The Lemon Index
Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.
What owners describe
Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.
Transmission and power train recalls
- 2020 2020
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
- 2018 2017
The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In owners' words
Was exiting off a highway ramp when my car wouldn't get any power to go. Come to find out the tcm went out in the transmission
2011 GMC Terrain owner · NHTSA complaint
Transmission not functional, will not engage into any gear,and went out while driving. I've seen multiple complaints online with sane problem. Recall needs to be done.
2011 GMC Terrain owner · NHTSA complaint
Quick answers
Which GMC Terrain years have transmission problems?
By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst GMC Terrain years are 2011, 2010, 2019.
What are common GMC Terrain transmission problems?
Owners most often describe hard or jerky shifting, lost power while driving, delay or hesitation.
Which GMC Terrain years have the fewest transmission complaints?
Since 2010, the GMC Terrain years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2025, 2022, 2015.
See every problem, not just the transmission: GMC Terrain reliability by year. How we count