2013 GMC Terrain Engine main seal blown. Light came on with reduced engine and stopped immediately. Oil all over ground and nothing on dipstick. Since we bought car in 2015, it has been serviced at GMC dealership. We come to find out there is faulty PCV valve that in colder temps freezes, causing pressure to build, which caused seal to blow plus other damage most likely to engine. Contacted dealership and he said no warranty on car and also that he has had others with same issue. Contacted GMC customer support and no help. We are having a private mechanic either replace seal or put in new engine and will never buy another GMC vehicle again. May contact a lawyer as this should be a lawsuit!

Apparently, my Terrain had a leak in the rear main seal. I was driving down the highway and I heard a knocking and, before I could do anything, my display said I had low oil pressure and to turn the engine off. The engine cut off just as I got to the shoulder of the road. Needless to say, there was oil everywhere on the engine and the engine was seized. My car is toast.

I located the Service Bulletin 14882 from March of 2015 and like most other people on here, my VIN wasn't covered. Clearly the issue covered in the Service Bulletin applies to more than what GMC is owning up to. I am looking for a replacement car now and was considering a newer Terrain but given GMC's handling of this situation, the Terrain just got crossed off my list of cars I am considering.

2/15/21: Terrain towed to local GM dealership. Terrain was leaking oil profusely. Below-freezing temperatures in our area.

2/18/21: GM Service Manager (Fred) said cause of oil leak is PCV was frozen and plugged which cause pressure. No where for the pressure to escape so it blew the rear main seal. I told him about Service Bulletin 14882 and he said the Terrain VIN was not covered under that bulletin. Fred said he would call GM and ask about coverage. Fred quoted a cost of $1,700 to fix the problem. Fred later told me, after speaking to GM, that GM would pay $500 of the $1,700 cost. That was unacceptable to me. GM knows this is a design flaw, they should pay 100% to repair it.

2/18/21: I called GM customer service, spoke with Brianna. She took my info and gave me a case number. She said the Terrain VIN is not included in the service bulletin. I asked her, very nicely, to find out why my vehicle is not included when it’s having the same issues as described on the bulletin. She said it could be a number of reasons (part installed on a different day, assembled at a different plant, etc). She said she would call me back.

2/19/21: I called the service manager Fred. Fred explained to me that the Terrain has a blown rear seal caused by pressure building up from the PCV freezing/plugging. Fred said it’s exactly as stated in the bulletin 14882. I asked why it would not be covered in full. He said that’s up to GM.

2/19/21, 3:15pm: Brianna called (recorded call) to explain that GM would pay $200 toward the repair. I said it was $500 and now it’s only $200?? She said because some of it is considered standard maintenance. I then added Fred (local GM service manager to the recorded call). Fred said, on the recorded call, “no doubt the problems with your Terrain ARE EXACTLY AS STATED ON THE SERVICE BULLETIN”. I said so you’re saying on this recorded call that you recognize my vehicle has the exact same problems as described on the bulletin but you are refusing to pay for the problems? Brianna said your VIN is not included in the bulletin. I said your company neglected to include my VIN on the bulletin. It’s obvious that it should be included and it’s obvious that GM should pay for the repairs at 100% as stated on the bulletin. Brianna said she cannot add my VIN to the bulletin. Fred said that cleaning out the sludge is considered routine maintenance (WTH??!??? I have never had to have sludge cleaned out of any vehicle!! Call escalated from there. I was furious.) Fred said, “some of it is covered under warranty so you’re saving some money there.” I said, “I don’t give a rat’s ass about a warranty!!! This has nothing to do with a warranty!! It has to do with a design flaw that should be covered under the service bulletin that you are refusing to cover!!!” I told Brianna to have her supervisor call me before 5pm that day.

