NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 34 complaints against the 2024 GMC Terrain. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2024 GMC Terrain complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2024 GMC Terrain has generated 68 NHTSA complaints and has 1 active recall. If your 2024 GMC Terrain has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. GMC pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2024 GMC Terrain have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 18 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “I bought my car in July of 2025 and since then my car keeps derating and reducing engine power while driving down the road at 70 miles an hour. It cuts out and decreases power. I took my car to the shop twice to have them tell it needed an update. I drove away and then the car does it again. Since December my car has down this decreased power, derated notice more than 30 times!! It is a safety risk for me and my family because you never know when it will happen on the interstate and when you will lose power. I have almost been rearended 3 times due to this issue and no one can seem to fix the issue.” (NHTSA Complaint #11722117)
The 2024 GMC Terrain has generated 8 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The rear camera is displaying the top of the license plate! It wasn’t doing it when I first purchased the car. Dealer states it is normal. I do not agree.” (NHTSA Complaint #11686436)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2024 GMC Terrain have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 4 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “Check engine light is coming on, indicating reduced engine power. Took vehicle to GMC dealer and they advised that the repair shop was getting assistance from the GMC Tech line to update a module to correct the issues. I was informed today that the high pressure fuel pump will have to be replaced, along with a hose or pipe to correct the issue. The vehicle has 57k miles on it. Upon researching the issue, I found that this has been a persistent issue with this model vehicle, dating back to 2020. It appears that it has not been resolved and the vehicles could stall or stop at any time. There is currently a class action lawsuit pending on this issue. Please help, this is dangerous” (NHTSA Complaint #11722070)
Fuel and propulsion system defects can cause stalling, fuel leaks, or power loss — all substantial impairments of use and safety. The 2024 GMC Terrain has generated 4 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. Owner reports include: “FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AT 42K MILES.” (NHTSA Complaint #11681275)
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2024 GMC Terrain have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 4 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “Unintended acceleration in forward and reverse: the vehicle experiences unintended acceleration both in forward and reverse. While driving in heavy traffic, the vehicle continues to maintain throttle position for approximately two seconds after releasing the throttle, creating a dangerous situation where the vehicle continues to accelerate towards other cars. This defect requires emergency braking to prevent a collision. In reverse , the vehicle also holds throttle position after the accelerator is released. This results in the vehicle unintentionally accelerating in reverse at a rapid pace. This requires the driver to depress the brake moderately to control the reverse speed. During this event the driver is fighting against the motor with the brake pedal until the vehicle decided to stop accelerating on its own.” (NHTSA Complaint #11662023)
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2024 GMC Terrain by the NHTSA or GMC. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace all four door strikers and attaching bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM’s number for this recall is N232429911.
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2024 GMC Terrain:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to GMC to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), GMC must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2024 GMC Terrain qualifies as a lemon under California law, GMC may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give GMC a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized GMC dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), GMC pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send GMC a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), GMC is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2024 GMC Terrain has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
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