The compact GMC Terrain was one of the first true American luxury crossovers, and came equipped with the 6-speed 6T40 transmission and the 6T70 transmission. But they aren’t without their problems though, so let’s look at some of the most common GMC Terrain transmission problems, look at cost estimates and figure out what you can do about them.
What Transmission Do I Have?
GMC Terrain Transmission Models
GMC Terrain: 6T70 Transmission
GMC Terrain: 6T40 Transmission
GMC Terrain Transmission Replacement Cost Estimate
Pricing varies by model. To be 100% sure on pricing, have your VIN# handy and use our Get An Estimate feature to look up your transmission by VIN#.
Replacement GMC Terrain Transmission Prices:
| Transmission | Street Smart Transmission |
|---|---|
| 6T40 / 6T45 | 2432 |
| 6T75E / 6T70 | 2432 |
What are the DTC codes related to GMC Terrain transmission problems?
| Trouble Code | Description |
|---|---|
| P0711 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0712 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input |
| P0713 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input |
| P0714 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent P0715 |
| P0715 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit |
| P0716 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0717 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal |
| P0718 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Intermittent |
| P0720 | Output Speed Sensor Circuit |
| P0721 | Output Speed Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0722 | Output Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal |
| P0723 | Output Speed Sensor Circuit Intermittent |
| P0729 | Gear 6 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0730 | Incorrect Gear Ratio |
| P0731 | Gear 1 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0732 | Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0734 | Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0735 | Gear 5 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0740 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Malfunction |
| P0741 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit |
| P0742 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Stuck On |
| P0744 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent |
| P0748 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'A' Electrical |
| P0750 | Shift Solenoid 'A' |
| P0751 | Shift Solenoid 'A' Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0753 | Shift Solenoid 'A' Electrical |
| P0755 | Shift Solenoid 'B' |
| P0756 | Shift Solenoid 'B' Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0758 | Shift Solenoid 'B' Electrical |
| P0767 | Shift Solenoid 'D' Stuck On |
| P0776 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'B' Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0796 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'C' Performance or Stuck off |
| P0816 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Manual Valve Position Switch Park/Neutral with Drive Ratio |
| P0816 | Downshift Switch Circuit |
| P0826 | Up and Down Shift Switch Circuit |
| P0842 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch A Circuit Low |
| P0850 | Park/Neutral Switch Input Circuit |
| P0851 | Park/Neutral Switch Input Circuit Low |
| P0852 | Park/Neutral Switch Input Circuit High |
| P0897 | Transmission Fluid Deteriorated |
| P0961 | Pressure Control Solenoid A Control Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0962 | Pressure Control Solenoid A Control Circuit Low |
| P0963 | Pressure Control Solenoid A Control Circuit High |
| P0965 | Pressure Control Solenoid B Control Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0966 | Pressure Control Solenoid B Control Circuit Low |
| P0967 | Pressure Control Solenoid B Control Circuit High |
| P0969 | Pressure Control Solenoid C Control Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0970 | Pressure Control Solenoid C Control Circuit Low |
| P0971 | Pressure Control Solenoid C Control Circuit High |
| P0973 | Shift Solenoid A Control Circuit Low |
| P0974 | Shift Solenoid A Control Circuit High |
| P0976 | Shift Solenoid B Control Circuit Low |
| P0977 | Shift Solenoid B Control Circuit High |
| P0979 | Shift Solenoid C Control Circuit Low |
| P0980 | Shift Solenoid C Control Circuit High |
| P0982 | Shift Solenoid D Control Circuit Low |
| P0983 | Shift Solenoid D Control Circuit High |
| P0984 | Shift Solenoid E Control Circuit Range/Performance |
| P2714 | Pressure Control Solenoid D Performance or Stuck Off |
| P2723 | Pressure Control Solenoid E Stuck Off |
GMC Terrain Transmission Recalls
None Found
GMC Terrain Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)
TSB PI0324F – No forward, no reverse, engine will not crank, engine will not start – 6T30 Transmission | 6T40 Transmission | 6T45 Transmission | 6T50 Transmission
2011-2014 Buick LaCrosse – 2011-2014 Buick Regal – 2012-2014 Buick Verano – 2013-2014 Buick Encore – 2011-2013 Chevrolet Malibu – 2011-2014 Chevrolet Cruze – 2011-2014 Chevrolet Equinox – 2012-2014 Chevrolet Captiva Sport – 2012-2014 Chevrolet Orlando – 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic – 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco – 2013-2014 Chevrolet Trax – 2011-2014 GMC Terrain
Problem – Some of the symptoms of this problem include; the transmission will not engage, the engine cranks but will not start, transmission fluid leaks, unusually harsh shifts, transmission slipping, certain transmission gears will not engage. These diagnostic trouble codes may also be present; P0776, P0796, P2714, P2723.
