaiting his inspection. I also spoke to the dealership.
Harness for the airbag gave out. Puts the passenger at risk. Confirmed by service members at Rodenroth Motors Inc. in Sault Ste Marie MI. Message said service "Restraint system". There was no official incident date. One day whenever somebody sat in the passenger side the warning would appear.
The service transmission and service fuel management system messages were displayed, and the check engine warning light was flashing with several other unknown warnings illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and while test-driving the vehicle, the vehicle stalled.
adaptive cruise disengaging alert on dash- no cars or weather conditions to induce this. loss of power and bucking on highway( near accident caused) catostostrophic sudden loss of power engine/transmission failure while mechanic driving resulting in car towed back to dealer.
First time I got it repaired it was related to the fuel pump and now I am waiting to hear back from my mechanic to see what the issue is but so far it is an indication of the fuel pump as well.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 960 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 46% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Terrain has 94 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 41, below average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- PI created to guide technicians through radio restriction process
- This preliminary information is for technicians that may see DTCs that are history and should not perform…
This preliminary information is for technicians that may see DTCs that are history and should not perform any part replacements. They should follow the notes mentioned prior to anything being replaced.
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealers a procedure to reset the radio
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall
Certain vehicles may have a condition which can cause the fuel pump power control module to fail. If this were to occur, fuel flow to the engine could be interrupted. Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control…
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- Emission Recall
General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall. Certain vehicles listed above may have a condition which can cause the fuel pump power control module to fail. If this were to occur, fuel flow to the…
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an…
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an OTA event and how to reset/clear the message.
- This Preliminary information communicates the potential for MIL illuminated with oil pressure related DTC…
This Preliminary information communicates the potential for MIL illuminated with oil pressure related DTC concerns on LSD engines.
- This preliminary information is to inform technicians and customers that the voice command will be…
This preliminary information is to inform technicians and customers that the voice command will be inoperative when trying to open applications. Engineering is investigating and this PI will be converted to a bulletin…
NHTSA lists 460 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 GMC Terrain?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel/propulsion system, engine, powertrain. Total complaints: 41. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (39%), fuel system, fuel smell (32%), stalls while driving (29%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA lists 460 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2023 GMC Terrain from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2023 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.