2/19/21 4:00pm: Christina, Brianna’s supervisor called. She told me she has the final say and GM will only pay $200 toward the repair. She was arrogant. She refused to give me her supervisor’s name or number. She refused to allow me to talk to anyone with technical knowledge. I asked for the specific reason why my VIN is not included on the bulletin and she rattled off the same list Brianna gave me. I told her I’ve heard all that but I have not been given any specific reason why my VIN is not included. She regurgitated the same list about three times. I insisted that someone else contact me as she has no customer service skills. I said I want to know specifically why my vehicle is not included to be covered under bulletin 14882 when the service manager said on a recorded line that the problems are exactly as stated on the bulletin. She said I will not discuss this with you further. She said this is the final decision and have a good day.

So now I’m left with a $1,700 repair that I should not have to pay due to GM’s lack of standing behind their product. They know that this is a design flaw or there wouldn’t be a service bulletin. The bulletin states it covers “some” vehicles in the list under 120,000 miles or less than 10 years old. The “some” is how they are allowed to pick and choose which vehicles to cover. I’m wondering if they’ve covered any at all?? Or do they tell everyone that their VIN isn’t included in the coverage while never giving specifics on what qualifies a vehicle for coverage or why some vehicles are exempt of coverage.

We love this car, bought it new, Sept. 2013, just missed the 5 year Deadline! NO problems for 83K miles! Nancy drives to NH, from Ma everyday, 50 miles each way! The AWD is Great in the snow! We have been using AMSOIL in all our vehicles, including our 2 Harleys since 2004! The 3rd week in Sept., Nancy said the oil light had come on! Because we use the 25K mile AMSOIL, I told her to reset the mileage thingy! Because of the Direct Injection motor, which is very tough on motor oil, diluting the oil with gasoline, etc., I change the oil & filter at 15K. That's another problem, the smaller engines Beat Up oil, more than V-6 or V8 motors. The BEST oil filter I can get for the Terrain is a 15K miler, so I might as well change the oil, oil is cheap! My personal car is a 2012 Caravan, V6, I use the same 5W-30 as the Terrain, but, I use a 25K mile filter! At 25K, my oil is still looking Great, with oil analysis, I could probably go another 25K? The analysis is an expensive hassle, taking a sample, sending it in, etc.! If I had a fleet of trucks, I'd do it, could save $1000.'s There was only 7K on the 25 K oil? I checked the oil, there was nothing on dipstick, odd? I put a 1/2 qt. of my 5W-30 AMSOIL in, still nothing on dipstick, I put the rest of the qt. in, still nothing? The Red Sox were coming on shortly, I"ll further check this out Sunday! I thought Nancy rode over something? I'm legally blind, I didn't notice the 2 dozen oil stains in our old driveway! I crawled under car with a flashlight, all wet with oil, at rear of motor?

I next emailed my local GMC Dealer (TUCK'S), they have been in business since 1954, 64 years! I explained my situation, the Service Manager said He never heard of this problem! WTF? I said, GM has been making this model since 2010, 8 years, & you haven't had to fix one of these problems? " NOPE"!

I called my Tech, He put it on his lift, it was wet with motor oil, but couldn't exactly find the leak, NO red trans fluid, checked the transfer case, still full of 75W-90 AMSOIL gear oil! I had him pull the plugs, with all this talk of oil consumption, they were very good, but had 4 new ones installed anyway! I next went to the top Independent Shop in Worcester County, Ma., He recently did the PCV repair on a customers car! When He found out, I wanted the whole Kit & Kaboodle done, (PCV, pistons & rings, rear main seal, & timing chain) & when He found out you had to remove the tranny to get at the rear main seal, He politely said He was out, didn't want to go that deep! So, I went to another GMC Dealer, recommended by my Tech, the Service Manager gave me a Ball Park quote of $3100.- for the Whole kit & Kaboodle ! It comes with a 2 year warranty, & unlimited mileage!

PS, The Great Independent Shop, said, He could see 10 hours at $200.- per hour, $2000.- in labor alone? So, maybe the GMC Dealer who has done a 100 of these repairs, might just be a Deal at $3100.-?

PSS, My other thought was, take the Terrain to the Best Car Wash in town, have them wash the chassis, maybe twice, then take it to a Dealer, try to make a Deal? Dealers & used car lots, get a lot of cars from Auctions, most are troubled vehicles, (lease cars, floods, hurricanes,etc.), Buyer Beware! Any thoughts?