Solution – These problems may be caused by low line pressure due to a damaged transmission pump.
TSB PI0376A – Flare or slipping on the 2-6 shift – 6T40 Transmission | 6T45 Transmission
2011 Buick LaCrosse – 2011 Buick Regal – 2011 Chevrolet Cruze – 2011 Chevrolet Equinox – 2011 Chevrolet Malibu – 2011 GMC Terrain (equipped with 4 Cylinder Engine and 6T40 or 6T45)
Problem – When this common 6T40/6T45 transmission problem occurs, the driver may experience slipping and/or a sudden flare/surge when the transmission shifts into or out of 2nd/6th gear.
Solution – This problem is often caused by debris blocking the opening on the channel plate and spacer plate that provides oil to the 2-6 clutch regulator valve. To correct the issue, the channel plate, spacer plate and valve body will have to be cleaned.
TSB 13120A – Torque converter clutch sticking – 6T70 Transmission | 6T75 Transmission
2013 Buick Enclave – 2013 Cadillac SRX – 2013 Cadillac XTS – 2013 Chevrolet Malibu – 2013 Chevrolet Traverse – 2013 GMC Acadia – 2013 GMC Terrain
Problem – The torque converter clutch solenoid can stick due to debris in the transmission. When the vehicle is at the end of a coast-down, as the vehicle is coming to a stop, a stuck solenoid will fail to release the torque converter clutch. This keeps the engine directly connected to the driven wheels. As the vehicle stops, the engine speed will be pulled down below normal idle speed and the engine may stall. The vehicle can be immediately restarted and driven.
Solution – The valve control solenoid should be replaced, and the transmission control module will have to be reprogrammed in order to correct the problem.
Common GMC Terrain Transmission Problems
Input/Output Speed Sensor Issues – 6T70E Transmission
Problem – When repairing a failed input speed sensor or output speed sensor, steering system damage could occur.
Solution – To avoid damage to the clock springs, the splined steering knuckle must be prevented from falling out of the steering rack when dropping the subframe to access the valve body.
Lack of Response
Leaking Fluid
Low Fluid
Burning Smell
Grinding or Shaking
Whining, Clunking or Humming
Refuses to Go Into Gear
Torque Converter Issues
Valve Body Issues
Transmission Noisy in Neutral
Gears Slipping
No 3rd or 4th Gear
No 1st or 2nd Gear
No Reverse
Dragging Clutch
Trouble Codes / Check Engine Light
Can I drive with a transmission problem?
If your GMC Terrain can still make it up and down the road, you might say “It’s fine, I’ll just drive it until I can get it fixed”. But that is not always a good idea, depending on the symptoms. You see, there are a lot of (very expensive) moving parts inside of a transmission, and if something isn’t right, continuing to drive with a transmission problem could damage something else.
How often does a GMC Terrain transmission need to be replaced?
The overall lifespan of a GMC Terrain transmission largely depends on how well it was maintained. Factory design flaws also factor into this equation, along with how/how hard you drive. But on average, we’ve seen the GMC Terrain transmission last for between 130,000-180,000 miles. A high quality replacement transmission however, can last considerably longer if all of the factory design flaws have been addressed and the vehicle has been maintained.
