2020 GMC TERRAIN Fuel/propulsion System Problems
17 complaints about Fuel/propulsion System
This Problem Across All Years
All Fuel/propulsion System Complaints (17)
Re: 2020 GMC Terrain. Our fuel pump control module (FPCM) unexpectedly failed after driving a short distance. Vehicle stalled without warning on the street and was unable to be started again. This could have resulted in a crash and/or injury to other people in the area. An independent service center suspected an issue with the module but was unable to make an official diagnosis. The vehicle was towed to the local GMC dealer who confirmed the FPCM failure and needed to be replaced at a cost of $850. There were no warning indicators prior to the incident and the vehicle's display only showed "battery saver mode" after stalling on the street.
From a complete stop my car refused to accelerate no matter how much I pushed the gas pedal. I was pulling into traffic and was on a hill so my car rolled forward naturally into the road but would not respond to the gas pedal. The RPMs didn't move, the car had power, I tried putting it in reverse and then back into drive. Nothing worked for a solid 2 minutes at least. Then all of a sudden it registered and worked. I was almost t-boned from a car coming through the curve but luckily, they were able to go around me in time. This put me and my small daughter at risk of being severely injured from a malfunction that I can't recreate to show the technicians. Since this incident, it has happened several times randomly. Sometimes I'm at a red light, or backing out of a parking spot, or pulling out into traffic. When it happens, there are no codes thrown to show any engine malfunctions, but it WILL NOT MOVE! I've noticed more and more the lack of power when driving. Almost as if the transmission is slipping or losing power as well. I bought the car new, only have 38K miles on it, and service it every 5k miles at a GMC dealership. This is going to end up killing someone. The mechanic told me to trade it in, but I just paid it off and it's only 5 years old. There are multiple complaints about this same thing happening with tons of Terrains and there isn't a recall yet.
I have been having intermittent problems for well over 1 year with my vehicle not accelerating. I try to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle does not respond. I have the accelerator pedal pressed to the floor nothing happens for 10-15 seconds, then vehicle will lurch forward and start responding. This has happened several times as I am pulling into traffic. Major safety concern that could cause severe injury or fatality. I also have other issues with vehicle not shifting gears, engine feels as though it is skipping while driving. I have taken this to the dealership and was told that they could not recreate the issue. No engine code or service lights have ever displayed. Dealership told me is can't be anything major since there are no codes or service lights. Currently have 72,000 miles, did purchase an extended warranty. I have seen many complaints of this same problem from other Terrain owners. GMC needs to fix this problem before someone is killed in a collision because their product won't accelerate.
5.25.2025 - Car shut down while at a busy intersection. Called Amherst Police due to location and how dangerous the intersection was. Family member needed to jump start the vehicle. Vehicle started before police arrived. Drove home. Called police to let them know we were no longer at the busy intersection. 5.26.2025 Took out battery to check charge at Auto store - tested Good - 82%. Re-installed battery went to get gas thinking that may be the issue, low on gas, not the case the car wouldn't start at the gas station. Family member needed to jump start the vehicle again. Drove home, called dealer, taking to dealer next week 6.4.2025 due to availability of service. There were no warning lights prior to stalling out both times. This is very dangerous. We are afraid to drive this GMC 2020 Terrain.
Having problems with fuel system
Vehicle stalled while stopped in middle lane during rush hour traffic. Vehicle would not start, and could not be put in neutral to be pushed to side of road. Vehicle was towed to repair shop where they needed to replace the fuel pump control module. The automotive repairmen stated they have seen this with multiple GMC vehicles and they do not understand how it has not been recalled yet because, as they stated, it is going to get someone killed one day.
On Wednesday, June 26, 2024 my 2020 gmc terrain unexpectedly malfunctioned and failed to restart. The engine light came on and I attempted to restart it for nearly 2 hours with no success. Fortunately, it finally started and once I got it home my fiancé plugged the car up to the code reader. P129F “Manufacturer Control” were the results. After further researching, this is for the fuel pump/fuel pump control modular assembly. In January 2023, NHTSA released a notice for my exact vehicle for this very scenario I experienced. And as of June 6th, 2024 a class action lawsuit was filed against gmc for this issue as well. My vehicle is not able to be repaired due to 1) my vin not being included on the recall list and 2) all the parts that were in inventory are also deemed unsafe due to the lawsuit documents shared online and this has caused a nationwide back order per my conversation with 3 gmc/chevy dealerships. At this point my vehicle is unreliable and unsafe to transport myself or my children.