On 1/21/2019, it was 2* fahrenheit morning, and my wife was driving our 2013 GMC Terrain on her way to work, which is 33 miles away, and mostly highway. While on the exit ramp from the highway, it stalled. She got it restarted, but it was running rough. She got to work, which may be a mile away, and parked. She then saw a puddle of oil under it.

She had it towed to our mechanic that we've been doing business with for twenty years. He determined it was the rear main seal that failed, causing the oil leak. While researching possible causes of this problem, he found GM service bulletin 14882. Before he went any further, he called my wife and gave her your 800-462-8782 phone number, and the service bulletin number, and advised her to call and see if our Terrain was covered.

She called and talked to Victor. She explained what had happened, gave him the bulletin number, and he responded with "I can't find that service bulletin. Why don't you bring your car to a GM dealer and have them look at it?" She asked if GM would pay for the tow there, he replied with "No". While this was happening, I made my way to our mechanic. He showed me the bulletin, explained what had happened, and what was involved with repairing it. He also told me that "These engines are notorious oil burners. There's another service bulletin about oil changes for this car. It says that mechanics need to the oil drain plug out for an additional half hour after the last drop of oil comes out of the pan, so any condensation may be released out of the engine." We decided not to start any work on it until my wife had gotten back to me about what she found out from GM.

On 1/22/2019, I went and told our mechanic to start working on it, because my wife was told that GM couldn't find the service bulletin. "Are you serious? GM couldn't find their own service bulletin?" Is what our mechanic said after I told him what my wife was told by Victor. About two hours after leaving the mechanic, he left my wife a voice message to call him, but since she was working, she had me call him back. Upon calling him he said "We took the big air box on top of the engine off and a gallon of water came out of it. I then took off the oil fill cap and noticed there was a milky substance on the filler cap. I'm afraid of this engine. What's to say that in a few months after this repair you'll be back here with an engine failure? I've found another engine that has 60,000 miles on it." I told him not to go any further until I had a chance to contact my wife with that information.

While awaiting a response text message from my wife, I called your 800 number, which was answered by Victor, the same person my wife made contact with. After telling him what happened to my wife, he said "I remember your wife calling yesterday." I said "Oh good, can you please find the GM service bulletin 14882?" His reply was "No I can't find that bulletin." "Oh really? Can you take your smart phone, or use the computer that's in front of you and Google GM service bulletin 14482? Because that's how I found it." After hearing that Victor miraculously found the bulletin. "Ok sir, can you give me the last eight digits of your vehicles VIN?" I gave him the VIN numbers, and he replied with "Your VIN isn't attached to that service bulletin." "Can you please tell my why it isn't attached to it?" Side note, I've done some research and found a forum thread that deals with this exact problem, and one the contributors to the thread wrote "You need to ask why your VIN is't attached to the bulletin, and don't stop asking until you get an answer." Victor said "No I can't tell you why." I asked "Are all GM engines built in the same facility? Maybe that's why it isn't attached?" His reply was "No they are not." "Are all the parts to the engines sent from GM to their engine building facilities?" I asked. He said "Yes they are." I asked "So please tell me why my VIN isn't attached to the bulletin if all the pieces for this engine are supplied by GM and assembled at different facilities? They all have the same parts, which are bound to fail." He couldn't answer that question, and just stared to deflect. I figured he was out of answers for me so I let him go.

Not being satisfied with what I was being told, I Googled another number for GM customer service. 866-522-9559 was the result, so I dialed it. The person listened to the story of what happened to my wife and was much more apologetic about the situation, but still gave me the same result. He did say "Even though the same parts are used to assemble the engines, they are supplied by different vendors, that's why your VIN isn't attached to the bulletin. If you do end up repairing the vehicle, make sure to save your receipt and your case number in case your VIN does get attached to the bulletin in the future, because you may get reimbursed, if our guidelines are followed."

