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 8 complaints against the 2025 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 2025 GMC Terrain complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2025 GMC Terrain has generated 16 NHTSA complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your 2025 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 2025 GMC Terrain have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 2 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “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. The next day the vehicle was taken to the dealership, and they could not find anything wrong. They gave us a copy of bulletin#08-07-30-026I. We were not aware of any problems or bulletins being issued prior to the accident. We had repairs of $2,705.71 and don’t know what the other driver incurred.” (NHTSA Complaint #11717815)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2025 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 2 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2025 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 40 MPH on wet roads, the brake pedal was depressed, but the brake pedal was stiff, preventing the vehicle from slowing down as intended. 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. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the brake control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately 7 months and 2 weeks later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,126.” (NHTSA Complaint #11716716)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2025 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 2 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “Vehicle wouldn’t unlock/start with primary key fob or secondary key fob. Tried manual entry with both key fobs still could not enter.” (NHTSA Complaint #11711804)
Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2025 GMC Terrain has 2 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “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” (NHTSA Complaint #11709231)
The 2025 GMC Terrain has generated 2 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: “I just purchased a brand new 2025 Terrain. The entire windshield is defective. The glass is distorted and causing visual impairment. It is VERY unsafe. I have contacted the dealership multiple times and have not yet received a response.” (NHTSA Complaint #11683671)
As of the date of this review, no active recalls have been issued specifically for the 2025 GMC Terrain. Recall status can change at any time. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the most current information. The absence of a recall does not mean your vehicle is defect-free — many lemon law claims proceed without a recall on file.
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 2025 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 2025 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 2025 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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