GM has issued a new service update for the GMC Terrain related to an icing issue for the crossover’s charge air cooler when driving in extremely cold weather.
The problem: certain units of the GMC Terrain may exhibit a condition wherein sludge or ice can accumulate in the Charge Air Cooler (CAC) or Closed Crankcase Ventilation (CCV) system while driving in extremely cold weather. Extremely cold weather is considered to be 0 degrees Fahrenheit and below.
The hazards: if ice or sludge accumulates in the vehicle CAC or CCV system while driving in cold weather, it may affect the engine, resulting in a reduction in engine performance, incorrect boost levels, or an oil leak. It may also trigger any number of Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).
The fix: in order to address this issue, GM is instructing technicians to install a TCV thermal wrap on the engine. If needed, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may need to be programmed as well. In addition, a new turbocharger wastegate regulator solenoid valve may need to be installed. GM technicians are instructed to remove the original turbocharger wastegate regulator solenoid valve, test, apply the new thermal wrap, and reprogram the ECM as needed, while also clearing any possible DTCs.
Affected components: vehicle CAC or CCV system.
Affected vehicles: 2018 through 2022 GMC Terrain. Note that an identical service update was issued for several Chevy models as well, per previous GM Authority coverage.
Number of affected vehicles: it’s unknown at this time how many units of the GMC Terrain are affected by this GM service update.
Owners should: owners can contact GMC directly with any concerns they may have using the contact information listed below. GM has stipulated that this service update applies to both dealer inventory and customer vehicles that return to the dealership.
Contacts:
GM Service Update number: N222372590
GMC U.S. Customer Service: 1-888-988-7267
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Comments
This is a condition which should have been easily identified in a regular validation testing schedule (and probably was) which of course would include cold-weather operation (which can go down to -40F in the schedule). Conditions of 0 degrees F are common in the northern tier states and Canada and would actually be part of a “normal” environment at the winter test facility at Kapaskasing, CA. Sounds like not including the thermal wrap was a cost-reduction decision based on an assumed small % of vehicles that would actually be exposed to 0 degree and below temperatures. In this case GM should have included a disclaimer in their advertising that the vehicles were not designed for cold-weather operation. I assume that GM is making this fix regardless of warranty status, does anyone know if this fix is at no-coast to the customer?
I can tell you that this was not fixed at no cost. It cost me over 400 for them to deal with the issue. My bumper to bumper and power tran expired 2000 miles ago and the GMC warranty doesnt cover it. This is sounding like an issue on alot of GMC Terrains, especially in Canada. My unwarranted opinion? They should’ve done a recall for this and fixed it, instead of forcing people to pay for something that was a problem that GMC caused by not dealing with it the moment it popped up as a possible problem.
We had a 2017 with low mileage blow a main seal from this on Christmas Day 2022 (Ohio). All oil ran out. Still owed money on the car, and it was not worth fixing, per mechanic. Total loss. We will NEVER buy a GMC vehicle again.
I had the exact same issue happen… hardly over on warranty, however I was not as lucky to only pay $400 to fix….I was charged $1,300.00!
I had the same issue with icing due to cold weather. I was in the same boat, barely over in my warranty. I did not get as lucky to only pay $400 for the repair… Sharp’s Chevrolet in Watertown charged me $1300.00 to repair!!