You know there are problems with this engine, just because service bulletins have been issued about it. Weather it's the plugging or freezing of the PVC system causing the rear main seal to fail, it excessively burns oil, or it has condensation in it. The PVC system relieves pressure caused by the engine running, and when it gets plugged and/or frozen, the pressure has to be released, hence the rear main seal failure. Condensation, water in the oil of a vehicle? What kind of shape are the bearings of the engine in? Metal and water creates rust. Rusty bearings makes engines fail. Sounds like to me this engine was designed to killing itself and GM knows about it, but isn't doing anything about it. My wife asked me "Why doesn't GM just send a letter to the owners of these cars that have this engine to let them know not to drive long distances when it's below 32*?" "Because they aren't the 'stand up and do right by our customers' company we thought they are" was my reply. I've been a loyal customer of GM for twenty nine years, having owned fifteen different GM vehicles over all those years. It saddens me to say, but this will be my last GM that I'll purchase. It's not because of what happened with the Terrain, it's because GM won't stand behind their product until a class action lawsuit is filled against them.

Update from Mar 12, 2019: I've filled a report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA for short. www.nhtsa.gov is the link. They are responsible for making car manufactures issue recalls. Everyone with this type of engine, all the vehicles covered by service bulletin 14882, need to fill a report with NHTSA. My 2013 GMC Terrain is currently sitting in my driveway with another blown rear main seal. The mechanic that we've been using for 20 years did the repair the way service bulletin 14882 explains to, upon running the vehicle for a half hour, the new rear main seal started to leak.

I DO NOT HAVE THE $2800 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM NOR THE $1250 JUST TO FIX SO I CAN CONTINUE TO DRIVE. -- IF I JUST FIX IT SO I CAN DRIVE IT, I WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED PERIODICALLY BECAUSE I WILL NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS DOING IT AND FROM MY RESEARCH IT STATES IT WILL HAPPEN BEFORE MY NEXT OIL CHANGE.

THEY EVIDENTLY REALIZED THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY BAD SITUATION SINCE FROM MY RESEARCH HAVE FOUND A LOT OF THERE CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM FROM 2010-2013. I WAS TRYING TO SAVE MONEY AND GET THE 4 CYLINDER INSTEAD OF THE 6. I WISH I HADN'T BECAUSE THEY FIXED IT ON ALL 6 CYLINDERS.

I HAVE NOT HAD A CAR AS OF TODAY 6 WEEKS.

THEY PROBLEM IS THE SPECIAL COVERAGE THEY DID FOR THESE CARS -- WAS TO COVER THIS PROBLEM FOR UP TO 10 YEARS OR UNTIL THEY EXCEEDED 120,000 MILES.

IT SAYS THEY THAT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4L ENGINE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION, MAY ALSO EXPERIENCE A FROZEN AND /OR PLUGGED PCV SYSTEM DURING COLD WEATHER OPERATION. THIS CONDITION MAY INCREASE CRANKCASE PRESSURE LEADING TO A REAR CRANKSHAFT SEAL OIL LEAK. IF THE OIL LEAK IS IGNORED THE ENGINE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE. IF THIS CONDITION IS NOT CORRECTED, CONTINUED DRIVING WITH THE ENGINE NOISE AND/OR THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED MAY DAMAGE THE ENGINE.

SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT

THIS IS SPECIAL COVERAGE COVERS THE CONDITION DESCRIBED ABOUT FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, FROM THE DATE THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP.

THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX THIS AND IT WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN

PLEASE HELP ME

The problem started back around Dec 14, 2017 with 82,700 miles it was leaking oil by the rear seal of the motor called our local GM dealer. The person was pretty rude and said the didn't time to look at it But called back next month which I did he then ask for my VIN which I gave him...He said well your power train warranty ran at the end of December...Now that dirty GM dealers seem to only want to screw you over just like GM Corporation. So I parked the vehicle until spring. Had to use it because my daughter need to use my car. So just used it around town and a few trips out of town. But around every 100 or so I would use a quart of oil but a little more of I made a trip out of town. Had to carry a 5 quart jug of oil around with and check every 100 or so miles. Got to be pretty spendy. So around 83,700.