How are GMC Terrain transmission issues diagnosed?
It is fairly easy to guesstimate what the root cause of your GMC Terrain transmission problems might be, but you won’t truly know unless you have the right tools and experience. A good mechanic or transmission repair center will be able to connect your truck to a computer and find out which diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) have been stored. Once they know what to look for, they can perform a visual inspection to verify the problem.
How is a GMC Terrain transmission replaced?
In order to replace your GMC Terrain transmission, the truck has to be lifted from the ground in order to gain access to all of the parts that will need to be unbolted. Then the transmission can be lowered to the ground (typically with a transmission jack), so the new transmission can be installed. Once it is in place, for the 6L80, the vehicle PCM will have to be reprogrammed / reflashed to accept the new transmission using the latest GM subscription.
Recommendations for GMC Terrain transmission issues?
To save time and get back on the road faster, have your 17-digit truck VIN# handy and you can get an online quote for a reman GMC Terrain transmission here, then find a local shop using our Find a Shop guide to install it for you.
How to Solve GMC Terrain Transmission Problems
Solution A: Buy a Used GMC Terrain Transmission
The quickest way to fix your transmission problems is to simply buy a used transmission or used transmission. These can be found at most junk yards, and they often come with a 30-90 day warranty. However, there’s no way to determine the actual condition of the internal components, so you could be spending a bunch of money to have the exact same problems. Plus, that warranty only covers the transmission if it’s defective, not the labor costs that you’ll have to pay.
Solution B: Buy a Rebuilt GMC Terrain Transmission
Another option would be a rebuilt transmission or rebuilt transmission. A local repair shop will remove your transmission, then install a bunch of new parts during the rebuild. The problem here is, the skills and experience of each transmission rebuilder will vary widely from shop to shop, so you could have problems from something that wasn’t adjusted properly. And the 1-2 year warranty might only cover you at certain transmission repair shops, in a specific geographical area.
Solution C: Buy a Remanufactured GMC Terrain Transmission
Many owners depend on their vehicle to commute and get things done. Their gasoline engines are designed to go 100’s of thousands of miles, so it makes sense to invest in a remanufactured transmission.
What Transmission Do I Have?
What Problem Does Your GMC Terrain Have?
Let us know the year, mileage and problem you’re having as well as any trouble (OBD) codes you’ve found. If you’ve been given a quote or paid for a repair, we’d like to hear about that too!
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2012, 2.4l, no idea which Trans, will not go into gear, black fluid. 150k miles. Nasty chatter when trying to select any gear
I have a 2011 gmc terrain 2.4 transmission Keeps going into limp mode and want shift up or down from second gear what’s causing this problem
Won’t go into drive
I have a 2016 GMC Terrain Denali V6 with about 89,000 miles on it. A while back it started to shudder when pulling away and accelerating hard. It has now getting worse. If you accelerate slowly it doesn’t do and all the gear changes go smoothly. It also does it if you put it in reverse and accelerate with your foot on the brake. Checked the engine mounts and can’t see anything wrong. Took it to a dealer and they said the torque was bad and I needed to replace the torque converter and transmission $7k. I am not convinced.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/ijys84/2015_gmc_terrain_engine_violently_shakes_when/
Any help would be appreciated.
I took the vehicle to another dealer and they said there was a TSB for this problem. They replaced the top and bottom valve bodies and this resolved the problem for $1,556. So it pays to get a second opinion.