Purchased Vehicle brand new- Beck & Masten Buick GM - Houston, TX [XXX] Performed rout maint regularly. Last oil change 1-5-2024 before catastrophic failure and complete engine seizure. Towed to Wiesner GMC [XXX] 1-12-2024: Mileage on car roughly 99K- had no issues no check engine light, no mechanical failure or indication that anything was running other than normal. No Start on [XXX] PM after work, tried to return next day with battery , changed out battery, engine still would not start, after new battery installed and we attempted to start, that is when engine started making loud shaking motion while attempting to start, windshield wipers came on randomly. First initial diagnostic: Found all oils & fluids in check, could not identify cause of failure, would have to break down and take apart. Had to authorize the tear down at a 1800.00 cost, 2/2/2024: Broke down engine, found that the crankshaft would move one way , but not other, removed the engine from transmission and now crankshaft moves freely. Now the AC comp is locked up (excessive play on magnet & clutch) , tech still unable to identify what caused the failure, they advised that they found traces of metal in oil pan, scored cylinder walls, starter shorted as well. They still could not indicate where these metal pieces came from, how or that it was due to owner negligence or manuf defects. Again this is a vehicle with 99K Miles and now we were looking at a 15K price tag for a new engine, turbo, AC, starter on a car that is worth 12K. This is absolutely insane. We reached out for Goodwill Discounts for some assistance since the dealership could not solidify a cause of failure, but GM decided to not warranty and stand behind their product. We were left with a rebuild option for 7500.00. which we had to do in order to get the car back. I am completely disappointed in GM as a company. This engine should have never failed at 99K. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2020 GMC Terrain Engine stopped working. Put in new engine. After one week new engine blown. We were 2000 miles away on vacation. I need a free rental I was with no car for a month and after only one week again for 3 weeks. Compensation request: Lost wages Hospital visit Extra hotel nights Gas Food car and insurance payment
My vehicle begin stalling when accelerating (mostly after stopping) June 2023. My vehicle has almost cause me to have two accidents because it intermittently stalls when I try to cross an intersection. This is my fourth time taking my vehicle to the GMC dealership, and they tell me they can't find anything wrong if there is not a code. I have reached out to Corp, and I'm waiting to see if they can help get to the bottom of my problem. My car has been sitting at the dealership since June 30th 2023....I call the dealership periodically, and they never reach out to let me know what's going on. I am afraid to drive my vehicle at this time because next time another car may not be able stop and give me time to get across the road. I'm filing this complaint because I seriously think someone is gonna get killed.. Thank you
My 2020 terrain is now at 33k+ miles, I have had repeated instances with my car not accelerating properly. I would be at a full stop try to start to accelerate and not move push down a little further on accelerator and start crawling forward. I would move approximately quarter mile before the vehicle would jerk and accelerate very quickly to a speed well over where it should go to. I.e. I know because I’m starting in traffic I’m not trying to take off at thirty but when the jerk happens I can be jolted to 40-45 mph. The other issue is people behind you don’t realize what’s going on and I have been hit almost twice thankfully they were able to avoid me by going around. No warning lights have come on. This last insistence not only could I not accelerate, but cruise did not want to turn on, the emergency brake didn’t want to work, and the air conditioner was loosing power. I plan on having an independent service center inspect the vehicle, my husband was able to repeat the issue so I’m sure they will also. The first incident was in May and I have had 5 but thankfully I don’t drive that much.
The engine cutoff while driving through a major intersection in 3/2022 with no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Dealership replaced the fuel pump module. Subsequently, the engine cutoff while driving in 5/2023. Dealership replaced the fuel pump module. Each of these occurrences placed my life, my passengers life and the lives of others on the road in danger as an accident could have resulted if I was not able to coast out of harms way. GMC has an existing recall on the fuel pump module for 2021 - 2022 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. Why did this happen a second time after replacing the fuel pump module? Are they using a module included in the recall? I was charged $ 591 dollars for the repair in 3/2022 and no charge in 5/2023 as they stated it must have been a faulty module. I have no confidence in my safety and the module they used in 5/2023 is not faulty.
