2024 Gmc Terrain Safety Report

The 2024 GMC Terrain presents a mixed safety picture. While it boasts excellent crash test performance, achieving a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, including 5 stars for frontal and side impacts, and 4 stars for rollover, its complaint data reveals significant powertrain and engine-related issues. With 35 total complaints, a notable 10 complaints (28.6%) are attributed to the POWER TRAIN, and several others to ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, or combinations thereof. These complaints frequently describe critical failures such as sudden loss of power, transmission failure, and engine stalling while driving, which pose substantial safety risks despite the lack of reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths in the complaint data itself. The single recall for fracturing door strikers, affecting the 2024 Terrain, also highlights a structural integrity concern that could lead to doors opening unexpectedly, increasing injury or crash risk. The most concerning pattern in the complaint data revolves around the vehicle's propulsion system. Multiple reports detail instances of the vehicle losing power, stalling, or experiencing transmission failures at various speeds, including highway speeds. For example, one complaint describes a 'complete internal transmission failure at 6779 miles,' while another mentions the car 'quit while driving could not control stopped across 2 lanes of highway.' These are not isolated incidents, with several complaints explicitly mentioning 'reduced engine power' warnings, fuel pump issues, or the vehicle shifting into 'PARK by itself even though the car was still moving.' Such failures directly compromise vehicle control and driver safety, contrasting sharply with the high crash test scores which primarily assess passive safety features in a controlled collision scenario. In summary, while the 2024 GMC Terrain excels in crashworthiness with its 5-star NHTSA ratings, the active safety and reliability of its powertrain and engine components appear to be a significant concern based on the 35 consumer complaints. The recall for door strikers adds another layer of potential safety risk. Prospective buyers should be aware of the documented issues related to sudden power loss and transmission problems, which could undermine the vehicle's otherwise strong crash test performance.

Our recommendation: Despite strong crash test ratings, prospective buyers should be cautious due to numerous complaints about critical powertrain and engine failures; thoroughly investigate the vehicle's service history and consider an extended warranty.