TSB
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10173387-9999.pdf
2017 GMC Terrain, goes into low power mode, (lag mode), throws a service stabilitrack message, and throws multiple codes. Will not engage in reverse but do feel tension like it wants to move when acceleration is applied. When in park if you accelerate the engine, the car will begin to move drive forward . I have replaced multiple things but have not came close to figuring out the problem! Any help would be incredible!
rebuilt 6T40 Chevy Cruze 2010 1.8 build went together like cake… no complications…. after customer installed – no start any recommendations while we await to have them scan.
thanks in advance
2018 Terrain hesitates , rpm rev to 5,000 dangerous.
Hi Rob again.lost reverse and no codes present.thanks
2016 GMC terrian v6 engine.102,000 miles just lost reverse
It does crank and run with no lights on. Car will shift it all gears but will not move. Drove it 65 miles to work. Got up to a stop sign right by work and it died. Cranked right back up and will not move.
when warm coming to a stop or shifting 1st 2nddown shift banks in rear
I have no forward gears, only reverse.
I have a 2011 SLT AWD.
2012 terrain down shifts and up shifts on hills with no grade incline change while maintaining a constant speed. Speeding up it seems to labor and then down shifts to a lower gear than before. It has 90,000 miles on it, there is no slippage or apparent problems on flat roads and no lights coming on or codes present. Is this a normal characteristic of the vehicle. We just bought it and don’t have a history if the vehicle.
It won’t get out of park. I had a punching bag in the back, guess that why the stabilitrak or whatever light was on.
11′ terrain, only have reverse, no forward gears at all. Any help in the right direction will be much appreciated.
I am having this problem right now. Just over 90K miles. Reverse works. Did you find out what your problem was? Thanks for any advise.
Im not sure what the code is but my mechanic said its a censor solenoid . my gmc drives fine but won’t reverse . 2CTFLXEC3B6388613
With 133777 miles on it bought it used a 2011
Garage says it is the transmission, but I am not sure i agree! Noise i hear is when accelerating and is less noticeable when coasting, Teansfer case??
Can u change the Transmission filter and fluid
2011 gmc terrain. bought brand new, problems starting over the 50k mile marker. Back and forth to the shop for the last few years. jut this past week, transmission went out at 102k miles and estimated cost of $4963 to repair.
traded it, not putting any more money in that vehicle.
2018 GMC TERRAIN SLE. APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES. VEHICLE BEGAN BEHAVING RADICALLY AT LOW SPEED, JERKING, SLOWING AND HIGH RPMS. IT SEEMED APPARENT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM LOW GEAR. I RAN IT AT ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR TO GET IT HOME. A WARNING CAME ON “TRANSMISSION OVER HEATING, IDLE ENGINE”. I PULLED OVER AND IDLED FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN ABOUT AN 8 MILE DISTANCE. EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE AT LOW SPEED UNTIL I GOT IT HOME. CALLED THE DEALER WHO PICKED IT UP. AFTER 4 DAYS THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT GENERATE A CODE OR DUPLICATE THE SYMPTOM. THEY HAVE NO ANSWER AND EXPECT ME TO PICK IT UP. I’VE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN A MONTH (LEASE) AND QUITE FRANKLY DO NOT WANT IT BACK AS I TRANSPORT ELDERLY RELATIVES AND GRANDCHILDREN. THOUGHTS?
Hey Peter, I’m currently having the same problem with the exact same mileage. Did you get this rectified and if so, what was the problem? Bringing this in tomorrow to the dealer.
I was driving my 2018 GMC Terrain at 40 mph when it lost power and slowed down, I stepped on the gas again and same thing happened. I pulled off the road and shut engine off for 15 minutes per instructions from the service dept. the computer reset and the car runs good. Brought it in for a 1-1/2 hour diagnostic visit and they found nothing wrong. I am not happy. I drive on turnpikes with tractor trailers. I am afraid I may get killed if this happens while on the tpk. What can I do?
I have a 2018 with 4000 miles on it and it does the same thing for me too.. it’s ok under 30mph but does that herky-jerky thing when I start breaking and slow down at lights or to turn..took it to dealer and of course it doesn’t do it for anyone but me. This thing is a piece of sh*t and a death trap if you ask me. Unfortunately I’m only a few months into my lease. Good luck to you!
I too am experiencing similar issues 1.6 2018 Terrain Deisel SLE. Started at 952. Two dealers unable to diagnose.