In August, I call another dealer in other city to see if they can check it out. Told me to bring it in and sure enough its was the main seal was leaking. They fixed it at a cost of $980.00 and it doesn't leak anymore. Drove it about 200 miles it was almost 2 quarts low. Add the 2 quarts at around 83,890. Drove it another 100 or miles. Decided to park it at 83,988 and check it again down a quart. It doesn't seem to be burning it. No noticeable oil leaks. And when I tell them about that special warranty my motor isn't the that's bad...its a piece of junk ....expensive piece junk...Don't know what to do. Call my friend who now works a GM dealership said my vin isn't cover so if I want to get it fixed around 1800 if its the pistons or more if the motors shot. But gave me number to Call GM...Been calling ...will try later. Paid the vehicle off in May...then lost my job.. Run out of unemployment... So It will be hard to afford to get it fixed on my own...Thanks a very DISSATISFIED GM JUNK OWNER.

Update from Mar 6, 2019: I recently brought my vehicle(junk) in the local GM dealership they preformed a PVC test. Mine was plugged it costed $390 to have them clean it out. And they changed the oil to do an oil consumption test. I checked it at 100 miles it was still full...Checked it at 1000 miles it was not quit a half a quart down. I brought back for the dealership to record it. I drove it another 150 miles. Then I was going down the road and the Reduce Power warning came on I returned home. It started it a hour later. it start ok then when back into Reduce mode again.Shut it off and wait an half an hour would not start...The code came cam sensor bad....replaced both intake and exhaust sensors.Still won,t start. the dealership next opening is in 3 weeks....I have a expensive lawn ornament...

I would like to discuss an issue I recently had on our 2013 GMC Terrain with a 2.4L engine (VIN 2GKFLREKXD6148139). The vehicle has been running great and is well maintained as I work for another major engine manufacture as a Field Engineer. The vehicle is parked in our garage and has shown no signs of any leaks.

On Dec 30th, 2017 my wife was on her way home late at night and called me to let me know the dash had a warning to SHUT DOWN ENGINE – LOW OIL PRESSURE. She did this immediately! We were very lucky that she was near our home when then happened. I grabbed some oil and went to assist, upon arrival I noticed that the undercarriage of the vehicle was completely covered in oil and the dipstick was not showing any.

The vehicle was towed to the dealer we purchased this from (Premier GMC in Rittman, Ohio) on Tuesday Jan 2, 2018. I contacted the dealer ahead of time to make them aware the vehicle was coming and was informed they were busy and would not be able to look at it until later that week.

Finally on the following Wednesday Jan 10th, 2018 they contact me back to confirm my suspicions of a rear main oil seal. I was able to find our paperwork for the purchase and the 5yr/100,000mile power train warranty just expired in fact 2 months to the day of this issue occurring. The service writer informed me he could offer some policy money of 347.00 towards the repair but I would be responsible for the 750 to 800 dollars of the balance. I gave him the okay to continue with the repair as we needed this vehicle back ASAP.

When I went to pick up the vehicle I questioned the service manager as to what caused this issue and his first response was “I don’t know”. Then I informed him of what I did for a living and asked “ Did you check the crankcase vent system because to me it had to be something with back-pressure to blow the seal that way”. His reply was yes, as a matter of fact, we had to do a few more hours of labor to remove the manifold and clean the PVC port in the engine because it gets plugged up due cold weather operations. That is when I asked what could be done to prevent this because there were no signs of this coming on. I was told no, there is nothing you can do to prevent this from happening this time or in the future. I don’t know about you, but I do not have $1200 to continuously put towards this issue every time it may happen.

I was then informed to my surprise my portion of the bill was $1189.00, $400 dollars more than I was quoted on the phone. I never received a phone call notifying me of the significant increase above the amount that I was quoted. When I questioned why the bill was $400 more than I was quoted I was informed that they needed a few more hours to remove the manifold and clean out the PVC port. I was told “sorry we were busy and I didn’t call you about the added hours” Unacceptable to me! Four hundred dollars is a large amount of money to not be called about but at this point I needed my vehicle back.

