AI Damage2025 GMC Terrain: common problems
Owners of the 2025 GMC Terrain filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. The maker issued 340 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 340
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 31% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 31% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 23% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 23% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 15% of all complaints
- 6 Wheels 15% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 15% of all complaints
- 8 Forward collision avoidance 15% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (31% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 53.
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (31% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (23% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Steering: 3 complaints (23% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Engine: 2 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 37.
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, 8-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 53 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 1 | 20 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 37 |
| Wheels | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 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.
I figured it was my lane assist even though I was in my lane. Seconds later it felt like if someone was in my passenger seat and just yanked my steering wheel to the right hitting the guardrail. My whole tire and the assembly was off but everything was still intact to the tire.
Vehicle did not go into park when the ignition was turned off. Car started to roll while passenger was getting out of the vehicle as another vehicle was parking beside us. The other vehicle could not avoid our rolling vehicle. Passenger had to quickly sit down to avoid being hit.
Two problems with this vehicle: 1) Transmission occasionally slips on the 2-3 shift which the dealer says he cannot duplicate. Vehicle was brought in four times for this problem. According to the dealer GM corporate has stated the transmission is working within normal parameters, since no codes were found.
Car locks itself into 2 Wheel Drive when conditions are "unfavorable" meaning sometimes rain and most commonly in cold weather. If anyone has driven on snowy and icy roads during the winter, they know how much of a problem this can cause in the winter.
My SUV pulls hard to the right when braking at speeds above 50 mph and much more on the interstates at 65 mph and above. I first experienced this after three weeks of ownership on a drive up I-95 on a trip to NC.
There were several unknown warning lights illuminated during the failure. The accelerator pedal was released, and the vehicle rolled to a stop. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, but the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and turned off.
Vehicle wouldn’t unlock/start with primary key fob or secondary key fob. Tried manual entry with both key fobs still could not enter.
Top of roof pops when you shut car door, Leaking either transmission fluid or oil, Left turn signal doesn't stay engaged when turning, Side mirror warning lights randomly go off when no car is around. Car is not shifting correctly when driving
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 1,401 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 33% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Terrain has 94 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 13, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This Preliminary information communicates the potential for shudder and all cylinder misfire concerns on…
- This Preliminary Information, describes a condition where the HVAC will make noise when changing modes…
This Preliminary Information, describes a condition where the HVAC will make noise when changing modes while HVAC is warm. Engineering is aware and no fix available at the time.
- This Preliminary information describes an issue where the fuel pump makes a loud noise that engineering is…
This Preliminary information describes an issue where the fuel pump makes a loud noise that engineering is currently investigating.
- 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 Preliminary information communicates an issue with the virtual garage door opener not programming to…
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the virtual garage door opener not programming to a garage opener. Engineering is working on a new module.
- This update contains a required software change to help improve the overall software update and…
- • Improved eCall system performance
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This PI is to instruct dealer on diagnostic procedures that need to be completed prior to replacing a…
- This preliminary information addresses a clunk noise in the front suspension traced to the control arm…
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
NHTSA lists 340 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 2025 GMC Terrain?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, service brakes. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (23%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (8%), infotainment or screen glitches (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2025 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA lists 340 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 2025 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 2025 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.