Service brake assists light flashes on dashboard . Steering wheel locks up and jerk’s loose suddenly when making a right turn, in these moments when the steering wheel jerks loose ;hands are off taken off the steering wheel otherwise injury can occur. Battery life 2 -yrs old is not performing optimally. Can not hold a sufficient charge and ESC light flashes. Vdnt valve leaks discovered.
Turbo failed. Car ran fine with no warning lights. Stopped at red light entering interstate and then could not accelerate which left us stuck in traffic. When it did move it would not shift and took over a mile to get above 20mph in a 65mph zone.
I had been fishing at the lake and went to leave and when I got in my car I put it in reverse and backed up then put in drive to pull forward, only I pushed the throttle all the way to the floor and the vehicle was completely unresponsive. I put it back in reverse and backed up a little more then put back in drive and same thing happened. I then put it in neutral and have it gas and with the pedal to the floor it barely revved the engine at all. I put it back in drive and floored it again and started turning the when from side to side still nothing. I put it in park then back in drive and with the gas pedal to the floor it barely started to creep forward. It continued to creep for about 40ft then all of a sudden the throttle worked and vehicle jerked forward. 2 days later I was driving in town with my daughter in the car and slowed down before turning up a steep hill and the vehicle did the same thing. Gas pedal to the floor and wouldn't accelerate. Only this time I almost got rear ended. I have contacted the dealer and told them I need a loaner while my vehicle is fixed and their response was "I don't know what to tell you we don't have any". I called GM and they said they would contact the dealer and see if they just don't have any loaners available or of they don't offer them and said they would call me back. The end of the next day I still haven't heard from them so I reach out to them again this time being told "an owning advisor has already handled your claim, sorry you haven't been updated yet". I don't need updates, I need a safe vehicle for me and my kids! My car has only 57XXX miles plus I bought a 100,000 extended warranty. Please hold GM accountable for their poor quality of vehicles and even worse customer service!
As I was driving on the highway in New York on Route 17 south near exit 111, I tried to accelerate but when I did the car went slower and the check engine light and traction control lights came on. I was right in front of a huge truck and thank God I was in the right lane that I was able to quickly get on the shoulder and turn the car off. I was able to make it to where I was going, but it was very nerve wracking. I took the car to the dealer service center and was told that it was probably a fuse issue. It turns out my entire engine has to be rebuilt. I have approximately 25,000 on my car, how could it require an entire engine rebuild? The dealer has gotten me two rentals cars that only last 5 days at a time each time and now I’m driving a dealer loaner. It’s been 3 weeks and still nothing. I’m still making payments on my car.
VEHICLE WAS ON 1/8 OF A TANK,I TRIED TO FILL, IT WOULD ONLY TAKE ON 5 GALLONS OF FUEL, GAS GAUGE READ FULL. REPORTED TO DEALER, THERE IS A 'BULLETIN' ON THE VEHICLE, FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY FILLING TANK 3 TIMES, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER, THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE, BROUGHT VEHICLE HOME, DEALER WAS ABLE TO FILL TANK WITH APPROX 13 GALLONS, I RAN IT TO 1/8 OF A TANK TRIED TO FILL AND IT CONTINUES TO ONLY FILL WITH 2-6 GALLONS, AND RECORD ON THE GAUGE A FULL TANK. VERY DIFFICULT TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL IS ON BOARD. MEETING WITH GMC DISTRICT REP 11/19/2020. THEY SUGGESTED I DRIVE IT TILL IT RUNS OUT OF FUEL AS TO SEE WHAT THE GAUGE READS! REALLY? HELP PLEASE! I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE PUMPS AND DASHBOARD TO RECORD AND TIME STAMP. I NEED HELP PLEASE! THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 , SECOND OCCURRENCE OCTOBER 16,2020 AND THIRD WAS NOVEMBER 15,2020. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON OCTOBER 16, THEY TRIED TO REPLICATE WITH NO LUCK, VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME NOVEMBER 11,2020! 26 DAYS LATER. HELP!
Mileage: 5,000