After paying the bill and returning home in shock, I began to do a bit of research and found the following GM document that clearly shows this is a known issue and should have been taken care of under warranty. I would like to discuss with someone why it was not!?! Is it just that the dealer did not go and look it up? They were very much aware of this issue and knew where to go for the repair because I was told exactly what the issue was.

Being told that there is no way to prevent this from happening again does not give me confidence in this vehicle and certainly does not make me feel safe in keeping this vehicle. My wife drives this vehicle every day and does not feel confident driving this vehicle as her primary vehicle after being told there is nothing to prevent this from happening again, she does not want to be stranded on some road again! The service bulletin clearly states that this particular issue would be covered for 10 years/120,000 miles regardless of ownership. Our vehicle is a 2013 and only has 69,000 miles.

I reported this to GMC Customer Assistance and they were very RUDE. In fact when I got the reply email it was the typical NO COVERAGE. YOUR SERIAL NUMBER IS NOT IN THE RANGE! I escalated the issue to that person's supervisor who was very RUDE. He didn't understand what he was explaining and just keep repeating the agent gave you the correct information and there is nothing I can do. I asked to speak with his supervisor and BRANDON told me he will tell you the same thing and would not give me a name.. THIS IS TOTAL BULL SH*T.. Many people with this engine are having unexpected failures of engines due to a problem they are well aware of with this engine and they won't stand behind the repairs. Sounds to me like everyone needs to get together and lawyer up.. Cause this is just crap.. Will never own a GM product again.

I have attached the bulletin from GM that explains the same problem a lot of us have had.

Bulletin No.: 14882 Date: March 2015

SPECIAL COVERAGE SUBJECT: Special Coverage Adjustment – Plugged PCV Orifice in Intake Manifold MODELS: 2010-2013 Buick LaCrosse 2011-2013 Buick Regal 2012-2013 Buick Verano 2011-2013 Chevrolet Captiva 2010-2014 Chevrolet Equinox 2013 Chevrolet Malibu 2012-2013 Chevrolet Orlando 2010-2013 GMC Terrain Equipped with 2.4L Ecotec Engine (LAF, LEA or LUK)

CONDITION Certain 2010-2013 Buick LaCrosse; 2011-2013 Buick Regal; 2012-2013 Buick Verano; 2011- 2013 Chevrolet Captiva; 2010-2014 Chevrolet Equinox; 2013 Chevrolet Mailbu; 2012-2013 Chevrolet Orlando; 2010-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine (LAF, LEA or LUK) that have experienced high oil consumption may also experience a frozen and/or plugged PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) system during cold weather operation. This condition may increase crankcase pressure leading to a rear crankshaft seal oil leak. If the oil leak is ignored or not noticed, an engine clatter noise may be noticeable and/or the engine pressure warning light may illuminate. If this condition is not corrected, continued driving with engine noise and/or the engine oil pressure light illuminated may damage the engine.

SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles (193,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. Dealers are to perform a crankcase pressure check, and if required, remove the intake manifold and clear the PCV orifice. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer. For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after March 4, 2015, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to March 4, 2015, must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.

VEHICLES INVOLVED All involved vehicles are identified by Vehicle Identification Number on the Applicable Warranties section in GM Global Warranty Management system. Dealership service personnel should always check this site to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs. It is important to routinely use this tool to verify eligibility because not all similar vehicles may be involved regardless of description or option content.

PART INFORMATION Parts required to complete this special coverage are to be obtained from General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales (GMCCA). Note: Use the vehicle identification number (VIN), SI and the GM Electronic Parts Catalog to determine which parts to order. The Crankshaft Rear Oil Seal Replacement procedure in SI states what parts are required to complete the repair. For example, gaskets, one-time use fasteners, and fluids.

Part Number Description Quantity/Vehicle 12591866 Crankshaft Rear Oil Seal 1